Patriots of the Past

It’s December 3, 1779. I’m near Morristown, Pennsylvania, marching through a blizzard with teenage soldier Joseph Martin. JG: “Joseph, how are we going to survive this horrible winter? Can our …

It’s September 23, 1779. I’m with Captain John Paul Jones on his ship the Bonhomme Richard, named after Benjamin Franklin. We’re off the coast of England, and for the past …

It’s September 1, 1779. I’m in Boston, Massachusetts, with John Adams. John is busy writing a constitution for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. JG: “Mr. Adams, could you give us the …

It’s February 21, 1779. I’m in North Carolina with Hannah Clark. Her house has just been burned down by the British. JG: “Mrs. Clark, what will you do now that …

It’s February 14, 1779. I’m at Fort Cornwallis in Augusta, Georgia. I’m in the stockade visiting with the captured Yankee, Governor Heard. JG: “Governor Heard, are you being treated fairly …

It’s December 29, 1778. I’m with the patriot historian and playwright Mercy Otis Warren. JG: “Mercy, how did you get involved in writing for the patriot cause?” MOW: “Mr. Gillespie, …

It’s December 2, 1778. I’m with Nabby and John Quincy Adams, the children of John Adams. John is away on American diplomatic business. JG: “Nabby and John Quincy, do you …

It’s November 17, 1778. I’m with Jewish-American banker Haym Salomon. JG: “Mr. Salomon, you have been beaten and imprisoned by the British, and you have just given the Continental Congress …

It’s July 12, 1778. I’m in Paris with 11-year-old John Quincy Adams. JG: “John Quincy, why are you here in France while America is fig,hting for independence from England?” JQA: …

It’s June 28, 1778. I’m at the Battle of Monmouth in New Jersey. The Continental Army is in a terrible fight. A cannoneer no more than 10 feet from me …

It’s June 28, 1778. I’m with teenage soldier, Joseph Martin, at the Battle of Monmouth. JG: “Joseph, why are you retreating? It looks like you could win if you attack.” …

It’s April 30, 1778. I’m in General Washington’s headquarters, and we’re thanking God that the American army has survived five horrid winter months at Valley Forge. We hear a horse …

It’s February 18, 1778. I’m with 11-year-old John Quincy Adams, and we’re on the 24-gun frigate Boston headed for France. Three British frigates are chasing the Boston. JG: “John Quincy, …

It’s December 19, 1777. I’m at the elegant home of General Marquis de Lafayette. The Marquis’ wife is throwing a Christmas party for French diplomats. JG: “Madame de Lafayette, thank …

It’s December 8, 1777. I’m in Philadelphia at the Golden Fleece Tavern. I’m talking with devout Quaker Lydia Darragh. JG: “Lydia, what is a religious lady like you doing hanging …

It’s October 17, 1777. I’m with General Horatio Gates. We just witnessed a resounding American victory at the Battle of Saratoga. JG: “General Gates, congratulations on your outstanding victory! What …

It’s September 19, 1777. I’m in New York with General Gates at the Battle of Saratoga. JG: “General Gates, what has been the British General Burgoyne’s strategy in this battle?” …

It’s September 11, 1777. I’m with a close friend of General Washington, 19-year-old Marquis de Lafayette. The Battle of Brandywine is about to begin. JG: “Monseur Lafayette, why as a …

It’s August 16, 1777. I’m at the Battle of Bennington with teenage Yankee soldier Joseph Martin. JG: “Joseph, the British are coming with more reinforcements! Look out! Look out!” JM: …

It’s July 17, 1777. I’m with Mrs. Richard Wallace on the shore of Lake Champlain. JG: “Mrs. Wallace, did you just swim across that lake full of British boats?” MRW: …