Summary Of 1776 By David Mccullough

In the book of His Excellency: George Washington by Joseph J. Ellis, the author introduces Washington, the Father of the United States, in a fresh portrait focused on the characters of Washington. This book is an impressive biography of Washington's remarkable dedication to the United States history. According to the author, George Washington is an omnipresent figure as he was growing up, described as the man in the moon who was aloof and silent. This book focuses on Washington's wartime service which became some of his major contributions to the United States, rather than merely telling the true story of Washington, its main thesis is focusing on analyzing his contributions and how his governorship had affected the American history. Washington's life is divided into three areas in this book.

As the troops are traveling to Boston McCullough tells about the troubling conditions happening in America in this time. McCullough also depicts how terrible the America’s soldiers are and tells the points of view of the leader of the colonies. General Washington troops faced Boston Harbor, in early March 1776. Washington had a huge problem with the men in his army as they were suffering through winter months with lack of food, diseases and even homesickness.

Spirits were high until the British kept arriving in large numbers. Washington had to split up his army numerous times to keep the New York defended. Spirits began to fall and disease set in once again. Washington had to plan to retreat, which is no easy task with an army of any size. However, the retreat was perfectly executed with a thick fog settling in as dawn came to conceal the soldiers.

During the harsh winter of 1777, General George Washington our brave Commander, spent his winter out camping with his soldiers in the freezing weather. Said a soldier who could recall that winter,”...and many men lacked proper attire and wrapped their feet in rags...you could see the bloody footprints of bleeding soldiers.” These men were exhausted with the winter and the war. After losing 2 key battles, Washington secretly retreats into a valley known as Valley Forge.

They knew little besides drinking, whoring, and carousing about. Few would leave unofficially to help families with crops, living conditions, or to simply roam about. Those who stayed had left trails of diseases and dishevelment in their wake from defecation and dirty clothing all through the thinking that cleaning was women's work. With facing all these hardships George Washington was also facing a crisis of low ammunition. Washington had implemented ways of gaining order within the troops he had.

”Washington faced off against British troops under General Henry

George Washington changed American History by commanding the Continental Army during the War for Independence. First off, Washington used the strategy of attrition to wear the British out during the war. Secondly, Washington helped to raise morale by winning the battles of Trenton and Princeton. Finally, Washington helped the United States by forcing the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown. Overall, his tactic of attrition helped to win the war.

The first problem was with the standing army, specifically that the War Department was not ready for the administrative and logistical organization necessary for raising and maintaining a larger army. Without stronger organization, the War Department could not effectively utilize the army it was able to raise. The next two problems are linked to the militia system. By design, the country’s military system included a reliance on state militias. However, the militias often lacked consistent

The army was malnourished, poorly clothed, and living in crowded and dark quarters, which is what caused most men to get sick. Some the diseases that stuck the men that winter was typhoid, typhus, smallpox, dysentery, and pneumonia. These diseases were responsible for the death of about 2500 soldiers by the end of the war, along with malnutrition and exposure to freezing temperatures and the snow. Washington repeatedly petitioned supplies and relief, but the Continental Congress was unable to provide it. The Continental Congress has little to no money and didn’t know how terrible the situation was, so in return, the soldiers continued to suffer.

The United States was created from the leading battles of the Continental Army in the American Revolution; Europe’s greatest nation of the time at war with its own people. The abuse of power by the king of Great Britain had angered the colonist to fight for their rights as citizens, this lead to the Declaration of Independence and the American Revolution. As the troops of the American and British soldiers fought during the war what strengths and weaknesses influenced the win of the American soldiers? During the American Revolution, the American and British soldiers demonstrated clear strengths and weaknesses, which impacted the American troops’ victory.

25 December 1776, a cold and dark night. Rows of ragged men with torn clothing, no shoes, and rusty rifles begin to form. At the head of the Soldiers is General George Washington, Commander of the Continental Army. In opposition to the British Rule, the newly formed Continental Army was desperate for a victory to keep the Army intact. After losing to the British in New York, NY, the morale was at an all time low within the Army.

Through December 1777 to June 1778, George Washington led the Continental Army through winter camp. The Continental Army was an army of Patriot soldiers who fought against Britain. The Patriots hated Britain for their taxes and laws. So they went off to war. There was just one problem, they did not know how bad the conditions were going to be.

There were farms and small stores in the area, but there was not enough food to feed all of the soldiers and many became desperate and attempted to steal food from the farmers and food stores. Washington ended up writing to Congress, saying subsistence in the best manner they can ... “I am now convinced, beyond a doubt that unless some great and capital change suddenly takes place… this army must inevitably be reduced to one or other of these three things. Starve, dissolve, or disperse, in order to obtain …” After letting Congress know this, General Washington received a message saying a large British group of troops was nearby (Allen 27).

George Washington was infuriated by Lee’s decision and took command of the army. After reshaping his soldiers, he attempted to attack the British and failed. After hearing word that a French militia

Soldiers that would endure the hardships and fight for the independence of themselves and their families were vital to America prevailing over the British. Washington had fought with the British in the French and Indian War. He knew the landscape and the tactics of the British Army. This proved important to the success of the