Major Generals, Part 3

As you are probably wondering - which generals will I showcase today?  I have chosen two generals who were key to the revolution on both sides.  First, the Patriots had General Nathanael Greene.  The British had Sir Henry Clinton.  Let's take a look at the Patriots' general - Nathanael Greene.

Nathanael Greene

General Nathanael Greene (1742-1786) was born on July 27 in Rhode Island.  His family was one of the original settlers to the area. He was an apprentice to an anchorsmith and merchant.  He had no formal education but loved to read and write.  His father purchased a mill and he learned to manage it.  Greene helped establish the first public school in the area.  Over the years, he read many books on military strategy and was even called before the Quaker council because of this interest. In 1770, he was elected to the General Assembly.

As men were training in preparation for the British attack, he also trained.  He was part of a group called - the Kentish Guards. After Lexington and Concord, he rushed to offer help.  When Rhode Island called 1600 men into service, they named him major-general of the forces. He became the youngest general in the Continental Army at the age of 32.  He had no military experience but won the respect of his soldiers because of how he handled himself.  His forces were ready and in place outside of Boston in 1775.

Washington arrived in Boston and the two men became friends immediately.  He was given the rank of Brigadier General and was ordered to New York to drive off the British.  Unfortunately, the British proved quite formidable and Green was forced to retreat in 1776.  He was promoted back to Major General and helped Washington face the British in Princeton and Trenton.  He also assisted Washington at the Battle of Brandywine in 1777.

While Washington was encamped at Valley Forge, he placed Greene in charge of securing supplies and made him Quartermaster-General.   "The Honourable Continental Congress have been pleased to appoint Major-General Greene, Quartermaster-General in the army of the United States - reserving his rank of Major-General in the same."  Greene was not thrilled with the duty but did as he was ordered.

When the British evacuated Philadelphia, Washington and Greene along with their troops followed them to New Jersey.  Greene's service at the Battle of Monmouth was key to the success.  When Benedict Arnold turned traitor and escaped, Greene was given command of West Point.  He was in charge of Andre's trial and even though the British argued for his defense, Andre had confessed.  Greene had the man executed for his treason.

After Gates is defeated at Camden, South Carolina, Congress asks Washington who should replace the man.  Washington names Greene. He headed south and placed men in key positions to help secure supplies and more troops. He arrived in Charlotte, North Carolina in December 1780. Cornwallis started after Greene who was not prepared.  He kept to the rivers and streams until he could gather a force to confront Cornwallis.  He decided to lure Cornwallis to Guildford Court in North Carolina.  He sent word to all Patriot forces to meet him there. He had only 1500 troops, but he broke his forces into three lines.  Although the patriots did not necessarily win the battle, they crippled the British with their repeated attacks. Cornwallis began to retreat and Greene pursued him.  Even with his small army, he secured North Carolina for the Patriots.

Greene decided to move into South Carolina.  He was joined by Frances Marion's forces.  They managed to capture many British strongholds at this time.  He managed to chase Rawdon from his stronghold and gave him chase.  Through continual battles and attacks, he managed to force the British to retreat and lose control of South Carolina as well.  All that remained was Charleston.

When Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown, Greene and his men took control of Charleston on December 14, 1782.  Finally, sending his best generals and men, he helped free Georgia from British control.

In August of 1783, he surrendered his command, the battles over, the war won and peace finally had arrived for the new country.

Sir Henry Clinton

Sir Henry Clinton - (1730-1795) was the son of Commodore George Clinton, the governor of Newfoundland.  His father later became governor of New York. He was educated in the colonies and actually joined the local militia in 1746. In 1751, he traveled to England and joined the British Army. He purchased a commission as captain and was a gifted officer.  He continued to purchase additional ranks over the years.  In 1758, he became a lieutenant of the 1st Foot Guards.  He was an aide-de-camp to Duke Ferdinand during the Seven Years' War (the French and Indian War).  He was then promoted to colonel in 1762 and in 1772, he was promoted again to Major General.  Not long after, his family secured him a position in Parliament.

When war broke out in the colonies, he was sent to Boston with William Howe and John Burgoyne to help Gage.

In June of 1775, he helped with the British victory at Bunker Hill.  Howe was asked to replace Gage as Commander-in-Chief.  Clinton was made second in command and given the rank of lieutenant general.  He was then sent to the Carolinas.  His attack there was not successful as the troops could not navigate the swamps surrounding Charleston.  He decided to return north to assist how in New York.

He advised Howe and together they won at the Battle of Long Island.  Unfortunately he did not get along with Howe and when he was made a Knight of the Order of Bath, he asked to return to England.  He went into New York to hold it while Howe sailed south to capture Philadelphia.  When Burgoyne asked for assistance, he sent some troops, but kept most of them in New York to guard against an attack from Washington.  Unfortunately, his assistance did not help Burgoyne who surrendered Saratoga.

He was made Commander-in-Chief of the British Army in 1778 after Howe resigned. He took command of Philadelphia with Cornwallis as his second-in-command.  He sent men to assist in the Caribbean against the French which left him weak.  He decided to abandon Philadelphia in order to hold New York.

While stationed in New York, he decided the British could make a stand in the south where many Loyalists still lived.  His men captured Savannah, Georgia and then Charleston, South Carolina.   When he learned the French were heading to New York, he left the southern campaign in Cornwallis' control so he could hold New York.  He tried to offer assistance to Cornwallis, but the man was very independent and made many decisions on his own. When he learned of Cornwallis' troubles at Yorktown, he tried to send men but was too late.

When Cornwallis surrendered, the British government decided Clinton needed to be replaced.  In March of 1782, he was replaced by Sir Guy Carleton.  Clinton was blamed for the defeat in the Americas.


He was responsible for taking and holding New York and Rhode Island (Greene's home state).  He also took hold of Charles Towne (which we call Charleston today) in 1780.  His superiors did not heed his advice and he did not come to Cornwallis' assistance at Yorktown.  He resigned in 1782 and returned to Great Britain.

Marquis de Lafayette

If you ever travel to Washington, DC, you are quite familiar with Lafayette Park.  Have you ever wondered who was the man that inspired our country's leaders to name a park near the White House after him?  Many know that the French aided the United States when it rebelled against Great Britain, but few know the great sacrifices many made when they came over here.  The Marquis de Lafayette was one of the Frenchmen who not only risked his life, but used his own money to help our troops - to feed them, clothe them, and train them into good soldiers.

Marquis de Lafayette

The Marquis de Lafayette defied not only his family, but his government when he decided to join the Americans in their battle for freedom. Even though he knew his father-in-law would be upset, he was determined to make his mark in the world.  He had no formal training on the battlefield, but he joined the Continental Army as an officer.  “You will be astonished, my dear papa, by what I am about to tell you, but I have given my word, and you would not have respected me if I had gone back on it.”

On June 9, 1776, the Marquis de Lafayette signed an oath of allegiance.

“I, the Marquis de Lafayette, major general in the Continental Army do acknowledge the United States of America to be Free, Independent and Sovereign States, and declare that the people thereof owe no allegiance or obedience to George the Third, King of Great Britain; and I renounce, refuse and abjure any allegiance or obedience to him; and I do swear that I will, to the utmost of my power, support, maintain and defend the said United States against the said King George the Third, his heirs and successors, and his or their abettors, assistants and adherents, and will serve the said United States in the office of major general which I now hold, with fidelity, according to the best of my skill and understanding.”

Lafayette's oath of allegiance to the United States

His Early Life:

 Gilbert de Lafayette was born on September 6, 1757.  His father died during the Seven Years War before Lafayette was even two years old.  He never even knew his father and was raised by his grandmother, aunts, and a private tutor while his mother went to Paris to make proper connections for her young boy. He inherited his titles and lands when he was barely two years old.  When he was eleven, he traveled to Paris to become a gentleman and learn about court manners.  When he was only 13, his mother died, then his grandfather.  He became an extremely wealthy boy.  His great-grandfather enrolled him in a military academy, little realizing what path he was sending Lafayette.  He joined the Black Musketeers as a cadet. While in school, he studied with the comte d’Artois who would later become the king of France.  When he was only 16 he was married to Adrienne (the duc d’Ayen’s second daughter) on April 11, 1774.  His wife was only 14.

He was made a lieutenant in the Noailles Dragroons.  He was promised a commission as a captain when he turned 18 years old.  He and his wife had a daughter, Henriette.  When there were cuts in military spending, he became a man with a commission but no experience.

Louis XVI

Marie Antoinette

His military career:

When he was barely 18, he had dinner with the duke of Gloucester.  While they were dining, they men spoke about the American rebellion.  Lafayette realized he had man similarities with the men.  “When I first heard of [the colonists] quarrel, my heart was enlisted.”

When he spoke to some of his compatriots, he realized many of them felt as he did about them.  The France longed to pay England back for taking Canada during the Seven Years War (we called it the French and Indian War).  When he spoke to some of his friends, he realized they also wanted to fight for American independence.  France begins to offer volunteers to enlist.  The Marquis really wanted to do it with them.  He is introduced to Silas Deane is recruiting Frenchmen to join the cause.  Baron Johann de Kalb is helping to recruit the volunteers.  When Lafayette joins, he is the first soldier who is an aristocrat to join.  Lafayette is full of ideas and he convinces the baron that because of his status, he should be at least a general (he hopes his high rank will appease his father-in-law and smooth the way for him to get permission to go.). The baron speaks with Silas Deane, the Patriot who has come recruiting Frenchmen and the man agrees.  Lafayette is promised a commission as a major general, hoping his high rank would save him or/and the life the patriots by supplying goods.  On December 7, 1776, the contract is drawn up.

Lafayette charging on the battlefield

Unfortunately, when France learns so many young men are leaving to fight in the war, the king is furious.  Some are too young (even Lafayette at the age of 19 is considered under age and must ask permission).  The king orders the ports closed to ships leaving and that any man found leaving should be arrested.  Lafayette is determined to leave so he uses some of his great fortune to purchase a ship – La Victoire – to transport many of the volunteers.  He has the ship refitted and prepared to depart. When he reaches the ship, they travel to San Sebastian in Spain before a messenger from the king reaches them.  He hopes to convince the king of his cause (after all, France is supporting the patriots secretly, so why not let them go and have a glorious victory?).  The baron does not want Lafayette to change his mind, so he sends his own messenger stating the king will support him and that ALL of Paris thinks he is quite the adventurer.  (This is far from the truth).  On April 26, 1777, La Victoire finally leaves for the American colonies.  It took 54 days to travel across the ocean.

Independence Hall

East Conference Room

When Lafayette reaches the colonies, he lands on a beach in South Carolina, far from the town of Charleston which is being blockaded by British ships.  Lafayette is first laughed at, but once he explains he has a ship full of supplies for the colonists, they take him in and celebrate him and all the Frenchmen who have arrived.  His ship is unloaded and sent back to France for more supplies (all of which he uses his own money to purchase for the colonists).  Then Lafayette and his men travel to Philadelphia to speak to the Continental Congress and bring their letters of intent from Silas Deane.

George Washington

Thomas Jefferson

When they reach Philadelphia on July 27^th, they are first turned away.  An influx of volunteers from foreign countries has arrived over the past year and they do not need any more foreign officers.  Disappointed, Lafayette is determined (as any young teenager would be) and he decides he will just return again to plead his case.  He doesn’t need to because Congress sends for him, deciding an officer who is titled like the marquis will be a valuable asset in the war and perhaps France will send more help.  When Lafayette speaks with Congress he states:  “I have the right to exact two favors: one is to serve at my own expense and the other is to serve as a volunteer.” 

Congress finally agrees he can serve and they accept his pledge, but they only let him keep his rank of major general because of his noble status.  They also will not give him command of his own troops because he has never been in battle before.  George Washington likes the young Frenchman and decides to take him under his wing, allowing the man to work with him, but tells Lafayette, he will not get a command until he decides the young man is ready for it.  The two men form a comfortable companionship – like a father and son.  In their letters over the years, one can read the fondness they have for each other.

Room with King Louis' portrait

Room with Marie Antoinette's picture

Lafayette’s first experience with battle comes at Brandywine in Pennsylvania.  The battle is intense and the young Frenchman tries to keep the patriots from retreating too quickly.  He realizes they cannot be captured and leads them to safety.  In the exchange, he is wounded in the leg, but even with the wound, he continues to keep his men safe.  Washington meets up with Lafayette in Chester, where the young man is organizing his men to defend a bridge at Chester Creek, refusing to give it up to the British.  More than 1000 men are wounded or killed in the Battle of Brandywine, but only 500 British.  Washington orders the young man to get his leg treated.  He sends Lafayette to Philadelphia to recuperate, but when he learns the city will be attacked, he orders the evacuation.  Congress heads to York and Lafayette is sent to Bethlehem for more recuperation.  On September 26, 1777, Philadelphia is occupied by the British.

When Lafayette returns to command, he asks to join General Greene who will be checking to see how strong the British outposts around Philadelphia are.  Lafayette is given a command of 400 riflemen for the task.  They attack the outpost and push the British back.  Washington lauds him for his bravery in the exchange.  Now Washington feels the young man is capable of handling his own division.  At the age of 20, Lafayette becomes the youngest general in the Continental Army (and it’s not honorary any longer).  Lafayette picks a division of Virginians in honor of Washington’s home.

Lafayette 

During the upcoming winter, Washington and his troops decide to remain at Valley Forge.  The location is ideal to watch over the British.  It is on a plateau, it is heavily wooded so the trees can be used to build log huts, and it is easily defended against attack.  While the troops are there, Lafayette longs to travel to Canada, to retake New France from the British (land taken during the Seven Years War).  He feels his country will be excited if he takes this back for them.  Unfortunately, when he reaches Albany, he discovers the troops and supplies are not enough.  Instead, he joins General Schuyler who is traveling to speak to the Six Nations (the Iroquois).  The Native Americans are impressed by the Frenchman and call him Kayewla – after an Iroquois warrior. 

By the time he returns to Valley Forge, it is overflowing with supplies and a German – Baron von Steuben is there.  The baron is whipping the ragtag patriots into shape, teaching them how to march and maneuvers.  While at Valley Forge, Lafayette wrote home to his family and friends to support the patriots.  During this time, France finally recognized the United States as a free country.  Silas Deane’s brother brought the news to Lafayette that the two countries had signed a treaty.

Baron von Steuben

On May 18, 1778, he was sent to see what was happening in Philadelphia.  Washington heard rumors that Howe was being replaced by Clinton who would bring thousands of troops with him.  Lafayette took 2500 troops and 5 cannons to check out the situation.  He also brought along 47 Oneida Indians who had joined him from Albany.  Lafayette camped on Barren Hill, about 2 miles from Philadelphia.  While he was there, a deserted left his camp and snuck into Philadelphia to tell Howe of the patriots.  On May 20^th, the British came up from behind and attacked the men.  Howe sent 8000 men, thinking he would capture the Frenchman and bring him back to England as a prize.  Lafayette managed to escape across the Schuykill River with his men.  Word had reached Washington who sent von Steuben to help Lafayette.  Howe was forced to retreat.  Lafayette returned to Barren Hill the next day.  They discovered the British evacuated Philadelphia once they learned French troops would be arriving on ships to blockage the city and kick the British out.  Clinton wanted to leave before the French arrive.  As the British are leaving, Lafayette is told to follow them and annoy them.  As they are leaving, Lafayette’s men shoot at them along the way and generally make their life miserable.  The British make it to Monmouth Courthouse in New Jersey.  As Lafayette and his men are getting closer, the British sneak away under cover of night.

Lafayette still wants to travel to Canada and retake New France.  He asks to travel to France to speak with the King of France to ask for even more assistance, knowing if he does, he will succeed.  Benjamin Franklin, who is the ambassador to France, is told to work with Lafayette to garner more help.  On February 6, 1779, he returns to France for the first time in 2 years.  He is placed under house arrest for 8 days as punishment for defying the king’s orders when he first left France. Lafayette writes an apology to the king and waits.  The king finally accepts his apology and even praises him for his bravery.  He has returned a hero.  Unfortunately, Canada is not an option.  He asks for other assistance.  France agrees to send troop but they are not given to Lafayette.  Instead, the troops are given to a more seasoned man – the comte de Rochambeau.  Lafayette would merely be the liaison between Rochambeau and Washington.

While in France, he learns his first daughter, Henriette had died while he was in Valley Forge.  His wife gives him a son who is named George, after Lafayette’s mentor – George Washington.

On March 5, 1780, Lafayette leaves France with part of the French fleet and a promise the rest would follow.  On April 27, 1780, they land in Massachusetts.  He rejoins Washington in Morristown, New Jersey.  Rochambeau does not bring the rest of the troops and ships right away.  Washington is disappointed, but once he listens to the older Frenchman’s ideas, he agrees.  The French will break the British blockage first and then send the rest of the troops.  While waiting, Lafayette is given command of 2000 troops.  He gives them new uniforms and trains them every day.  He longed to see more battle, but Washington warned him to be patient.  Washington felt the battles should be focused in the South, not the North. 

Comte de Rochambeau

He sent Lafayette to Virginia with 1200 men.  He was to go against Benedict Arnold, capture him, and if need be, hang the traitor.  He reached Richmond and fought the British attack.  He managed to fool the British that he had twice the number of men by firing off volley after volley in quick succession.  General Cornwallis decides to go help Arnold and sends troops north.  Benedict Arnold escapes north.  Cornwallis exclaims “The boy cannot escape me.  I shall now proceed to dislodge him from Richmond.”  He vows to capture Lafayette and send him to London in chains.  Lafayette is outnumbered 4 to 1.  He retreats to the Richmond countryside to await reinforcements, but wreaks havoc on Cornwallis by sniping at the troops who are trying to find him.  He picks off the troops, sabotages his advance, and tricks them at every turn.

Cornwallis did not capture him!

Instead, Cornwallis is given orders to more to the Virginia coast to create a port for the British to reach Philadelphia.  Lafayette follows Cornwallis and continues to harass him as he goes.  Because of this move, word spreads across the countryside that Lafayette is chasing Cornwallis who is seen as retreating instead.  In July, the reinforcements finally join Lafayette.  Cornwallis is stopped in Yorktown.  Lafayette surrounds Cornwallis and continues to strike out at the general, making the British totally confused by the attacks. 

Washington learns that 29 French ships are coming.  Rochambeau leaves New York and heads south to join Lafayette and Washington at Yorktown.  He meets Washington in New Jersey first and they head for Yorktown.  Over 20,000 men face Cornwallis at Yorktown.  The siege starts on October 9, 1781.  Washington assigned Redoubt #9 to the French and Redoubt #10 to be taken by Lafayette.  Unfortunately, Hamilton charged #10 and took it with little resistance.  Lafayette joined the French in capturing #9.  On October 17, 1781, Cornwallis asked for a truce.  On October 19^th, he surrendered.  The Revolutionary War was finally over and the Patriots had won, with assistance from Lafayette and other Frenchmen like Rochambeau.

Lafayette's cannon

Map of Yorktown

Redoubt #9

Redoubt #10

In January of 1782, Lafayette returned to France a hero.  He was celebrated wherever he went.  He returned to his wife, Adrienne.  They had another daughter, Virginie, who was named in honor of Washington’s home.  In 1784, he returned to America to see his good friend, Washington.  He traveled around the country meeting people and they all thanked him for his assistance.

He spent the rest of life working for liberty with his own people.  He was accused of treason.  When noblemen were being captured by the citizens and killed, he surrendered to France’s enemies.  He was imprisoned in Prussia and Austria.  Members of his wife’s family were killed during the French Revolution.  His wife was sent to prison but was freed with the help of Gouveurnor Morris, one of the leading men in America’s fight for freedom, and James Monroe, who eventually became the fourth president of the United States.  She was able to join him in prison in Austria.  He became known as the prisoner of Olmutz.  In 1797, he was finally released and went to live in Denmark for the rest of his life.  Finally in 1800, he was allowed to return to France.

Gouveurnor Morris

In 1824, he was 67 years old and he was invited to return to the United States.  He toured all the states ad spoke to those who came to see him.  One person commented he spoke very good English.  His response was:  “And why should I not speak English?  I am an American after all – just returned from a long visit in Europe.”  He toured the country for thirteen months.

In 1834, Lafayette died.  He was buried outside of Paris on a plot of land created from soil he brought back during his travels ten years before.  The soil was from Bunker Hill and Brandywine Creek.  He wanted to be buried on American soil.

Major Generals, Part 1

Who were the major players in the American Revolution?  

We usually devote a significant amount of time on the Founding Fathers – men of ideals who met and wrote down what would become the document our country would follow.  We do not usually spend much time on the men who fought the battles. Yes, we all know about George Washington, the Commander-in-Chief, but we know little about the other generals and men who led the ragtag group of colonists into battle against the best trained army in the world – the British.

Yorktown battlefield

Let’s outline the major players and then we will work on digging deeper into their backgrounds so we know more about these men.

THE PATRIOTS:

George Washington – Commander-in-Chief

Major Generals:

Benedict Arnold – until he turned traitor and joined the British

James Clinton

Horatio Gates

Nathanael Greene

Henry Knox (does this name sound familiar – Fort Knox)

Charles Lee

Friedrich von Steuben

Marquis de Lafayette

The list goes on, but these are the ones we have heard about the most, or who were the major players in the most significant battles.

THE BRITISH:

Commanders-in-Chiefs:

1763-1775 – Thomas Gage

1776-1777 – William Howe

1778-1782 – Sir Henry Clinton

Other generals:

John Burgoyne

Charles Cornwallis

 Their list of generals is also long, but we shall just focus on a few.

Let’s look at our Commander-in-Chief – George Washington and the first British Commander-in-Chief – Thomas Gage.

George Washington

George Washington – was born into a planter’s family and started his career as a surveyor.  When he joined the military, he was sent to fight against the French and Indians during that war.  It was here that he met Thomas Gage.  

The two men fought side-by-side and even developed a friendship that over the years cooled as they grew apart.  He became a member of the Continental Congress representing Virginia with men like Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson.  

Because of his skills as a soldier, he was asked to be the Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army.  While his troops suffered losses against the British in Boston, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, they always fought well. After a horrible winter at Valley Forge in Pennsylvania, they fought back strongly and began to win more battles.  

Many believe the most significant battle came in December of 1776 when the British had beaten the patriots at For Washington.  It seemed the patriots were about finished.  The British commander sent his men to Trenton for their winter quarters.  Washington decided to take his men across the Delaware to attack the British on Christmas day.  The British were protected by the German Hessians, but the patriots were able to take almost 1000 prisoners and killed 100 Hessians.  Only 4 patriots were killed or wounded that day. From there, the men were invigorated and prepared to win even more battles.

Finally, his troops defeated Cornwallis at Yorktown in 1781. 

Because we have covered George Washington before, if you wish to read more, just click here.

Thomas Gage

Thomas Gage –was born in 1720 into an aristocratic English family.  Unfortunately, as a second son, he could not inherit the title and he joined the British army in 1736 when he was only 16 years old. 

In 1741, he purchased a lieutenant’s commission (a popular action on the part of a wealthy family, to make sure their sons became officers)

In 1743, he became a captain and participated in the War of Austrian Succession.

In 1746, he fought at the Battle of Culloden.

In 1748, he purchased a major’s commission.

In 1751, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel.

In 1755, he was sent to the Americas to fight in the French and Indian War.  This is where he met George Washington, fighting beside him.

In 1759, he became a full general and helped create the light infantry – a force he felt was better for fighting in the American wilderness.

In 1761, he became a major general.

In 1763, he was named the Commander-in-Chief of North America by King George. 

When tensions started to escalate in the colonies, he moved many of his troops to the major cities of New York and Boston.  This caused a problem for where the troops would live.  The Quartering Act solved that problem for him, forcing the colonists to house the troops in their homes, inns, taverns, and other buildings against their will.  He felt that occupying Boston was a mistake.  He felt the true causes of the rebellion were a few discontented wealthy men, not the rest of the community.  

Unfortunately, he moved the 29^th Regiment of Foot into Boston.  This regiment had a reputation for bad behavior.  By the time he realized it was not a few malcontents, but a major discontent among all the colonists, it was too late.

He was appointed military Royal Governor of Massachusetts.  Unfortunately, the people despised him.  Instead of relieving the problems of the previous governor, he enforced the Coercive Acts, called Intolerable by the colonists.  He even made the mistake of trying to buy off a few of the major political leaders of Boston.  This backfired on him.  When he tried to seize the weapons in Boston, his actions resulted in the Battles of Lexington and Concord.  

He sent word to the king about the defeat at Bunker Hill.  Within three days of receiving the message, King George relieved him of his commission and ordered him to return to England.  He was replaced by General Howe.

Just as the American Revolution was truly heating up, he was replaced.  In 1776, General Howe reached the shores of North America to find a powder keg of a situation.

Stay tuned to learn about General Howe in my next post.  Until then, Happy Memorial Day!  Huzzah!  Huzzah!  Huzzah! To all our troops who have served and continue to serve this great nation!  Thank you for your sacrifice.

Who was Alexander Hamilton?

What do we know about Alexander Hamilton beyond his picture on the ten dollar bill?

Alexander Hamilton

He was born in the West Indies on the island of Nevis. His parents were Scottish but his father lived in Scotland while his mother raised him.  When he was but ten years old his mother moved to St. Croix.  She died not long afterwards.  His mother’s friends and relatives took him and taught him to read, write, and do numbers.  Inspired by his words, his education was sponsored in the colonies and he was sent to King’s College (which later becomes Columbia University). He was but 17 years old when he arrived in the young colonies.

As a young man, he wrote about American independence and the rights of the American colonies. He defended the American congress and when the Battle of Lexington and Concord occurred he pressed for others to hear his words and support the colonies. 

He joined the military in New York in 1776. He studied artillery tactics and military maneuvers.  He served as a captain.  “He not only had to recruit and train his own men; he also had to see that they were fed, clothed, and paid.”  Just as his compatriots did, he wrote to the leaders, asking for funds to provide for his troops. George Washington admired the young Hamilton and thought of his as a son in many respects. Hamilton’s victory at the Battle of Trenton was his crowning glory.  Many saw this victory as a signal that the Patriots did stand a chance against the British. Because of his victory, he was later assigned to be an aide de camps for General George Washington.

George Washington

Washington so approved of the young Hamilton, that the man was sent on an important mission – destroy a supply of flour and other supplies so they do not fall in British hands.  Hamilton along with Henry Lee and 7 other cavalry men attempted to do just that but were attacked by British dragoons.  Hamilton and his men were splintered, Hamilton himself forced to swim across the Schuykill River.  He was then sent on a mission to go into Philadelphia ahead of the British and gather shows, blankets, and clothing for the Continental Army. He continued to carry out missions for Washington. He was with Washington when they arrived at West Point and discovered Benedict Arnold’s duplicity and turn to the British cause. After resigning as an aide-de-camp, he was given his own command.  As a matter of fact, he was in charge of the capture of Redoubt #10 during the Battle of Yorktown – the decisive battle of the revolution.

Thomas Jefferson

Hamilton is appointed to Congress where he worked with fellow patriots to form the government we know today.

He married Elizabeth Schuyler who was a member of one of the most distinguished families in New York. They had eight children. While not exactly the match her father had hoped, he realized Hamilton’s ambition would take him far and he finally approved of the match. He studied law and entered the bar in 1783.  He founded the Bank of New York in 1784.  At the Convention of Annapolis, he served as one of three delegates from New York.  He would argue for a centralized government, even using Great Britain as a model. He was present to sign the new Constitution of the United States.  He published a letter urging all to sign the Constitution and support the new government.  Along with John Jay, he wrote the Federalist.

Hamilton became the first Secretary of the Treasury.  He established credit for the United States and helped set up the means for the US to repay debt to foreign countries. He was a leader of the Federalists, one of the first political parties in the country.   In 1795, he returned to practicing law in New York.  He remained a friend and advisor to Washington throughout his life.  He even wrote Washington’s farewell address in 1796.

John Jay

After Washington died, the Federalists became split – those who followed Hamilton and those who followed Adams.  Unfortunately, Hamilton did not have the finesse of Adams.  He was far too opinionated. He wrote political attacks of the president and, though they were supposed to be private letters, they were published by Aaron Burr. When Burr ran for president against Thomas Jefferson, the votes were tied.  The final decision was sent to the House of Representatives.  Hamilton used his influence with other Federalists and the vote went to Jefferson.

Aaron Burr

Burr was furious by Hamilton’s interference and challenged him to a duel.  The duel was fought at Weehawken, New Jersey.  Hamilton was shot and died the following day on July 12^th, 1804. He was opposed to dueling, since his own son had died in a duel, and he only wanted to fire the shot into the air.