Semper Fidelis

This post is courtesy of my friend and Marine veteran Brett Reno.

On this day, 250 years ago, the Second Continental Congress resolved that two battalions of American Marines be “inlisted and commissioned to serve for and during the present war.” 

They charged Captain Samuel Nicholas to carry out the order. He got some help from his good friend, Robert Mullan, who happened to be the proprietor of “The Tun," A tavern famously located on Water Street & Tun Alley in Philadelphia.

Tun Tavern

Marines today simply refer to it as “Tun Tavern." It was likely chosen for its local lore and the close proximity to the Delaware River, where the new ships of the Continental Navy were being constructed.

Where’s the Tun today? Gone – and has been for over 240 years!

Although often overlooked, those Marines played a vital role during the Revolution. They provided security and enforced discipline on naval ships, participated in naval battles against British forces and carried out the first amphibious landing by American troops. They captured British gunpowder and military supplies from Nassau in the Bahamas in 1776 without firing a single shot!

Three Four Big Things

Let's look at three, no four!, big things about the Continental Navy.

1. The Few and the Proud - The Few and the Proud really were the FEW. Remember I said Congress asked for two battalions. It was closer to only about 100 men from Rhode Island.
2. Naval Unity - Captain Samuel Nicholas also served with a famous Naval officer named John Paul Jones. You may have heard of him.
3. Broken Time - Following the end of the Revolutionary War, the Continental Marines were disestablished in 1783. However, the Corps was re-established in 1798 by President John Adams by signing an “act for establishing and organizing a Marine Corps.”
4. Birthday Traditions - Every year the Commandant of the Marine Corps reads General John Lejeune’s Message. That is then followed by a cake cutting, and finally the Commandant’s own birthday message to the Marines. During the cake cutting (with a Mameluke Sword, no less) it is tradition that the oldest Marine cuts the cake and passes it to the youngest Marine present, signifying the passing of experience and knowledge from the old to the young of our Corps.
   

And there you have it – America 250 years ago. Stay tuned for more updates leading to America’s 250th birthday.

Semper Fidelis – and happy birthday, Marines!

A New Navy

On this day, 250 years ago, the Continental Congress authorized the creation of a national Navy.

Delegates from the colony of Rhode Island petitioned the Congress to raise “a  fleet of sufficient force for the protection of these colonies.” Congress swiftly approved. The Continental Navy was born.

It had humble beginnings, however. Initially, Congress only authorized two small warships, a far cry from Britain’s navy of over 250 ships.

But the little Continental navy gave the British fits. The Americans focused on commerce raiding, attacking and seizing British supply ships.

Most famous of the daring raiders was John Paul Jones.

His raid on Whitehaven in England raised alarm. In a later raid, Jones stole a silver tea service from the home of the Earl of Selkirk in Scotland.

Three Big Things

Let's look at three big things about the Continental Navy.

• "I have not yet begun to fight!" - In his most famous action, Jones uttered a phrase that has inspired generations. With his ship heavily damaged, the British captain asked Jones if he was ready to surrender. Jones replied, “I have not yet begun to fight!” True to his word, the Americans continued the struggle and forced the British to surrender.
• David vs. Goliath - The naval war was a David vs Goliath struggle. The British had more ships and bigger ships. However, the American raiding strategy proved effective in the face of these long odds. The raids forced the British government to reallocate naval resources to protect its home waters.
• A Proud Legacy - These humble beginning created a proud legacy that later generations of American sailors would emulate. Today, the US Navy stands as a symbol of American strength — defending freedom on the seas for 250 years.

The Oneida Alliance

On this day, 250 years ago, General George Washington penned a letter to Massachusetts General Court introducing a chief of the Oneida tribe.

The Oneida chief, accompanied by missionary Samuel Kirkland, visited Washington’s camp out of curiosity. Washington treated the chief with great respect. He then offered to write a letter of introduction to the Massachusetts government. In his letter, Washington asked the Court to “join with me in shewing him all proper Civilities”

An AI interpretation of Washington meeting with the Oneida

Why was Washington so gracious? He recognized the importance of Native alliances.

The Oneida lands held a crucial strategic position in western NY. Their support would benefit the Patriot cause.

Washington’s early gesture of respect laid the groundwork for an alliance, as the Oneida eventually joined on the American side.

Three Big Things

Let's look at three big things the Oneida during the Revolution.

1. Loyal Allies - They were loyal allies throughout the war. Their contributions were vital: 
• Oneida warriors fought at key battles like Oriskany and Saratoga.
• Their scouts provided critical intelligence on British movements.
• They even provided food to the starving army at Valley Forge
2. Together as One - Again, the Revolution shows the power of diverse groups joining together for a common cause. Here, natives and colonists fought together to forge an independent America.
3. Bitter Results - Unfortunately, this new nation did not always treat the Oneida well. Future generations forgot this crucial alliance and took over much of the Oneida’s land. This reminds us that this new nation was not without flaws. Instead, we must learn from our past and seek to uphold our fundamental beliefs in liberty, justice, and equality.

"Opened and Avowed Rebellion"

I'm a couple of days late on this one. Apologies.

On August 23rd, 250 years ago, King George III issued a proclamation declaring the American colonies to be in a state of "open and avowed rebellion.“ 

With this proclamation, King George authorized the use of force to suppress the rebellion.

And what of the Olive Branch Petition, which we mentioned last month? American delegates delivered a copy to the colonial secretary on August 21st followed by the original on September 1. But King George refused to receive it. He already decided that there could be no compromise.

Three Big Things

1. Escalating Events - The proclamation escalated hostilities between the British government and the colonists. It closed the door to negotiations. Instead, both sides would prepare for war.
2. Blame Shifts to the King - The colonists shifted blame to the king. Until now, they saw Parliament as the agitator. But now, more colonists blamed the king himself. Loyalty to the Crown began to unravel, and support for independence grew.
3. Divided Colonies - The proclamation deepened divisions—not just between Britain and the colonies, but within the colonies themselves. Some colonists remained loyal to the King. These Tories found themselves at odds with their rebellious neighbors. Tensions rose, and in some places, violence broke out. The path to independence was not only against Britain—it was also a struggle among Americans.

The Olive Branch Petition

On this day 250 years ago, the Second Continental Congress approved the Olive Branch petition.

A fanciful AI imagining.
It did not really happen this way, as we shall see.

Addressed to King George the Third, the petition sought to avert further hostilities. In it, the colonists expressed their loyalty to the king. Yet they affirmed that they had grievances with some of Parliament’s actions. They asked the king to intervene, with the goal of ending conflict and resolving the issues peacefully. The tone of the petition was conciliatory, asking the king to mediate between the colonies and Parliament.

You can imagine how King George took the petition. But we’ll talk about that next time.

Three Big Things

Let’s look at 3 big things about the Olive Branch Petition

1. Hope for Peace - Despite the battles at Lexington-Concord and Bunker Hill, most colonists still hoped for peace. Therefore, they were willing to seek diplomatic solutions to their grievances.
2. Problem with Parliament - The colonists primarily blamed Parliament for those grievances. They claimed that it had usurped authority that properly belonged to the colonial legislatures. Thus, they hoped that the king would step in and redress their issues. That’s why they still considered themselves loyal subjects of the king.
3. John Dickinson - John Dickinson, no relation to the state park, was the primary author of the petition. He was a steadfast proponent of reconciliation with Britain. Like many other Americans, he had to wrestle with conflicting loyalties as independence loomed nearer. He refused to sign the Declaration of Independence but still served as a militia officer for Pennsylvania.

And there you have it – America 250 years ago. Stay tuned for more updates leading to America’s 250th birthday.

The Battle of Bunker Hill

On this day, 250 years ago, the battle of Bunker Hill raged just outside the city of Boston.

This battle occurred in the aftermath of the clash at Lexington-Concord. After that battle, British troops retreated to their headquarters in Boston. Colonial forces took up positions around the city, including Bunker and Breed’s Hills across the river.

Boston is circled in red
Some of the colonial positions are circled in blue
Bunker and Breed's Hill are in the circle just above  Boston

The British decided to drive the colonists off the hills. On June 17th, they launched their attack – a frontal assault against colonial defenses.

The colonial commander, Colonel William Prescott, told his men “Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes.”

The British closed. The colonists unleashed a devastating volley, forcing the British to retreat.

Being professionals, the British tried again. And again.

After three assaults and with colonial ammunition running low, the British finally succeeded.

Three Big Things

Let’s look at 3 big things about the Battle of Bunker Hill.

1. Wrong Name - The name of the battle is technically wrong. Fighting primarily took place at Breed’s Hill. Bunker Hill was behind the lines in colonial territory.
2. Costly Victory - Technically, the British were victorious. They took the hill and drove the colonists away. But it was costly – the British suffered over 1,000 casualties compared to less than 500 for the colonials. This disparity in casualties bolstered colonial confidence. As such, it was an American strategic and psychological victory.
3. Diverse Defenders - The colonial defenders displayed a surprising degree of class and ethnic diversity. Although many were of English descent, there were also immigrants from Ireland, Scotland, and Germany. About a dozen African Americans participated. One, Peter Salem, reputedly shot Maj John Pitcairn, the British commander at Lexington Concord. And the defenders came from all social classes – professionals, farmers, artisans, and workers. This shows that the fight for independence required Americans of all types to come together for the cause of freedom.

Today, a monument stands on the site of the battle. It’s there to remind us what happened in America 250 years ago.

Stay tuned for more updates leading to America’s 250th birthday.

Congress and Ticonderoga

On this day 250 years ago, two major events occurred that would further the American cause.

Second Continental Congress

In Philadelphia, the Second Continental Congress convened at the Pennsylvania Statehouse, now known as Independence Hall. 

This Congress represented  a unified colonial response to British policies. Going forward, the 13 colonies would work as one to defend themselves.

Fort Ticonderoga

In upstate New York, a force under the command of Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold approached Fort Ticonderoga. In a surprise pre-dawn raid, Allen’s Green Mountain boys captured the fort from the small British garrison without firing a shot.

This was an important victory because the fort dominated the route into the 13 colonies from Canada. It also held much needed supplies for the colonial army.

Three Big Things

Let’s look at three big things about these events.

1. Together as One - These events showcase efforts among the disparate colonies to unite in a common cause. The Second Continental Congress brought 13 colonies together. This would be the beginning of a common identity as Americans. Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold united to capture Ft Ticonderoga.
2. Not All Rosy - But not all was rosy. There were tensions between Arnold and Allen. Eventually, the two would split. Fortunately, this occurred after their victory. But it foreshadows the kind of personal conflicts that would jeopardize the cause in later years.
3. Agile Armaments - In addition to the fort itself, the colonists captured nearly 20 cannon weighing a combined 60 tons. Later, Col. Henry Knox would display agility by leading an expedition to transport these cannon across 300 miles of wilderness to Boston. One historian called this effort “one of the most stupendous feats of logistics” of the war.

And there you have it – America 250 years ago. Stay tuned for more updates leading to America’s 250th birthday.