Nestled amidst the iconic Dorchester Heights neighborhood of South Boston is a prominent hill that once served a crucial role in American history. In fact, the commanding heights offered an unparalleled view of Boston Harbor and the city below, which made it a key strategic point during the early months of 1776. Thanks to the…
Category: Exploring Historic America
Exploring American cities, towns, and regions during historic road trips!
The Battle of Camden
The Battle of Camden was fought on August 16th, 1780, and was one of the worst defeats suffered by the Continental Army in the southern theater during the Revolutionary War (it is also considered to be the high-water mark of British control in the south). This devastating loss all but destroyed the army under the…
Battleship Cove (Fall River, MA)
Battleship Cove in Fall River, Massachusetts is one of the premier naval museums in the world. With multiple ships, boats, a submarine, and of course, the massive battleship USS Massachusetts (BB-59) on display, a visit to Battleship Cove is sure to be an educational and memorable experience. Be sure to put on your best walking…
West Point and the Great Chain in the American Revolution
During the American Revolutionary War, the Hudson River was considered the most crucial waterway in the colonies. West Point (where the United States Military Academy now stands) quickly became a critical outpost and series of fortifications designed to prevent British ships from passing up the river and ensure American dominance of the Hudson. It was…
New Windsor Winter Encampment (1782-1783)
By the winter of 1782-1783, the American Revolutionary War was winding down- yet it was not over. After the Franco-American victory over General Cornwallis’ army at Yorktown in October 1781, the Continental Army returned to positions outside of New York City to keep watch over the British Army stationed there. As peace talks in Paris…
Green End Fort (Middletown, RI)
Newport, Rhode Island has long been considered a crucial seaport and throughout the American Revolution, the strategic city was occupied by both the British and French Armies. As part of these occupations, both sides built fortifications on the outskirts of town to prepare for a possible attack from the enemy. But while most earthen fortifications…
Washington’s Stand at Fort Necessity
Long before he assumed his role at the head of Continental forces during the American Revolution, a young George Washington gained crucial combat experience in the wilds of the North American interior (today’s southwest Pennsylvania). Washington’s stand at Fort Necessity proved untenable and he was forced to surrender his force, which would be the first…
The Battle of Brandywine
The Battle of Brandywine was the largest and longest single-day battle of the American Revolution (~11 hours long), involved over 30,000 troops between the two armies, resulted in the most casualties of any battle in the war, and covered 35,000 acres. It was truly a larger-than-life conflict that pitted the military genius of British Generals…
Concord and the Old North Bridge
In the early morning hours of April 19, 1775, about 700 British soldiers marched from Boston with one goal in mind: to seize the military stores and munitions hidden by the rebels in the countryside town of Concord, Massachusetts. Concord’s Old North Bridge played a central role in the action that day and remains a…
A Historic Walking Tour of New Castle, DE
New Castle, Delaware was founded in 1651 by Petrus (Peter) Stuyvesant under the authority of the Dutch West India Company. Originally named Fort Casimir and later renamed New Amstel, the settlement was established along the navigable Delaware River and quickly became an important commercial seaport with strategic military benefits. After Britain gained control of the…
A Historic Walking Tour of Newport, RI – Route 2
Newport, Rhode Island is one of the most beautiful and historic towns in the United States of America. Boasting a nearly unmatched collection of 18th and 19th century houses and buildings, the town is perfect for walking about and admiring the unique and historic architecture. So grab a coffee, put on your best walking shoes,…
The Battle of Cooch’s Bridge
The Battle of Cooch’s Bridge (also known as the Battle of Iron Hill) was the only Revolutionary War battle fought on Delaware soil. Although it was not a massive engagement like the Battle of Brandywine or Battle of Monmouth Courthouse, it marked the first battle of the Philadelphia Campaign and proved the American force’s willingness…
The Battle of the Clouds
Near modern-day Malvern, Pennsylvania are a few historic signs marking the battle that never was: The Battle of the Clouds. Taking place between the Battle of Brandywine (September 11) and the Battle of Paoli (also known as the “Paoli Massacre” – September 20), many have never heard of it. The battle is considered an “aborted…
The Fateful Hamilton-Burr Duel at Weehawken
The Weehawken Dueling Grounds witnessed numerous duels and settled disputes throughout the colonial era and early America. The most famous to take place there was on July 11, 1804 between the former Secretary of the Treasury and the Vice President of the United States. Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr settled their long-time rivalry on the…
The Battle of Paoli (Paoli Massacre)
The Battle of Paoli, also known as the Paoli Massacre, was one of the lowest moments for the Continental Army during the Philadelphia Campaign of 1777. The midnight attack sparked chaos and panic amongst General Anthony Wayne’s Pennsylvania Division, of whom many died at the end of a bayonet. This carnage led to a promise…