Washington’s Immortals : the untold story of an elite regiment who changed the course of the Revolution

"Gentlemen of honour, family, and fortune" -- Smallwood's battalion and the birth of an army -- Girding for war -- America's first civil war -- The Otter -- The Armada -- Maryland goes to war -- The storm begins -- The Battle of Brooklyn -- Escape from Long Island -- Manhattan -- When twenty-five men held off an army -- Fort Washington -- The crisis -- Victory or death: The gamble at Trenton -- Princeton -- Brandywine -- Wayne's Affair -- Mud Island -- Valley Forge and Wilmington -- "A damned poltroon" -- Light infantry -- Despots -- The Gibraltar of America: The midnight storming of Stony Point -- Interlude -- The march south -- A "jalap" and a night march -- Camden -- "Lay their country waste with fire and sword" -- Washington's best general -- The ragtag army -- Hunting the hunter -- Cowpens -- "To follow Greene's army to the end of the world" -- "Saw 'em hollerin' and a snortin' and a drownin'" -- The race to the Dan -- Guilford Courthouse: "A complicated scene of horror and distress" -- Hobkirk's Hill -- Ninety six -- Eutaw Springs -- "Conquer or die": Yorktown -- The last battle -- "Omnia reliquit servare rempublicam.";In August 1776, little over a month after the Continental Congress had formally declared independence from Britain, the revolution was on the verge of a sudden and disastrous end. General George Washington found his troops outmanned and outmaneuvered at the Battle of Brooklyn, and it looked like there was no escape. But thanks to a series of desperate rear guard attacks by a single regiment, famously known as the "Immortal 400," Washington was able to evacuate his men and the nascent Continental Army lived to fight another day. Today, only a modest, rusted and scarred metal sign near a dilapidated auto garage marks the mass grave where the bodies of the "Maryland Heroes" lie -- 256 men "who fell in the Battle of Brooklyn." In Washington's Immortals, historian Patrick K. O'Donnell brings to life the forgotten story of this remarkable band of brothers. Known as "gentlemen of honour, family, and fortune," they fought not just in Brooklyn, but in key battles including Trenton, Princeton, Camden, Cowpens, Guilford Courthouse, and Yorktown, where their heroism changed the course of the war. Drawing on extensive original sources, from letters to diaries to pension applications, O'Donnell pieces together the stories of these brave men -- their friendships, loves, defeats, and triumphs. He explores their arms and tactics, their struggles with hostile loyalists and shortages of clothing and food, their development into an elite unit, and their dogged opponents, including British General Lord Cornwallis. And through the prism of this one group, O'Donnell tells the larger story of the Revolutionary War. In August 1776, little over a month after the Continental Congress had formally declared independence from Britain, the revolution was on the verge of a sudden and disastrous end. General George Washington found his troops outmanned and outmaneuvered at the Battle of Brooklyn, and it looked like there was no escape. But thanks to a series of desperate rear guard attacks by a single heroic regiment, famously known as the “Immortal 400,” Washington was able to evacuate his men and the nascent Continental Army lived to fight another day. Today, only a modest, rusted and scarred metal sign near a dilapidated auto garage marks the mass grave where the bodies of the “Maryland Heroes” lie—256 men “who fell in the Battle of Brooklyn.” In Washington’s Immortals , best-selling military historian Patrick K. O’Donnell brings to life the forgotten story of this remarkable band of brothers. Known as “gentlemen of honour, family, and fortune,” they fought not just in Brooklyn, but in key battles including Trenton, Princeton, Camden, Cowpens, Guilford Courthouse, and Yorktown, where their heroism changed the course of the war. Drawing on extensive original sources, from letters to diaries to pension applications, O’Donnell pieces together the stories of these brave men—their friendships, loves, defeats, and triumphs. He explores their arms and tactics, their struggles with hostile loyalists and shortages of clothing and food, their development into an elite unit, and their dogged opponents, including British General Lord Cornwallis. And through the prism of this one group, O’Donnell tells the larger story of the Revolutionary War. Washington’s Immortals is gripping and inspiring boots-on-the-ground history, sure to appeal to a wide readership. By the award-winning author of Dog Company: a historic account of a Revolutionary War unit’s “tactical acumen and human drama . . . combat writing at its best” (The Wall Street Journal). In August 1776, little over a month after the Continental Congress had formally declared independence from Britain, the revolution was on the verge of a disastrous end. General George Washington found his troops outmanned and outmaneuvered at the Battle of Brooklyn. But thanks to a series of desperate charges by a single heroic regiment, famously known as the “Immortal 400,” Washington was able to evacuate his men and the nascent Continental Army lived to fight another day. In Washington’s Immortals, award-winning military historian Patrick K. O’Donnell brings to life the forgotten story of these remarkable men. Comprised of rich merchants, tradesmen, and free blacks, they fought not just in Brooklyn, but in key battles including Trenton, Princeton, Camden, Cowpens, Guilford Courthouse, and Yorktown, where their heroism changed the course of the war. Drawing on extensive original sources, from letters to diaries to pension applications, O’Donnell pieces together the stories of these brave men—their friendships, loves, defeats, and triumphs. He explores their tactics, their struggles with hostile loyalists and shortages of clothing and food, their development into an elite unit, and their dogged opponents, including British General Lord Cornwallis. Through the prism of this one unit, O’Donnell tells the larger story of the Revolutionary War. “Well-written, and superbly researched . . . A must-read for Revolutionary War and Maryland history buffs alike.” —Bill Hughes, Baltimore Post-Examiner In August 1776, General George Washington's Army Faced Off Against Over 20,000 British And Hessian Soldiers At The Battle Of Brooklyn. It Was Almost The End Of The War. But Thanks To A Series Of Desperate Bayonet Charges By A Single Heroic Regiment From Maryland, Known As The Immortal 400, Washington Was Able To Retreat And Regroup. 1774-75. Gentlemen Of Honour. Family, And Fortune ; Smallwood's Battalion And The Birth Of An Army ; Girding For War ; America's First Civil War -- 1776. The Otter ; The Armada ; Maryland Goes To War ; The Storm Begins ; The Battle Of Brooklyn ; Escape From Long Island ; Manhattan ; When Twenty-five Men Held Off An Army ; Fort Washington ; The Crisis ; Victory Or Death : The Gamble At Trenton -- 1777. Princeton ; Brandywine ; Wayne's Affair ; Mud Island ; Valley Forge And Wilmington -- 1778. A Damned Poltroon ; Light Infantry -- 1779. Despots ; The Gibraltar Of America : The Midnight Storming Of Stony Point ; Interlude -- 1780. The March South ; A Jalap And A Night March ; Camden ; Lay Their Country Waste With Fire And Sword ; Washington's Best General -- 1781. The Ragtag Army ; Hunting The Hunter ; Cowpens ; To Follow Greene's Army To The End Of The World ; Saw 'em Hollerin' And A Snortin' And A Drownin' ; The Race To The Dan ; Guilford Courthouse : A Complicated Scene Of Horror And Distress ; Hobkirk's Hill ; Ninety Six ; Eutaw Springs ; Conquer Or Die : Yorktown -- 1782-83. The Last Battle ; Omnia Reliquit Servare Rempublicam. Patrick K. O'donnell. Includes Bibliographical References (pages [387]-442) And Index.