Randal Rust. Independent Historian. Facts are Stubborn Things.
Ohio Country, Old Northwest
Joined April 2019
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What did Ken Burns' 'The American Revolution' miss?
A thread.
This is NOT, 'What did Burns get wrong?'
It IS, 'What could have been added to tell a deeper, more nuanced story?'
Here we go👇
American History Central retweeted
The Headless Horseman Pursuing Ichabod Crane, 1858, by John Quidor (1801-1881).
American History Central retweeted
November 1 is also the day that a riot took place in New York City. Lieutenant Governot Cadwallader Colden was forced to take refuge in Fort George, while the rioters burned his carriage. The riot is also known as the "General Terror of New Yotk."
The dreaded Stamp Act took effect on November 1, 1765.
The Stamp Act was passed by Parliament in 1765 to raise money from the 13 Original Colonies. It required printers and publishers to buy special stamped paper for legal documents and many printed materials in the American colonies, increasing the cry of "No Taxation Without Representation" — a direct cause of the American Revolution and the War for Independence.
Image: Stamped die, circa 1765.
American History Central retweeted
🎃 HAPPY HALLOWEEN 🎃
Please check your child's Halloween candy....
We found REDCOATS in our chocolate.
They'll leave a bad taste in your mouth. No words.
It's done!
The Battle of White Plains was fought between the United States and Great Britain on October 28, 1776, during the New York City Campaign of the American Revolutionary War. British and Hessian forces captured Chatterton Hill but failed to pursue and destroy General George Washington’s army. Afterward, Washington withdrew to North Castle Heights, while General William Howe turned south to attack Fort Washington.
Read the whole story here:
americanhistorycentral.com/e…
Well, I won't be able to publish the updated Battle of White Plains today either. I found an older account with quite a few details I need to review.
Tried in vain to complete my revised version of the Battle of White Plains for the 250th anniversary. Sadly, I won't be able to finish it today. I'll get to it tomorrow. In the meantime, here's a preview:
The Battle of White Plains took place near White Plains, New York, on October 28, 1776, during the New York Campaign. Following his victory at the Battle of Long Island (August 27–19, 1776), General William Howe prepared to invade Manhattan Island. On September 15, he landed troops at Kip’s Bay, routed the American defenses, and pushed them out of New York City. General George Washington was forced to move his army northward to Harlem Heights. Units from the two armies clashed the next day, September 16, in the Battle of Harlem Heights, which the Americans won.
Washington kept his army on Harlem Heights, while he awaited Howe’s next move. Eventually, Howe decided to land troops north of Harlem Heights, which would put them behind Washington's Army. His plan was to attack Harlem Heights from the east and push the Americans toward the Hudson River. If he was successful, then Howe would have Washington’s Army trapped between his army and the British Navy, which controlled the Hudson. Washington would face his army’s destruction or would be forced to surrender.
Howe tried to land troops at Throggs Neck on October 12, but American forces successfully drove the British back to their boats. On October 16, Washington and his officers decided to abandon their positions on Manhattan Island, except for Fort Washington, and move north to White Plains. Two days later, on October 18, the British landed at Pell’s Point. This time, American forces were unable to keep the British from landing, but they were able to delay them. A small force of American troops, led by Colonel John Glover, fought bravely against overwhelming numbers, long enough to force Howe to pause his advance on White Plains.
Over the next 10 days, the Americans moved to White Plains while the British slowly advanced toward them. Once Washington’s Army was at White Plains, the men dug entrenchments and prepared for the British attack. The American line stretched from Purdy Hill, near the Bronx River, west to Chatterton Hill, on the edge of White Plains.
At New Rochelle, Howe was joined by around 8,000 Hessian troops under the command of Wilhelm von Knyphausen. Then Howe moved his army to Scarsdale, New York, and prepared to attack Washington. On October 28, Howe advanced toward White Plains.
Howe sent General Henry Clinton and General Leopold de Heister forward. They were engaged and delayed by Americans under the command of Joseph Spencer. The British were able to push forward, and Spencer and his men withdrew to the safety of Chatterton Hill. American forces on the hill covered Spencer and his men as they retreated. From that point on, the hill became the focal point of the Battle of White Plains.
Washington sent reinforcements to dig entrenchments and prepare for a British attack. After a short break in the fighting, Howe had his artillery open fire on the hill and sent an assault force of around 4,000 men against the Americans. The Americans fought off the first assault. However, Hessian troops and British dragoons attacked the right side of the line, which was defended by inexperienced militia. The militia panicked and fled, which forced General Alexander McDougall to order a general retreat. By 5:00 that afternoon, the battle was over, and the British were in control of the hill, although sporadic fighting continued over the next week.
American History Central retweeted
Enjoy my montage from the recent 250th reenactment of The Battle of White Plains.
Tried in vain to complete my revised version of the Battle of White Plains for the 250th anniversary. Sadly, I won't be able to finish it today. I'll get to it tomorrow. In the meantime, here's a preview:
The Battle of White Plains took place near White Plains, New York, on October 28, 1776, during the New York Campaign. Following his victory at the Battle of Long Island (August 27–19, 1776), General William Howe prepared to invade Manhattan Island. On September 15, he landed troops at Kip’s Bay, routed the American defenses, and pushed them out of New York City. General George Washington was forced to move his army northward to Harlem Heights. Units from the two armies clashed the next day, September 16, in the Battle of Harlem Heights, which the Americans won.
Washington kept his army on Harlem Heights, while he awaited Howe’s next move. Eventually, Howe decided to land troops north of Harlem Heights, which would put them behind Washington's Army. His plan was to attack Harlem Heights from the east and push the Americans toward the Hudson River. If he was successful, then Howe would have Washington’s Army trapped between his army and the British Navy, which controlled the Hudson. Washington would face his army’s destruction or would be forced to surrender.
Howe tried to land troops at Throggs Neck on October 12, but American forces successfully drove the British back to their boats. On October 16, Washington and his officers decided to abandon their positions on Manhattan Island, except for Fort Washington, and move north to White Plains. Two days later, on October 18, the British landed at Pell’s Point. This time, American forces were unable to keep the British from landing, but they were able to delay them. A small force of American troops, led by Colonel John Glover, fought bravely against overwhelming numbers, long enough to force Howe to pause his advance on White Plains.
Over the next 10 days, the Americans moved to White Plains while the British slowly advanced toward them. Once Washington’s Army was at White Plains, the men dug entrenchments and prepared for the British attack. The American line stretched from Purdy Hill, near the Bronx River, west to Chatterton Hill, on the edge of White Plains.
At New Rochelle, Howe was joined by around 8,000 Hessian troops under the command of Wilhelm von Knyphausen. Then Howe moved his army to Scarsdale, New York, and prepared to attack Washington. On October 28, Howe advanced toward White Plains.
Howe sent General Henry Clinton and General Leopold de Heister forward. They were engaged and delayed by Americans under the command of Joseph Spencer. The British were able to push forward, and Spencer and his men withdrew to the safety of Chatterton Hill. American forces on the hill covered Spencer and his men as they retreated. From that point on, the hill became the focal point of the Battle of White Plains.
Washington sent reinforcements to dig entrenchments and prepare for a British attack. After a short break in the fighting, Howe had his artillery open fire on the hill and sent an assault force of around 4,000 men against the Americans. The Americans fought off the first assault. However, Hessian troops and British dragoons attacked the right side of the line, which was defended by inexperienced militia. The militia panicked and fled, which forced General Alexander McDougall to order a general retreat. By 5:00 that afternoon, the battle was over, and the British were in control of the hill, although sporadic fighting continued over the next week.
Today's agenda:
Take notes from the 'Encyclopedia of American History' by Richard B. Morris for the years 1824 to 1860.
This will get me pretty close to wrapping up the notes for two key sections of AHC 101:
- New Nation Era (1783-1824)
- Westward Expansion and Sectionalism (1824-1860)
Who said that prayer?
His name was Jacob Duché.
He was a Pennsylvania Anglican Minister and Chaplain of the First Continental Congress. His sermon at the Congress’s first session helped establish his reputation as a popular preacher. He first supported independence but later opposed the Revolution and urged General George Washington to seek the repeal of the Declaration of Independence. Patriots denounced him as a traitor, and he lived in England until Pennsylvania allowed Loyalists to return
I have spent most of my day taking notes from 'The Encyclopedia of American History' by Richard B. Morris.
When I wrap up today's work, I will have gone through 1763 to 1824.
I am happy to report that nearly every topic covered by Morris is available on AHC.
