This past week, April 19 in fact, was the anniversary of Shot
Heard Round the World, i.e. the beginning of the American Revolution. They say
no one knows who fired the first shot but I think they do and they’re just not
telling. The American Revolution is extremely fascinating to me. So many untold
stories. I marvel at the battles that took place. At the tactical mistakes made.
The arrogance and inability to adapt by the British military. The fact that several
officers of the Continental Army were former British officers. They resented rabble,
undisciplined, uneducated, officers like George Washington and Benedict Arnold.
Most notably was Gen. Horatio Gates who did his best to undermine everything George
Washington did. General Gates led the battle of Saratoga. He feared, so it is
said, Benedict Arnold would outshine him in the battle so he ordered him to
stay in camp. Arnold disobeyed the order and led his men to ultimately take the
win for the battle of Saratoga.
Washington and Arnold had very similar early lives. In my
opinion they were both brilliant tacticians and military officers and loved the
infant country they were fighting for. So why, how, did Arnold go astray? There
are lots of theories. Many history books depict Arnold as arrogant and selfish.
He was. Guess what? So was Washington. Arnold wasn’t quiet about what he
thought, what he wanted. Washington was. I think he knew how to play the game
of politics before it was even called that.
But what I think really did Arnold
in was Peggy Shippen. Yup. Yet another general getting into trouble because of
his privates.
For a long time it was thought that Peggy was taken in by
Arnold and forced to help in his treachery. But the last 30 or 40 years things
have come to light that make it seem as though Peggy was an accomplice. In fact,
encouraged Arnold. My own opinion is that she was an agent of the British. Why
do I think this? Because a long period of time before she became involved with
Arnold she and a British officer, Maj. Andre, were romantically linked. Hmmmm. All
very interesting. BTW the above picture of her was done by Maj. Andre.
Some military and political historians credit Arnold’s
treachery with actually turning the war around. The colonists were at their
lowest point. Hearing of Arnold’s dirty deeds rallied them. I mean, go figure.
Americans, what can you say?
I so wish my historical author sisters would
write about these times. Maybe when one of them has a free weekend they can
write about it. (That’s a joke.) AMC network has a series called TURN about the Revolutionary war and does present some of these characters. Doesn’t an historical romantic suspense sound interesting? I’ll write it, if someone will do all the research for me. Any takers?
8 comments:
I love the little-known stories in history, and I think there were so many women who influenced history and we'll never know about it. Enjoyed hearing how Peggy might have affected things. (And that hair - oh my!)
The hair! I know. Andre was supposedly besotted with her so this has to be flattering drawing. She was considered to be quite the beauty of the time and she was very young.
Fascinating blog, Rita. Do the research and write the book. I look forward to buying a copy.
Rita, sounds like you've already done some research. I love, love, historical novels. One with suspense is even better. Actually, I've written one (it's under my bed)set in the American Colonies in the late 17th century. Does that qualify?
Elise I can do a story with no problem it's filling it in with clothing, food, transportation, lodging all the little fine details that would just take so much research. I really don't like it when I read on historical book and I notice that facts are incorrect. I feel like historical readers are really smart on the detail.
Jean I really enjoy the American revolution historicals. Perhaps you should pull that one out from under the bed and take another look at it. Like Anne said there's so much of that time that we don't really know about and I feel like there were many women who contributed to the outcome of that war. On both sides.
Interesting post, Rita. I have to admit that I always thought "the shot heard around the world" referred to the one that killed Archduke Ferdinand and triggered the First World War. See? You taught me something today.
I think you are right about that Marcelle. There may be a couple more events that use the term. When you find a good tag line no reason not to keep using it. LOL!
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