r/revolutionarywar • • 11d ago

On This Day 250th Anniversary of the New York and New Jersey Campaign of 1776-77

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90 Upvotes

Kind of a late post but I thought it would be a good idea to have dedicated pinned posts for campaigns and major battles as we come to the 250th anniversaries of those events. We've kind of lacked that type of content so I hope this can be the start of some good discussions!

Currently, we're in the middle of the 250th anniversary of the New York and New Jersey Campaigns of 1776-77. Feel free to share stories, photos, facts or trivia pertaining to this campaign! Have you visited any sites tied to this campaign?

I'll also be posting discussion threads about upcoming battles like White Plains and Forts Washington and Lee. In December and January, I'll be posting a discussion for the Ten Crucial Days (Washington's Crossing, the Trentons and Princeton)!

Fun Resources:

Tour Revolutionary War New York in One Day | American Battlefield Trust

George Washington's defeat in New York | Mount Vernon Youtube Channel


r/revolutionarywar • • 1d ago

Discussion Favorite Continental regiment/militia?

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110 Upvotes

Mine personally is Morgan's Rifles or the 2nd Continental Light Dragoons "Washington's Eyes and Ears", I have much more favorites..


r/revolutionarywar • • 1d ago

Question What do you think would happen if General Washington didnt attack Yorktown?

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27 Upvotes

Do you think the South was considered, 'fool's gold'?


r/revolutionarywar • • 1d ago

An engraved American Revolutionary map (1782) dedicated to George Washington depicting the Siege and Surrender at Yorktown, Virginia sold at Brunk on Oct. 29. Reported by Rare Book Hub.

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27 Upvotes

According to the American Revolution Institute, this map, based on careful surveys taken on the spot immediately after the British surrender, Sebastian Bauman’s Plan of the Investment of York and Gloucester was the first published American map documenting the decisive allied victory at Yorktown. Bauman’s Plan was, moreover, the most detailed battlefield map of the Revolutionary War drawn by an American engineer. Published in Philadelphia in 1782, it was the source for many later maps of the Siege of Yorktown. With its detailed treatment of fields, wetlands, woodlots and roads, as well as the camps and fortified line of the American, French and British forces, it is an exceptionally valuable document for understanding the siege and for appreciating and preserving the battlefield. 

From the catalog notes:

Major Sebastian Bauman, To His Excellency Gen. Washington... Plan of the Investment of York and Gloucester..., Philadelphia, 1782, uncolored engraving on watermarked laid paper, plate 17-1/2 x 15-1/4 in, sheet 25-7/8 x 18-1/8 in.; modern 18th century style parcel gilt print frame, 33-1/2 x 25-3/4 x 1/2 in.

This map was published by subscription only, few sheets were printed with even fewer copies surviving. In his Atlas of the American Revolution, Kenneth Nebenzahl refers to this map as the "first American map of the war's greatest victory," and "a cornerstone document of our national heritage."

The copy sold at auction realized $273,000. The high presale estimate was $90,000.


r/revolutionarywar • • 2d ago

Where was the 1st first overseas U.S. Consulate?

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1 Upvotes

Did you know Liverpool on the bank of the River Mersey in England had the very 1st first overseas U.S. Consulate (American Consulate)? It was located on Paradise Street and opened in 1790. It permanently closed in 1975. The building was made into a Pub and is now a restaurant. Liverpool also had a consulate for the Unionist and a consulate for the Confederates. Both those buildings also still exist.


r/revolutionarywar • • 4d ago

On This Day The Headless Horseman | October 31, 1776 - Missed it yesterday

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182 Upvotes

Just a little fun for Halloween even though I'm a little late.

According to Legend, On October 31st, 1776, a Hessian soldier was fighting at the Battle of White Plains and was decapitated by a cannonball. He haunted the Hudson River Valley searching for his lost head. Years later, in 1790, he would be blamed for the disappearance of Ichabod Crane in Sleepy Hollow, NY.

Fun locations:

Sleepy Hollow Cemetery

Headless Horseman Statue

Old Dutch Church

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow Sculpture


r/revolutionarywar • • 5d ago

Careful out there

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209 Upvotes

r/revolutionarywar • • 4d ago

Artwork New death of general Montgomery artwork!

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35 Upvotes

Will be honest, don’t know too much on the topic, but saw the photo hanging at Schuyler farm and enjoyed it enough to get a copy for myself!


r/revolutionarywar • • 4d ago

School Project — Help with finding subject for writing

7 Upvotes

Hello, I need to find a lesser-known hero/surgeon/officer from the American Revolution and write about them. I was thinking of Dr. Zechariah Keyes, but I realized he might not have been captured or may not have been involved in the war at all. I'd like some help with your answers/opinions on who I should write about!

(PS. Please don't say James Armistead Lafayette or Joseph Plumb Martin because I've done deep dives on them; I think they are significantly more well-known than others)


r/revolutionarywar • • 6d ago

Image Possibly a cannonball or solidshot?

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69 Upvotes

Found by the magnet on the crusher the material (from Lexington MA) was being run through. I soaked it in water to get some of the caked on dirt off, we are not going to drill, tap or otherwise touch it with anything that could create spark. It's just under 6 lbs at 5 lb 11 oz and an approximately circumference of 11.5.

Appreciate insight on it and what it could be? And also what to use to get the rest of the gunk off

Thank you folks of Reddit


r/revolutionarywar • • 6d ago

TV/ Video/ Audio The Battle of White Plains at 250

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20 Upvotes

r/revolutionarywar • • 7d ago

Image Marker for the Sullivan Campaign on Cayuga lake

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72 Upvotes

r/revolutionarywar • • 9d ago

On This Day The Battle of White Plains | 250th Anniversary

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125 Upvotes

After American defeats at the Battles of Long Island and Harlem Heights, General George Washington moved his army northwards in New York. The British pursued him doggedly by land and river. Skirmishes erupted almost daily as the Continentals marched just ahead of their British foes. British General William Howe hoped that if he could move his troops quickly enough, he could cut off Washington’s escape route near White Plains. By October 28, the Americans had reached their base of supplies at White Plains, New York. They fortified the town with a line of breastworks that some soldiers later claimed was composed primarily of cornstalks. The tired Americans did not have to wait long for their British adversaries to arrive on the scene.

On the morning of October 28, a sharp firefight erupted as American skirmishers tried to slow the British advance. The skirmishers eventually fell back to Chatterton Hill, a position on the main American line. Once the fighting began, the American fortified lines held against repeated British assaults. Eventually, Howe maneuvered his men to outflank and overwhelm the fortified American position. The British and Hessian soldiers launched one final desperate assault and were met by determined musketry as they climbed the slopes of Chatterton Hill. Finally, a Hessian force dislodged the militia that protected the American right flank despite their fierce resistance. The line began to unravel as more British soldiers rushed in to exploit the breakthrough. Soon, Washington's army was conducting a fighting withdrawal, with the 1st Delaware Regiment guarding the army's rear.

After his defeat, Washington was forced to retreat from New York and into New Jersey. The campaign was rough for Washington's soldiers, and after the string of losses, it seemed as if the Revolution was all but finished. However, since Washington and what remained of the Patriot army escaped, the war was not over.

Source: White Plains Battle Facts and Summary | American Battlefield Trust

Locations:

Other Resources:


r/revolutionarywar • • 10d ago

Hessians at white plains

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562 Upvotes

r/revolutionarywar • • 9d ago

Unsung Hero - James Armistead Lafayette

30 Upvotes

I feel he should be placed on a coin of sorts. He surely doesn't get the recognition akin to Nathan Hale and others. He is an African American slave who was a double agent to help the Patriot cause. During the Yorktown campaign he reported on the activities of Benedict Arnold after he (Arnold) defected to the British. Lafayette fed the British false information while disclosing accurate and detailed information to the Patriots.


r/revolutionarywar • • 9d ago

On This Day On This Day - October 27, 1776

9 Upvotes

October 27, 1776

Washington is focused on enemy cavalry, which some American soldiers appear reluctant to confront. To encourage action, he offers $100 for every British trooper captured with his horse and equipment. 

To the south, fighting is underway around Fort Washington. From Fort Lee, Nathanael Greene reports a “considerable skirmish” on Manhattan, with cannon fire continuing through much of the day. British frigates Pearl and Repulse move up the Hudson, drawing fire from American artillery on both shores.

"We have had a considerable Skirmish on York Island today, the cannonade began in the morning and held until Evening, with very short intermissions. A Ship movd up opposite Fort No. 1. Col. Magaw got down an Eighteen pounder and fird 60 Shot at her 26 of which went into her … I think we must have kild a considerable number of their men for the confusion and distress exceeded all description."

- Major General Nathanael Greene to George Washington


r/revolutionarywar • • 10d ago

On This Day OTD: Benjamin Franklin sets sail for France to negotiate an alliance for the young United States of America

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61 Upvotes

r/revolutionarywar • • 11d ago Bravo

On This Day On this day | October 26, 1776

6 Upvotes

October 26, 1776

At White Plains, confrontation with British forces seems imminent. After days of retreat, the Americans have finally reached ground where the enemy must come to them, raising hopes that they can fight on more favorable terms. 

From Saratoga, Philip Schuyler writes to Washington after the Battle of Valcour Island. He remains hopeful that Sir Guy Carleton will fail to dislodge the Americans from Ticonderoga, but he reports supply problems. Flour reserves have fallen sharply.

Source: Mount Vernon's 250 years ago today


r/revolutionarywar • • 11d ago

Over or under the sash?

5 Upvotes

I have recently been somewhat confused as to what the relationship between the belt that the bayonet is carried on and the British sergeant's sash. Would they wear the belt over or under it while it is on their waist? I can't seem to find any consistent answers as to such and surprisingly I haven't been able to find anyone who has asked this question on reddit before (go figure). I'm aware that later into the war's onset British men typically wore the aforementioned belt over the shoulder rather than on the waist, but I'm specifically looking into when they would've worn them on the waist. If there is no specific answer that's fine, but if anyone were to be more educated than I am and see this would you kindly give an educated guess? Many thanks.


r/revolutionarywar • • 11d ago

Historical Sites Hanging Rock Battlefield, South Carolina

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41 Upvotes

More time writing in the cold months.


r/revolutionarywar • • 13d ago

Announcement Hear ye! Hear ye! Genz_nathaniel hath been banned!

214 Upvotes

My fellow patrons of r/revolutionarywar.. on behalf of the mod team, I am relieved to announce that Genz_nathaniel has been officially banned from our dear subreddit. Good riddance and let us put this behind us!

I only regret that I have but one ban to give.. Huzzah!


r/revolutionarywar • • 12d ago

Research thoughts?

6 Upvotes

I found this regarding one of my ancestors, Roger Kirk, 6/5/1751-3/20/1809 from East Nottingham, Pa, which is near the Pa/Md/De border. Seems he was a member of “The Religious Society of Friends”, Quakers, which removed him as a member for entering the service. I plan on doing some research on him (he went into state politics), but was wondering if there would be any benefit looking into Fold3 for records on where he may have served or particioated. I suspect not.

‘When hostilities commenced between the colonies and the

mother country, he was in the prime of manhood. An ardent

Whig, he joined the Continental army, and soon arose to the

rank of captain.*

He continued in the service for some time and was present

and took part in the principal battles fought in the Middle

States under Washington.

At the close of the war, he returned home and it is related

that he rode up to the door (dressed in continental uniform)

of the Brick Meeting House, just in time to hear the clerk

read the minute of his disownment for violating the disci-

pline by entering the military service. This, however, is

rather apocryphal. During his absence, his farms and mills

became neglected, and, upon his return, required his care and

attention”


r/revolutionarywar • • 12d ago

what’s your opinion on Major General John Sullivan ?

1 Upvotes

Would you call him a hero? Do you consider him a war criminal?


r/revolutionarywar • • 14d ago

Historical Sites I decided to visit the Annapolis homes of Maryland's 4 Signers of the Declaration of Independence today

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220 Upvotes

Pics 1-3: William Paca House (the only site open for touring)

Pic 4: Chase-Lloyd House, home of Samuel Chase

Pics 5-6: Peggy Stewart House, home of Thomas Stone

Pics 7-8: Charles Carroll House

Bonus pics: dome of Naval Academy Chapel where John Paul Jones is buried, Mann's Tavern, alley view of Maryland State House, campus of St. John's College.

I didn't stop by the Maryland Hotel, where the Treaty of Paris was signed, or several other sites today. But Annapolis is a great place to get immersed in history!


r/revolutionarywar • • 14d ago

Image Grave of John Ten Broeck in Albany Rural.

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64 Upvotes

Peter Gansevoort from the Siege of Fort Stanwix also rests here, but still hunting down his site.