After George Washington forced the British to evacuate Boston, he marched his army to New York City to defend that city from an expected British attack. Washington had 20,000 men whose main characteristic was indiscipline. It should have been obvious that these soldiers could not stand up to the Read more
On Sept. 26, 1777, the British occupied Philadelphia after defeating Washington’s army at Branywine and Paoli. Washington was itching for some payback and decided to roll the dice with the Battle of Trenton as his template. When he learned that Gen. William Howe had divided his army between Philadelphia Read more
In May, 1779, British Gen. Henry Clinton marched out of New York City with 8,000 men. He was headed for West Point hoping to provoke Washington into a decisive battle. On the way, he captured the abandoned fort at Stony Point. Stony Point was a steep, rocky peninsula that jutted Read more
One week after his game-changing victory at Trenton, Washington decided to tempt fate by recrossing the Delaware. It was a very risky move that could have (and should have) lost the Revolution. British General Cornwallis, seeking revenge, swooped down on the Rebel army. His superior army arrived in the Read more
The Revolutionary War broke out in April, 1775 when colonists opened fire on British redcoats at Concord, Massachusetts. The British soldiers were chased back to Boston. Although the British won the Battle of Bunker Hill on June 17, Boston remained under siege by colonial forces under Gen. George Washington. Read more
NAME – George Washington NICKNAME(S) – The Old Fox / The Sage of Mount Vernon BIRTH / DEATH – Feb. 22, 1732 Westmoreland County, Va. / Dec. 14, 1799 Mount Vernon FATHER – planter (died when he was 11) MOTHER – housewife COLLEGE – did not attend WIFE – Martha Read more
Most Americans have seen Gilbert Stuart’s portrait of George Washington hundreds of times because it was used for the engraving for the one-dollar bill. But few Americans know the story behind that portrait. The original of that portrait was never finished. When I got my teaching position a long Read more
A myth that is still believed by many is that George Washington had dentures made of wood. This myth appeared in textbooks as late as the early 20th Century. He had at least four pairs of false teeth during his lifetime, but none were made of wood. It is Read more
By 1777, there was no love lost between the Patriots and the Redcoats. The British had recently routed Washington’s army at Brandywine and had taken the city of Philadelphia. The commander of the Continental Army felt he needed to do something to stop his losing streak so he developed Read more
In 1752, the 19-year-old Washington was on an expedition in the wilds of Pennsylvania. His Indian guide took a shot at him that whizzed by his head. In 1755, Washington was serving as an aide to British Gen. Braddock and participated in the Battle of the Monongahela. He had two Read more