Lengthy tweet from James Woods attached. He tells the story of Washington’s surprise attack on the Hussein soldiers on this date in 1776. The Patriots were on the ropes and Washington’s bold strategic attack probably saved the cause of freedom. The sheer audacity of executing such an attack on Christmas Day in such adverse conditions undoubtedly contributed to its success.
Shout out to our American soldiers Dec 25 1776 edition
- Thread starter ukalum1988
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It was a much needed victory as it ended a several-month losing streak. Think about fighting to the death with no shoes on in freezing weather. Dumb Germans weren’t about that life!
Washington might have not been the best at "on the fly/in the middle of battle" decisions (I am NOT denigrating him at all), but he was a sneaky bastard, held a grudge like a drunk irishman, and was a bonafide and fearless pitbull/badass.
Had a bunch of grandfathers that rode with Washington. One was Cpt Peter Steenebergen from Holland who translated for Washginton. He eventually drank himself out of the Army. But by all accounts I read was a good soldier. Just couldn't kick the bottle.
I had one that was at Brandywine, Valley Forge, Cowpens, and Yorktown.
I assume this is documented, but Cowpens seems odd in that sequence. Different commander (Daniel Morgan vs. George Washington), Colonial strength was only about 1000 men including militia, and site was at least a month's march from any of the other battlefields listed. If you know the history, I'm interested in knowing how a soldier from Washington's army fighting in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, and Virginia ended up in South Carolina?
Learned about Gen Knox last night -
Self taught artillery specialist/officer?
No military background - sounded like a bookish/nerdy gentleman --- great story
Am I right in thinking we entered the French-Indian war at the end of that century?
That was the 'US theater' for the 7 years war i THINK
French and Indian war was 1754 to 1763. It was the North American version of the 7 years war but - naturally - added its own issues and components that expressed themselves in the later periods here too. That whole period, 1600-1840 fascinates me. Just a set of circumstances that will never occur again that produced remarkable people.
I have often wondered about Cowpens myself. All I have for that is info listed in our family tree from way back. For the other three , though, there are multiple eyewitness sworn statements, mostly associated with his widow‘s application for a war pension after he died. It’s very interesting reading. He was granted 100 acres in what is now KY specifically for his service in the Continental Army. I also was able to find him specifically listed on the muster roll at Valley Forge when I was there.
Morgans riflemen took sharpshooters from multiple regiments and put them together. My ancestor was out of the 8th Virginia and was with that group up into Quebec at one point (as I understand it). Then Saratoga, brandywine and valley forge. My ancestor was out and wandering the backwoods of Kentucky prior to cowpens but I have an ancient lithograph of Morgan’s sharpshooters (1859ish) style Morgans sharpshooters South (in their garb and all). Anyway…I’m pretty sure they were all over. I think he was with Gates in the northern command and Greene by cowpens.