The American Revolution: Writings from the War of Independence 1775-1783 (LOA #123) (Library of America: The American Revolution Collection Book 3)

Drawn from letters, diaries, newspaper articles, public declarations, contemporary narratives, and private memoranda, The American Revolution brings together over 120 pieces by more than 70 participants to create a unique literary panorama of the War of Independence. From Paul Revere's own narrative of his ride in April 1775 to an account of George Washington's resignation from command of the Army in December 1783, the volume presents firsthand all the major events of the conflict-the early battles of Lexington, Concord, and Bunker Hill; the failed American invasion of Canada; the battle of Saratoga; the fighting in the South and along the western frontier; and the decisive triumph at Yorktown. The American Revolution includes a chronology of events, biographical and explanatory notes, and an index. This Volume Contains Writings Drawn From Letters, Diaries, Newspaper Articles, Public Documents, Contemporary Narratives, And Private Memoranda From More Than 70 Participants--american And British, Patriot And Loyalist, Military And Civilian. The Writings Describe The Most Dramatic Events Of The War Of Independence: The Early Battles Of Lexington, Concord, And Bunker Hill, The Failed Invasion Of Canada, The 1776 Campaign In New York And New Jersey, The Battle Of Saratoga, The Bitter Cold Of Valley Forge, The Fighting In The South And Along The Western Frontier, The Treachery Of Benedict Arnold, And The Triumph At Yorktown. The War Begins : Massachusetts, April 1775 / Paul Revere : Memorandum On Events Of April 18, 1775 -- The British Retreat From Concord : Massachusetts, April 1775 / Frederick Mackenzie : Diary, April 18-21, 1775 -- Fire From Every Hill, Fence, House, Barn : Massachusetts, April 1775 / Thomas Gage To The Earl Of Dartmouth, April 22, 1775 -- A Pennsylvanian Reacts To Lexington And Concord : April 1775 / John Dickinson To Arthur Lee, April 29, 1775 -- A Tory View Of Lexington And Concord : Spring 1775 / Peter Oliver : From The Origin & Progress Of The American Revolution -- Washington Accepts Command : Philadelphia, June 1775 / George Washington : Address To The Continental Congress, June 16, 1775 -- Washington's Appointment / John Adams To Abigail Adams, June 17, 1775 -- An Appraisal Of Washington : June 1775 / Eliphalet Dyer To Joseph Trumbull, June 17, 1775 -- Battle Of Bunker Hill : Massachusetts, June 1775 / Samuel Blachley Webb To Joseph Webb, June 19, 1775 -- Imbarkd On A Tempestuous Ocean : June 1775 / George Washington To Burwell Bassett, June 19, 1775 -- (cont.) Washington Leaves For Boston : June 1775 / John Adams To Abigail Adams, June 23, 1775 -- A Tory View Of Bunker Hill : Summer 1775 / Peter Oliver : From The Origin & Progress Of The American Revolution -- You Are Now My Enemy : July 1775 / Benjamin Franklin To William Strahan, July 5, 1775 -- An Appeal To The Iroquois : July 1775 / The Continental Congress : Address To The Six Nations -- A Visit With Washington : July 1775 / Abigail Adams To John Adams, July 16, 1775 -- A British Account Of Bunker Hill : August 1775 / Lord Rawdon To The Earl Of Huntingdon, August 3, 1775 -- An American Defeat In Canada : September 1775 / Ethan Allen : From A Narrativw Of Col. Ethan Allen's Captivity -- Response To Lord Dunmore's Proclamation : November 1775 / To The Virginia Gazette, November 24, 1775 -- Includes Bibliographical References (p.842-858) And Index. This comprehensive collection of writings from the War of Independence poses a “subtle but profound challenge to much that we think we know about the founders and their era” ( Los Angeles Times ) Drawn from letters, diaries, newspaper articles, public declarations, contemporary narratives, and private memoranda, this Library of America volume brings together over 120 pieces by more than seventy participants and eyewitnesses to create a unique literary panorama of the War of Independence. Beginning with Paul Revere’s own narrative of his legendary ride in April 1775 and ending with a moving account of George Washington’s resignation from the command of the Continental Army in December 1783, the volume contains writing that describes the major events of the conflict—the early battles of Lexington, Concord, and Bunker Hill; the failed American invasion of Canada; the 1776 campaign in New York and New Jersey; the crucial battle of Saratoga; the bitter fighting in the South and along the western frontier; and the decisive triumph at Yorktown. Included are writings by famous figures—Washington Franklin, Jefferson, Benedict Arnold, John and Abigail Adams—and by lesser known participants: Samuel Blachley Webb describing courage and panic at Bunker Hill; Sarah Hodgkins writing longingly to her absent soldier husband; Jabez Fitch recounting the last hours of a wounded American officer in Brooklyn; Albigence Waldo chronicling the privations and miseries of Valley Forge; Otho Holland Williams recording with appealing candor American defeats and victories in South Carolina. The volume also contains writings by American Loyalists and by British officers and officials serving in America that provide provocative insights into the losing side of an epochal conflict. All selections are written by people who were in America at the time of the conflict. The American Revolution also includes a chronology of events, biographical and explanatory notes, and an index.