Did you know that...
General George Washington and his men crossing the River Delaware, December 1776. NAM 109969
George Washington, the commander of the Continental Army and future first President of the United States, once fought for the British Army!
He served during the French and Indian War (1754-63), eventually rising to the rank of Colonel. Angered by discrimination against colonial military officers and the British restrictions on western land expansion, he eventually left the army. Washington went on to become one of the leaders of the colony of Virginia's opposition to British rule.
Washington had initially hoped for reconciliation with Britain, but as the crisis developed he concluded that independence was the only option.
Did you know that...
The death of Major Pierson, Saint Helier, 6 January 1781. NAM 2002-07-312
The Channel Island of Jersey was invaded during the American War of Independence. After the Battle of Saratoga in 1777 the French entered the war on the American side. In 1781 they attacked Jersey with a force of around 700 men.
The British garrison and local militia fought a brief but bloody battle against them. The French were defeated, but the British commander, Major Peirson, was killed leading his men.
Did you know that...
George Washington, military commander and medical pioneer. NAM 1957-09-43
As Commander in Chief of the Continental Army in the 1770s, George Washington decreed that no recruit could join up until inoculated against smallpox. This was the first attempt at wholesale inoculation against the disease. At the time, smallpox was killing more men than the war.
The simple process involved introducing a small amount of the virus into the recipient: this often caused weeks of horrible illness. Vaccination using a less virulent strain of virus was a much safer protection against the disease, and was first performed by Edward Jenner in 1778.
Did you know that...
Women were a regular feature of 18th century army camps. NAM 2001-12-35
Several women served in the Continental Army! One of the best known was the wife of an artilleryman, Margaret Corbin, who was badly wounded at the Battle of Harlem Heights in 1776.
Many more women would have served in both Washington's force and the British Army as cooks and nurses.
Did you know that...
British officers with their pet dog, c1770s. NAM 1974-02-126
The pet dog of British Major General William Howe was captured by Americans Patriot soldiers.
When news of this reached General Washington he returned the dog with a note for Howe: ‘General Washington’s compliments to General Howe, does himself the pleasure to return him a dog, which accidentally fell into his hands, and by the inscription on the collar, appears to belong to General Howe. October 6th 1777’.
