George Washington and the Final British Campaign for the Hudson River, 1779

by Michael Schellhammer

Overview

In the summer of 1779, British general Sir Henry Clinton launched one last attempt to gain control of the Hudson River, the most strategically important waterway during the American Revolution. The campaign involved all of George Washington's main Continental Army and most of the forces around New York City under Clinton's command, but ended without a major battle. Still, the summer saw plenty of action. American cavalry sparred with their British counterparts in eastern New York; thousands of militiamen resisted brutal British raids along the Connecticut coast; and Washington stunned the British with daring night bayonet attacks on the fortified posts of Stony Point and Paulus Hook. This study details the strategy, tactics, officers, soldiers, and spies that shaped this critical campaign, which helped set the stage for America's final victory in the Revolution.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780786468072
Publisher:	McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers
Publication date:	06/19/2012
Pages:	234
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.80(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Michael Schellhammer, a retired Army officer, has served in the Persian Gulf War, Haiti, Bosnia, and Iraq. His work has previously appeared in The Washington Post, The Washington Times and The Military Intelligence Professional Bulletin.

Table of Contents

Preface 1

Prologue 7

Introduction: Washington's War 11

I Committee of Conference 19

II "He Could Fight as Well as Brag" 25

III The Culper Ring 36

IV "Chicane Might Draw Him into It" 47

V "A Very Interesting Crisis" 61

VI "Men That Will Support the Reputation of His Regiment" 68

VII Little Gibraltar 77

VIII "Surrender, You Damned Rebel" 88

IX "Too Pretty a Place to Burn" 102

X Desolation Warfare 118

XI "You'll Hear from Me This Evening" 125

XII Stand to Arms 135

XIII The Push of the Bayonet 142

XIV Colors Flying 156

XV Veteranship 165

Epilogue: The Ghost of "Mad" Anthony 181

Notes 197

Bibliography 213

Index 219

Editorial Reviews

well written, and providing interesting detail on the organization, equipment, and tactics of both armies, as well as profiles of numerous soldiers, including many relatively minor figures who played notable roles, this work will prove valuable reading for anyone interested the American Revolution”—The NYMAS Review; “Schellhammer describes the strategy, tactics and intelligence gathering involved in the entire 1779 Hudson River campaign in fascinating style...excellent maps...well written narrative...a must read”—Journal of the American Revolution.

From the Publisher

"Schellhammer describes the strategy, tactics and intelligence gathering involved in the entire 1779 Hudson River campaign in fascinating style...excellent maps...well written narrative...a must read"

Journal of the American Revolution

well written, and providing interesting detail on the organization, equipment, and tactics of both armies, as well as profiles of numerous soldiers, including many relatively minor figures who played notable roles, this work will prove valuable reading for anyone interested the American Revolution

The NYMAS Review