Image courtesy of Colonial National Historical Park, Yorktown.

Thursday, December 31, 2020

"Revolutionary Richmond" Brochure Now Available


For the past three years, Bill Welsch, Bert Dunkerly, and Woody Childs have been hard at work developing a brochure on "Revolutionary Richmond." The format is modeled after the out-of-print (we think) brochure published by the City of Petersburg in 2008, "Revolutionary Petersburg: A Driving Tour." Bill's son-in-law, Matt Rowan, did a fantastic job on the design. The map was done by Edward Alexander, a VIP at the NPS.

While we are investigating printing costs, we are not sure if the brochure will ever be printed for mass distribution. However, the link below will enable you to print one for yourself and for your friends and family. You can also access the link on your cell phone or tablet so you can carry it with you while you're investigating all things Revolutionary that Richmond has to offer!


Monday, December 21, 2020

Henrico County History e-Newsletter

Henrico county has worked hard to develop an e-newsletter to be released three times per year. It's filled with updates on historic sites, information about programs and staff, as well as a couple of in-depth, well-researched articles about Henrico history.  Stay tuned because the second issue will debut very soon...December. To find previous issues archived online or to sign up, please visit  https://henrico.us/rec/history

Next Meeting: January 20, 2021

Ed Lengel will be our speaker.  Ed will speak on "New Thoughts on Valley Forge."


Our January 20 meeting will again be a Zoom session, rather than an in-person gathering.  Thanks to Peggy Watson, we will be utilizing the University of Richmond's Osher network.

Sign-on information will be included in the January newsletter, the weekend before the meeting.  Stay tuned.

To participate in a Zoom session, your computer will need a camera function, standard for most lap tops and tablets.  But I would suggest reviewing the camera function before that time.  We recommend that you join in 5 - 10 minutes before the start, to be sure that your equipment is working.  All attendees will be put in a waiting room, then admitted one by one. You will be muted on admittance, but will be able to unmute as soon as you’re in.  Peggy Watson will explain the meeting protocol.
 
We do realize that all members might not be able to view the program, but also feel that this approach is better than entirely missing another meeting.  As with November, we won't worry about the other parts of the meeting.  

Wednesday, November 18, 2020

2021 Dues

Due to our only having met once during 2020, the Board of Directors has decided that ALL PAID MEMBERS FOR 2020 WILL HAVE THEIR MEMBERSHIPS EXTENDED THROUGH 2021.

Since we plan on continuing our preservation efforts, however, we are asking that all members donate that $5.00 portion of their dues for preservation in 2021.

Please wait for our next in-person meeting to pay your $5.00 for preservation. We do NOT want five-spots floating around the USPS!

Next Meeting and 2021 Meeting Dates

Our next meeting will he held via Zoom on January 20, 2021. The topic and speaker will be announced later. For those of you attending any of the inaugural balls on the twentieth, we'd like a full report at the following meeting! 

For your planning pleasure, a list of all 2021 meeting dates can be found under the "Meetings" tab above. Topics and speakers will be announced when available.

Monday, November 16, 2020

Meeting Notes: September 16, 2020

Pre-Guest Speaker Notes:

ARRT-R’s next meeting is scheduled for 11/18/20 at 6:30 p.m.  This is a zoom meeting!  Sign in details will be provided in the November newsletter.  Thanks again to Peggy Watson for allowing us to utilize the Osher network.

ARRT-R’s featured speaker on 11/18/20 will be Jeff Dacus.  Jeff will be speaking on “Washington’s Family: The Aides and Secretaries that helped him through the War”.  As Jeff says, “Most people think it was just Alexander Hamilton but he had an excellent group of young men that did his staff work.”

Jeff Dacus is a retired schoolteacher who taught U.S. history for 35 years and also taught as an adjunct professor at the University of Portland.  A retired Marine tanker, he volunteers with local veterans groups and is a speaker at historical events.  A member of the Company of Military Historians, he has written numerous articles in the Journal of the Company of Military Historians, Marine Corps Tanker’s Association Newsletter, as well as Leatherneck and Armor Magazines.  He is the winner of the 2020 General Roy S. Geiger Award given to the author of the best article in the field of Marine Corps Aviation.  His first book is The Fighting Corsairs: The Men of the Marine Fighting Squadron 215.


Guest Speaker: Norm Bollen  – “George Washington and the Mohawk Frontier” 

Norm is chairman of the board of the Fort Plain Museum and Historical Park.  He is the former president of the Mohawk Valley Museum Consortium and the president and founder of Mohawk Country Inc., a non-profit group which promotes historic preservation and heritage based tourism in the Mohawk Valley.

New York State was a key battleground in the War for American Independence with nearly a third of all battles being fought there. The Mohawk Valley, often described as the "Bloody Mohawk," suffered through multiple coordinated strikes by an enemy determined to split the Colonies. This book deals with a little known and little understood chapter of American history. Communications between the Commander-in-Chief and Philip Schuyler, George Clinton, James Clinton, John Sullivan, General William Stirling, Goose Van Schaick, Marinus Willett, George Reid, Benjamin Tupper, all as it related to the defense of the Mohawk frontier are covered in the research. The book follows Washington's trip into the Mohawk Frontier and his visit to Fort Rensselaer on August 2, 1783 just three years after the fort successfully repelled an enemy attack.

1776 – British and Indian forces under the command of Sir John Johnson begin conducting raids in the Valley.  General Washington struggling to keep his own army in the field is unable to devout resources to secure the Valley.

1777 – British and Indian attacks on the Valley intensify as part of the British campaign in the Northern Theater that included the movement of General Burgoyne’s forces south into eastern New York State.  British and Indian forces in the Valley where commanded by Colonel Barry St. Leger.  The Battle of Oriskany took place on August 6, 1777,

To Philip Schuyler July 2, 1777

“I fear the Indians will make ravage of our Frontier Country and the Enemies will make an entry in our State from our Quarters without great difficulty”

Nicholas Herkimer

1778 – General Washington’s fails in his attempt to organize an expedition to clear the Valley.  He blames the failure on the leadership of the Northern Department.

To the Continental Congress November 16, 1778

“These depredations of the Enemy give me the most serious concern.  I lament that we have not yet had it in our power to give them an effectual check.  I am perfectly convinced that the only way of preventing Indian ravages is to carry the war vigorously into their own country”

George Washington

1779 – General Washington takes control of the planning for what becomes the Sullivan-Clinton Expedition.  

To General Sullivan May 31, 1779

“…lay waste to all the settlements around with instructions to do it in the most effectual manner, that the Country may not merely be overrun but destroyed?

George Washington

1780 – Once again the Mohawk was under attack.  During the summer of 1780, General Washington is focused on securing Fort Schuyler.  On August 2nd a raid on the greater Fort Plain area devastates the countryside.  General Van Resselaer is blamed for the attack.

1781 – American forces under the command of Marinus Willett fight the key battle of New Dorlach on July 10, 1781 and the Battle of Johnstown on October 25, 1781.

1782 – Washington made his 1st trip to the Valley.  His mission was to inspect the defenses on the northern & western frontiers.  On June 27th Washington received the “key to the city” while visiting Albany.  On June 30th Washington attended a banquet in Schenectady.  Seated next to him at the banquet where Frederick Fisher & Jellis Fonda of the Mohawk District Tryon County Militia.  This banquet was Washington’s first meeting with Tryon County Militia and allowed him to mend fences over the disastrous handling of the war in Tryon County.

Staff with Washington on the trip included Major General Henry Knox, AG Edward Hand, and Governor George Clinton.

“For my own part, I am more apprehensive for the safety of the Country on the 

Mowhawk River than for any other part of the frontier”

George Washington

1783 – Washington and his entourage made a 2nd trip to the Mohawk Valley in 1783.  Washington utilized Fort Rensselear as his headquarters from July 28 to August 3.

To the Marquis de Chastellux October 12, 1783

“Would to God we may have wisdom enough to improve them, I shall not rest contented, till I have explored the Western Country, and traversed those lines or a great part of them, which have given bounds to  anew Empire”

George Washington

Thursday, October 8, 2020

Next Meeting Speaker and Topic: November 18, 2020

For our final meeting (Zoom, of course!) of 2020, our speaker will be Jeff Dacus speaking on "Washington's Family: The Aides and Secretaries that Helped Him Through the War." As Jeff says, "Most people think it was just Alexander Hamilton but he had an excellent group of young men that did his staff work."

Jeff Dacus is a retired schoolteacher who taught U.S. history for 35 years and also taught as an adjunct professor at the University of Portland. A retired Marine tanker, he volunteers with local veterans groups and is a speaker at historical events. A member of the Company of Military Historians, he has written numerous articles in The Journal of the Company of Military Historians, Marine Corps Tanker's Association Newsletter, as well as Leatherneck and Armor Magazines. He has written numerous articles online for the Journal of the American Revolution. He is the winner of the 2020 General Roy S. Geiger Award given to the author of the best article in the field of Marine Corps Aviation. His first book is The Fighting Corsairs: The Men of Marine Fighting Squadron 215.

Jeff has appeared on the SIRIUS radio "Dave Nemo Show," and on the Journal of the American Revolution podcast "Dispatches." He holds several advanced degrees and he was a Distinguished Graduate at American Military University. He resides in Vancouver, Washington. Website: www.jeffdacus.com 

Monday, October 5, 2020

Yorktown Day 2020 Schedule

As most of you know by now, the events for this year's Yorktown Day have been seriously reduced. Listed below are some of the events being held.


AMERICA’S DECISIVE REVOLUTIONARY WAR VICTORY AT YORKTOWN
MARKED WITH TOWNWIDE EVENTS & INTERPRETIVE PROGRAMS, OCTOBER 17 & 18


YORKTOWN, Va., September 30, 2020 — The 239th anniversary of America’s decisive Revolutionary War victory at Yorktown will be celebrated on Saturday and Sunday, October 17 and 18, with a variety of events and activities at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, Yorktown Battlefield and throughout Historic Yorktown.

While the annual Yorktown Day parade and public commemorative ceremonies are cancelled this year in response to COVID-19, an array of programs will salute the momentous allied American-French victory over the British in 1781. Visitors can take the free Yorktown Trolley to various Yorktown attractions between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily, following new safety protocols.

On October 19, 1781, following a nine-day bombardment, British forces in Yorktown under General Charles Cornwallis requested a cease-fire and then surrendered more than 8,000 soldiers and sailors to the combined American and French armies commanded by General George Washington. This was the last major military action of the American Revolution, effectively securing independence for the American colonies following a six-and-a-half-year military struggle.

AMERICAN REVOLUTION MUSEUM AT YORKTOWN – OCTOBER 17
Revolutionary War Programs, Artillery Firings and Immersive Exhibits & Films


The American Revolution Museum at Yorktown will present a variety of interpretive experiences and artillery firings as part of its annual “Yorktown Victory Celebration” event on Saturday, October 17. Stories of citizens and soldiers of the American Revolution unfold at the expansive history museum through immersive films, exhibition galleries and outdoor re-creations of a Continental Army encampment and Revolution-era farm – all following new safety protocols.

Visitors can interact with Revolutionary War re-enactors, take in the “Siege of Yorktown” experiential theater and view artifacts from the Betsy, one of the British ships scuttled in the York River, on loan from the Virginia Department of Historic Resources. Outdoors, discover aspects of military life, from enlistment, troop supplies and medical care to flintlock musket and artillery demonstrations, as well as how farming families prepared food over an open hearth, processed plant fibers into cloth and dyed fabric using natural pigments.

The American Revolution Museum at Yorktown and Gift Shop, open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, are located on Route 1020 in Yorktown. The event is included with museum admission: $15.25 for adults, $7.75 for ages 6-12, and free for children under 6. Residents of York County, James City County and the City of Williamsburg, including William & Mary students, receive complimentary admission with proof of residency. Event activities are presented in part by the York County Arts Commission. For more information, call (757) 253-4838 or visit historyisfun.org.

YORKTOWN BATTLEFIELD – OCTOBER 17 & 18
Self-Guided Battlefield Tours and Outdoor Ranger Overviews


Colonial National Historical Park at Yorktown Battlefield, site of the climactic 1781 siege, is open for self-guided tours. A free tour app is available at nps.gov/york/yorktown-guide-app.htm. Park Rangers are available to provide information about Yorktown Battlefield and Colonial National Historical Park outside the Yorktown Battlefield Visitor Center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, weather permitting. Stop by the Eastern National Park Store in the Visitor Center, Tuesday through Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., to purchase items to commemorate your visit to the park. The Visitor Center is located at 1000 Colonial Parkway at the eastern end of the Colonial Parkway, 12 miles from Williamsburg.  For more information, visit nps.gov/colo.

VISITING HISTORIC YORKTOWN
Take the Yorktown Trolley to Enjoy Weekend Events & Outdoor Activities


Throughout the weekend, Historic Yorktown visitors can enjoy several outdoor activities, such as sails aboard the Schooner Alliance at the Riverwalk Landing piers as well as bicycle, paddleboard and kayak rentals and Segway tours from Patriot Tours & Provisions. On Saturday, October 17, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., shop the inaugural First Responders Market, dedicated to all the men and women who work year-round to keep the community safe, a tribute especially fitting during the pandemic. Down the street, the Watermen’s Museum will hold its rescheduled Oyster Roast from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This is in addition to their two-day Maritime Heritage Festival with re-enactors, sea shanties, vendors and boat building. Yorktown Ghost Walks will be offering ticketed evening tours that must be booked in advance.

On Main Street, enjoy local art at On the Hill Gallery and the Gallery at York Hall. Mobjack Bay Coffee Roasters will have several ticketed historic walking tours October 16-19, including visits to Yorktown Battlefield Surrender Field, exploring everything from the beginning of the Yorktown campaign to the climactic final week of the siege. On Sunday, a “Victory and Alliance French Wine & History Celebration” at Mobjack Bay will include a tasting of French wines while learning about the French alliance and its invaluable contribution to the Revolution. For more information about Historic Yorktown events and programs, call (757) 890-5900 or visit visityorktown.org.  

##


Media Contacts:

Yorktown Battlefield, Colonial National Historical Park
Michael Byrd, (757) 898-2422 or michael_byrd@nps.gov

American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation
Tracy Perkins, (757) 253-4114 or tracy.perkins@jyf.virginia.gov

York County Public Affairs
Gail Whittaker, (757) 890-3310 or whittgl@yorkcounty.gov


Next Meeting: November 18, 2020

Our November 18 meeting will again be a Zoom session rather than an in-person gathering.  Thanks again to Peggy Watson, we will be utilizing the Osher network. 

Our industrious V.P., Bruce Venter, is currently working to line-up a speaker for this meeting. We will notify you as soon as the speaker and topic are finalized.

To participate in a Zoom session, your computer will need a camera function, standard for most lap tops and tablets.  But I would suggest reviewing the camera function before that time.  We recommend that you join in 5 - 10 minutes before the start, to be sure that your equipment is working.  All attendees will be put in a waiting room, then admitted one by one. You will be muted on admittance, but will be able to unmute as soon as you’re in.  Peggy Watson will explain the meeting protocol.

Sign in information will be provided in the November newsletter, about a week before the meeting. 

We do realize that all members might not be able to view the program, but also feel that this approach is better than entirely missing another meeting.  As with previous Zoom meetings, we won't worry about most of the other parts of the meeting. 

Thursday, September 10, 2020

Meeting Notes: July 15, 2020

 ARRT-Richmond 7/15/20 Meeting Notes

Pre-Guest Speaker Notes:

ARRT-R’s next meeting is scheduled for 9/16/20 at 6:30 p.m.  This is a zoom meeting!  Sign in details will be provided in the August newsletter.  Thanks again to Peggy Watson for allowing us to utilize the Osher network.

ARRT-R’s featured speaker on 9/16/20 will be Norm Bollen. Norm will be speaking on his new book, George Washington and the Mohawk Valley.  Norm is chairman of the board of the Fort Plain Museum and Historical Park. He is former president of the Mohawk Valley Museum Consortium and the president and founder of Mohawk Country, Inc., a non-profit group which promotes historic preservation and heritage based tourism  in the Mohawk Valley.

Guest Speaker: Bert Dunkerly, “Four Winters at Morristown: Smallpox, Starvation, and Mutiny.”

Bert Dunkerly is currently a Park Ranger at Richmond National Battlefield Park.  He holds a degree from St. Vincent College and a Masters in Historic Preservation from Middle Tennessee State University.  Bert recently spent six months as the Acting Supervisory Ranger at Morristown National Park.

Why did George Washington select Morristown as a base?

1. While Morristown’s location in northern New Jersey was close enough to New York City to threaten the British it’s located more than a day’s march from the city.  This would prevent the British from quickly moving on the Continental Army.

2. Morristown was a crossroads village with multiple roads leading in and out allowing for easy movement of troops and supplies.

3. Natural resources such as water and timber where in abundance in the area surrounding the village.

4. While parts of New Jersey contained large percentages of “loyal” subjects the area around Morristown was considered very friendly to the rebellion.

Winter#1: 1776-1777

The Continental Army arrived at Morristown on January 6th, 1777.  The army that arrived numbered only 2000 men.  Troops where not quartered in huts but in private homes and barns.  The Army faced issues including dwindling enlistment, desertion, and a lack of supplies and pay.  Within weeks of arriving in Morristown the Army also faced an issue with a smallpox epidemic.  In response, Washington instituted an inoculation campaign in a successful effort to stamp out the epidemic.

Washington created a defensive network around Morristown.  The most significant part of the defensive sites was “High Hill – Fort Nonsense”.   From “High Hill” you can see Manhattan on a clear day.

Winter#2: 1778-1779

In 1778 the Army returned to Morristown.  Winter#2 was much colder than Valley Forge.  Instead of living in private residences the Army built huts.  

Deaths due to disease and other causes where much smaller at Morristown in 1778-1779 than at Valley Forge.  The Army had learned lessons involving issues such as sanitation and camp layout. 

Winter#3: 1780-1781

Instead of the entire Army being based in Morristown only Pennsylvania troops were quartered in and around the village.

On January 1, 1781 much of the Pennsylvania force mutinied.  The mutineers marched to Princeton in attempt to meet with the Continental Congress.

Winter#4: 1781-1782

Only New Jersey troops where based in Morristown.  Troop numbers where estimated to be around 700.

--Noah Rogers


Monday, September 7, 2020

2020 Harry M. Ward Book Prize Winner Announced

 


The ARRT-Richmond Book Prize Committee has announced the winner and runners-up for the 2020 Prize. They are:

WINNER:

Contest for Liberty: Military Leadership in the Continental Army, 1775-1783, by Seanegan P. Sculley. Westholme Publishing, 2019.

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

A Crisis of Peace: George Washington, the Newburgh Conspiracy, and the Fate of the American Revolution, by David Head. Pegasus Books, 2019.

Washington’s Revolutionary War Generals, by Stephen R. Taaffe. University of Oklahoma Press, 2019.

Southern Gambit: Cornwallis and the British March to Yorktown, by Stanley D. M. Carpenter. University of Oklahoma Press, 2019.

Heartfelt thanks to the committee: Mark Lender, Fred Sorrell, and Bert Dunkerly.

Monday, August 31, 2020

Thaddeus Kościuszko

Woody Childs sent along a link to an article entitled, "Revolutionary War Hero Thaddeus Kościuszko Ages Well in New Era of Social Justice," written by Amy Cohen for "Hidden City." Very interesting article--give it a read!

Thanks, Woody!

Click here for article

Crossing of the Dan Commemoration for 2021

The annual Crossing of the Dan commemoration in 2021 will be held on Saturday, February 20 in South Boston. Due to the virus concerns, it will be somewhat down-sized but will occur nevertheless. Be sure to mark your calendars for this annual event!

Thursday, August 27, 2020

Next Meeting: September 16, 2020 Topic & Speaker

Our September 16 meeting will again be a Zoom session, rather than an in-person gathering.  Thanks again to Peggy Watson, we will be utilizing the Osher network to present Norm Bollen speaking on his new book George Washington and the Mohawk Valley.   Norm is chairman of the board of the Fort Plain Museum and Historical Park.  He is former president of the Mohawk Valley Museum Consortium and the president and founder of Mohawk Country, Inc., a non-profit group which promotes historic preservation and heritage based tourism in the -Mohawk Valley. Norm has a life-long affiliation with the Fort Plain Museum beginning with its opening in the 1960s. He and his family were deeply involved with the museum participating in research, fundraising, visitor tours and archaeological digs.  Norm is a retired entrepreneur who began his "second career" with the fort in 2006.  He lives in Amsterdam, NY. 

To participate in a Zoom session, your computer will need a camera function, standard for most lap tops and tablets.  But I would suggest reviewing the camera function before that time.  We recommend that you join in 5 - 10 minutes before the start, to be sure that your equipment is working.  All attendees will be put in a waiting room, then admitted one by one. You will be muted on admittance, but will be able to unmute as soon as you’re in.  Peggy Watson will explain the meeting protocol.

Sign in information will be provided in the September newsletter, about a week before the meeting. 

We do realize that all members might not be able to view the program, but also feel that this approach is better than entirely missing another meeting.  As with July, we won't worry about the other parts of the meeting.  

Monday, July 20, 2020

Next Meeting: September 16, 2020

The speaker for our next meeting on September 16, 2020 was scheduled to be Al Zambone speaking on Daniel Morgan. Given that we will almost certainly be meeting once again via Zoom, Bruce is working to confirm with Al and to schedule another speaker, if necessary. Stay tuned for more details.

Tuesday, June 30, 2020

Meeting Notes: May 20, 2020

ARRT-Richmond 5/20/20 Meeting Notes
Pre-Guest Speaker Notes

ARRT-R’s next meeting is scheduled for 7/15/20.  This is a zoom meeting!  Sign in details will be provided in the July newsletter.  Thanks again to Peggy Watson for allowing us to utilize the Osher network.

ARRT-R’s featured speaker on 7/15/20 will be Bert Dunkerly.  Bert’s topic will be “Four Winters at Morristown: Smallpox, Starvation, and Mutiny”.  Bert recently spent six months as the Acting Supervisory Ranger at Morristown National Park.

Guest Speaker – Mark Edward Lender – Cabal! The Plot Against General Washington
 
Mark Edward Lender holds a Ph.D in American History from Rutgers University.  He has written extensively on early American social and military history and is a recognized authority on the War for Independence.  Lender’s scholarship has won awards from the Society of Military History and the U.S. Army Historical Foundation and a fellowship  from Smith National Library at George Washington’s Mount Vernon.  In 2017 he was a finalist for the prestigious George Washington Literary Prize. 

Lender considers that rather than the “classic cabal” of General’s Horatio Gates, Thomas Mifflin, and Thomas Conway in a plot to remove General  Washington quickly, the threat to 
Washington’s command was a gradual administrative attempt by the Board of War and political allies to take over the war effort.

General  Washington’s record in late 1777 was not impressive.  He has been whipped at 
Brandywine, surprised at Paoli, beaten at Germantown, and had been unable to hold the 
Delaware River forts.

The alternative to General Washington was seen as Major General Horatio Gates.   While 
General Washington was struggling in Pennsylvania Gates was defeating Burgoyne at Saratoga.

Two generals in particular where determined to replace General Washington with Gates.  The two generals where Thomas Mifflin and Thomas Conway.

General Conway was angered by his rank and considered General Washington incompetent.

“Heaven has been determined to save your country; or a weak general and bad councellors 
would have ruined it.” Conway to Gates (attributed) Late November 1777

General Mifflin has failed as Quartermaster General and was extremely jealous of General 
Washington’s relationship with General Nathaniel Greene.

“You have saved out Northern Hemisphere and in spite of our consummate & repeated 
blundering you have changed the constitution of the Southern Campaign on the part of the 
enemy from offensive to defensive…. In short this army will be totally lost unless you come 
down & collect the virtuous band, who wish to fight under your banner & with their aid save the southern hemisphere…  Congress must send for you.”  Mifflin to Gates, 17 November 1777

The Board of War was created in mid-1776 as a support organization to take care of routine administrative tasks for Congress: military records, routine correspondence,  equipment not in use, British POWs.  When created the Board was staffed by delegates.  The Board was reorganized in October 1777 to fulfill the same functions  but was  staffed with full time professional  instead of delegates.  General Gates was appointed President of the Board and became in essence General Washington’s superior.

In December 1777 the Board of War on Mifflin’s advice created the Office of Inspector General.  General Washington was not consulted red the creation of the Office.  The Inspector General was tasked with devising and implementing training and tactical drill regimen, conducting officer evaluation, and making extensive reports on virtually all army functions, with oversight of the Board of War.  On Mifflin’s advice Conway is appointed to the post.

Beginning in January 1778 through March 1778 the Board of War began implementing a “Commissary Plan” independent of Washington and the established army Commissary Department.  Three commissary operations – the army department, Board of War “superintendents”, and state agents created competition for the same supplies and mass confusion.

At the same time as the Board of War began implementing a “Commissary Plan” the Board also began issuing direct orders to the army. Orders issued included the movement of arms, 
munitions, and units without Washington’s approval.

Most egregiously to Washington and his supporters the Board began planning for another 
invasion of Canada.  Gates did not consult Washington and determined that the Board of War would run the invasion.  The Board began issuing orders directly to Lafayette and other senior officers and not through the C-in-C.

The Gates, Conway, and Mifflin  relationship was discovered through correspondence between the parties.  Conway was injured in a duel and Gates apologized to Washington.  By late spring 1778 the greatest threat to General Washington’s command was over.

--Noah Rogers

Tuesday, June 2, 2020

Next Meeting: July 15, 2020

"Four Winters at Morristown: Smallpox, Starvation, and Mutiny," by Bert Dunkerly

Our next meeting will, once again, be held virtually via Zoom. Bert has graciously stepped-in to present the above topic. More information will be available in July.

Assuming that the University of Richmond is back in session in September, we should be able to return to our usual "in-person" format then.

"Cabal: The Plot Against George Washington" Presentation

At our May 20, 2020 Zoom meeting, Mark Lender gave a well-received presentation on the plot against George Washington. For those of you who missed the meeting or who just want to refresh the subject, following is a link to Mark's presentation.

It is in Power Point. Simply click on the link below and enjoy!

Saturday, May 9, 2020

ZOOM on May 20th!

This is just a quick update to remind everyone that we will meet via ZOOM for our meeting on May 20. Peggy Watson (thanks, Peggy!) has organized the meeting and will be running it. Mark Lender will be speaking on the Conway Cabal. We will only have the presentation by Mark--no raffle, business portion, etc.

Based on what Peggy knows and predicts, we won't be able to meet on campus in July, either. Peggy is ready to support a July Zoom session, also, assuming that May goes well. We'll deal with that later.

On the preservation partner, I would propose that we suspend the nomination and voting for 2020.  I think that it would just be too confusing and difficult to arrange and allow people to learn about any nominees, etc.  Plus, with a likely smaller 2020 membership, our gift would probably be smaller.

Background for the May meeting:

  • The link to the ZOOM conference will be included in Bill's May mailing, probably around May 15.
  • The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. It would be good for attendees to log-in up to 20 minutes before to ensure that their equipment is working.
  • Attendees will be placed in a waiting room then admitted one by one.
  • All will be muted on admittance but will be able to unmute as soon as they're in.
  • Everyone will be muted when the lecture begins, but people can be unmuted to ask questions.
  • When the lecture is finished and questions have been answered, the meeting will end.
Here is a link to a PDF Factsheet for the use of ZOOM:

 https://richmond.box.com/s/lf0pmryfpntiaj8ewiyaizs2oojvhjfa

See everyone on May 20!

Saturday, April 11, 2020

Arnold Marker

Bert Dunkerly reports that the City of Richmond has approved acceptance of the Arnold's Raid on Richmond historical marker.  Bert and city officials are now in the design development and approval phase.  Bert is also progressing with the needed fund raising from other groups to join our $300 donation.  He's optimistic!

--Bill Welsch

Next Meeting: May 20, 2020... via ZOOM!


We hope that all are safe and well.  Obviously, the current times have required many cancellations and changes to group meetings such as ours.  First, our thanks to both Jim Christ and Ryan Cole, our March and May speakers, for their understanding of this situation.  Bruce is working to reschedule both of these gentlemen for either later this year or for 2021.

Our May meeting will take a different format utilizing Zoom, rather than an in-person gathering.  Thanks to Peggy Watson, we will be utilizing the Osher network to present our own Mark Lender speaking about the Conway Cabal.  This is the subject of Mark's newest book Cabal! The Plot Against General Washingtonhttps://smile.amazon.com/Cabal-Plot-Against-General-Washington/dp/159416326X/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1586534372&sr=1-1
I highly recommend Cabal to you.  Thanks very much to Mark for filling the breech.

We will provide sign-in details in next month's newsletter, prior to the meeting.

We do realize that all members might not be able to view the program, but also feel that this approach is better than entirely missing another meeting.

Mark's lecture will be Zoomed on WEDNESDAY, MAY 20 BEGINNING AT 6:30.  We won't worry about the other parts of the meeting.  Hopefully, by July 15, things will be back to normal.

(Thanks to Bill Welsch for the above.)

Tuesday, March 17, 2020

Genealogy Research Article

Maria Jones, from DNA Testing Guides, was doing some research and stumbled across our post from July 2012 from Brent Morgan. She suggested that the following article, "The Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Genealogy" might be of interest to our members. Thank you, Maria!

Click here for the article

Friday, March 13, 2020

Meeting Notes: January 15, 2020

Pre-Guest Speaker Notes:
ARRT-R’s next meeting is scheduled for 3/18/20 at Heilman Dining Center at the University of Richmond – dinner service begins at 5:30 p.m. – the speaking program begins at 6:30 p.m. NOTE: This meeting has been canceled!

ARRT-R’s featured speaker on 3/18/20 will be Jim Christ, President of the Paoli Battlefield Preservation Fund.  Jim is also Vice President of the Philadelphia ARRT and active in the Congress of ARRTs.  He will speak on the Battle of Paoli.

Guest Speaker – Christian McBurney – “George Washington’s Nemesis: The Outrageous Treason and Unfair Court Martial of Major General Charles Lee during the American Revolution”
 
Mr. McBurney has written five books on the American Revolutionary War, including Kidnapping the Enemy: The Special Operations to Capture Generals Charles Lee & Richard Prescott.  He is a member of the George Washington ARRT and works as an attorney in Washington, D.C.

According to the author, absolute objectivity is required to fully understand General Lee.  His book combines the stories of Lee’s capture and imprisonment followed by his conduct at the Battle of Monmouth Courthouse.

General Lee, second in command of the Continental Army, was captured by the British Army. While in British custody, General Lee prepared and submitted to his captor’s a military plan on how to defeat Washington’s army.   During his 16 months of captivity Lee continued to communicate with British officers his willingness to help negotiate an end to the rebellion. This act of treason was not discovered until well after Lee’s death.  McBurney’s opinion is that Lee’s conduct during his captivity was clearly treasonous.

After Lee rejoined the Continental Army he served as Washington’s second-in-command at the Battle of Monmouth Courthouse.  Prior to the battle, Lee was given many of the Continental Army’s best troops and was tasked with attacking the rear of the British column as it moved east through New Jersey.

Once action began on June 28th, 1778 two of Lee’s subordinates began moving their troops off the field.  According to McBurney, Lee faced with possible destruction of the rest of his force ordered a retreat while conducting a delaying action.  Once Washington arrived on the battlefield the narrative became that Lee’s force was routed and that only the skill and will of Washington prevented a disaster.

Because of his tactless and relentless efforts to defend his actions in the days after the battle, Washington had him arrested and court-martialed on charges of disobeying orders, conducting an “unnecessary, disorderly, and shameful retreat” and disrespect towards the commander-in-chief.  During the court-martial Lee attempted to turn the proceedings into a contest between himself and Washington.  Lee was found guilty on all counts.  McBurney’s opinion is that Lee’s court-martial conviction was unjust and was the result of Lee’s insulting of Washington.

--Noah Rogers

Thursday, March 12, 2020

March 18, 2020 Meeting Canceled

As most of you have heard by now, the University of Richmond has closed their campus as a precautionary measure due to the Coronavirus. Therefore, our next meeting, scheduled for March 18, has been canceled.

We will consider rescheduling this meeting for a later date, if feasible.

Tuesday, February 4, 2020

The 1777 Philadelphia Campaign: April 30-May 2, 2020

This year, Chambersburg Civil War Tours is exploring one of the most important campaigns of the American Revolution, including the Battle of Brandywine. The trip will be led by Michael Harris with historian Eric Wittenberg.

The tour is April 30 - May 2, 2020 based in King of Prussia, PA. Please click here to view the itinerary.

If any of your Round Table members are interested in attending the trip, we will extend the Early Bird Discount of $30 Off to the Package Pricing. In addition, if three or more of your members sign up for the tour, we will offer a 10% discount on each of the registrations. 

Chambersburg Civil War Seminars & Tours was founded by the Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce and is a nonprofit organization. To date, we have raised more than $220,000 has been donated to nonprofit organizations that support the interpretation and preservation of our American military heritage. For questions, please call Lark Kennedy at 717-264-7101 or email lkennedy@chambersburg.org.

Thursday, January 16, 2020

The Role of African-Americans in the Regiments of the Continental Army, February 6, 2020

On February 6, 2020, the Williamsburg-Yorktown American Revolution Round Table will present John U. Rees speaking on the role of African-Americans in the regiments of the Continental Army. The talk will be held at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Click here for the meeting announcement.

Next Meeting: March 18, 2020


Please join us on March 18, 2020 as we host Jim Christ speaking on "The Battle of Paoli."

Meetings are held in the Westhampton Room, Heilman Dining Center (dining hall--building 410 on the campus map), University of Richmond, at 6:30 p.m. with dinner available for purchase beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Please plan on joining us!

University of Richmond campus map:
http://www.richmond.edu/visit/maps/print/campus.pdf



6th Congress of American Revolution Round Tables

The Sixth Congress of American Revolution Round Tables was held in Philadelphia on November 9, 2019. Bill Welsch and Woody Childs represented ARRT-Richmond.

Click here to read the minutes of this meeting.

The next Congress is scheduled to be held in 2021. Representatives of all American Revolution Round Tables are invited to attend.

Thursday, January 9, 2020

Bell Ringing Party for the Restored Meneely Bell at Historic St. John's Church: March 23, 2020

To celebrate the restoration of the Meneely Bell, there will be a bell ringing party on Monday, March 23, 2020. This event is open to the public. Following the bell ringing, there will be a "Liberty or Death" reenactment which will be ticketed ($5.00 per ticket).

ARRT-Richmond Donation to the St. John's Church Foundation

l. to r., Bill Welsch (Pres., ARRT-R), Lee Ball, Madeline Herring

The American Revolution Round Table of Richmond presented their 2019 Preservation Partner donation to the St. John's Church Foundation on January 5, 2020, during the Arnold's Raid event. The donation will be used in support of the Meneely Bell project.


Meeting Notes: November 20, 2019

"How Did They Cross: Washington's Crossing of the Delaware River, December 25-26," Bill Welsch

Pre-Guest Speaker Notes:
ARRT-R’s next meeting is scheduled for 1/15/20 at Heilman Dining Center at the University of  Richmond – dinner service begins at 5:30 p.m. – the speaking program begins at 6:30 p.m.

ARRT-R’s featured speaker on 1/15/20 will be Christian McBurney, of the George Washington ARRT at Mount Vernon, who will speak on his forthcoming book George Washington’s Nemesis: The Outrageous Treason and Unfair Court Martial of Major General Charles Lee during the American Revolution.


Guest Speaker – Bill Welsch – President – American Revolution Round Table of Richmond
Washington’s plan involved three crossings, with the main effort being an attack on Trenton. The second crossing would be led by Colonel Cadwalader and would create a diversion to the south of Trenton.  The third crossing would be led by General Ewing who was tasked with crossing at Trenton Ferry and holding the bridge at Assunpink Creek, in order to prevent the Hessian force from retreating south.

Preparations for the attack involved hiding boats behind Taylor Island at McKonkey’s Ferry. The boats collected included large ferry vessels and a large number of Durham boats.  These boats where designed to carry heavy loads for the Durham Iron Works and featured high sides and a shallow draft.  The Durham boats could be poled across the river.

The boats where crewed by both civilians and soldiers including members of Colonel John Glover’s 14th Continental Regiment.  The famous regiment was recruited from the area around Marblehead, Massachusetts.
           
On the evening of the 25th Washington began assembling his force at McKonkey’s Ferry. 
Weather conditions on the evening of the 25th grew progressively worse as rain turned into sleet and snow.  The weather conditions and the amount of ice in the river slowed the crossing.

Weather conditions prevented the 2 other planned crossings from taking place.

Today the Pennsylvania launch site and the New Jersey landing site are part of the Washington Crossing Historic Park.

--Noah Rogers