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François
Joseph Paul, Comte De Grasse had
already served in the French Navy for 25 years
before being sent to help the American
Revolutionary cause. On September 5, 1781, his
fleet engaged a British fleet in the Chesapeake
Bay and successfully prevented the escape of
General Lord Charles Cornwallis from Yorktown. |
Jean-Baptiste
Donatien de Vimeur, Comte de Rochambeau,
was a very distinguished French officer when he
brought an army of French troops across the
Atlantic to join the American Revolution. His
army was subsequently instrumental in the
Americans forcing British General Cornwallis to
surrender his army at Yorktown. |
The Battle
of Yorktown began when a combined
American and French army laid siege to Yorktown,
Virginia, on September 28, 1781, and ended with
the surrender of the British Army under General
Lord Cornwallis on October 19. |
Casimir
Pulaski gained distinction as a
cavalry officer during Poland's fight for freedom
from Russian rule. Convinced to help in America's
fight for independence, he trained and commanded
a cavalry unit known as the Pulaski Legion. He
was killed during the Battle of Savannah. |
Friedrich
Wilhelm Augustus von Steuben came to
America in 1778 to help in the Revolutionary
cause and helped George Washington transform a
ragtag collection of troops into a
well-disciplined and well-trained army. |
The
Battle of
the Monongahela was fought near
present-day Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on July 9,
1755, when a British/American force led by Major
General Edward Braddock was ambushed by a
French/Indian force. Braddock was killed during
the battle, but his aide-de-camp George
Washington earned great distinction. |
William
Howard Taft: A Chronology of His Life and Career
William Howard Taft had no real
interest in politics, but his wife opposed his
career as a judge because she felt it was a
"fixed groove." Hardly any other
President has been so unhappy in office. When he
was appointed Chief Justice eight years after
leaving the White House, Taft said it was the
highest honor he ever received. |
John
Sullivan led armies at Quebec, Long
Island, Trenton, Princeton, Staten Island,
Brandywine, and Germantown. He is best known,
however, for leading a camapign against the
Iroquois in New York that ended their alliance
with the British. |
Molly
Pitcher was a
nickname for women who carried water to troops on
Revolutionary War battlefields. Although many
such women existed, the most commonly known story
involves one whose real name was Mary Ludwig Hays
McCauley. |
The Battle
of Monmouth, fought on June 28,
1778, was the last time two full armies would
meet in battle during the Revolutionary War.
Although it ended in a technical draw, the
Americans gained confidence in their abilities
and faith in General George Washington's
leadership. |
Valley
Forge was the site of the
Continental Army' encampment during the winter of
1777-1778. Although no battles were fought there,
General George Washington faced his greatest
challenge as Commander-In-Chief due to severe
shortages of food, clothing and medical supplies. |
Seth
Warner led the Green Mountain Boys
at the Battle of Bennington and against British
supply lines all the way to Lake Champlain,
actions which ultimately led to General John
Burgoyne's surrender at Yorktown. |
John
Stark led the New Hampshire Militia
against a German/British/Indian
army at the Battle of Bennington, and scored a
decisive victory. |