British Fleet of 265 Ships Sighted in the Chesapeake Bay (240 Years Ago)

British Fleet of 265 Ships Sighted in the Chesapeake Bay

August 24, 1777

If you cross the Chesapeake Bay Bridge keep a sharp eye out for a large British fleet consisting of 265 ships. The British fleet was sighted last on August 7 off the Atlantic Coast at Sinepuxent Island (near Assateague Island and birthplace of Stephen Decatur Jr. who later became a hero during the Barbary Wars). Intelligence sources makes me think that they will land tomorrow near Worton Creek (near Chestertown) or Elk Landing (near Elkton).

If only Lambert Wickes had been around! Wickes is not known well in either the United States or his home area of the northern Eastern Shore of Maryland. Lambert Wickes and his brother Richard came from Rock Hall, Maryland. In June 1777 Wickes with his crew on the Reprisal, Nicholson with the crew of the Dolphin and Captain Johnson of the Lexington wrecked havoc on British shipping around Ireland. All that Wickes did was capture 18 ships in 18 months but died later in 1777 on October 1 off Newfoundland as he was coming home for repairs.

We lost 3 ships in the Chesapeake Bay when the British fleet came through. Wickes would have been terribly outnumbered but one wonders just what he would have done in the situation facing 265 British ships. Would he have gathered other smaller ships and larger ships in the area and tried to make a futile stand or would he have opted to fight another day? This author's conjecture would be that he would have gone down fighting. If he could have taken out 3 ships, that would have weakened the coming land force by that amount. We eventually lost the battle of Brandywine. If Wickes had diminished the British force just a little, that little bit might have turned the battle.

Back in June 28, 1776, Lambert Wickes' broke through the British blockade of the Delaware Bay. An American privateer ship called the Nancy arrived from St. Croix and had 300 barrels of gunpowder for the Patriot cause. Lambert put his younger brother Richard in charge of the Nancy to get the gunpowder off. Richard and the crew had taken off over 200 barrels when the British blew them up. Richard Wickes and the crew of the Nancy died on the actual day that the Declaration of Independence was agreed on- July 2, 1776.

North Wicomico River to Parker Mill Pond

North Wicomico River to Parker Mill Pond

Would the HMS Roebuck made it up to Parker Mill Pond?

Every February I try to remember the events of February 1777 at Parker Mill Pond.

I am sure quite a few people are thinking to themselves, "How could a British 44 gun ship make it all the way up to Parker Mill Pond in February 1777?" As stated several times previously, things are not the same as they were in 1777. There are two dams in that area. One is on Isabella Street and the other is at present day Leonard Mill Pond (which was called Parker Mill Pond back in 1777). I took a walk between the dam and across the little bridge and behind the baseball field at Leonard Mill Pond. The Wicomico River is only 15-20 feet across in this area. However there is a lot of standing water on the left side of the nature trail which makes me think that this was part of the original river. The nature path could be part of the original river bed if a lot of dirt was put in there with some project.

Here is an idea for a contest for art programs: to draw a picture of the HMS Roebuck in Parker Mill Pond dropping off field pieces. Maybe a mural could be painted at the Wicomico County visitor center.

Did some group like the Civilian Conservation Corps change the river bands during the 1930s or was some of this done during the dam project at Leonard Mill Pond?

As always, remember the Ninth Regiment from the Eastern Shore of Virginia which helped Salisbury out immensely back in 1777.

1776 DELMARVA booksigning at Book Bin in Onley, Virginia on December 3, 2016 from 10 AM to 12 PM

Phil Webster will be in character as John Jay on December 3, 2016 at Book Bin in Onley Virginia to sign his book "1776 DELMARVA: Defending Delmarva During the American Revolution."

In 1777 the Ninth Regiment of Virginia played an unsung heroic role in denying the British and Tories an operational base on the Delmarva Peninsula. At the end of 1776, Continental Congress fled from Philadelphia and the capital of the country was in Baltimore until March 1777. John Hancock said that he had information that an invasion was planned of the Eastern Shore of Maryland. In February 1777 a 44 gun ship named HMS Roebuck came up the Wicomico River and dropped off three field pieces for the local Tories who had assembled about 250 men strong at Parker Mill Pond (Leonard's Mill Pond between Salisbury and Delmar Maryland today). Captain Dashiell of the local militia asked for help and the Eastern Shore of Virginia answered the call. About 2,000 came from the Ninth Regiment from the Eastern Shore of Virginia. The Tory leaders were caught and the British and Tories were denied the operational base on the Delmarva Peninsula.

Check out this story about the participation of people from the Eastern Shore of Virginia, the Eastern Shore of Maryland and Delaware during the American Revolution.

African American Soldiers from Maryland in American Revolution

Thanks to Owen Laurie of the Maryland State Archives, I am honored to pass on this list of African Americans who helped fought in the American Revolution from Maryland


First Name Last Name Start End Unit Term Vol 18 Other

*Black Boy Gim 1776 Magruder's co, 3rd. Batt (Ewing), Flying Camp 38 drummer DAR

*Nace Butler 1776 1783 2nd MD Fifer; Pension: http://www.fold3.com/image/1/12741094/ DAR

*Charles Fenton 1776 Burgess' co., 3rd. Batt (Ewing), Flying Camp 41 morgan; source of race?; no fold3 matches DAR

*Francis Herd 1776 Young's co., 3rd. Batt (Ewing), Flying Camp 54 "a servant"; morgan

*Malcolm McFee 1776 Howard's co, 2nd. Batt (Hall), Flying Camp 53 morgan; pension: http://www.fold3.com/image/1/24332860/ DAR

*Adam Adams 1777 1st MD Pension: http://www.fold3.com/image/10982341/ DAR

*Henry Williams 1777 4th MD? Pension: http://www.fold3.com/image/1/28347880/ DAR

*Anthony (Negro) 1778 War 317 AA Co; substitute DAR

*Abram Brissington 1778 1st MD 3 years 82; 317 AA Co; substitute; dead or deserted DAR

*Thomas Carney 1778 5th MD Pension: http://www.fold3.com/image/1/12831332/ DAR

*George Dias 1778 1783 5th MD Pension: http://www.fold3.com/image/1/15490549/; POW DAR

*James Due 1778 1783 5th MD 199; 394 Race per census; Pension: http://www.fold3.com/image/1/13175424/ DAR

*Francis Freeman 1778 2nd MD served war 109 discharged, 11/1/1780; morgan; pension: http://www.fold3.com/image/1/22083198/ DAR
Cato Jarvis 1778 1779 7th MD 220 Race guess based on name; d. 1783

*Valentine Murrin [Murray?] 1778 1781 3rd Md 229; 545 Member of MD Line arrested in NC for robbery, 1780, per this page: http://www.freeafricanamericans.com/Adams-Butler.htm DAR

*Jeremiah Pearl 1778 1778 Drafted as vagarant, but discharged because he wasn't. See MHM 103:1, p. 22-23 DAR

*Cupid Plummer 1778 1782 2nd MD 151; 318; 550 Race guess based on name DAR

*Obediah Plummer 1778 1782 2nd MD 151; 318; 550 Race guess based on name DAR

David Randel 1778 1779 2nd MD discharged; race from aom 47, 249--right guy? DAR

Philip Savoy 1778 1st MD War Pension: http://www.fold3.com/image/15506157/ DAR

David Wilson 1778 5th MD Pension: http://www.fold3.com/image/1/28357336/ DAR

Thomas Batterson 1780 7th MD until Dec. 10 369 AA draughts; date ca. DAR

Edward Blake 1780 1783 346; 455 race from aom 46-460; date ca. DAR

Jacob Blake 1780 1781 Pension: http://www.fold3.com/image/1/12710922/; race per http://www.freeafricanamericans.com/Adams-Butler.htm NEED TO CONFIRM RACE

Edward Chambers 1780 3rd Md Pension: http://www.fold3.com/image/1/19897567/ DAR

Lazarous Harmon 1780 1783 1st MD 356; 442; 493; 539 race: http://www.freeafricanamericans.com/Hailey-Jones.htm; Pension: http://www.fold3.com/image/1/22755486/ DAR

Indian George 1780 4th Md 336 Not black, but an Indian, presumably; draft/deserter; unit based on Lt's service DAR

Cato Snowden 1780 1783 4th Md 397, 458, 487, 556 Race guess based on name; date ca.

York Waters 1780 1781 2nd MD 175; 559 race from aom 43, 82 DAR

Absolom (Negro) 1781 382 PG draughts DAR

Bristol 1781 militia 387 TA Draughts DAR

George Bueley (Beverley) 1781 4th MD 9 months Pension: has good details of service: http://www.fold3.com/image/1/12028637/. Lost discharge: "Being young and careless I have long since lost it." DAR

Pompey Colless 1781 1781 FR militia 653 Race guess based on name; same as Pompey Hollis DAR

Dick (Negro) 1781 until Dec. 10 385 DO draughts; fold3.com/image/#17149751 DAR

*Henry Dorton 1781 1781 militia Served in VA as well; Pension: http://www.fold3.com/image/1/16979121/ DAR

Pompey Hollis 1781 1783 4th Md 397, 403, 459, 511 Race guess based on name; d. 1783 DAR

Ned (Negro) 1781 militia date ca.; MO draughts; did not appear; http://www.fold3.com/image/1/12007427/
Spindilow 1781 militia 387 TA Draughts DAR

Saladdy Stanley 1781 4th MD Pension: http://www.fold3.com/image/1/16260347/ DAR

Tower (Negro) 1781 militia 400 HA draught, substitute; discharged, had to support family; fold3.com/image/#17152500 DAR

William Balentine 1782 2nd MD 422 deserted; fold3.com/image12007126, p. 46; DAR gives as "Balontino"

Job Buley 1782 3rd Md 424; 474 race per: http://www.fold3.com/image/12007204/ DAR

Isaac Carr 1782 419; 470 race per: http://www.fold3.com/image/1/12007148/

Jeremiah Carter 1782 1783 530 race per: http://www.fold3.com/image/1/12007204/

Charles Davis 1782 2nd MD War 422 fold3.com/image12007126, p. 46 DAR

John Greenwood 1782 1783 537 race per: http://www.fold3.com/image/1/12007204/

Phineas Hewey [Harvey?] 1782 1783 62; 422; 170 race per: www.fold3.com/image/1/12007204/

John Lain 1782 last name sp?; race per: http://www.fold3.com/image/1/12007204/

George Price 1782 race per: http://www.fold3.com/image/1/12007204/

Christopher Reyner 1782 1783 423; 471 race per: www.fold3.com/image/1/12007204/

Randall Skly 1782 422 fold3.com/image12007126, p. 46

William Taylor 1782 race per: www.fold3.com/image/1/12007204/, p. 48

George Pemberton 1780-81 militia draughted by mistake? Service card is unclear. Fold3.com/image#17144586; date ca. DAR

John Adams Member of MD Line arrested in NC for robbery, 1780, per this page: http://www.freeafricanamericans.com/Adams-Butler.htm DAR

William Anderson started as servant/slave; fought in various units; from MD? Pension rejected: http://www.fold3.com/image/11030088/ DAR

Stephen Phillips Laws 1820, Res. 37, aom 625-176; another Stephen Phillips in vol. 18--was a sgt DAR

Christopher Poynos 2nd MD Unable to locate any documentation of his service, but he is reported as a soldier in multiple sources DAR

Thomas Thompson Member of MD Line arrested in NC for robbery, 1780, per this page: http://www.freeafricanamericans.com/Adams-Butler.htm DAR

Leonard Turner Member of MD Line arrested in NC for robbery, 1780, per this page: http://www.freeafricanamericans.com/Adams-Butler.htm DAR

Mount Harmon American Revolution Reenactment On Saturday October 29, 2016 American Revolution reenactors came to Mount Harmon in Cecil County, Maryland

This picture takes one back in time to camp life during the American Revolution

Camp site with tents at Mount Harmon

American troops at Mount Harmon

Mount Harmon Plantation

Easton News Center booksigning Saturday October 15, 2016

There will be a booksigning of 1787 FAITH at the Easton News Center bookstore in Easton Maryland on Saturday, October 15, 2016 from 11 AM to 1 PM Phil Webster will be there in character as John Jay, the First Chief Justice who also served as President of the American Bible Society.

Green Hill Church near Whitehaven, Maryland

Green Hill Church held its annual Worship Service on Sunday August 21, 2016 on the Sunday nearest to St. Bartholomew's Day.

Its official name is St. Batholomew's Church.

During the American Revolution, the Monie Company of the Princess Anne Battalion of the Maryland Militia bivouacked inside this church.

Here are some pews and brick floor.

The church is within 100 feet of the Wicomico River.

USGenWeb Somerset County MDGenWeb Somerset County Maryland Militia Revolutionary War, 1780 Princess Anne Battalion, Monie Company Here is he list of men who served in the Monie Company, Princess Anne Battalion, Somerset County Maryland Miltia, Revolutionary War 1780. Thanks to John Wallace, Sr. for sending this list in! Names are spelled as they appear on the list. Captain: Thos. Irving 1st Lieutenant: Jno. Dashiell 2nd Lieutenant: Jno Jones Ensign:Gowen Wright Sergeants:Robt Jones, Wm Jones, Wm Lawes, Wm Sassen Corporals:Wm McDorman, Wm Phebus, John Woolford, Jno Wright Privates: George Abbet, John Abbet, Joseph Austin, Loyd Abbet, George Austin, Jarvis Ballard, Wm Ballard, Wm Ballard (of Arnold), Thos Borman, Joseph Cantwell, John Cavender, Oliver Coston, George Dorman, Jesse Evans, Ezekial Foskey, James Galloway, Isaac Gibson, John Handy, Berry Horner, John Horner, Wm Horner, John Hopkins, Levi Johnson, George Jones, George Jones (D.Q.), Jno Jones (D.Q.), John Jones, Thos Jones, James Kelley, Wm King, John Laws, Jno Laws (D.Q.), James Lecount, James Martin, Jno Martin, Thos Martin, Thos Martin, Junr., Wm Martin, Henry Walston Miles, Thos Moor, James Muir, Thos Noble, George? Phebus, Junr., John Phebus, John Pheubus, Junr., Edmund Price, Ballard Reed, James Reed, Barkley Roberts, Edwd Roberts, Jno Roberts, Underwood Roberts, Rich Roe, Ben Sasser, Junr., John Sassen, Levin Shorey, Wm Shelton, Lill? Simmons, Wm Smith, Wm Stewart, Michl Timmons, David Wallace, James, Wallace, Richd Wallace, Henry Walston, Joseph Walston, Wm Webb, Jabez Webster, John Webster, Mesheck Webster, Wm Webster, Frans White, John White, Junr., Thos White, Jno Windsor, Junr., Wm Windsor, Henry Wingate, Henry Wingate, Phil Wingate. http://www.mdgenweb.org/somerset/histrec/sompabat.htm

Booksigning at Bethany Beach Books on Friday July 1, 2016

Phil Webster in character as John Jay attended a book signing at Bethany Beach Books on Friday, July 1st, 2016. Nearby Bethany at the Delaware Bay on July 2nd, 1776 a crew from the Rock Hall Maryland area died. Lambert Wickes finally broke the British blockade of the Delaware Bay and found a ship named the Nancy which had 300 barrels of gunpowder aboard. In 18 months, Lambert Wickes captured only 18 British ships; but let's talk about John Paul Jones. Anyway, Lambert put his younger brother in charge of the Nancy, the ship was beached at Turtle Gut Island near Cape May. They were able to unload over 200 barrels of gunpowder before the British blew up Richard Wickes and his crew. This crew died on the very same day that the Declaration of Independence was signed. This is a solemn reminder of the sacrifices that many Delmarvans made for freedom.

Chestertown Tea Party Celebration 2016

John Jay in Chestertown Tea Party Parade 2016

Chestertown made a place for John Jay

Ben Franklin and John Jay in "Art Thou Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?" www.benfranklinimpersonator.com

Ben Franklin (Brian Patrick Mulligan) and John Jay

1776 DELMARVA Williamsburg booksigning May 14, 2016

William and Mary bookstore 1776 DELMARVA booksigning May 14, 2016 William and Mary Bookstore on Duke of Gloucester Street in Williamsburg, Virginia was the venue for Phil Webster and a booksigning of 1776 FAITH and 1776 DELMARVA.

1776 DELMARVA: Intro and 1774

1776 DELMARVA: 1775

1776 DELMARVA booksigning Saturday August 22, 2015 Wicomico Tourism Center 9AM to 12 Noon

Phil Webster will have a booksigning on Saturday August 22, 2015 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon at the Wicomico County Tourism Center between Delmar, Maryland and Salisbury Maryland on Rt. 13.

John Henry of Vienna, Maryland: Maryland's First United States Senator

Francis Makemie pioneered the planting of Presbyterian churches on the Eastern Shore of Maryland and Virginia. Churches at Rehobeth (Maryland), Manokin (Princess Anne, Maryland), Snow Hill (Maryland), Rockawalkin (Salisbury,Maryland) Pocomoke (Maryland) (Virginia) and (Virginia) all claim their heritage from Francis Makemie. Reverend John Henry replaced Francis Makemie at Rehobeth, Maryland (the oldest Presbyterian church in the United States). Rev. John Henry and his wife had a son who became Colonel John Henry and lived on the Nanticoke River near Vienna, Maryland. They also had three other sons and five daughters. Colonel John Henry died in 1781.

John Henry III (born 1750) received his education by travelling up the Chesapeake Bay to Cecil County where he attended the famous Nottingham Academy. Being from the stock of Rev. John Henry, John Henry III attended and graduated from the College of New Jersey (Princeton University today) and studied under Rev. John Witherspoon. After graduating from Princeton, Henry studied at the Temple in London (as did Arthur Middleton and John Blair). Henry defended the American position while studying and received much opposition. During the American Revolution, John Henry III became a delegate in Continental Congress. IN 1787 Henry served on a committee which made the Northwest Ordinance. This committee could have followed the historical pattern of colonies being subservient to the mother country. This committee and ordinance gave the colonies and territories the freedom to self govern and eventually become equal states.

Article Three of the Northwest Ordinance states that "Religion and morality... shall forever be encouraged until 1962." Scratch that last phrase; it is what the anti-God Gestapo want you to believe. The real quote is "Religion and morality...shall forever be encouraged."

The same year that the Northwest Ordinance was passed (1787) was the same year that the United States Constitution was adopted. The Maryland Convention voted for John Henry to be the first Senator under the Constitution for Maryland. John Henry and the other Senators and Congressmen attended George Washington's Swearing In Ceremony where he took the Oath of Office by putting his hand on the Bible and said "So help me God." That group of Senators and Congressmen followed President Washington on a six block march to St. Paul's Chapel where the government leaders dedicated the new government to God. It is worthy to note that the same church where the government dedicated itself to following God was saved by the falling wreckage of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. Imagine that a guy from Vienna Maryland attended the church service that dedicated the country's government to God. What have we done with what our Founding Fathers passed down to us?

Below are two quotations from John Henry while he served in Continental Congress. John Henry to Thomas Johnson (Apr. 20, 1778) IX, 454. “...I make no doubt you have heard of the insurrection in the Delaware State. By a Letter from a Mr. Patterson we are informed that a considerable Number of the disaffected have assembled at a place near the head of the Chester River. They are exerting themselves to add to their Numbers and those who will not join them, they deprive them of their Arms and Ammunition. It is said here they have British officers among them and expect to be reinforced from Philadelphia. This Matter is viewed as very serious by some. Mr. Carroll gives his Compliments to you and desires me to acquaint you that there is a considerable quantity of provision at Charles Town at the Head of our Bay which appears to be in a dangerous Situation. There’s also as I am informed by Mr. S. Stewart quantities of provisions at Princess Ann in Somerset, and other places in that neighbourhood.”

John Henry to Thomas Sim Lee (Aug. 8, 1780) XV, 562. “...The General and the Army have returned to this side of the N. River and it is a very happy and fortunate Event that his movements called back the Attention of the Enemy to N. York. If they had proceeded to attack Rhode Island the General informs us he should have attempted N. York. He is now busily engaged in some preparatory steps toward the accomplishment of the great object of the Campaign. God grant him success. My Expectations are slender.”

1776 Delmarva Now Available on ebook

1776 DELMARVA now available in ebook format

Many people have the misconception that nothing happened on the Delmarva Peninsula during the American Revolution. On the contrary, my friend, every community had to struggle in one way or another during the struggle for independence. The population at the time turned out to be approximately one third patriot, one third Tory and the other third in the middle ground. Soldiers from Delaware, Maryland and Virginia played a huge role in the Continental Army in battles in the North and South.

Most Marylanders (let alone the rest of the country) do not realize that Maryland has the unique privilege of flying their flag at the same height as the United States’ flag because of the sacrifice of Maryland soldiers at the battle of Brooklyn. Delmarva soldiers fought at Brooklyn, Kip’s Bay, Harlem Heights, Fort Washington, Washington Crossing, Trenton, Princeton, Brandywine, Germantown, Monmouth, Stony Point and Paulus Hook. That sounds like enough right there but in 1780 they were called upon to march south to the Carolinas and fight eventually at Camden, Cowpens, Guilford Courthouse, the Race to the Dan, Hobrick’s Hill, Ninety Six, Eutaw Springs and Yorktown.

The ten year struggle for independence happened on Delmarva itself. Neighbors fought against and spied on neighbors. In quite a few occasions family members were against each other. Raids came up rivers at night time and either captured patriots or burned their houses. As you read, check out how your area fared during the struggle. Find out about people like Tench Tilghman, John Dickinson, Robert Morris, William Richardson, Robert Kirkwood, Allen McLane, Enoch Anderson, Levin Winder, Alexander Roxburgh, John Gunby, Southey Simpson, John Haslet, Lambert Wickes and others.

1776 DELMARVA Available now on ebooks through Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Xulon Press Available in paperback form in about 2 weeks (mid July 2015 or earlier)

AMAZON http://www.amazon.com/1776-DELMARVA-Defending-Delmarva-Revolution-ebook/dp/B010M7GTZK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1435612883&sr=8-1&keywords=1776+Delmarva

BARNES AND NOBLE http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/1776-delmarva-phil-webster/1122218990?ean=2940150964990

Richard Wickes Signs the Declaration of Independence With His Life

The time has come to allow the Wickes Brothers’ Light to shine on the nation’s naval history. In this author’s humble opinion, Lambert Wickes blazed the trail for the Continental Navy. John Paul Jones was certainly a great sailor but the one preceding him blazed a brighter trail. While being given the duties of Captain on the Reprisal, Lambert Wickes had to first break through the British Navy blockade of the Delaware Bay. He successfully did that on June 28, 1776. After breaking through the Royal Navy blockade, Wickes and another ship saw that the ship Nancy was trying to bring a sorely needed load of gunpowder to the Continental Army.

Lambert put his brother Richard in charge of getting the ship Nancy to shore. Richard carried out his responsibilities and beached the ship on Turtle Gut Island near Cape May, New Jersey. On shore people helped unload about 250 barrels of gunpowder out of a total of 386 barrels. The British tried to prevent this and ended up blowing up the ship. Richard Wickes and those still on board paid with their lives. On July 2, 1776; the day that the actual Declaration of Independence was signed, Richard Wickes signed with his life.

1776 DELMARVA Welcome and Index

Welcome to 1776 DELMARVA (www.1776delmarva.blogspot.com) This blog attempts to chronicle and make interesting the history of the American Revolution on the Delmarva Peninsula. 2015 -1776 DELMARVA Welcome and Index -1776 DELMARVA book coming out soon! -Ship life Continental navy- Tribute to Captain Lambert Wickes of the Reprisal -Oxford Maryland:Tench Tilghman and Robert Morris -Robert Morris Senior and Robert Morris Junior Oxford MD -Tench Tilghman buried in Oxford Cemetery -Parker Mill Pond Update Feb. 2015 -Rock Hall and Chestertown Maryland: Breeding Ground for Sea Captains in the American Revolution -Colonel William Richardson -Maryland and Delaware Soldiers on February 2, 1781 Crossing the Yadkin River 2014 -Maryland Continental Soldiers at Valley Forge -New Castle -Chincoteague's Blanket Part in Washington Crossing the Delaware -Delaware Continental Army Regiment -St. Paul's Episcopal Church at Hebron, Maryland from 1773 Burned Down July 22, 2014 -Maryland flag at same height as US flag because of... -Wye Mills -Churches of Delmarva During the American Revolutio... -Chestertown Tea Party -HMS Roebuck Visit to Parker Mill Pond Salisbury Ma... -Rockawalkin Presbyterian Church from 1767

1776 DELMARVA book coming out soon!

Coming Soon: The Publication of 1776 DELMARVA Hopefully available by July 4th, 2015 through Xulon Press

Ship life Continental navy- Tribute to Captain Lambert Wickes of the Reprisal

This post is dedicated to Lambert Wickes. Captain Wickes was arguably the best American sea captain of the American Revolution. Yes, I have heard and read about John Paul Jones; however let me make the case for Captain Wickes. Wickes paved the way for Jones but gets little credit. Have you ever seen a painting about Wickes? I haven't seen one either. The reason that there is no picture of Wickes is that he died early in the struggle for America's independence. In late 1776, Wickes was entrusted by Continental Congress to deliver Ben Franklin to France unharmed so that Franklin could attempt to persuade France to help the United States with a treaty as well as financial assistance. On the way over to France in the ship Reliance, Wickes captured four British vessels with Franklin on board. Apparently Wickes did not go for the evade the enemy strategy. After safely delivering Franklin to France Lambert started a huge campaign in which 18 British vessels were captured in 1777. Now do you see where I am coming from about calling Wickes the best sea captain for the United States in the American Revolution. While coming back to the United States in 1778, the Reprisal crashed off of Newfoundland and all hands were lost except for the cook. Even though we have no portrait of Captain Lambert Wickes, he still deserves recognition. Use your imagination to see what life would have been like for the crew of the Reprisal. On top of that, imagine having Ben Franklin on board with all the activity of capturing 4 British vessels. From Yorktown Battlefield Museum Preble Museum United States Naval Academy

Oxford Maryland:Tench Tilghman and Robert Morris

The tomb of Tench Tilghman, George Washington's Aide=de-camp at Oxford, Maryland