Book Review: 1776 by David McCullough - Page 3

The surrender of Fort Washington on 16 November was a severe blow to the colonists – 2000 taken prisoner, 59 killed, 146 cannon lost to the British and Hessians in a “matter of hours”. It was a humiliating blow.

The retreat and the loss of Fort Washington produced, however, one notable hero - or rather heroine. Molly Corbin was the widow of a soldier, John Corbin, from Pennsylvania. She accompanied her husband into battle (they weren't wimpy, those colonial women) and, when he was killed, she took his position. She continued to load and fire the cannon until she, too, was hit. She nearly had her arm amputated. Her captors allowed her to go back to her Pennsylvania home. McCollough gives us good stories on the side.

He gives too what I want in a history of warfare. He presents maps and clear descriptions of the placement of forces and the landscape. His battle scenes could be made into movies with blood, gore and glory.

Better yet, we are reminded just why George Washington crossed the Delaware. I can see him standing tall in his blue coat in the bow of a river scow in the cold and snow. Why did the Founding Father cross the river? To get to the other side, silly.

In this case, however, the story is exciting. The retreat from New York was accomplished without losing the army and the war to the outnumbering British and their fleet. The General and his staff planned a crossing of the Delaware above Trenton, New Jersey by three elements of his army. Only one succeeds in crossing due to a nor'easter blowing cold and snow, the river freezing or frozen enough to deter the other two flanks of the attack from trying to get across.

This is exciting stuff. The Internet provides about 36 million citations in Google Search alone on the Revolutionary War, George Washington and 1776. You might want to visit the Revolutionary War Page or take a look at the British view. The U. of Virginia has a collection of George Washington papers with much on their site. One of interest is an order to the soldiers prohibiting profanity from 3 August, 1776. How much American values have changed!

That the Troops may have an opportunity of attending public worship, as well as take some rest after the great fatigue they have gone through; The General in future excuses them from fatigue duty on Sundays (except at the Ship Yards, or special occasions) until further orders. The General is sorry to be informed that the foolish, and wicked practice, of profane cursing and swearing (a Vice heretofore little known in an American Army) is growing into fashion; he hopes the officers will, by example, as well as influence, endeavour to check it, and that both they, and the men will reflect, that we can have little hopes of the blessing of Heaven on our Arms, if we insult it by our impiety, and folly; added to this, it is a vice so mean and low, without any temptation, that every man of sense, and character, detests and despises it.

Article Author: Howard Dratch

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