ePub The Brave New World: A History of Early America Second Edition by Peter Charles Hoffer in History

Description

In August 1776; little over a month after the Continental Congress had formally declared independence from Britain; the revolution was on the verge of a sudden and disastrous end. General George Washington found his troops outmanned and outmaneuvered at the Battle of Brooklyn; and it looked like there was no escape. But thanks to a series of desperate rear guard attacks by a single heroic regiment; famously known as the “Immortal 400;” Washington was able to evacuate his men and the nascent Continental Army lived to fight another day.Today; only a modest; rusted and scarred metal sign near a dilapidated auto garage marks the mass grave where the bodies of the “Maryland Heroes” lie—256 men “who fell in the Battle of Brooklyn.” In Washington’s Immortals; best-selling military historian Patrick K. O’Donnell brings to life the forgotten story of this remarkable band of brothers. Known as “gentlemen of honour; family; and fortune;” they fought not just in Brooklyn; but in key battles including Trenton; Princeton; Camden; Cowpens; Guilford Courthouse; and Yorktown; where their heroism changed the course of the war.Drawing on extensive original sources; from letters to diaries to pension applications; O’Donnell pieces together the stories of these brave men—their friendships; loves; defeats; and triumphs. He explores their arms and tactics; their struggles with hostile loyalists and shortages of clothing and food; their development into an elite unit; and their dogged opponents; including British General Lord Cornwallis. And through the prism of this one group; O’Donnell tells the larger story of the Revolutionary War. Washington’s Immortals is gripping and inspiring boots-on-the-ground history; sure to appeal to a wide readership.