Patriots of the Past

It’s July 7, 1826. I’m at a tea party with Caroline Adams, the granddaughter of our second president, John Adams. JG: “Caroline, what words of wisdom did your grandfather leave …

It’s September 19, 1796. I’m listening to President Washington’s Farewell Address. Let’s see if we can pick up some of his parting advice to America. GW: “Of all the dispositions …

It’s July 9, 1780. I’m with Grace and Rachel Martin in South Carolina. We’re by the road, waiting to ambush a British courier. JG: “Grace and Rachel, why are you …

It’s February 7, 1779. I’m with Lieutenant Colonel George Rogers Clark and his Rangers as we approach Fort Vincennes in southwestern Indiana. JG: “Mr. Clark, what is your objective?” GRC: …

It’s December 21, 1778. I’m with the wife of German General Von Riedesel. JG: “Federika, is it true you named your daughter America?” FVR: “Yeah, it is true, Mr. Gillespie. …

It’s July 12, 1778. I’m in Paris with 11-year-old John Quincy Adams. JG: “John Quincy, why are you here in France while America is fighting for independence from England?” JQA: …

It’s February 18, 1778. I’m with 11-year-old John Quincy Adams and we’re on the 24-gun frigate Boston headed for France. Three British frigates are chasing the Boston. JG: “John Quincy, …

It’s February 2, 1778. I’m in General Washington’s winter encampment at Valley Forge. JG: “General Washington, sir, your troops have little food and poor shelter against the cold. Many of …

It’s December 7, 1777. I’m at Yankee headquarters with a very concerned General Washington. JG: “General, why do you look so pensive and preoccupied? GW: “John, I have men confined …

It’s October 4, 1777. I’m at the Battle of Germantown. JG: “General Washington, sir, you have just lost the city of Philadelphia and the Battle of Brandywine, and yet you …

It’s (August) 16, 1777. I’m in Vermont with American General Stark at the Battle of Bennington. JG: “British General Burgoyne is planning to attack your Continental Army. General Stark. what …

It’s Christmas Eve, 1776. I’m with General Washington’s encampment along the Delaware River. The troops are hungry, tired, and very cold. I can see by the campfire red blood in …

It’s December 10, 1776. I’m with the Edenton Tea Party Ladies, Penelope Barker and Elizabeth King. They are in great spirits even though we’re at war. TEA PARTY LADIES: “… …

It’s March 17, 1776. I’m in Boston with George Washington. JG: “General Washington, is that the British fleet leaving Boston Harbor?” GW: “That’s right, John, when Gen Howe saw our …

It’s October 19, 1781, I’m at the Battle of Yorktown with French General Rochambeau. JG: “General Rochambeau, General Washington respects you and is very appreciative of you joining the American …

It’s July 17, 1781. I’m in South Carolina on horseback alongside 16-year-old Emily Geiger. JG: “Emily, why are you in such a hurry?” EG: “John, General Greene’s Continental Army is …

It’s November 1, 1780. I’m in Boston, Massachusetts, with African-American Elizabeth Freeman. JG: “Elizabeth, why are you suing for your freedom in the courts?” EF: “Mr. Gillespie, I am an …

It’s September 25, 1780. I’m on the British vessel, The Vulture, in the Hudson River with American General Benedict Arnold. JG: “General Arnold, what are you doing in a British …

It’s June 2, 1780. I’m in Philadelphia with the Governor of Pennsylvania’s wife, Esther Reed. JG: “Mrs. Reed, you’ve been receiving criticism as being unladylike for your efforts to support …

It’s March 15, 1780. I’m in South Carolina with Brigadier General Francis Marion as he trains his troops. JG: “General Marian, why have your Raiders been so successful against the …