Portland Public Library

The indispensables, the diverse soldier-mariners who shaped the country, formed the Navy, and rowed Washington across the Delaware, Patrick K. O'Donnell

eng

Includes bibliographical references and index

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index present

non fiction

The indispensables

bibliography

1249557879

Patrick K. O'Donnell

the diverse soldier-mariners who shaped the country, formed the Navy, and rowed Washington across the Delaware

"On the stormy night of August 29, 1776, the Continental Army faced annihilation. After losing the Battle of Brooklyn, the British had Washington's army trapped against the East River. The fate of the Revolution rested heavily on the shoulders of the soldier-mariners from Marblehead, Massachusetts. Serving side-by-side in one of the country's first diverse units, they pulled off an "American Dunkirk" and saved the army. In the annals of the American Revolution, no group played a more consequential role than the Marbleheaders. At the right time in the right place, they repeatedly altered the course of events, and their story shines new light on our understanding of the Revolution. As acclaimed historian Patrick K. O'Donnell dramatically recounts, beginning nearly a decade before the war started, Marbleheaders such as Elbridge Gerry and Azor Orne spearheaded the break with Britain and helped shape the nascent United States by playing a crucial role governing, building alliances, seizing British ships, and forging critical supply lines that established the origins of the US Navy. The Marblehead Regiment, led by John Glover, became truly indispensable. Marbleheaders battled at Lexington and on Bunker Hill and formed the elite Guard that protected George Washington. Then, at the most crucial time in the war, the regiment conveyed 2,400 of Washington's men across the ice-filled Delaware River on Christmas night of 1776, delivering a momentum-shifting surprise attack on Trenton. Later, Marblehead doctor Nathaniel Bond inoculated the Continental Army against a deadly virus, which changed the course of history. This uniquely diverse group of white, Black, and Native American soldiers set an inclusive standard of unity the US Army would not reach again for over 170 years. The Marbleheaders' story makes The Indispensables a vital addition to the literature of the American Revolution"--, Provided by publisher

Prologue -- Seeds of rebellion -- Marblehead's leading families -- Massacre and tea -- A virus and the revenge of the loyalists -- Boston Port Act -- Gunpowder -- Arms race and a fledgling government -- The Marblehead Regiment -- The forgotten first shots: The raid on Fort William and Mary -- Salem nearly ignites the Revolutionary War -- Prelude to war: Rendezvous at Black Horse Tavern -- First blood at Lexington: Disarming the Americans -- Concord -- The bloody gauntlet -- Siege, the Army of New England, and Mr. Gerry -- The Loyalists -- Tyranny, victims, and the American narrative -- Bunker Hill -- General George Washington arrives in Cambridge -- Washington's covert navy -- Broughton's odyssey -- "This instance of divine favour": Captain John Manley and the capture of the Nancy -- Snowball fight and a diverse regiment -- Beverly -- Washington's life guard and lifting the siege of Boston -- Dark days and Hope -- Killing Washington and the invasion -- "We wish to give them another drubbing": fire ships and invasion -- The decision -- American Dunkirk -- Kips Bay -- The forgotten battles that saved Washington's army -- White Plains -- The darkest days -- Counterattack -- The crossing -- Trenton: The tide turns -- The epic stand at Assunpink Creek -- Princeton -- Home and back

Diverse soldier-mariners who shaped the country, formed the Navy, and rowed Washington across the Delaware