![ARP174 Britain and France go to War]()
November 8, 2020
By the end of 1777, British leaders in London express serious doubts about winning the war in America. After hearing news of Burgoyne's surrender and the French Alliance with America, Britain must make drastic changes. It declares war on France, then redeploys much of its army and navy to other parts of the Empire. The new North American Commander, Sir Henry Clinton must hold his forces in a defensive posture.
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Book Recommendation of the Week: The Howe Brothers & the American Revolution, by Ira D. Gruber.
Online Recommendation of the Week: (Anonymous) “Gentleman, for many years a resident in America” A letter to Lord George Germaine, giving an account of the origin of the dispute between Great Britain and the colonies, London: Printed for T. Whieldon and Waller, 1778. https://archive.org/details/cihm_27479
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November 1, 2020
In 1778, the American Commissioners in Paris convince French King Louis XVI to sign a treaty of alliance and a treaty of amity and commerce, recognizing the US as an independent nation. The revelation of this alliance forces Britain to declare war on France.
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Book Recommendation of the Week: The Ten Key Campaigns of the American Revolution, Mark Edward Lender, ed.
Online Recommendation of the Week: The Treaties of 1778, and Allied Documents: https://archive.org/details/treatiesof1778al00fran
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![ARP171 Conway Cabal]()
October 18, 2020
Following the victory at Saratoga, political leaders consider the idea of replacing General George Washington with General Horatio Gates as Commander in Chief. Several ambitious officers within the Continental Army support the move.
Congress appoints Gates to head the Board of War, where he can make strategy and give orders to Washington. Very quickly other top officers in the army make clear that these changes are unacceptable. Gates also fails to impress by organizing a new invasion of Quebec, which must be aborted before it even began.
After several months, Congress ends up backing Washington as commander and drops any idea of replacing him.
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Book Recommendation of the Week: Cabal!: The Plot Against General Washington, by Mark E. Lender.
Online Recommendation of the Week: Lender discusses the Cabal with Brady Crytzer on the Dispatches Podcast: https://jardispatches.podbean.com/e/e34-mark-edward-lender-cabal-the-plot-against-general-washington
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![ARP170 Whitemarsh]()
October 11, 2020
In the weeks following the battle of Germantown, the Continentals camp at Whitemarsh, only a few miles from the British lines. There, they set up defenses and prepare for another battle. Washington deploys Alexander Hamilton to see Horatio Gates in NY, in an attempt to get Gates to send reinforcements. The army also tries and cashiers Gen. Adam Stephen following accusations from Germantown. Congress orders the Continental Navy to sink several ships on the Delaware river to prevent their capture.
After several weeks, the British army advance on the Continentals at Whitemarsh, but find the lines too well defended. After the British return to Philadelphia, the Continentals move into winter quarters at Valley Forge.
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Book Recommendation of the Week: Alexander Hamilton, by Ron Chernow.
Online Recommendation of the Week: Whitemarsh; an address delivered before the Pennsylvania society of Sons of the revolution at Whitemarsh, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, June 19, 1909, by Charles Henry Jones, https://archive.org/details/whitemarshaddres00jone_0
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![ARP169 Articles of Confederation]()
October 4, 2020
With the British Army in Philadelphia, the Continental Congress moves to Lancaster, Pa, and then to York. There, they have to fight off defeatism while many delegates, including President John Hancock, return home.
The Congress does finally finish its proposed Articles of Confederation, which it sends to the state for ratification. News of the victory at Saratoga help raise everyone's spirits.
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Book Recommendation of the Week: The Continental Congress, by Edmund Cody Burnette.
Online Recommendation of the Week: Articles of Confederation, as adopted Nov. 15, 1777, transcript: https://www.ourdocuments.gov/print_friendly.php?flash=false&page=transcript&doc=3&title=Transcript+of+Articles+of+Confederation
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![ARP168 Forts Mercer and Mifflin]()
September 27, 2020
The Hessians under Col. von Donop fail to capture Fort Mercer following an aggressive attack. The British focus on Fort Mifflin, subjecting the garrison to a massive artillery barrage for days. Eventually the surviving defenders make a nighttime escape to Fort Mercer.
Following the loss of Fort Mifflin and expecting a second assault on Fort Mercer, the garrison there abandons the fort and moves to rejoin the main Continental Army. Any remaining American naval vessels on the river are burned to prevent their capture by the enemy. With that, the Delaware River is freed from impediments
Another force under General Lafayette attacks a Hessian outpost at Gloucester, inflicting more casualties. It reminds the British that its outposts are still threatened.
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Book Recommendation of the Week: Fight for the Delaware, by Samuel Stelle Smith
Online Recommendation of the Week: Ann C. Whitall, the heroine of Red Bank by Isabella and Wallace McGeorge: https://archive.org/details/anncwhitallheroi04mcge
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