The history of the rise, progress, and establishment of the independence of the United States of America, Vol. 2 (of 3) : $b Including an account of the late war, and of the thirteen colonies, from their origin to that period
| Language | en |
|---|---|
| First published | 2025-12-24 |
| Rights | Public domain in the USA. |
| Gutenberg ID | #77542 |
Description
"The history of the rise, progress, and establishment of the independence of the…." by William Gordon is a historical account written in the early 19th century. It narrates the American Revolution through dated letters that detail battles, political maneuvers, and international reactions, blending frontline reports with congressional decisions and colonial sentiment. The focus is on how colonial governance, military fortunes, and foreign policy converged to secure American independence. The opening of this work surveys the tumult of 1775–1776: New Hampshire’s move to adopt civil government amid internal dissent over independence; Samuel Adams’s behind-the-scenes push toward confederation; and Washington’s precarious army outside Boston, short on arms and powder. It follows Charles Lee and Captain Sears as they hasten Connecticut troops to secure New York and recounts General Schuyler’s successful disarming of Loyalists in Tryon County. The narrative then pivots to the decisive occupation of Dorchester Heights, the foiled British counterstroke, and the evacuation of Boston, with Washington’s restrained entry, public thanks, and the city’s hardships noted. From there it previews New York as the next theater, describes Lord Dunmore’s destruction of Norfolk, and highlights the Patriot victory over Highlanders and Regulators at Moore’s Creek Bridge in North Carolina. South Carolina edges toward an interim independent constitution after Britain’s prohibitory act, while Georgians deny British forces rice by burning laden vessels. Congress commemorates General Montgomery, appoints Franklin and others to Canada, authorizes privateering, bans slave importation, and thanks Washington with a gold medal. The section closes with Commodore Esek Hopkins’s raid on New Providence—capturing heavy ordnance but missing the powder—and an inconclusive fight with HMS Glasgow. (This is an automatically generated summary.)