So where are we now? I am going to do this from memory, so if I mess up, be kind.
Right after Congress decided to declare independence, Washington was in what is now Brooklyn Heights. The British had over 300 ships in the lower bay, and had landed 30,000 troops on Staten Island. Let me just say that again. 30,000 troops. 300 ships.
The British sent about 15,000 troops over the Verazzano Narrows to what is now Gravesend, Bklyn. These troops marched against Washington.
Washinton was not only greatly outnumbered, but he was working with a militia, men who had just days before, been tending their farms and such. Washington said that they were brave, but there was no hope. They just did not know how to fight. So they all retreated into the Heights. The British backed off.
Then that night, Washington knew he had to get the hell out of there. The Brits planned to sail up the East River and attack the Heights from that side. But the wind was against them, and there was a lot of fog and a storm. Good luck for our founding father, because he got just about every boat and bark and log he could find and moved all of his men across to Manhattan in the night.
The next day, the Americans hustled up to Harlem where there were rocks and shit to hide in. The British, now with the wind on their side, sailed up the East River and blasted the shit out of what is now Kips Bay. It was said to be so much firepower that the noise even freaked out some of the experienced British troops.
At this point, Washington wrote a letter to Congress, saying "This ain't gonna work. We need a standing army." John Adams, the secretary of war, or whatever they called it, agreed and set about the formation of a military academy. Naturally, though, there was no time for this at present. So they moved to plan B, which had actually been on Adams todo list for a long time: Call the French. Form an alliance.
In the meantime, the admiral, Howe, I think his name was, requested a delegation from Congress, to see if the Americans would give up. John Adams and Ben Franklin went to meet Howe on Staten Island. When they got there, they found Howe to be an honorable man, because he had one of his officers sent to the Americans in exchange, to prove that he would not harm Adams and Franklin. Adams and Franklin were impressed by this gesture, but also thought it ridiculous. And when they went to meet Howe, they brought the British officer back with them. Howe was very impressed by this, and treated the Americans like gentlemen. I think Howe had known Franklin in England as well.
Howe asked if they would surrender. They said no, and after some more small talk, they kind of learned that Howe had no authority to bargain. His job was just to crush them. It's a good thing the Americans did not surrender here, because what they did not know, is that Howe had come with a list of those who were to hang if the Americans surrendered. John Adams' name was on that list.
This amounted to the first test of America as its own country.
Right after Congress decided to declare independence, Washington was in what is now Brooklyn Heights. The British had over 300 ships in the lower bay, and had landed 30,000 troops on Staten Island. Let me just say that again. 30,000 troops. 300 ships.
The British sent about 15,000 troops over the Verazzano Narrows to what is now Gravesend, Bklyn. These troops marched against Washington.
Washinton was not only greatly outnumbered, but he was working with a militia, men who had just days before, been tending their farms and such. Washington said that they were brave, but there was no hope. They just did not know how to fight. So they all retreated into the Heights. The British backed off.
Then that night, Washington knew he had to get the hell out of there. The Brits planned to sail up the East River and attack the Heights from that side. But the wind was against them, and there was a lot of fog and a storm. Good luck for our founding father, because he got just about every boat and bark and log he could find and moved all of his men across to Manhattan in the night.
The next day, the Americans hustled up to Harlem where there were rocks and shit to hide in. The British, now with the wind on their side, sailed up the East River and blasted the shit out of what is now Kips Bay. It was said to be so much firepower that the noise even freaked out some of the experienced British troops.
At this point, Washington wrote a letter to Congress, saying "This ain't gonna work. We need a standing army." John Adams, the secretary of war, or whatever they called it, agreed and set about the formation of a military academy. Naturally, though, there was no time for this at present. So they moved to plan B, which had actually been on Adams todo list for a long time: Call the French. Form an alliance.
In the meantime, the admiral, Howe, I think his name was, requested a delegation from Congress, to see if the Americans would give up. John Adams and Ben Franklin went to meet Howe on Staten Island. When they got there, they found Howe to be an honorable man, because he had one of his officers sent to the Americans in exchange, to prove that he would not harm Adams and Franklin. Adams and Franklin were impressed by this gesture, but also thought it ridiculous. And when they went to meet Howe, they brought the British officer back with them. Howe was very impressed by this, and treated the Americans like gentlemen. I think Howe had known Franklin in England as well.
Howe asked if they would surrender. They said no, and after some more small talk, they kind of learned that Howe had no authority to bargain. His job was just to crush them. It's a good thing the Americans did not surrender here, because what they did not know, is that Howe had come with a list of those who were to hang if the Americans surrendered. John Adams' name was on that list.
This amounted to the first test of America as its own country.
I am actually reevaluating my interest in doing my magazine, at least for right now. My intention is firmly set on expanding my creative resume this year, and between that and working the day job (location sound), I've already got a pretty full plate...
But I'd love to see yours once you have the beta done. Please send me the link when it's up and running, and good luck with everything!
Best, Davis