American Revolution Podcast

The Continental Congress appoints General Horatio Gates to command the southern army, hoping he could lead his men to a great victory in South Carolina as he had in New York. Blog https://blog. AmRevPodcast.com includes a complete transcript, as well as pictures, and links related to this week's episode. Book Recommendation of the Week: De Kalb: One of the Revolutionary War's Greatest Generals, by...

The French Army Arrives in Newport, Rhode Island, and prepares to assist the Continental Army, just as soon as everyone got enough resources. Blog https://blog. AmRevPodcast.com includes a complete transcript, as well as pictures, and links related to this week's episode. Book Recommendation of the Week: How the French Saved America: Soldiers, Sailors, Diplomats, Louis XVI, and the Success of a Re...

Over the summer of 1780, the British control of South Carolina is challenged by militia led by Elijah Clarke and Thomas Sumter. Britain also loses an important supply fleet to Spain. Blog https://blog. AmRevPodcast.com includes a complete transcript, as well as pictures, and links related to this week's episode. Book Recommendation of the Week: From Savannah to Yorktown: the American Revolution in...

General Cornwallis struggles to pacify South Carolina. Patriots crush a gathering of loyalist militia at Ramsour's Mill in North Carolina, and manage to ambush an attacking loyalist force at Cedar Springs South Carolina. Blog https://blog. AmRevPodcast.com includes a complete transcript, as well as pictures, and links related to this week's episode. Book Recommendation of the Week: The Road to Gui...

This week a guest podcaster, Lindsey Graham of the History Daily Podcast discusses the Battle of Princeton. For more on the History Daily Podast, go to: https://www.noiser.com/history-daily   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After British General Henry Clinton returns from South Carolina in June 1780, he launches a multi-pronged attack into New Jersey with the hope of finishing off the Continental Army. General Nathanael Greene makes use of limited Continental forces and local militia to protect the headquarters at Morristown. The British manage only to burn the village of Springfield before withdrawing back to New Yo...

While awaiting General Clinton's return from Charleston, New York's commanding officer, Hessian General Wilhelm von Knyphausen launches a raid into New Jersey, fighting the Americans at the town of Connecticut Farms. Also, Navy Captain James Nicholson of the Trumbull, tangles with the British Privateer Watt. Blog https://blog. AmRevPodcast.com includes a complete transcript, as well as pictures, a...

As the cost of war takes its toll in England, group of voters in Yorkshire create an Association to question the King's role in running the Government. A mob burns London to protest wartime laws allowing granting Catholics additional rights, including that of enlistment in the Army. Blog https://blog. AmRevPodcast.com includes a complete transcript, as well as pictures, and links related to this w...

Colonel Banastre Tarleton slaughters a group of escaping Continentals at Waxhaw. General Clinton's edict that all colonists must join loyalist militias convinces many paroled men to rally to patriot units commanded by leaders such as Thomas Sumter and Francis Marion. Patriots attack and massacre a loyalist regiment commanded by Christian Huck. Blog https://blog. AmRevPodcast.com includes a complet...

New York Loyalists and Iroquois warriors in Canada return to the Mohawk Valley in the Spring of 1780 to attack patriot towns and settlements. Blog https://blog. AmRevPodcast.com includes a complete transcript, as well as pictures, and links related to this week's episode. Book Recommendation of the Week: Watt, Gavin K. For Want of His Silver Plate, Sir John Johnson's Raid of May 1780, Dundurn, 199...

North Carolina Overmountain Men form a new government for what would become Tennessee. A British inspired raid, primarily by disparate groups of Native warriors attack the Spanish outpost at St. Louis, and the Virginia outpost at Cahokia on May 26, 1780. Both attacks are thwarted. Blog https://blog. AmRevPodcast.com includes a complete transcript, as well as pictures, and links related to this wee...

After surrounding Charleston South Carolina, British General Henry Clinton compels the Continental Army under Benjamin Lincoln to surrender. The British deny their opponents the honors of war, taking the entire defending army as prisoners of war. The surrender in May 1780 marks the greatest loss for the Americans during the course of the Revolution. Blog https://blog. AmRevPodcast.com includes a c...

The British under General Henry Clinton launch a full scale invasion to capture Charleston South Carolina. It takes months to move the army into place. Meanwhile the Americans under General Benjamin Lincoln prepare to meet the attack. Blog https://blog. AmRevPodcast.com includes a complete transcript, as well as pictures, and links related to this week's episode. Book Recommendation of the Week: P...

In the spring of 1780, the Marquis de Lafayette returns to America with the good news that a French army will soon follow. He finds the Continental Army on the verge of collapse, as starving soldiers consider mutiny. Blog https://blog. AmRevPodcast.com includes a complete transcript, as well as pictures, and links related to this week's episode. Book Recommendation of the Week: Adopted Son: Washin...

In 1780, Colonel Steven Kemble and Captain Horatio Nelson launch an attack into the heart of New Spain, in hopes of capturing new land for the British Empire. Blog https://blog. AmRevPodcast.com includes a complete transcript, as well as pictures, and links related to this week's episode. Book Recommendation of the Week: Sugden, John Nelson: A Dream of Glory, 1758–1797, Holt, 2004 (borrow on archi...

Russia's Catherine the Great declares the right of neutral countries to continue commerce with combatant nations. Russia is joined by several other European powers, who form the League of Armed Neutrality. Britain refuses to accept the terms of the declaration, further isolating itself from most of the powers of Europe. Blog https://blog. AmRevPodcast.com includes a complete transcript, as well as...

In January 1780 Britain send a relief fleet to resupply its garrison at Gibraltar. The Garrison had been under siege for six months by the Spanish Army and Navy. Blog https://blog. AmRevPodcast.com includes a complete transcript, as well as pictures, and links related to this week's episode. Book Recommendation of the Week: Gibraltar: The Greatest Siege in British History, by Roy and Lesley Adkins...

The Continental and British Armies make use of the fact that New York Harbor froze over during the winter of 1779-80. Both armies send raiding parties across the ice to attack enemy outposts. Blog https://blog. AmRevPodcast.com includes a complete transcript, as well as pictures, and links related to this week's episode. Book Recommendation of the Week: Diary of a common soldier in the American Re...

Increasing difficulties in recruiting soldiers forces Congress to compel states to conscript soldiers for the 1780 campaign, leading to complaints of a standing army.   Pennsylvania passes the first state law abolishing slavery over time. While the law begins the process, it would not lead to a single slave being freed under the law until 1808. Blog https://blog. AmRevPodcast.com includes a comple...

The British Army in North American must content for resources with the widening global war. General Clinton consolidates his armies in order to send an expedition against Charleston. Blog https://blog. AmRevPodcast.com includes a complete transcript, as well as pictures, and links related to this week's episode. Book Recommendation of the Week: Cornwallis and the War of Independence, by Franklin a...

Over the winter of 1779-80, the Continental Army endures its most difficult winter of the war at Morristown, New Jersey. Blog https://blog. AmRevPodcast.com includes a complete transcript, as well as pictures, and links related to this week's episode. Book Recommendation of the Week: The Uncertain Revolution: Washington and the Continental Army at Morristown, by John T. Cunningham  Online Recommen...

At the request of the prosecution, Arnold must wait for months to defend himself against charges. The court dismisses two of the four charges, but orders General Washington to reprimand Arnold for the other two charges. After receiving the reprimand, Arnold resumes his secret correspondence with the British. Blog https://blog. AmRevPodcast.com includes a complete transcript, as well as pictures, a...

London is deeply divided in 1779 over courts martial of top naval officers and Parliamentary hearings with General Howe and Burgoyne over the loss of the army at Saratoga. Irish militia also hold demonstrations over war-related trade restrictions. Politicians in London begin turning toward plans to cut their losses and end the war in America. Only King George III seems to remain rigidly against in...

French Minister Conrad Gerard is replaced by Anne-César de La Luzerne.  Congress realizes it needs more allies in Europe, as well as access to more cash loans. Congress gives Benjamin Franklin complete control over negotiations with France. It also appoints John Adams to negotiate a treaty with Great Britain, and John Jay as minster to Spain.  Congress also appoints Henry Laurens as Minster to the...

By late 1779, supply chain issues and inflation brought about by the war and Continental dollars creates economic desperation in Philadelphia. Desperate militia members place the blame on greedy merchants of questionable loyalty to the cause. Their outrage culminates in a military assault on the home of James Wilson. Blog https://blog. AmRevPodcast.com includes a complete transcript, as well as pi...