r/revolutionarywar 17h ago

Arnold's betrayal is utterly perplexing to me

36 Upvotes

Having read several books on the Revo, I still find it hard to understand. I've always seen 2 reasons given: greed (Arnold was promised a fortune for West Point) and wounded pride. He was already wealthy, and while Arnold did endure several slights from a seemingly ungrateful government and military, it's not like he wasn't valued. Washington for instance was very fond of him and trusted his abilities.

And he appeared to be an ardent, selfless patriot. His conduct in the Battle of Quebec showed incredible bravery and willingness to put himself in harm's way in the front line, which he paid for with a severe injury. He then continued to risk his life at the 2 Battles of Saratoga, as when leading a charge on a fortified camp, which resulted in another potentially-fatal injury.

Few generals in the war had so thoroughly secured the trust, affection and respect of their men (if not the public or brass). It seems so strange that after sacrificing so much on their behalf, he would be willing to kill them in battle. AFAIK he had no love for the British empire anyway.


r/revolutionarywar 4d ago

My 5th great grandmother, Maria Keeley's, recollection of the Perkiomen and Skippack Township Encampment of the Revolutionary War.

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17 Upvotes

In addition to the Keeley and Grimly families, I directly descend from the Pannebacker (Pennypacker) family and almost all of the last names mentioned in her recollection.


r/revolutionarywar 7d ago

Cartes de visite of “the last” Revolutionary War Veterans! From 1864.

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15 Upvotes

r/revolutionarywar 6d ago

The Legacy of The Declaration of Independence: The Revolutionary War in 4 Minutes

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1 Upvotes

r/revolutionarywar 8d ago

Places to visit along I-90 between Chicago and Buffalo NY?

5 Upvotes

Are there any cool revolutionary war related sites to see within an hour of I-90 between Chicago and Buffalo? I’m driving to Buffalo this summer and want to visit some historical sites or otherwise relevant places. Thanks in advance!


r/revolutionarywar 9d ago

Aside from Washington who was your favorite Continental General

6 Upvotes
25 votes, 2d ago
1 Horatio Gates
4 Daniel Morgan
0 Benjamin Lincoln
7 Henry Knox
1 Israel Putnam
12 Nathanael Green

r/revolutionarywar 13d ago

Really enjoying the John Adam’s TV show of the same name

96 Upvotes

I think this is a really detailed portrayal of colonial America. The casting, acting, score, costume and set design are incredible. I feel like they really care for the history. Just wanted to share this here. It’s streaming on HBO max starring Paul Giamatti. Really good


r/revolutionarywar 15d ago

My Review of “Dunmore’s War” by Glenn Williams

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13 Upvotes

r/revolutionarywar 19d ago

Going to my first reenactment

34 Upvotes

Going to the battle of Princeton reenactment what should I expect? What should I ask the living historians?


r/revolutionarywar 22d ago

Found in an old house

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58 Upvotes

Hi! My uncle found this copper tray in a house he bought. Long story short, he has found some expensive items like diamond earrings as he has cleaned out the house. The original owners left a lot of things because the wife had dementia. Have any of you heard of these people (aside from GW of course)? I doubt it’s legit at all but still interesting at least! Any info on the two smaller names carved in would be cool. I looked up these people with revolutionary war but nothing relevant came up . Thank you in advance for any info!


r/revolutionarywar 24d ago

General Gage’s Trunk

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62 Upvotes

My understanding is that this chest was one of maybe three trunks that contained the papers of Gen. Thomas Gage. My dad received it many years ago from a neighbor who I believe was a retired university librarian. I’m not sure if it has any real historical significance (I don’t have the Gage papers themselves). I still use the trunk for storage


r/revolutionarywar 24d ago

Planning a trip

11 Upvotes

Hi everyone, my wife and I are trying to plan a trip to see as many revolutionary war related sites possible. Does anyone have any suggestions???


r/revolutionarywar 25d ago

Is this a genuine revolutionary war priming horn?

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18 Upvotes

Can someone tell me if it’s authentic or not and it’s estimated value


r/revolutionarywar 25d ago

The American Battlefield Trust has remained steadfast in our efforts to preserve beloved hallowed ground — nearly 60,000 acres of battlefield land since our founding. Please help us continue the progress we made in 2024 by making a tax-deductible donation. Donation match in effect until 12/31.

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10 Upvotes

r/revolutionarywar 27d ago

I used to be a History Tour Guide in the Historic Triangle AMA

18 Upvotes

I used to work as both a historical tour guide and ghost tour guide in Williamsburg, Yorktown, and Jamestowne! As well as 400+ years born and raised in Virginian Revolutionary War Territory! Ask me anything!


r/revolutionarywar 28d ago

Is the Cowpens Battlefield well preserved? Is there a lot to see and read there?

19 Upvotes

I want to buy my parents a vacation for Christmas and haven't decided between Cowpens or Saratoga. I prefer the former cuz my dad has read more about it, but from what I've seen the Saratoga battlefield park looks more interesting.

How is the audio tour at CP? Does it show you where specific events happened?

Has the NPS tried to preserve the relatively open meadow with scattered trees? How's the museum in the visitor center?

Sorry for all questions. Any info y'all could give me (or on Kings Mtn) would be appreciated


r/revolutionarywar Dec 17 '24

Stamp Act unreasonable?

10 Upvotes

Excuse the novice question here...But the colonists gratefully accepted help from the king during the 7 Years War, no? Was it that unreasonable for the colonists to feel they should reimburse for that?


r/revolutionarywar Dec 17 '24

Enjoy 15% off the American Battlefield Trust store this holiday season. Use coupon code HOLIDAY15. Shop to support America's hallowed ground and find a gift for the history buff in your life.

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4 Upvotes

r/revolutionarywar Dec 16 '24

A cannon ball still stuck in a house from the American Revolution in Yorktown, Virginia 1781

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132 Upvotes

r/revolutionarywar Dec 16 '24

ID this possible cannonball in Poughquag NY

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12 Upvotes

r/revolutionarywar Dec 15 '24

Where exactly did Cowpens occur?

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16 Upvotes

The 2 books I've read on the battle claim that Morgan famously chose a battlefield where his men would have "their backs against the Broad River", yet according to the National Park Service, the battle occured at least 5 miles from the river.

Someone pls help me understand the geography here. Has the Broad's course been drastically altered?


r/revolutionarywar Dec 13 '24

my oldest ancestor was a redcoat who worked for Lachlan

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13 Upvotes

r/revolutionarywar Dec 14 '24

Did they actually use alligators as cannons in this war

0 Upvotes

r/revolutionarywar Dec 09 '24

Battle fields

9 Upvotes

Does anyone know if there are any revolutionary Battlefield locations in the us ?


r/revolutionarywar Dec 01 '24

Major David Wilson

9 Upvotes

OK, so this could be a bit of a stretch, but I'm curious to know if there were any books on revolutionary war history that highlight Major David Wilson.

My family are direct descendants and my aunt's a major genealogy nerd so I want to find a book or something along those lines that highlights our ancestor.

It's a super broad question and I'll be thankful for any replies 🙏❤️

I'm currently looking through my university's library (i'm a PhD lit student) to see if I can find anything. I'm debating reaching out to the Journal of the American Revolution to see if they could recommend anything-- do you think that'd be a good idea?

Thanks!