History That Doesn't Suck - 12 (Second Edition): An American Judas Betrays & Nathanael Greene Saves!

Episode Date: December 30, 2024

"Arnold has betrayed us! Whom can we trust now?" This isn't a story of betrayal; this is THE story of betrayal.  After half a decade of giving his all for the Patriot cause, Benedict Arnold becomes America's Judas Iscariot. He betrays his brothers-in-arms for a commission in the British army and cold hard cash (a lot more than thirty pieces of silver).  Meanwhile, after General Horatio Gates’ shameful showing at the Battle of Camden, American forces in the South are scattered and demoralized. Though a few determined local militiamen are operating guerilla-style, Lord Cornwallis seems to have Georgia and South Carolina well in hand. Now his sights are set on North Carolina and maybe even Virginia! Can anyone stop him? When all else fails… send the Quaker. Welcome to the South, Nathanael Greene. ____ Connect with us on HTDSpodcast.com and go deep into episode bibliographies and book recommendations join discussions in our Facebook community get news and discounts from The HTDS Gazette  come see a live show get HTDS merch or become an HTDS premium member for bonus episodes and other perks. HTDS is part of the Airwave Media Network.  Interested in advertising on the History That Doesn't Suck? Email us at [e-mail] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Uber Reserve. See Uber app for details. Welcome to History That Doesn't Suck. I'm your professor, Greg Jackson, and as in the classroom, my goal here is to make rigorously researched history come to life as your storyteller. Each episode is the result of laborious research with no agenda other than making the past come to life as you learn. If you'd like to help support this work, receive ad-free episodes,

bonus content, and other exclusive perks, I invite you to join the HTDS membership program. Sign up for a 7-day free trial today at HTDSpodcast.com membership or click the link in the episode notes. It's late at night after 10pm, August 15th, 1780. A several thousand strong patriot force is marching in the dark, somewhere between Ruge Lee's Mill and its intended destination of Camden, South Carolina, and as it does, one unknown continental soldier feels as though a stone has dropped in his stomach. That discomfort quickly moves slower, forcing the soldier to come to a complete stop. It's not...oh yes it is.

He breaks ranks, dashing into the woods with his musket in one hand and unbuttoning his breeches with the other. He manages to get them down just in time to avoid soldering himself. As the relief sets in and his tunnel vision fades, our unnamed soldier realizes he's not alone in his ailment. Other soldiers are scattered among the trees, clearly suffering from his same digestive woes. are scattered among the trees, clearly suffering from his same digestive woes. Okay, none of us need a play-by-play on the American troops fertilizing these woods deep in the Palmetto State, so we'll give them some privacy as I get you up to speed. To start, your assumption is right. This army is suffering from food poisoning. Tonight's dinner of undercooked meat and cornmeal, followed by a portion of molasses in lieu of rum,

has left these soldiers with a serious case of King George's revenge. To quote Sergeant Major Seymour, this dinner served to purge us as if we had taken a gelap, laxative. For the men, all the ways we went along were every moment obliged to fall out of their ranks to evacuate. This is the condition of the newly constituted Southern Army under the command of none other

than the hero of Saratoga, General Horatio Gates. Yes, newly constituted. Following the recent loss of General Benjamin Lincoln's army of 5,500 men at Charleston, as I told you about in the last episode, Congress has appointed Horatio to lead the fight in the south with hopes that he can do here what he is credited with doing in the north. But why is Horatio pushing his army of hungry, diarrhea suffering, sleep deprived soldiers to keep marching on this hot night toward Camden?

It's because Horatio has intel saying that the British only have perhaps 700 men holding the town and he wants his grand army, as Horatio is calling this force, which he believes to be 7,000 strong. To catch these redcoats unawares before their commander, Lord Charles Cornwallis, can bring in reinforcements. Ah, just one problem. His intel is old. Not only has Lord Cornwallis already come to Camden with reinforcements, he too has sent troops out tonight on this very same road. And with that background, let's return to our night march. It's a few hours later, about 2.30am.

Lord Cornwallis' British cavalrymen and soldiers are heading north. Horatio's Continentals and militiamen are heading south. Does one side spot a lantern or a silhouette in the moonlight? Is it simultaneous? We can't say, but as Colonel Arthur Williams will later recall, this new and unexpected scene was occasioned by a smart, mutual salutation of small arms between the advanced guards. Musket and pistol fire send flashes of light across the dark

woods as the opposing forces clash. Men are wounded and taken prisoner on both sides before they mutually disengage and make their respective camps. At the American camp, a British prisoner provides critical intel. Lord Cornwallis has 3,000 British regulars with him, only 5 or 600 yards in front. Huh, so much for that surprise attack on a smaller force of 700. Worse still is the incoming official count of American troops fit for duty, a mere 3,052. Yeah, less than half of what Horatio thought. Shaken by the news, he calls an impromptu council of war. Uncharacteristically, the Englishman-turned Continental General asks for advice.

Gentlemen, what is best to be done? An uncertain and pregnant pause fills the air. Finally, Virginia's Brigadier General, Edward Stevens, gives a forceful answer. Gentlemen, is it not too late now to do anything but fight? No one counters. Okay then, while sporadic shots are exchanged through the night, everyone knows the real battle will come at dawn. As the hot and humid morning of August 16th breaks, the two armies begin taking formation across from each other. But they aren't 500 to 600 yards distant. It's closer to a mere 250 yards.

The terrain between them is all but completely open apart from the occasional pine tree. Swamps lay on the left and right sides of the battlefield. The terrain between them is all but completely open, apart from the occasional pine tree. Swamps lay on the left and right sides of the battlefield. The Americans have the advantage of a slight high ground, and their force of 3,000 outnumbers Cornwallis' 2,200. So not as bad as the captured British soldiers' intel made things sound, but then again Horatio has marched his men hard for the last two weeks. They're exhausted, and last night's bowel-emptying dinner isn't helping their flagging strength.

Moreover, about two-thirds of the Americans are ill-trained and inexperienced militia from North Carolina and Virginia, not seasoned continentals. And it's a recipe for disaster. On the British right, a column of regulars deploys into line formation. The synchronized movement of these well-disciplined, red-clad soldiers is magnificent and terrifying to the inexperienced Virginia militia just across from them. The very same Virginians who are now ordered to advance. Fear grips the hearts of these old Dominion men as artillery rings out, smoke envelopes

the field, and worst of all, the British regulars just across the field loudly, Huzzah! Then charge while firing. General Edward Stevens orders them to fix bayonets. But the Virginians don't. They can't. They're lost to their fear. Throwing aside their loaded guns, these militiamen flee before the pursuing British. The North Carolina militia follows suit.

Some two-thirds of Horatio's army is running away without having fired a single shot. Meanwhile, the Continentals on the American right hold. They draw inspiration from their Bavarian-born French Army veteran general, Baron Johann de Kalb. The man fights like a lion. Slashed, stabbed, and cut by bayonets and sabers amid hand-to-hand combat, it takes eight lacerations and three musket balls to bring him to heel. But finally, he collapses on the field, soaked in his own blood. By 12 noon, it's over. Some 250 Americans are dead. Another 800 are wounded and taken prisoner. Among them is the Continental General, Baron de Kalb.

Lord Cornwallis sends his physicians to attend to this brave Bavarian, this leader of men, but he's too far gone and will die of his wounds three days later. Camden is a complete and thorough British victory. And where is our commander of the Southern Army Horatio Gates in all of this? He's fleeing the battle so hard and fast he's making the militia look brave. By the day's end he's ridden 60 miles to Charlotte and three days later as Baron de Kalb draws his final breath Horatio's trusty steed has him 180 miles away in Hillsboro, North Carolina Welcome to History That Doesn't Suck. I'm your professor, Greg Jackson, and I'd like to tell you a story. The Battle of Camden leaves Continental General Horatio Gates a laughingstock.

As the ever sarcastic and witty Alexander Hamilton writes of Horatio, quote, 180 miles and three days and a half. It does admirable credit to the activity of the man at his time of life." Meanwhile, New York's loyalist newspaper, The Royal Gazette, mocks Horatio with a lampooning advertisement offering a reward for his lost army. It reads in part, Reward. Strayed, deserted, or stolen from the subscriber near Camden, a whole army. The subscriber has very strong suspicions that he's certain Charles Earl Cornwallis was principally concerned in carrying off the said army.

Any person who will give information where the said army is shall be entitled to demand from the Treasurer of the United States the sum of three million of paper dollars. That's funny, but the real zinger is at the end. To continue, no deduction will be made from the above reward on account of any of the militia who composed the said army, not being found or heard of as no dependents can be placed on their services and nothing but the most speedy flight can ever save their commander." Close quote. Wow, the Royal Gazette manages to mock the flight of both the militia and Horatio in

a single sentence. I don't care who you are, that's good writing. And so Horatio Gates, the great hero of Saratoga, joins Thomas Conway and likewise English-born Charles Lee, who warned him to "'Take care, lest your northern laurels turn to southern willows.'" As the third member of a triumvirate of men who aspired and failed to replace George Washington as commander-in-chief. Removed from the army until 1782, Horatio's military career is effectively over.

But honestly, it also feels like it's game over for the Patriots here in the South. I mean, between Ben Lincoln's defeat at Charleston last May and Horatio's far more shameful one here at Camden, that's two American armies lost in the South within a mere few months. It seems the British Southern strategy is going well. Can anyone stop Lord Cornwallis? Well, we'll get to that. But first, we need to head north to New York. Benedict Arnold's about to break George Washington's heart.

Yes, it's time for America's most notorious act of treason. And to do that tale justice, we'll head back to 1775 to reacquain ourselves with Benedict and follow the events that turn his patriot heart back to King75 to reacquain ourselves with Benedict and follow the events that turn his patriot heart back to King George III. After that, we'll return to the south, where Lord Cornwallis is meeting two new challenges. One, independent-minded Southerners with a knack for guerrilla warfare. And two, a Continental general who can give his lordship a run for his money. Nathaniel the Fightin' Quaker Green. The fighting will be fierce indeed and all over the map as it lays

the path for the revolution's decisive battle at Yorktown. Now that we know our path let's head to New York and catch up with the soon to fall from grace Benedict Arnold. Rewind. Rewind. Ah, Benedict Arnold. I trust you remember this short, husky, handsome kinetic cutter with dark features and an aquiline nose from past episodes, but if not, here's a quick recap of his revolutionary resume. In 1775, Benedict Arnold and Ethan Allen's Green Mountain Boys capture upstate New York's Fort Ticonderoga. It's a simple, yet significant victory.

It also leaves Ethan and Benedict bickering over which of them deserves the credit. That winter, Benedict, at the rank of Colonel, joins General Richard Montgomery in an attempt to take Quebec. Yes, we heard about this snow-covered failure and the musket ball that rips into the brave colonel's left leg in episode 7. Soon recovered and promoted to brigadier general, Benedict oversees the construction of a fleet on Lake Champlain. In 1777, he then fights with great flair during the Saratoga campaign.

Ah, that was episode 9's tale, as you might recall, and here Benedict's left leg is again struck by a musket ball and crushed by his collapsed horse. The result is an enormously important American victory over British General General Johnny Burgoyne. But does General Horatio Gates steal Benedict's rightful glory? That's how Colonel Richard Varick sees it. To quote him, This I am certain of, that Arnold has all the credit of the action on the 19th, for he was ordering out troops to it while the other, Gates, was in Dr. Potts' tent backbiting

his neighbors. Whether the Colonel is right or wrong, Benedict certainly agrees, particularly as Congress passes over him to promote others more junior to him to the rank of Major General. This leaves Benedict with a chip on his shoulder, about as big as the splint holding his shattered leg together. But General George Washington appreciates and feels for Benedict. As the British occupation of Philadelphia ends in the summer of 1778, the Commander-in-Chief names the still recovering Brigadier general as the

city's military commandant. Ah, but tension remains. Benedict is holding a grudge against Congress. He also starts dating the brilliant and gorgeous Margaret Peggy Shippen. Their romance bothers some patriots. Not because 18-year-old Peggy is half his age, though there is that, but because her wealthy family has stayed neutral at best through the war.

Some see her as a loyalist. Further, Benedict's living well, maybe a little too well. Might he be abusing his powers for personal enrichment? Come early 1779, former George Washington aide turned critic and Pennsylvania's current president of the Supreme Executive Council, Joseph Reed, leads the attack on Benedict Arnold by bringing eight corruption charges against him, an action that undoubtedly sours his and Peggy's wedding on April 8. Benedict asks for a court-martial to clear his name, but Joseph and his cronies delay

as they look for more evidence to support their accusations. As the weeks of anguish turn to months, Benedict snaps. In May, he writes to his new wife's friend, British Major John Andre, to broach the idea of betraying America. Benedict finally gets his court martial months later, between December 23rd and January 26th, 1780. The fierce general is acquitted on all save two rather trivial charges related to a private vessel permitted in Philadelphia's port and military wagons moving private property.

The sentence is a formal censure from George Washington. George disagrees with the outcome, but calls it a win. This is a light sentence. It has zero lasting consequences. The Virginian issues the lightest of censures, pleased with knowing that Benedict can still serve in the Continental Army. Yeah, that's not how Benedict sees it. That any aspect of these charges stood at all is a deep wound to this incredible but

highly sensitive general. Rather than appreciating that George was rooting for him, he thinks the Continental Commander failed him by not going to bat on his behalf. Instead of appearing pleased with the outcome, Benedict merely requests command of West Point. What? Why?

Well, far from being the elite military academy it will later become, West Point is just a fort in 1780. But it's an important one. West Point sits on elevated ground at the edge of the Hudson River, about 50 miles north of New York City. And I'll remind you that, currently, the Big Apple is occupied by the British. In fact, New York City is where the Commander in Chief of British forces in North America, Sir Henry Clinton, has his headquarters and he would love to send his navy up the wide Hudson River,

thereby cutting New England off from the rest of the rebellious states. That would be a real game changer. But he can't because West Point keeps him in check. Ah, and that's why in their exchange of letters, British Major John Andre has informed our angry and disillusioned Benedict that, if he can hand over West Point, he will be welcomed with open arms into the British military and well compensated. That is the reason for Benedict's request. He plans to deliver West Point to the British in exchange for a red coat commission and

the cold hard cash he needs to keep up with his wealthy in-laws' expectations. George Washington still feels for Benedict. Assuming that the man is still processing his grief over the court martial process and adjusting to life with a lame leg, but nonetheless on the road to recovery, the Virginia grants this wounded warrior's request. Benedict receives command of West Point on August 3, 1780, and doesn't hesitate to continue working with John Andre to make a gift of it to the British. But those well-laid traitorous plans start to unravel only seven weeks later.

It's about 10 in the morning, September 25th, 1780. Two aides from General Washington's entourage, John McHenry and Samuel Shaw, are just arriving at General Benedict Arnold's impressive home located just two miles below West Point on the east bank of the Hudson River. They announce that General George Washington is a little behind them. Terrific. Benedict and the a little behind them. Terrific. Benedict and the aides sit down for some breakfast. But as the meal begins, another officer arrives.

It's Lieutenant Solomon Allen, with dispatches for Benedict. The 39-year-old Grain West Point commander invites the lieutenant to eat and starts reading a note from Lieutenant Colonel John Jameson. And Benedict can hardly believe his eyes. The officer reports that they have captured, well, a man calling himself John Anderson, carrying war council minutes, a layout of West Point's defenses, and a letter of safe passage signed by Benedict himself.

Unsure of what to do, the Lieutenant Colonel is covering his bases by reporting this to Benedict while, as mentioned in the letter, sending all the recovered damning documents to George Washington. And think, George is due to arrive here at any minute. Benedict's stomach turns as he realizes his scheme is foiled. But he can still save his own skin. He just has to get out of here. Fast.

Excusing himself from the table, Benedict heads upstairs to talk to his wife, Peggy. What's said, we don't know, but the West Point commander, whose injured left leg is now two inches shorter than the right, keeps a calm appearance as he limps back down the stairs to announce that something pressing has come up at West Point. But he'll be back soon. Benedict slips out of the house and mounts his force just as more of George's entourage arrives. That means the Continental Commander in Chief is just down the road.

Benedict rides hard. He soon makes it to Robinson's Landing where a barge and rowing team are on hand. Benedict grabs his saddle and pistols and throws them into the boat and tells his crew to row hard because he needs to get to Stony Point fast. He'll give them two gallons of rum if they really book it. Ah, well, like any true colonial Americans, they do like their rum. These patriots row hard, carrying the general down the Hudson, utterly unaware that, with every stroke, they bring greater relief to a traitor who will soon have refuge aboard

the HMS vulture. George Washington arrives at Arnold's residence at about 1030. He needs this visit. Between this last year's mutiny and desertion during winter's camp at Morristown, the tank's Continental Dollar, Ben Lincoln's loss at Charleston, Horatio Gates' more recent loss at Camden, and as of a couple of days ago, a rough meeting with the new French commander, Count Rochambeau, whose fleet just arrived this summer with an army of 5,500 men, George could really use a relaxing moment with an old, dear, and trusted friend like Benedict Arnold.

Entering the house, George is let down to hear that Benedict is at West Point. What about Peggy though? George has known her for years and is looking forward to catching up with her too. Still in her room. Huh. Huh. Okay. Disappointed but still suspecting nothing, George sits down to a lonely, late breakfast. Finished eating and still absent the company of Benedict or Peggy, George heads to nearby

West Point. Curiously, there's no sign of Benedict, although George does notice that the defenses are quite lackluster. Weird, but seriously, where is his dear friend and protege Benedict Arnold? Why is he absent? George will later write of this moment that, I had not the least idea of the real cause. That afternoon, George crosses the Hudson again, returning to Benedict's place. At this point, Alexander Hamilton, who stayed back at the Arnold residence today, hands the general a thick packet that came during his absence. Yeah, it's Lieutenant Colonel John Jameson's report on their captured man, John Anderson,

as well as the papers they found on him exposing Benedict's readiness to hand over West Point and the lives of its 3,000 defenders to the British. As George reads, the shock is evident on his face. Alex runs down the hall to get the Marquis de Lafayette. They enter the room to find tears streaming from their beloved, tired, 48-year-old commander's gray-blue eyes. Having read the damning evidence of Benedict's treasonous actions with John Andre, George cries out with great emotion,

Arnold has betrayed us! Whom can we trust now? Good God! So much for a day of reprieve. Pressing through his grief, George sends Alexander Hamilton and John McHenry to ride along the banks of the Hudson looking for Benedict. Meanwhile, Benedict's aide, Lieutenant Colonel Richard Varick, reports to George that Benedict's wife, Peggy, has gone insane.

Young and beautiful Peggy hasn't emerged since chatting with Benedict this morning. She hasn't put on anything more than a morning gown and has been screaming throughout the day. She's also been asking Colonel Varick, have you ordered my child to be killed? This would be her and Benedict's six-month-old son. In fact, as Alexander can attest, she's been accusing any officer who comes near her of wanting to kill the baby all afternoon. At other times, she's run around screaming that,

There's a hot iron on my head. No one but George Washington can take it off. You heard that right. A hot iron on her head. Given that only George can remove this invisible hot iron, he and his aides go up to see Peggy in her room. She's on her bed with the baby, still raving about the hot iron, unconcerned that she's a bit... ehem...

exposed. Colonel Varak is here and tries to reassure Peggy. There is George Washington. Peggy screams in reply. No, no, that is not George Washington. Peggy screams in reply, No, no, that is not George Washington. That is the man who was going to assist Colonel Varick in killing my child. Peggy goes on screaming wildly. After a while, she appears to believe this is, in fact, George Washington, but then claims

that he too is in on the plot to kill her baby boy. And as for her husband, she proclaims, General Arnold will never return. He is gone. He is gone forever. There, there, there. She shrieks while pointing to the ceiling. She continues, The spirits have carried him up there. They have put hot irons on his head. George walks out of the room filled with rage toward Benedict. He's betrayed his country and caused his wife to go insane. Benedict did not, in fact, give no thought to his wife. Once safe on the HMS Vulture, he writes a letter to George Washington.

his wife. Once safe on the HMS Vulture, he writes a letter to George Washington. In it, he pleads to his betrayed commander, I am induced to ask your protection for Mrs. Arnold from every insult and injury that the mistaken vengeance of my country may expose her to. It ought to fall only on me. She is as good and innocent as an angel and incapable of doing wrong. It's an unnecessary plea. Chivalrous George already believes women are not fair game in war. When she claims no memory of her crazy the next day, George takes Peggy's word for it and lets her head to Philadelphia to rejoin her family. En route, though, she stops by the home of Theodosia Prevost and brags of how she faked insanity and fooled everyone.

George, Lafayette, Alexander, the whole lot. Yep, the hot iron, spirits, claims that everyone wants to kill her baby, it was all an Academy Award winning act. So much for the whole innocent as an angel description. Peggy was in on the traitorous plot the whole time. West Point is secured and disaster averted, but the hearts of patriots everywhere are both broken and filled with rage. Nathaniel Green writes,

Treason of the blackest dye was yesterday discovered. In a long, conflicted letter, Lafayette says that, It still pains me to call him a scoundrel. Clearly, the Frenchman is still processing the shock. Benedict has just insured his name, to borrow a later phrase from FDR, will live forever in infamy. There are a few reasons for that.

One is the rarity of such treason. See, Benedict isn't only America's first significant traitor, but fortunately relatively few Americans will follow his path. Another reason is how high the stakes are. Had he succeeded in turning over West Point, the revolution might have ended then and there. I can't think of another traitor whose actions literally endangered the existence of America like Benedict's. Finally, the lack of cosmic justice is somewhat infuriating. Commissioned as a British Brigadier

General, Benedict will soon fight ferociously in Virginia and Connecticut. He also enjoys a 6,000 pound payment upfront and could look forward to a 350 pound annual pension, his very own equivalent to 30 pieces of silver. But if I'm going to make biblical allusions, perhaps Isaiah 14-12 is better. How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning? After all, Benedict was indeed a son of the morning in America. He was radiant, brave, loved by his men. But no number of good deeds earlier in life can expunge the taint of treason.

Long after his death in 1801, Benedict's legacy will remain tarnished and irredeemable on both sides of the Atlantic. Conversely, Benedict's apparent avoidance of justice and tainted memory is the exact opposite of the fate that befalls his captured British contact, Major John Andre. Sir Henry Clinton writes to George Washington to assert that the Major was not engaged in espionage, but an officer traveling with a pass under the flag of truce and therefore ought to be returned immediately. Yeah, no one's buying that. Yet the Major, who's a handsome, articulate, loyal, and true gentleman, quickly wins over just about every patriot leader.

They don't want to kill him. Perhaps they can trade Major Andre for traitorous Benedict. No, Sir Henry can't. That would kill his efforts to convince other American officers to defect. Developing a full-on man crush on the British officer, Alexander Hamilton is devastated at the Board of Officers' finding that Major Andre must indeed be executed, and that, as he was apprehended in an act of espionage, the Brit will not face a firing squad as a gentleman but hang as a spy.

George Washington isn't pleased either. Historians disagree on how deeply he dislikes this outcome, but one of his greatest biographers, Thomas Flexner, actually suggests that George is so distraught that he even dreams up a scheme for the major to escape. But it doesn't happen. Major Andre must face the gallows. It's about five in the afternoon, October 2nd, 1780. Escorted by two guards and dressed magnificently in his red officer's uniform, Major John

Andre walks along a path in Tappan, New York. He gives knowing nods to the many familiar faces he recognizes in the immense crowd of American patriots, all of whom he's come to know in his captivity. They soon arrive at the hill where the deed is to be done. And voluntarily, Major Andre, who's shown nothing but bravery to this point, steps back. An officer asks if he's all right. The English Major responds, I am reconciled to my death, but I detest the mode.

And his recoiling was, indeed, but a fleeting human moment. Once all is prepared, he steps on the wagon under the gallows and reassures the distraught and conflicted patriot crowd, it will be but a momentary pang. In a true show of bravery, Major Andre then ties his own blindfold and puts on, adjusts, and tightens his own noose. All present are moved to tears. Asked if he has any last words, John only says, I pray you to bear me witness that I meet my fate like a brave man.

With that, the wagon on which John stands pulls away. The major drops, and instantly expired, as Dr. James Thatcher will mournfully describe it. Though foes to the end, the Americans never forget Major André's loyalty to his king and bravery. Even in our 21st century, his execution site remains sacred ground. It's now a residential street named after him, and at the precise site of his death is a small roundabout with an iron rod fence encircling its perimeter. In the middle of it is a cube-shaped stone. It's covered with inscriptions about the major. These include this quote by George Washington, He was more unfortunate than criminal, an accomplished man and a gallant officer.

It feels like a grave, and indeed it is his grave during the Revolution. But British officials will later repatriate and enter Major Andres' remains at Westminster Abbey in 1821, allowing him to rest in peace as a hero to his nation, with an epitaph that reads, quote, universally beloved and esteemed by the army in which he served and lamented even by his foes. Close quote. How very true. John Andre may have communicated with Benedict Arnold, but the Patriots saw in their foe a likeness in his willingness to die for his country. From that perspective, they viewed him as the very antithesis of their once hero turned traitor and villain.

Indeed, the Major will be remembered more along the lines of the Patriots' own famously courageous spy executed back in 1776. Nathan Hale. God rest your soul, Major John Andre. But alas, we cannot tarry on this sad chapter of treason and misfortune. The war is still raging, particularly in the South. Hey, history fans, if you're listening to this podcast, then you'll love Airwave History Plus, now available on Apple podcasts. Airwave History Plus is your ticket to ad-free listening, bonus content, and early episodes from dozens of the most popular history podcasts, including The Explorers, American Revolution Podcast, The History of World War II, The American Miracle, Plotting Through the Presidents, The History of Egypt, The Age of Napoleon, My History Can Beat Up Your Politics, and more. For your free trial, search Airwave History Plus on Apple Podcasts and hit subscribe. That's Airwave History Plus, available now on Apple Podcasts. Airwave History Plus, the essential audio destination

for history lovers. Hello, everyone. My name is Wesseh Levesei from the History of the Second World War podcast. destination for history lovers. and why. Join me on a journey not just through the famous campaigns, battles, and events, but also on a trip around the globe as we broaden the scope of Second World War history beyond the well-known battlefields of Europe and the Pacific. During weekly episodes, I seek to provide new insight for long-time students of the war, while also being a great jumping-on point for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the Second World War. This podcast has made it to the invasion of Poland in 1939, and start listening now to find out how the world would find itself embroiled in its Second World War conflict in just 20 years. You can find History of the Second World War on all major podcast platforms, or at History

of the Second World War. In the summer of 1780, the British have every reason to be pleased with their progress in the South. I'm of course referring to their Southern strategy, which I trust you recall from the last episode. If not, I'll remind you briefly that this British pivot began in earnest with the fall of Savannah, Georgia, in December 1778. Since then, the Brits have conquered the Peach State so completely that it's basically returned to colonial status.

Royal Governor James Wright is back at the helm and has even seen to the election of a royal King George III-sanctioned colonial assembly. The British are making progress in South Carolina, too. Earlier this year, 1780, Sir Henry Clinton took its capital of Charleston. He then went back to New York and left Lord Cornwallis in charge of the South, and as we know from the start of this episode, Lord Cornwallis has since crushed Continental General Horatio Gates just outside of Camden, South Carolina, and scattered the defeated commander's mostly militia-based American army. Yet, there are a few southern patriots who are making life difficult for Lord Cornwallis.

One is Francis the Swamp Fox Marion. The Swamp Fox nickname speaks to his penchant for tormenting the British in nearby swamps and along the Santee and Petey Rivers. Then there's Thomas the Gamecock Sumter. After serving early in the Revolution, he resigned, content to sit things out. Until Bannister Tarleton and his raiders burned the Southerner's plantation home to ash, that is. Now, the Gamecock leads a band of patriot rebels with a love for guerrilla-style tactics operating

in the western and northern parts of South Carolina. Then we have Andrew Pickens. Though lacking a sweet nickname, he too is inspired to fight after a British, or rather loyalist attack destroys his home. That's what leads this Presbyterian elder to put down his Bible and pick up a gun. If these gents are reminding you of Mel Gibson's The Patriot, well that's because they're the inspiration for Mel's composite and fictional character. None of them are attached to the Continental Army, and each leads in fights in his own independent way, which is just how these Southerners like it. By the way, if you're noticing a pattern here, loyalist troops burn people's homes,

those people then fight back, you're right. A major part of the British Southern strategy is reliance on loyalist units. Not only do British leaders think the South genuinely has significantly more loyalists who will feed, house, and otherwise support His Majesty's troops, they also have heavily recruited loyalists as soldiers in hopes of reducing the costs of this war that is increasingly unpopular with the people of Britain. But as the British resort to overly harsh tactics and fail to keep vengeful loyalists in check, more moderate Southerners are turning patriot.

So ironically, loyalists are likely hurting Britain's hold in the South as much as they are helping it. Though to be clear, the patriots are not innocent victims. In these Civil War style neighbor versus neighbor battles, both sides show their great capacity for cruelty. In fact, it's fair to speculate that between 1780 and 1781, an untold number of small, never recorded battles are fought between loyalists and independent guerrilla Patriots. Now that you know some of the local legends and the nature of the fighting here, let's

bring Britain's southern commander, Lord Cornwallis, back into the picture. Despite the disruptions of the swamp fox, Marion, the gamecock Sumter, and others, his lordship is determined to push into North Carolina. Already controlling Georgia and most of South Carolina, he intends to soon live up to Admiral Mary Abernoth's hope expressed in a recent letter to Lord George Germain. That Georgia and the two Carolinas will be restored to allegiance and three stripes lost from the detestable 13. His drive to take North Carolina comes from a belief that its loss will cut off support for guerrilla fighting

patriots in South Carolina. But it's also because Lord Cornwallis is simply aggressive. Certainly more so than his superior up in New York, Sir Henry Clinton. His lordship moves against the Tar Heel State with his forces in three divisions. First, the main body of the army, which he leads. Second is Bannister Tarleton with his elite loyalist force known as the British Legion. Third is Major Patrick Ferguson, who commands a crew of loyalists as well. But things get off to a rocky start. Lord Cornwallis first heads for the small town of Charlotte in the south central part

of North Carolina. He gets there in late September, but not without learning the hard way that he's in patriot country. Locals refuse to help his redcoats while another guerrilla patriot, William Davy, causes Lord Cornwallis casualties. His lordship takes Charlotte, but it isn't worth the cost. Meanwhile, the Scotsman and British Major, Patrick Ferguson, and his loyalists are farther west traveling through the foothills along the border between the two Carolinas.

The Major captures a rebel and sends him back to a guerrilla fighting patriot leader, Colonel Isaac Shelby, with the following message, quote, If Shelby did not surrender, he, Ferguson, would come over the mountains and put him to death and burn his whole country. Close quote. Now, Patrick Ferguson already has a bad rep with the Patriots, so this taunt doesn't intimidate the guerrillas, or over-mountain men, as they are called out here. It enrages them, so much so that they set aside their independent ways to team up and go after the British Major.

Terrified by this, Ferguson starts to book it back to Charlotte and the safety of Lord Cornwallis' army. The chase lasts for days, through mountainous terrain and rainfall, but Colonel Isaac Shelby doesn't let up. I will not stop till night if I follow Ferguson into Cornwallis's lines, he exclaims on October 6th. His concerted effort pays off. The guerrillas catch the Major and his loyalist force the next day on Kings Mountain. Major and his Loyalist force the next day on Kings Mountain. It's about 3 in the afternoon, October 7, 1780.

Major Patrick Ferguson and his Loyalists are now on a flat and open mountain summit just south of the border between the two Carolinas. The Scot is confident and ready to engage the pursuing overmountain men. He has his Loyalist force form ranks. But at the same time, Isaac Shelby and his rifle bearing patriots are moving amid the pines. Without coming into the open, they take aim at the loyalists where they are far more accurate than a musket armaments and begin to fire. Major Ferguson's men charge out, but the Patriots simply disappear deeper into the trees.

This repeats two or three times. Finally, the Scottish Major, who's sworn that he would never yield to such a damned bandit, exposed himself too much as he leads the charge. Several Patriots take aim with their highly accurate rifles and shoot him right off his horse. This battle is a slaughter, a resounding patriot victory. In the aftermath, one overmountain man, James P. Collins, approaches the fallen British Major's remains. He describes the body, quote, It appeared that almost 50 rifles must have been leveled at him at the same time.

Seven rifle balls had passed through his body. Both of his arms were broken, and his hat and clothes were literally shot to pieces." Worse yet is James' memory of the Loyalists. The situation of the poor Tories, Loyalists, appeared to be really pitiable. The dead lay in heaps on all sides, while groans of the wounded were heard in every direction. I could not help turning away from the scene before me with horror, and though exulting in victory, could not refrain from shedding tears. The next morning, which was Sunday, the scene became really distressing. The wives and children of the poor Tories came in, in great numbers.

Their husbands, fathers, and brothers lay dead in heaps, while others lay wounded or dying. A melancholy sight indeed. This resounding patriot victory at the Battle of Kings Mountain truly brings home the Civil War aspect of the Revolution, which is particularly the case here in the South. Remember these Tories, or Loyalists, as I've usually called them, are locals. That means neighbors and family are fighting one another in battle. So things get personal.

In fact, at one point during this battle, a severely wounded loyalist named Branson sees his patriot brother-in-law, Captain James Withrow, and calls to him for assistance. James answers by calling back, Look to your friends for help. Yeah, that's how it is. Blood might be thicker than water, but I guess it's thinner than patriotism. And in this instance, familiarity not only breeds contempt, but a complete lack of mercy. Toward the battle's close, some loyalists tried to surrender, only to be greeted with cries of TARLTON'S QUARTER! Rifle fire and bayonets followed.

Yeah, you're recalling correctly. That cry was a reference to the loyalists who massacred patriots at the Waxhaws in the last episode. One massacre answered with another. And as I said earlier, this likely happened on both sides in unrecorded southern skirmishes more times than we'll ever know. Or maybe even want to know. Of Major Ferguson's approximately 1,100 loyalists, some 200 are dead, another 100 wounded, and almost all the rest are taken captive. Conversely, Patriot casualties stay under 100. Although many of these captured loyalists will escape in the days to come, Lord Cornwallis has just suffered a major loss. Meanwhile, the swamp fox Marion and the gamecock Sumpter continue to chip away at his supply lines and inflict further casualties.

The damage is severe enough that Lord Cornwallis isn't making it to Hillsborough this winter. He falls back to Windsborough, South Carolina. Nor will things get any easier for his retreating lordship because now he has to face a new and this time George Washington's selected Continental commander here in the Southern Theater. The one and only fighting Quaker, Nathaniel Greene. and this time George Washington selected Continental Commander here in the Southern Theatre. The one and only fighting Quaker, Nathaniel Green. Now we've met Nathaniel a number of times in past episodes, but here's a quick refresher. Hailing from Rhode Island, Nathaniel's a walking reminder not to jump to conclusions

about a person because of their religious background. This army general is a Quaker, which to be clear, Quakerism teaches complete nonviolence. Ah, hence the significance of his nickname as the fighting Quaker. Nathaniel's family was quite well off, but since they did not value schooling, only labor, his education was lacking. This upset him. He once wrote, I lament the want of a liberal education. I feel the mist of ignorance to surround me. But Nathaniel made up for it Alexander Hamilton and Abe Lincoln style.

Reading like crazy. He was with George Washington back at the siege of Boston, and he humbly took on the quartermaster gig at Valley Forge despite the fact that such important background positions receive little glory, or as Nathaniel put it, quote, nobody ever heard of a quartermaster in history, close quote. Ah, but now that he's taking command in the South, it seems that the 38-year-old towering, muscular, former foundry man turned fightin' Quaker with a cloudy spot in his right eye is going to make a splash in the history books and podcasts after all.

Following his appointment as commander of the Southern Department on October 14, 1780, Nathaniel heads south and finds his army camped at Charlotte on December 2. With our favorite swearing Continental drillmaster, General von Stupen as his number two, the fighting Quaker quickly notes that the Continental's condition is wretched. Only about 1,500 in number, these men lack everything, from shoes to pants, have lost their pride, and hate their former commander, General Horatio Gates. I'll stay light on the details here, but suffice it to say that Nathaniel puts his former quartermaster skills to work, soliciting state legislatures

and governors for much needed items. While he does piss off Virginia's rather sensitive governor, Thomas Jefferson, in the process, the fight in Quaker rather quickly restores his men's supplies, dignity, and will to fight. Nathaniel now does something highly unorthodox. He divides his small force in two. He gives some of his Continentals to the famed Virginia rifleman that we met during Episode 9's Saratoga campaign, Daniel Morgan.

Nathaniel plans to take some of his forces toward the Petey River in the north central part of South Carolina, while Daniel takes the other Continentals to the western parts of the state. It's normally not considered wise to divide an army, but Nathaniel is hoping to lure Lord Cornwallis into dividing his own with this maneuver. And it works. Rather than play it safe, his ever aggressive lordship sends Bannister Tarleton to deal with Daniel while he, Lord Cornwallis, keeps his focus on pushing back into North Carolina.

Risky? Sure, but with word that Sir Henry Clinton is sending him 2,500 reinforcements, his lordship believes that he has the troops to spare. By mid-January 1781, Daniel Morgan knows he's not just a diversion. Tarleton's closing in on him. A fight is inevitable and Daniel can't hope for any backup from Nathaniel Green. Their respective forces are separated by a hundred and forty miles. And so, brilliant tactician that he is, Daniel prepares to receive Tarleton in an open space west of the Broad River, where backwoods folks graze their animals.

A place called the Cowpens. Hey there, I'm Dylan Lewis, one of the hosts of Motley Fool Money. Each weekday on Motley Fool Money, we talk through the business news you need to know and the stories moving stocks on Wall Street. On weekends, we dive into the industry shaping tomorrow and host the experts, authors, and executives that understand them. Tune in for insights, a long-term perspective on investing, and of course, stock ideas. Plenty of them. To quote a listener, it pays to listen. Check us out and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.

My name is Jordan Grummet and I am the author of The Purpose Code. In my 20 years working as a hospice doctor, I've explored the topic of purpose with individuals on their final journey. And as a financial expert and podcaster, I've challenged entrepreneurs, authors, and CEOs with a simple question. Why? What emerged from my extensive research is profound. Purpose isn't just a luxury. It's a vital link to health, longevity, and happiness. Yet over 90% of us grapple

with purpose anxiety throughout our lives. How do we reconcile this paradox. With the Purpose Code, I offer a transformative guide that will diminish anxiety, amplify happiness, and help you craft a legacy that endures. The Purpose Code is available wherever fine books are sold. It's early in the still dark morning, January 17th, 1781. A Patriot scout is just returning to Daniel Morgan's camp west of the Broad River and south of the border between the Carolinas. The scout immediately seeks out the legendary rifleman and leader to inform him that Bannister Tarleton's 1,100 strong legion is coming their way. Daniel wastes no time.

He wakes his men, who quickly breakfast, then begin taking formations. But it's a curious formation. In the front, Daniel has 150 sharp-shooting riflemen hiding behind some trees. Behind them are 300 Carolina militiamen. In the third lineback, on a hill, are Daniel's 450 or so Continentals, and behind them is a reserve of 80 cavalrymen under George Washington's distant cousin and fellow Virginian, Lieutenant Colonel William Washington. An odd setup indeed.

Who puts their weakest units toward the front? Nonetheless, the Patriots hold and wait. It's now about sunrise. British Lieutenant Colonel Bannister Tarleton's 1,100 men are exhausted by their long pre-dawn march, but their infamous commander doesn't take that into consideration as he has them form a single main line with two pieces of artillery and cavalry in the back. Thinking the usual bayonet attack should do the trick, Tarleton sends his men forward, who yell ferociously as they advance.

But as this British and loyalist force charges, the Patriot riflemen behind the trees open fire with Daniel's instructions of, look for the epaulettes, pick off the epaulettes, ringing in their ears. They do indeed, and soon British officers are falling wounded or dead from their horses. The sharpshooting riflemen fall back as Tarleton's men push onward, toward the line of militiamen. But these Patriots only fire two volleys before falling back, just like the sharpshooters. Tarleton's force is suffering losses, but this looks great for them. The Americans keep falling back. It's like Camden all over again. But the British and Loyalist advance slows as they encounter the next line,

the Continentals. See, Daniels sharpshooters and militia weren't retreating. They're taking pot shots, then retiring was all part of the plan. They weakened Tarleton's men before they could face Daniel's finest. Still hopeful, Tarleton sends in his reinforcements, his fierce Highlanders. The Patriots fall back, but once they are out of sight, on the other side of the hill, Daniel has them form up and unleash another deadly volley, once their advancing foe comes into view. Then the Patriot militia and cavalry enter the fray.

By 10am, the battle's fate is sealed. Daniel and his men have killed 110 British and taken over 700 captive. American casualties are mere 12 dead and 60 wounded. Realizing that all is lost, Tarleton and a small retinue of mounted soldiers ride for their lives. But William Washington isn't having that. He and his cavalrymen ride in hot pursuit. The Virginian outpaces the others, coming so close to Tarleton that he and a few other British officers draw their sabers and turn on their pursuer. Still on horseback, William courageously crosses swords with these redcoat officers only for his weapon to break at the hilt.

Effectively disarmed, William braces for death as a British blade falls toward him only to see his assailant shot at the last moment. Turning, William recognizes his savior, his own enslaved orderly. The young black man is soon joined by other patriot riders as William uses his hilt to deflect a blow from Tarleton. But the British officer knows he's lost now. Pulling a pistol, he fires at William Washington,

missing him but hitting the Virginian's horse. And with that, the infamously vicious Brit rides off, escaping his failure at Cowpens, much like Horatio Gates escaped his demise at Camden, shamefully saving himself while losing nearly his entire force. Ugh! Lord Cornwallis is livid. These damned rebels, who cheat by not fighting in an open field like Europeans, have now not only killed Major Patrick Ferguson and taken his forces at Kings Mountain, but utterly embarrassed and defeated Lieutenant Colonel Bannister Tarleton.

Our aggressive British commander in the south won't stand for this. On January 25th, he makes a rash choice at Ramser's Mill. He abandons nearly all of his army's supplies. This way they won't be bogged down and can move more rapidly. Every man is given an extra portion of rum, fed heartily and then told, that's it. No rum from here on out and the only food to be had is what they can fit in their personal bags. Apart from salt, ammo, and medical supplies, everything else, food, tents, you name it, is destroyed. They will scavenge from now on

as they move quickly to chase down that infernal Daniel Morgan. But our brilliant continental commander in the south, Nathaniel the Fighting Quaker Green, answers with a tactical retreat northward. Everything about this maneuver is masterful. Despite terrible terrain, the logistical nightmare of moving hundreds of prisoners of war and dealing with his sciatica flaring up, Daniel Morgan manages a roughly 100-mile northeast movement over the Catawba River to meet Nathaniel at a trading fort on North Carolina's Yadkin River on February 3rd.

Four days and about another 50 miles later, they rendezvous with Brigadier General Isaac Huger and the Maine American Army, as well as dragoon-leading Henry Lee, or Light Horse Harry, as this gifted cavalryman is known. They make camp at Guilford Courthouse, but sadly, on February 10th, Daniel Morgan, rendered all but incapacitated by his sciatica, has to leave for home. Nathaniel hates the situation, but understands. The fighting Quakers army is reassembled, but this still only constitutes a little over 2,000 men, and Lord Cornwallis is still hot on his heels. The flight northward continues.

With some splitting up and head fakes to mislead the British, the Patriots book it to the North Carolina-Virginia border's Dan River. As his army crosses it and enters the Old Dominion, Nathaniel brilliantly ensures none of the boats are left behind for Lord Cornwallis and his army. This last segment of the Fightin' Quakers tactical retreat is known as the Race to the Dam, and it's a race that Lord Cornwallis has very much lost. You know, his Lordship took a gamble in destroying those stores to move faster. Had he caught the Americans, he'd have been a hero.

But he didn't. And now he needs supplies. So Lord Cornwallis falls back to Hillsboro, North Carolina, where he hopes to gain supplies and new recruits with a call for loyalists to join him. He gains few men, but that doesn't stop a false report from getting to Nathaniel claiming that Lord Cornwallis has raised seven loyalist companies in a single day. It's amazing how false information can impact our lives. Largely due to these rumors, Nathaniel decides he must cross the Dan

back into North Carolina and keep harassing Lord Cornwallis to show the Tar Heels state is not pro King George. Nathaniel certainly doesn't want to do this. Sure, his armies rested for a few days and 600 Virginia militiamen come to reinforce him. But as the fighting Quaker explains in a letter to Joseph Reed in Pennsylvania, quote, Our numbers were much inferior to the enemy, and we were without

ammunition, provisions, or stores of any kind. Close quote. As such, Nathaniel avoids a major engagement, sticking to guerrilla engagements and skirmishes. The cat and mouse game continues until, finally, on March 11th, Nathaniel gets even more reinforcements. A handful of Continentals and, alas, mostly a mix of militiamen from Virginia and North Carolina. I say alas because militia, as we've seen in this very episode, lack discipline. They're about as reliable as Wi-Fi in an airport. Sure you'll use it for email, but whether it will handle something bigger, like streaming

a movie, is anyone's guess, much like militia in a full-pitched battle. Nonetheless, these reinforcements put Nathaniel's headcount over 4,000, about double what Lord Cornwallis currently has. So, the fight in Quaker decides it's time to live up to that nickname in a proper fight. He picks the location, North Central North Carolina's Guilford Courthouse, and Lord Cornwallis is happy to oblige. He might be outnumbered, but with the hubris often displayed in the Americas by European commanders, his lordship is sure that his 2,000 plus trained regulars can handle the far larger, but heavily

militia-based force of Americans. It's the morning of March 15, 1781. We're in the north central region of the Tarheel State, back at Guilford Courthouse, where Nathaniel Green has his men preparing to receive Lord Cornwallis' attack. They're forming three lines. The first includes cavalry and two pieces of artillery, but mostly consists of a thousand North Carolina militia standing by a rail fence running along the edge of the woods behind them.

The second is made up of 600 Virginia militia. The third is on a hill by the courthouse itself and it comprises some 1400 Continentals. Huh, militia in the front, strong Continentals in the back. Sounds like the fight in Quaker picked up a thing or two from Daniel Morgan before he left. As the morning wears late, Light Horse Harry comes riding up the new garden or Salisbury Road that cuts through the American lines and leads to the courthouse. After mourning of skirmishes against Bannister Tarleton, he reports to Nathaniel that the Redcoats are not far behind.

Okay then, time to encourage the men and make final preparations. At 1.30 in the afternoon, the Americans' two artillery pieces, each six pounders, open fire as Lord Cornwallis and his forces some 2,000 entered the field of battle. The sound of these booming cannons are then joined by that of drums and pipes as a line of British and Hessian troops advances. Drawing close to the North Carolinians, panic sets in when the British notice the fence. As Sergeant Roger Lamb of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers explains, their whole force

had their arms presented and resting on the rail fence. They were taking aim with the nicest precision. At this awful period, a general pause took place. Both parties surveyed each other for the moment with the most anxious suspense. But then Colonel James Webster bellows out, Come on my brave fusiliers! The men's training and discipline snapped them back into action. Stealing themselves for death or glory, they let out a blood-curdling battle cry and obediently charged forward into the North Carolinians' volley. It's deadly. Indeed, on the British right, a Highlander captain reports half of the 71st Regiment

fell dead on the spot. Like the militia at Cowpens, the North Carolinians are supposed to fire two volleys then fall back. That doesn't happen. After firing one shot, they flee before these screaming, charging bayonet wielding British troops who clearly have no fear of death. It's possible that Nathaniel gets a report of exaggerated cowardice, but he'll later write that, quote, many threw away their arms and fled even before a gun was fired at them,

close quote. But Nathaniel is pleased with the Virginia militia's performance. Though they ultimately give way, that was the plan. And they fight fiercely before doing so. The Virginians even come close to capturing Lord Cornwallis, who, lost among the woods, almost rides right into them. He's saved by Sergeant Lamb's observance as he grabs the bridle of his Lordship's horse and leads his lost commander back to safety.

The Third American Line of Continentals, joined by Colonel William Washington's cavalry, fights ferociously. So much so that Lord Cornwallis fears defeat. And so he orders his artillery to rain grapeshot on the field. His lordship kills some of his own men in the process, but stands by it because it works. Nathaniel ultimately calls for his men to retreat. Lord Cornwallis has won the battle of Guilford Courthouse. But it's a Pyrrhic victory. As British parliamentarian Charles James Fox says after the battle, another such victory would destroy the British army.

Yeah, Lord Cornwallis definitely took it on his sizable chin in winning here. His Lordships suffered 93 dead, 413 wounded, 50 of whom are dead by the morning, and another 26 missing. As for America's fight in Quaker, only 78 dead and 184 wounded. Both commanders in the south write their respective commanders in chief after the battle with different plans. Nathaniel Green informs George Washington, I am determined to carry the war into South Carolina. The enemy will be obliged to follow us or give up their post in that state. But it appears that Lord Cornwallis will risk that loss.

But it appears that Lord Cornwallis will risk that loss. He chooses not to follow Nathaniel. As his lordship explains in his April 10th letter to his commander, Sir Henry Clinton, he's done with the Southern strategy. Lord Cornwallis is now convinced that one of the main tenets of that strategy that loyalists would significantly help the British army is bunk, and he thinks they should focus their efforts on Virginia. To quote him, Lord Cornwallis marches his army north to Virginia. He does so utterly ignorant that his decision will lead to what just might be the decisive

battle in this war. A battle fought at a place called Yorktown. But that's a story for next time. HISTORY THAT DOESN'T SUCK is created and hosted by me, Greg Jackson. Episode research is written by Greg Jackson. Production by Airship. Sound design by Molly Bach. Theme music composed by Greg Jackson. Arrangement and additional composition by Lindsey Graham of Airship.

For a bibliography of all primary and secondary sources consulted in writing this episode, visit HTVSPpodcast.com. HTDS is supported by premium membership fans. You can join by clicking the link in the episode description. I gratitude you, Kind Souls, providing additional funding to help us keep going. And a special thanks to our members, whose monthly gift puts them at producer status. Andy Thompson, Anthony Pizzullo, Art Lane, Beth Chris Jansen, Bob Drazovich, Brian Goodson, whose monthly gift puts them at producer status. Gurwath Griffin, Henry Brungis, Jake Gilbreth, James G. Bledsoe, Janie McCreary, Jeff Marks, Jennifer Moods, Jennifer Magnolia, Jeremy Wells, Jessica Poppock, Joe Dobis, John Frugal-Dougal, John Booty, John Keller, John Oligaros, John Ridlewicz, John Schaeffer, John Schaff, Jordan Corbett, Joshua Steiner, Justin M. Spriggs, Justin May, Kristen Pratt, Karen Bartholomew, Cassie Koneko, Kim R., Kyle Decker, Lawrence Neubauer, Linda Cunningham, Mark Ellis, Matthew Mitchell, Matthew Simmons, Melanie Jan, Nick Seconder, Nick Cafferle, Noah Hoff, Owen Sedlec, Paul Goehringer, Randy Guffrey, Rhys Humphreys Wadsworth, Rick Brown, Sarah Trewitt, Samuel Legasse, Sharon Thiesen,

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