Washington's Crossing

Washington's Crossing PDF Author: David Hackett Fischer
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0199756678
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 578

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Book Description
Six months after the Declaration of Independence, the American Revolution was all but lost. A powerful British force had routed the Americans at New York, occupied three colonies, and advanced within sight of Philadelphia. Yet, as David Hackett Fischer recounts in this riveting history, George Washington--and many other Americans--refused to let the Revolution die. On Christmas night, as a howling nor'easter struck the Delaware Valley, he led his men across the river and attacked the exhausted Hessian garrison at Trenton, killing or capturing nearly a thousand men. A second battle of Trenton followed within days. The Americans held off a counterattack by Lord Cornwallis's best troops, then were almost trapped by the British force. Under cover of night, Washington's men stole behind the enemy and struck them again, defeating a brigade at Princeton. The British were badly shaken. In twelve weeks of winter fighting, their army suffered severe damage, their hold on New Jersey was broken, and their strategy was ruined. Fischer's richly textured narrative reveals the crucial role of contingency in these events. We see how the campaign unfolded in a sequence of difficult choices by many actors, from generals to civilians, on both sides. While British and German forces remained rigid and hierarchical, Americans evolved an open and flexible system that was fundamental to their success. The startling success of Washington and his compatriots not only saved the faltering American Revolution, but helped to give it new meaning.

Washington's Crossing

Washington's Crossing PDF Author: David Hackett Fischer
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0199756678
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 578

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Book Description
Six months after the Declaration of Independence, the American Revolution was all but lost. A powerful British force had routed the Americans at New York, occupied three colonies, and advanced within sight of Philadelphia. Yet, as David Hackett Fischer recounts in this riveting history, George Washington--and many other Americans--refused to let the Revolution die. On Christmas night, as a howling nor'easter struck the Delaware Valley, he led his men across the river and attacked the exhausted Hessian garrison at Trenton, killing or capturing nearly a thousand men. A second battle of Trenton followed within days. The Americans held off a counterattack by Lord Cornwallis's best troops, then were almost trapped by the British force. Under cover of night, Washington's men stole behind the enemy and struck them again, defeating a brigade at Princeton. The British were badly shaken. In twelve weeks of winter fighting, their army suffered severe damage, their hold on New Jersey was broken, and their strategy was ruined. Fischer's richly textured narrative reveals the crucial role of contingency in these events. We see how the campaign unfolded in a sequence of difficult choices by many actors, from generals to civilians, on both sides. While British and German forces remained rigid and hierarchical, Americans evolved an open and flexible system that was fundamental to their success. The startling success of Washington and his compatriots not only saved the faltering American Revolution, but helped to give it new meaning.

George Washington's New Jersey

George Washington's New Jersey PDF Author: Craig Mitchell
Publisher: B B& A Publishers
ISBN: 9780970580412
Category : Historic buildings
Languages : en
Pages : 140

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Book Description
From 1776 to 1781 - the key years if the War of the American Revolution - George Washington fought primarily in New Jersey. He battled not only the British army and their Loyalist and Hessian allies, he battled with Congress, with the weather, for food and military supplies, with disease, and with some of his own generals. In New Jersey you can find more open-to-the-public scenes of his actions than in any other state. George Washington's New Jersey leads you through the war and through these houses and battlefields - places like Trenton and Princeton, where Washington's daring nine-day campaign changed the course of world history. Explore homes like the Ford Mansion in Morristown where Martha joined him during the coldest winter of the entire century, far worse than the winter in Valley Forge. Trace the action at the forgotten battle of Springfield, when 6,000 British struck twice, two weeks apart and under two different generals. And America's amateur soldiers stopped them both times! New Jersey was the most fought-over, bloodiest, burnt-out of the thirteen original colonies. It saw more action than any other colony. It was also the most central colony, so that no matter where in America the fighting was, the troops had to cross through New Jersey to get to it. Let George Washington's New Jersey be your guide to this historic ground.

Fatal Sunday

Fatal Sunday PDF Author: Mark Edward Lender
Publisher: University of Oklahoma Press
ISBN: 0806155132
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 625

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Book Description
Historians have long considered the Battle of Monmouth one of the most complicated engagements of the American Revolution. Fought on Sunday, June 28, 1778, Monmouth was critical to the success of the Revolution. It also marked a decisive turning point in the military career of George Washington. Without the victory at Monmouth Courthouse, Washington's critics might well have marshaled the political strength to replace him as the American commander-in-chief. Authors Mark Edward Lender and Garry Wheeler Stone argue that in political terms, the Battle of Monmouth constituted a pivotal moment in the War for Independence. Viewing the political and military aspects of the campaign as inextricably entwined, this book offers a fresh perspective on Washington’s role in it. Drawing on a wide range of historical sources—many never before used, including archaeological evidence—Lender and Stone disentangle the true story of Monmouth and provide the most complete and accurate account of the battle, including both American and British perspectives. In the course of their account it becomes evident that criticism of Washington’s performance in command was considerably broader and deeper than previously acknowledged. In light of long-standing practical and ideological questions about his vision for the Continental Army and his ability to win the war, the outcome at Monmouth—a hard-fought tactical draw—was politically insufficient for Washington. Lender and Stone show how the general’s partisans, determined that the battle for public opinion would be won in his favor, engineered a propaganda victory for their chief that involved the spectacular court-martial of Major General Charles Lee, the second-ranking officer of the Continental Army. Replete with poignant anecdotes, folkloric incidents, and stories of heroism and combat brutality; filled with behind-the-scenes action and intrigue; and teeming with characters from all walks of life, Fatal Sunday gives us the definitive view of the fateful Battle of Monmouth.

General George Washington

General George Washington PDF Author: Edward G. Lengel
Publisher: Random House Trade Paperbacks
ISBN: 0812969502
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 514

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Book Description
“The most comprehensive and authoritative study of Washington’s military career ever written.” –Joseph J. Ellis, author of His Excellency: George Washington Based largely on George Washington’s personal papers, this engrossing book paints a vivid, factual portrait of Washington the soldier. An expert in military history, Edward Lengel demonstrates that the “secret” to Washington’s excellence lay in his completeness, in how he united the military, political, and personal skills necessary to lead a nation in war and peace. Despite being an “imperfect commander”–and at times even a tactically suspect one–Washington nevertheless possessed the requisite combination of vision, integrity, talents, and good fortune to lead America to victory in its war for independence. At once informative and engaging, and filled with some eye-opening revelations about Washington, the American Revolution, and the very nature of military command, General George Washington is a book that reintroduces readers to a figure many think they already know. “The book’s balanced assessment of Washington is satisfying and thought-provoking. Lengel gives us a believable Washington . . . the most admired man of his generation by far.” –The Washington Post Book World “A compelling picture of a man who was ‘the archetypal American soldier’ . . . The sum of his parts was the greatness of Washington.” –The Boston Globe “[An] excellent book . . . fresh insights . . . If you have room on your bookshelf for only one book on the Revolution, this may be it.” –The Washington Times

A Spirited War

A Spirited War PDF Author: Donald Johnstone Peck
Publisher: Flying Camp Press
ISBN: 9780984225620
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 204

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Book Description
New Jersey has recently been hailed as the ¿Crossroads of the American Revolution.¿ This is a fitting designation, given that General George Washington spent the majority of his time in the colony, and engaged the British in several decisive battles within its borders. In fact, a large portion of the War for Independence may be said to have been won in the counties of Middlesex, Somerset, Monmouth and Mercer, where shifting loyalties and local resistance on both sides presented a constant challenge to the combatants. The reader will be pleasantly surprised to discover that many historic sites still do exist in New Jersey. Donald Peck and his companion Jane Doherty lead us on an in-depth tour of many of these Midland sites, each interpreting the facts from their individual point of view. The result is a very readable and exciting narrative, one that affords us an entirely new perspective on the past that surrounds us. You will discover many Revolutionary War heroes associated with Central New Jersey¿Benjamin and William Franklin, John Adams, Aaron Burr, Nathanael Greene, Charles Lee, and the Marquis de Lafayette. Numerous battles also took place on its soil, including Washington¿s Retreat across New Jersey in 1776, the crucial Battles of Trenton, Princeton, and Monmouth in 1776-1778, the Battle of Springfield in 1780, and the celebrated march to victory with the French, led by the Comte de Rochambeau, in 1781. New Jersey¿s truly was the ¿Crossroads of the American Revolution¿, and A Spirited War will prove it!

George Washington's Revenge

George Washington's Revenge PDF Author: Arthur S. Lefkowitz
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
ISBN: 0811770427
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 377

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Book Description
In late August 1776, a badly defeated Continental Army retreated from Long Island to Manhattan. By early November, George Washington’s inexperienced army withdrew further into New Jersey and, by the end of the year, into Pennsylvania. During this dark night of the American Revolution—“the times that try men’s souls”—Washington began developing the strategy that would win the war. In this illuminating account, Arthur Lefkowitz reveals how George Washington turned defeat into victory. During his retreat across New Jersey, Washington reconceived the war: keep the army mobile, target isolated detachments of the British Army, rely on surprise and deception, form partisan units, and avoid large-scale battles. This new strategy first bore fruit in the crossing of the Delaware on Christmas night 1776 and the attack on the British at Trenton and Princeton. From there, Washington took up winter quarters at Morristown, New Jersey, and moved into the mountains, an ideal position from which to check British movements toward Philadelphia or north up the Hudson. The British tried and failed several times to coax Washington into a decisive battle. Stymied, the British were forced to attack Philadelphia by sea, and they would not be able to seize Philadelphia in time to support the British invasion of upstate New York which ended in defeat at Saratoga. Lefkowitz relies on a lifetime of deep research on the Revolutionary War and close knowledge of New Jersey to tell this exciting, important story whose impact rippled throughout the rest of the war.

George Washington to Captain Caleb Gibbs Regarding Cornwallis's New Jersey Campaign, 21 April 1777

George Washington to Captain Caleb Gibbs Regarding Cornwallis's New Jersey Campaign, 21 April 1777 PDF Author: George Washington
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
Headquartered at Morristown after a brutal winter, reorganizes his personal, official and family possessions for residence in Philadelphia as he re-builds the Army to answer Cornwallis's New Jersey campaign: Bring...my sword, my gun etc.. can had also better be brought unless they could be put into the hands of some gentleman in Philadelphia that would take particular care of them...My papers at New Town, take with you to Philadelphia, and have them well received in a good trunk or strong box and lodged with the Publick Papers of Congress. Also requested were table linens and mattress and a course carpet of the same size to keep the Damps from me. (Very Faded).

George Washington Crosses the Delaware

George Washington Crosses the Delaware PDF Author: Elaine Landau
Publisher: Enslow Publishing, LLC
ISBN: 9780766029040
Category : Juvenile Nonfiction
Languages : en
Pages : 52

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Book Description
"A basic introduction to George Washington's crossing of the Delaware River during the American Revolutionary War, and the Continental Army's victories at Trenton and Princeton"--Provided by publisher.

George Washington

George Washington PDF Author: David Hunter Miller
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 20

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Book Description


The Life of George Washington

The Life of George Washington PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Presidents
Languages : en
Pages : 290

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Book Description