Trenton, History, and Freedom

[Subdeacon Joe]

A good read and reminder :  https://oldafsarge.blogspot.com/

 

"It 

would take more than a snarky meme to motivate his men to fight again. 

 

Only six months earlier, “lives, fortunes and scared honor” had been earnestly pledged by men of standing, privilege, and wealth, no longer willing to submit to oppression by a government too far removed geographically and too disinterested in the problems in the daily lives of those who bore the burden of government demands, taxes and policies. Thomas Paine’s writing had helped motivate them.

 

Now, Thomas Paine delivered a broadside which saved the day. No, not a naval broadside of cannon fire, but the paper type, a large sheet printed on one side dated December 19th or December 23rd 1776. Barely two years after arriving in America, his broadside “The American Crisis” (noted as “By the Author of COMMON SENSE”) fervently laid out the challenges and rewards of continuing the fight for freedom. Washington got copies and ordered it read aloud to his entire army, prior to embarking on the Trenton attack. This inspiring piece boosted morale and commitment to the Revolutionary cause among citizens and soldiers. Here is the memorable opening -

 

These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine

patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that

stands it now deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like

hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder

the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we

esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven

knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if

so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated. Britain, with an

army to enforce her tyranny, has declared that she has the right (not only to TAX)

but “to BIND us in ALL CASES WHATSOEVER,” and if being bound in that manner is

not slavery, then is there not such a thing as slavery upon earth. Even the

expression is impious; for so unlimited a power can belong only to God."

[Capt. R. Hugh Kidnme]

Always saw a lot of parallels with the St Crispin's Day speech prior to the Battle of Agincourt. 

[Subdeacon Joe]

24 minutes ago, Capt. R. Hugh Kidnme said:

Always saw a lot of parallels with the St Crispin's Day speech prior to the Battle of Agincourt. 

 

 

Yep.  Sort of The Bard and The Bible cobbled together with lots of Bondo.

[watab kid]

that is inspiring today , i wish the youth would at least read it once if not reflect upon its meaning then and now , id far rather them reflect upon this than lincolns words at gettysburg only because of the ramifications of civil strife as opposed to revolt , but it would be worthy for them to reflect on both as well as so many others that have shaped this country , independence not tyranny - its what we were founded on , 

[Charlie Harley, #14153]

19 hours ago, Subdeacon Joe said:

These are the times that try men’s souls.

Interesting.  I’d always attributed that quote to Winston Churchill.

 

I’m more learned now than five minutes ago.

[Subdeacon Joe]

Part The Second

https://oldafsarge.blogspot.com/2023/12/john-blackshoe-sends-serendipity_01899467254.html

 

 

American artist Harrington G. Fitzgerald (1847-1930) painted this version of General George Washington’s famous 1776 crossing of the Delaware River about 100 years after the Revolutionary War. Instead of showing the actual crossing of the Delaware, Fitzgerald shows the Continental Army soldiers on the New Jersey side of the river as they regroup and prepare to march on Trenton. Fitzgerald spent much of his life working for a family-owned newspaper, but he found relief from the stresses of his professional life in painting. He studied painting under several notable American artists, including Thomas Eakins and John Singer Sargent. Fitzgerald is best known for his works depicting the landscape of Valley Forge. 

 

And a British view of it:

https://www.britishbattles.com/war-of-the-revolution-1775-to-1783/battle-of-trenton/