American Revolution Podcast

The Continental Congress struggles in late 1782 and early 1783 to find a way to pay the army and its creditors for the cost of the war. It's inability to levy taxes, or convince the states to pay, results in a financial crisis. Superintendent of Finance Robert Morris, announces his retirement. Word of the Treaty of Paris forces Congress to act. Blog https://blog. AmRevPodcast.com includes a comple...

In early 1783, all Americans await the arrival of an expected peace treaty. The Continental Officers, afraid that they will be sent home without any pay and their promised pensions, organize to challenge Congress. General Washington manages to talk down his officers and save the country from a military coup. Blog https://blog. AmRevPodcast.com includes a complete transcript, as well as pictures, a...

After a few final skirmishes, the British army evacuates Charleston, SC in December 1782. They take with them thousands of loyalist militia, civilians, and slaves. The Continental Army immediately takes control of the city. 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: To the Last...

In 1782 and 1783, as it becomes increasingly apparent that the British have agreed to leave the United States, loyalist officers like John Bacon of New Jersey and the Doan Brothers of Pennsylvania continue to fight. Bacon massacres sailors on Long Beach Island. The Doans rob county treasuries and steal horses. The patriots governments treat t hem as outlaws and hunt them down. Blog https://blog. A...

In the summer and fall of 1782, two expeditions of Butler's Rangers, supported by large numbers of Indian warriors attack American outposts in Kentucky and West Virginia. Daniel Boone in Kentucky and Ebenezer Zane in West Virginia fight desperately to fend off these attacks. George Rogers Clark leads a counter offensive into the Ohio territory. He expects support from the Continentals at for Pitt,...

American and British negotiators work out a final treaty. It gives the Americans most of what they want. France is frustrated that the Americans have worked out a deal before France could also agree to one. 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: Britain and France at the Bir...

John Jay takes a central role in negotiating peace with Britain after he loses trust that France will negotiate with America's interests in mind. France works with its ally Spain to retake Gibraltar, which Spain set as a condition for ending the war. At the same time, France tries to negotiate peace with Britain on its own terms. Blog https://blog. AmRevPodcast.com includes a complete transcript,...

During the Summer of 1782, Both the British and American Delegations fight amongst themselves trying to decide what peace should look like. Arthur Lee tries to recall the American Peace Delegation. Charles James Fox undercuts the British government's efforts to negotiate. John Jay throws Franklin's plans into disarray. Blog https://blog. AmRevPodcast.com includes a complete transcript, as well as...

After the fall of Lord North's Government in Britain in early 1782, the new government under Lord Rockingham reaches out to Benjamin Franklin in Paris to discuss terms for a final peace. This began a protracted negotiation on the final terms of a treaty. Blog https://blog. AmRevPodcast.com includes a complete transcript, as well as pictures, and links related to this week's episode. Book Recommend...

Through the spring and summer of 1782, British forces in Charleston under Alexander Leslie and Continental forces under Nathanael Greene skirmish with one another. Both sides recognize the end is near, but continue to fight over resources as they await a final end to the war. Blog https://blog. AmRevPodcast.com includes a complete transcript, as well as pictures, and links related to this week's e...

Author Alan Pell Crawford discusses his new book - This Fierce People: The Untold Story of America's Revolutionary War in the South. We talk about why the war in the south seems to be less known, and why it was more of a civil war than we see in the north.   This Fierce People: The Untold Story of America's Revolutionary War in the South, by Alan Pell Crawford. Learn more about your ad choices. Vi...

Continental General Anthony Wayne struggles to keep an army in the field to challenge the British in Savannah. Finally, in July 1782, Britain abandons Savannah, returning complete control of Georgia to the patriots. 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 American Revolut...

After years of effort, Congress adopts the Great Seal in the summer of 1782. It also debates what to do about Vermont. French Minister Luzerne throws a huge party in Philadelphia to help with Franco-American relations in light of continuing money problems. George Washington adopts new badges for the army, including the Purple Heart. Blog https://blog. AmRevPodcast.com includes a complete transcrip...

In the spring of 1782, Colonel William Crawford leads an army of Pennsylvania Militia into Ohio Territory to destroy Indian villages. 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 Battle of Upper Sandusky, 1782, by Eric Sterner. Online Recommendation of the Week: Narratives of...

Desperate actions by militia in 1782 regarding the murder of prisoners forces Washington to make a controversial decision. 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 Charles Asgill Affair: Setting the Record Straight, by Anne Ammundsen. Online Recommendation of the Week: His...

The French recapture St. Eustatius in late 1781, just as the French fleet under Admiral De Grasse returns from Yorktown. With the arrival of the fleet, the French also capture St. Kitts. Admiral Rodney and Admiral Hood join together to defeat the French fleet at the battle of the Saintes. Just as that battle is coming to an end, the Spanish, using American privateers capture the Bahamas. Blog http...

In March 1782, American militia destroy a Moravian Christian community of white settlers and Indians living in Ohio. 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: David Zeisberger: A Life Among the Indians, by Earl Olmstead (borrow on Archive.org).  Online Recommendation of the Wee...

After news of Yorktown reaches London, Lord North's government falls. As new opposition government lead by Lord Rockingham forms despite the King's opposition. The new government focuses on recognizing American Independence and ending the war. Blog https://blog. AmRevPodcast.com includes a complete transcript, as well as pictures, and links related to this week's episode. Book Recommendation of th...

British General Henry Clinton finds himself under increasing pressure from his own officers to resign command. General Washington approves an attempt to kidnap King George III's son in New York. Continental General Alexander McDougall faces a court martial. Blog https://blog. AmRevPodcast.com includes a complete transcript, as well as pictures, and links related to this week's episode. Book Recomm...

The victory at Yorktown leaves the Continental Congress deeper in debt and weaker than ever. States, no longer fearing an imminent British threat, provide little support. Congress appoints secretaries who create a rudimentary executive branch with almost no power. British loyalist attempt to steal embarrassing and confidential records from the State House (Independence Hall). Blog https://blog. Am...

In 1781 and 1782, Britain battles the Kingdom of Mysore, headed by Hyder Ali in southern India. At the same time, Britain takes colonies from France and the Netherlands. French and British Navies fight multiple battles offshore for control of the subcontinent. Blog https://blog. AmRevPodcast.com includes a complete transcript, as well as pictures, and links related to this week's episode. Book Rec...

In 1781, A Spanish fleet, backed by the French Navy, takes the island of Menorca in the Mediterranean. The British garrison on the island holds out at Fort St. Phillip until early 1782. 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: Freedom: The Enduring Importance of the American R...

At the beginning of 1782, both South Carolina and Georgia reestablish their state legislatures, primarily focused on the loyalists still in their states. General Sumter retires. John Laurens replaces Light Horse Harry Lee as the Continental Army's head of cavalry in South Carolina. Blog https://blog. AmRevPodcast.com includes a complete transcript, as well as pictures, and links related to this we...

As 1781 comes to an end, South Carolina militia continue their back and fort attacks. General Greene uses the Continentals to for the British to abandon John's Island, just south of 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: The Partisan War: The South Carolina Campa...

General Alexander Leslie takes Command in Charleston. William "Bloody Bill" Cunningham goes on a rampage across South Carolina. General Nathanael Greene tightens the noose around 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: Loyalism in South Carolina 1764-1785, by Robe...