Six on Washington and the Revolutionary War: Turning Points of the American Revolution; how General George Washington led the
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In this episode of Ben Franklin’s World: A Podcast About Early American History, National Book Award-winner Nathaniel Philbrick joins us to explore the two events he sees as better turning points in the American War for Independence: Benedict Arnold’s treason and the French Navy’s participation in the war. You can listen to the podcast here: www.benfranklinsworld.com/208"
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- Learn more about how General George Washington led the American army to victory in the Revolutionary War."Despite having little practical experience in managing large, conventional armies, Washington proved to be a capable and resilient leader of the American military forces during the war. While he lost more battles than he won, George Washington employed a winning strategy that included signal victories at the Battle of Trenton in 1776 and Yorktown in 1781."
- Rare powder horn illuminates little-known story of Black soldiers of the Revolutionary War
- The Original Brexit: It's Evacuation Day, when the British left New York (and America) for good
- The Original Brexit: It's Evacuation Day, when the British left New York (and America) for good - The Bowery Boys: New York City History
"Waterbury’s Unwanted Companions
During hot weather it was especially important to maintain sanitation in Waterbury’s camp. One can imagine that this was an ongoing challenge. Under hot humid conditions bacteria and micro-organisms thrived in standing water and in the butchers waste pile. These places were breeding grounds for disease carrying insects and varmints. Disease became the major impediment to the success of Schuyler’s 1775 Canadian Campaign. A variety of illnesses occurred in camps like the one at Half Moon and contagion flourished because of close quarters.
Hospitals in Albany overflowed with men who were sick with malaria and smallpox. For lack of proper care and medicine, many sick were literally disabled. Some of Wooster’s men were put-up in private residences at extreme cost. If any were lucky enough to recover quickly they rejoined their unit. However, hundreds of men got worse and were eventually were furloughed by regimental surgeons. When they were well enough to travel, they were shipped home to recuperate.
Unfortunately, contagious diseases and their sources were not well understood, so conditions got worse instead of better. Although mass inoculation for smallpox was known to check this disease, it was expensive and required a two-week quarantine, an impossibility with the pressing need for soldiers, even sick ones.
Disease created extremely hazardous conditions in camp but another more common practice contributed significantly to an unhealthy environment. Men being men, there was a strong temptation for them to relieve themselves wherever convenient. Any tree or bush was fair game. It was not for lack of knowledge that careless human waste disposal threatened. In New York City, where Waterbury was recently stationed, General George Washington and his officers insisted that latrines be dug and filled regularly. Additionally, trenches were dug and maintained around the entire camp periphery and each tent to insure proper drainage. Officers and sub-subalterns were responsible to establish appropriate sanitation rules and assign enough men to maintain sanitation. Sentries were responsible to insure that men followed the rules. Anyone caught violating the rules was subject to court-martial and discipline. Punishment often resulted in designation as a “colourmen” for extended periods. Appropriately, that meant the guilty were sentenced to dig and clean the latrines."
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