Posted on 02/28/2004 4:03:10 AM PST by snippy_about_it
Christmas week, 1776
Near Trenton, New Jersey
George Washington and his beleaguered Continental Army are spending a grim holiday season on the road. Four long months of harassment and battle with the British Army have left the 6,000 rebels tired, footsore and hungry. To make matters worse for Washington, he can expect more than half of his volunteers to drift home by the New Year, their enlistments up.
An evaporating army is just the latest in a long string of misfortunes to beset Washington. Since the signing of the Declaration of Independence in July, American forces have been mostly on their heels. The sobering sight of a huge British fleet in New York harbor in the wake of the celebration was the first indication that the road to American independence would be no promenade for the Continentals.
Washington and his troops were subsequently swept off Long Island, and chased the length of Manhattan. The disaster in New York was capped by American defeats at Forts Washington and Lee on the Hudson. The Continental Army has subsequently limped through New Jersey, on the road to its present encampment here on the Delaware River, close to nearby Trenton (see map, above), and a brigade of Hessians garrisoned there.
Through all of this, Washington supporters could be forgiven for wondering what Congress has been doing to relieve the abject condition of the army. While much criticism has been levelled at Washington's pitiful defense of New York, the general's friends insist that the current state of the army would be dramatically improved if Congress would put aside its bickering over the pros and cons of a standing army and find a way to keep the Continentals in the field.
Meanwhile observers are speculating that Washington will have to shelve his dream of a "European-style" army disciplined enough to effectively engage the British regulars in field combat. Already the sense is that new tactics are evolving. "Unless we are absolutely forced into," Washington wrote recently, "we shall avoid a large battle. With the fate of America at stake, our job is to prolong this war as much as possible."
Inspiration for the cause was recently provided by the brilliant pampleteerist Thomas Paine. Paine, who's essay "Common Sense" helped inspire the colonials to independence a year ago, recently penned another essay, "The Crisis," which Washington subsequently ordered read to his troops. Said to have been written on a drumhead, Paine's opening refrain has a stirring beat of its own: "These are the times that try men's souls. . ."
It is doubtful, however, whether Paine's words alone will be enough to invigorate the American cause. The sense here is that Washington needs to take a gamble. He desperately needs a victory to hold his troops together, and to keep the hopes of the revolution alive.
Meanwhile, the Hessian force across the Delaware is preparing a sumptuous Christmas feast . . .
www.pbs.org/ktca/liberty/ chronicle/episode3.html
*groan*
I think I've always been impressed by GI's in general. When I joined the military, I did so mainly as a way to do something more than work the counter at a store someplace. I didn't want to go to college, at that time.
Serving, I gained a huge appreciating for GI's, past present and future. I read histories, many on air power. The sense of duty, honer and sacrifice of American troops since 1775 is awe inspiring. Since separating, I missed the service in some ways. I know my life now is good, and wouldn't trade it.
Being around GI's kinda makes me all giddy in a way. Th trip to Ft Hood helped give me a "fix". Being around the folks in the Foxhole here is incredible. I don't interact with many veterans in my daily life. Being able to chat,trade war stories, etc. is a godsend. Being married to a veteran is wonderful as well.
Citizen soldiers are a special group. I am honored to be a member, and to associate with others, and supporters, who are as well.
I've been reading John Adams by David McCullough. This an excerpt from a letter sent by John Adams to his son, John Quincy Adams:
Public business, my son, must always be done by somebody. It will be done by somebody or other. If wise men decline it, others will not; if honest men refuse it, others will not. A young man should weigh well his plans. Integrity should be preserved in all events, as essential to his happiness, through every stage of his existence. His first maxim should be to place his honor out of reach of all men. In order to do this he must make it a rule never to become dependent on public employments for subsistence. Let him have a trade, a profession, a farm, a shop, something where he can honestly live, and then he may engage in public affairs, if invited, upon independent principles. My advice to my children is to maintain an independent character.
This quote says a huge mouthful. I can think of very few public servants that come close to this standard.
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