Washington's Immortals: The Untold Story of an Elite Regiment Who Changed the Course of the Revolution
Patrick K. O'Donnell
Language: English
Pages: 336
ISBN: 0802124593
Format: PDF / Kindle (mobi) / ePub
Today, only a modest, rusted and scarred metal sign near a dilapidated auto garage marks the mass grave where the bodies of the “Maryland Heroes” lie—256 men “who fell in the Battle of Brooklyn.” In Washington’s Immortals, best-selling military historian Patrick K. O’Donnell brings to life the forgotten story of this remarkable band of brothers. Known as “gentlemen of honour, family, and fortune,” they fought not just in Brooklyn, but in key battles including Trenton, Princeton, Camden, Cowpens, Guilford Courthouse, and Yorktown, where their heroism changed the course of the war.
Drawing on extensive original sources, from letters to diaries to pension applications, O’Donnell pieces together the stories of these brave men—their friendships, loves, defeats, and triumphs. He explores their arms and tactics, their struggles with hostile loyalists and shortages of clothing and food, their development into an elite unit, and their dogged opponents, including British General Lord Cornwallis. And through the prism of this one group, O’Donnell tells the larger story of the Revolutionary War. Washington’s Immortals is gripping and inspiring boots-on-the-ground history, sure to appeal to a wide readership.
bravery and energy of his soul.” The American artillery and musket fire checked the British advance. “The Enemy were staggered in all quarters, and upon the left retiring.” Greene the brilliant strategist morphed into Greene the tactician—a role he never filled well. Sensing the tide of the battle turning in his favor, Greene ordered an attack. Instead of receiving Rawdon’s assault and counterattacking, he rolled the dice on an all-out assault “to charge bayonets without firing.” William
County, 83. 152 “An extraordinary thunderstorm . . . the world.” Ewald, Diary of the American War, 89. 153 “The inferiority of . . . this occasion.” Howard to Bentalou, March 1826, Bayard Papers, MHS. 153 “Hard rain that . . . the arms.” Papers of Captain William Beatty, MHS. 153 “cutting off the . . . of Ambuscades.” Washington to Brigadier Gneral Anthony Wayne, September 18, 1777, Washington Papers, Library of Congress; Fitzpatrick, The Writings of George Washington: 235–36. 153 “I believe
blacksmiths.” Pension application of James P. Collins, NARA. 264 “We were paraded . . . escape suffering.” Ibid. 264 “could not well . . . of ‘coward.’” James P. Collins, Autobiography of a Revolutionary Soldier (Clinton, LA: Feliciana Democrat, 1859). Reprinted as A Revolutionary Soldier, John M. Roberts, ed. (New York: Arno Press, 1979), 259. 264 “Fresh prime your . . . he dies.” Ibid. 264 “The orders were . . . “reload quick.” Ibid., 260–61. 265 “Their great elevation . . . desired
waging war were planted. By 1760 most of the fighting in North America had come to end, although battles continued to rage in the West Indies and Europe for some time. The North American portion of the war officially came to a close on February 10, 1763, when the two sides signed the Treaty of Paris. Five days later, they ended the European war with the Treaty of Hubertusburg. Under the terms of surrender, France gave up all rights to the mainland of North America but held on to its island
waging war were planted. By 1760 most of the fighting in North America had come to end, although battles continued to rage in the West Indies and Europe for some time. The North American portion of the war officially came to a close on February 10, 1763, when the two sides signed the Treaty of Paris. Five days later, they ended the European war with the Treaty of Hubertusburg. Under the terms of surrender, France gave up all rights to the mainland of North America but held on to its island