Special Sub-Topic: The Spirit of '76 Authored by: sportcon Sub-topic of: American Revolution

In March 1776, General Washington and his Continental Army had the British surrounded at Boston. Washington allowed the British to evacuate. Who was in command of the British forces?

General Howe. Washington allowed the British to depart Boston Harbor unmolested, provided they did no further damage to the city.

France's contribution to 'The Glorious Cause' are well known. In the beginning their aid was covert. What was the name of the 'front company' the French created to provide money, arms, and supplies to the Continential Army?

Hortalez and Company. French playwright and spy Pierre Augustin Caron set up the company under the direction of French Foreign Minister Charles Vergennes.

The American Navy was almost nonexistent in 1776. John Paul Jones received his first command in May of that year. What ship did Jones first captain?

Providence. Jones went on to gain fame as skipper of the Bonhomme Richard and to utter his historic rebuke, 'I have not yet begun to fight'.

In June 1776, the British tried to establish a foothold in the South. In response, the Americans began to construct a fort in the harbor at Charleston, South Carolina. What was the name of this fort where the Battle of Charleston was fought?

Fort Sullivan. The fort's name was later changed to Fort Moultrie in honor of its commander, Col. William Moultrie.

On July 2, 1776, twelve of the thirteen colonial delegations voted for independence. Which delegation abstained?

New York. On July 4, 1776, Congress voted approval for the Declaration of Independence, but New York did not consent until July 9th.

In September 1776, General Washington needed to know what the British were planning from their position on Long Island. Nathan Hale, a captain in Knowlton's Rangers, volunteered to penetrate the British lines. What was Hale disguised as?

a Dutch school teacher. Hale, a Yale graduate and school teacher, was only 21 years old when he was caught and hanged on September 22, 1776.

General Washington established the U.S. Cavalry in October 1776 under the command of Elisha Shelton. From what state did this first cavalry unit come?

Connecticut. On December 12, 1776, Congress designated the force the Second Connecticut Dragoons.

Who wrote these words in a pamphlet called 'The Crisis' in December 1776, 'These are times that try men's souls...'?

Thomas Paine. Paine was an Englishman who had arrived in America in 1774. Earlier in 1776 he had penned 'Common Sense'.

On December 25, 1776, General Washington led his troops across this river and defeated the Hessian troops in the Battle of Trenton.

Delaware & delaware & The Delaware & The Delaware River & Delaware River. The Hessians had hangovers from Christmas celebrations and from too many mugs of Jersey applejack.

What was the name of General Washington's faithful regiment of Massachusetts mariners who had helped him escape from Brooklyn Heights and manned his boats at the Battle of Trenton?

Marblehead Regiment. Named for the place from whence they came, Marblehead, Massachusetts.