America at War

Bonus episode! In late July and early August I visited the United Kingdom with my family. I thought I would share my thoughts about some of the attractions that we were drawn to. I am a firm believer that to understand history, we have to experience the places the events took place in. Great Britain certainly provides plenty of institutions and places that are compelling and meaningful. Take a lis...

The fall of Charleston, South Carolina emboldened the British. Recruiting Loyalists and insisting on loyalty oaths, divided the colony and triggered a bitter internal conflict, if you will, a Civil War. In spite of the relative success of partisan leaders such as Francis Marion and Thomas Sumter, they could not win the war without the help of the Continental Army. Unfortunately, the hero of Sarato...

In this episode we turn our attention south. When Henry Clinton assumed command of British forces in North America, he turned his attention to the southern states. Governed by the assumption that British troops could break the revolution by appealing to the Loyalist sentiment in the South, Clinton moved into Georgia and captured Charleston South Carolina. We also briefly touch on the struggle to c...

In the aftermath of France's entry into the war, Great Britain's resources were stretched thin. General Howe's replacement, Henry Clinton, could not be everywhere at once, so he evacuated Philadelphia to consolidate his forces in New York City. As the British marched across New Jersey, George Washington moved to intercept them. The two columns met at Monmouth Court House and fought for nearly an e...

Valley Forge, Pennsylvania is remembered as a patriotic sacrifice for the revolution. In fact, the iconography, as compelling as it, blurs the facts. The encampment was not the coldest that the Army ever endured, but it does allow us to examine three issues of equal importance - the break down of supply, attacks on George Washington's character, and the institutionalization of a training regime un...

In our last episode we spoke of the John Burgoyne's advance down the Hudson River Valley. After being repulsed at the Battle of Bennington and the failure of the siege of Fort Stanwix, Burgoyne was in trouble. Electing to continue his advance, he met Horatio Gates and his Continentals near Saratoga, New York. After two failed attempts to carry the American position, Burgoyne had no choice but to s...

One of the pivotal battles of 1777 took place in the Hudson River valley near the small town of Saratoga where John Burgoyne's forces met their match in the early fall of 1777. While not predestined for failure, by the last summer of 1777, Burgoyne's forces met some unexpected challenges that would, in hindsight, prevent him from achieving victory. This episode will concentrate on the prelude to t...

In the mind of General Howe and his subordinates, 1777 offered another opportunity to end the rebellion in the thirteen colonies. In spite of a sound plan to cut off New England with a pincer movement from Canada and New York City, Howe's plans were derailed with his move to Pennsylvania. While he was successful in capturing the city, the Continental Army survived to fight another day. Moreover, h...

In our last episode, we spoke of the trials and tribulations of the Continental Navy. We continue the war at sea in this episode with a brief exploration of the Continental Marines. The United States Marine Corps traces their roots back to the American Revolution, so it seems appropriate to talk briefly about their legacy. If you enjoy this podcast, write a review on ITunes. Questions? Send them t...

We are going to take a break from the war on land and see what the Continental Congress was up to as it attempted to create an American navy. Naval actions occurred on the inland waterways of the northeast, American frigates and converted civilian vessels attempted to distract the Royal Navy with varying degrees of success, and privateers roamed the Atlantic and waters around North America preying...

The Continental Army was defeated and running out of steam in December, 1776. With the British on their tail, Washington put the Delaware River between himself and the British. Thinking that the Continental Army was done, the British went into winter quarters. Goaded by militia raids in New Jersey, Washington chose a plan of action and raided the Hessian garrison in Trenton, New Jersey. Defeating...

In this episode we conclude with a British victory. Howe was able to maneuver George Washington's forces out of Manhattan Island and then across the Hudson River into New Jersey. While failing to destroy the Continentals, Howe was certain the rebels were on the ropes and could be dealt with decisively in the 1777 campaign season. While Washington's army shrank before his eyes, with the barrier of...

After the evacuation of Boston, the British set their eyes on New York City. In the summer of 1776, the Howe brothers attacked George Washington's troops through the western end of Long Island. Washington was forced out of his position and had to evacuate Long Island to Manhattan. Rather than vigorously pursue the Continental Army, Howe waited, not wanting to alienate the Americans as he held out...

As we continue telling the story of the beginning of the American Revolution, we take our narrative up to the pivotal events that broke  the British occupation of Boston. As George Washington was managing the siege, several of his subordinates went north, hoping to export the revolution to Canada. It failed to take. Once the British left Boston, both the British and Continentals began to consider...

December 7, 2016 is the 75th anniversary of Japan's surprise attack on the United States' Pacific fleet, at anchor in their chief anchorage in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. This is the audio broadcast of news coverage of the President's speech. President Roosevelt spoke before a joint session of Congress. We rarely get opportunities to listen to what President's have to say. Let's take a listen on this so...

We begin where we left off with the previous episode - the British march to Lexington and Concord. After defeating the militia on the village green of Lexington, the British continued their march to Concord. Failing to find a great deal of munitions, the militia struck back. As the British began their retreat back to Boston, their column was met with constant sniping from local militia all the way...

In the spring of 1775, tensions between the British and Colonists had risen to a fever pitch. As the inhabitants of Boston grew restive over British restrictions, General Thomas Gage was left with few choices. While not wanting to spark an insurrection, he chose to remove munitions that could be used against the British soldiers. On a raid to Concord, they were met by American militia on the villa...

We have finally arrived at the American Revolution. The origins are complicated, but seem to come down to one question - who had the right to rule? The British wanted to govern the Empire with clarity and efficiency. The colonists wanted to continue to have a voice in how they governed their lands. Both were right, but could not come to a consensus on how to share power. Grumbling led to protests,...

1763 was a pivotal year, the end of one period of our history and the beginning of another. The capture of Montreal and the subsequent Treaty of Paris in 1763, brought the bloodiest war in colonial history to an end. Subsequent clashes with native peoples on the frontier would result in the Empire closing the west to settlement. These two events would sow the seeds for the next chapter in our nati...

1758 and 1759, relatively speaking, was the height of British success. Fort Duquense had finally fallen to the British, freeing the Ohio Valley from the French. With the fall of Fortress Louisbourg, the British continued had an open pathway to the heart of French Canada, resulting in the campaign to capture the city of Quebec. While the war would continue, the North American possessions of France...

1758 was a special year. After nearly three years of misfortune and less than spectacular results, the British marked the year with a victory and a defeat. The great French fortress at Louisbourg fell to the British, but their assault of Fort Carillon met with disaster. Join us in our continuing discussion of the Seven Years War. If you would like more information, please join the discussion on Fa...

Episode number thirteen is up! Time didn't stand still for mourning the losses incurred by Edward Braddock in the Ohio. Campaigning continued as new leaders and more troops came from Great Britain. In spite of the grand plans of British Generals and colonial elites, 1756-1757 was met with more frustrations as the French continued to hold the upper hand. Join us in exploring the nadir of British op...

In this episode we follow the trials and tribulations of General Edward Braddock. After George Washington's debacle at Fort Necessity, King George II and his cabinet sent two regiments of British soldiers to North America to boot the French out of their fort. Unfortunately, General Braddock met his match just short of his objective - the forks of the Ohio and it cost him his life. Join us in our c...

George Washington had a mission - convince the French to stay out of the Ohio River Valley. Unfortunately, after clashing with a French patrol, he was blamed for the killing of a French officer. The French struck back, trapping Washington's command in a small fort called Necessity. Forced to surrender, he was able to return to Virginia with his reputation battered but intact. Regardless, the event...

We have made it to the most pivotal event of the eighteenth century in the North American colonies of France and Great Britain: The Seven Years War or The French and Indian War. What would start as a localized conflict, would shatter the tenuous peace between the two great powers. The long war would finally decide which European power would control what would become the United States. Moreover, th...