The Brothers Howe

 The Howe brothers, Admiral Richard and General William, raised Britain's prospects in the Revolutionary War following the defeat at Lexington and Concord and the disastrous victory at Bunker Hill with a series of victories in 1776. The brothers, known for their reckless courage, were supportive of one another and worked in cooperation to launch amphibious attacks on the revolutionaries. Their oldest brother George had been killed in action at Ticonderoga during the French and Indian War (I've mentioned in one of my posts about that war). The Howe brothers not only held military commands, they had been appointed as peace commissioners. 

The approach of the British Armada and army to Staten Island in June 1776 was described as London afloat. It was the largest invasion fleet to sail east across the Atlantic. The combined numbers exceeded the total population of Philadelphia, the largest city in the colonies, and the 32,000 troops seriously outnumbered George Washington's army of 19,000. General Howe planned to conquer New York, taking a major port and the mouth of the Hudson through which he could advance north to Lake Champlain and to Canada.

On August 22, 1776, the Howe's launched the invasion of Long Island where Washington had stationed 9,000 troops. (See my novel Crisis in Fire and Snow for my exciting take on the battle). Howe pinned Washington's troops with a feigned frontal assault by his Hessians while sending a flanking force around via Jamaica Pass to route the Americans. Washington made a miraculous retreat and crossing of the East River under cover of darkness and a morning fog to avoid complete capture. 

Howe went on to take Manhattan, winning at Kip's Bay, amphibiously outmaneuvering Washington at Harlem Heights, and a heavy rain at White Plains allowed Washington to escape again. (All these are also related in Crisis in Fire and Snow). Howe went on to take Forts Washington and Lee, capturing most of the garrisons. 

Washington continued to escape the British pursuit with an army that was down to only 3,500 troops. Going into winter quarters, Howe's arms had taken 4,500 prisoners (including 4 generals), 235 cannon, with thousands of shells, cannonballs, and muskets, and frightened the Continental Congress into fleeing Philadelphia. 

It was a terrible crisis for the Americans, but Howe was still blamed for lethargy in letting Washington escape and failing to follow up after each victory to crush destroy the rebellion entirely. Some attributed his lack of hot pursuit on the field to his pursuit of Elizabeth Loring, with whom he had a public affair. However, it may be that Howe's caution was strategic. The brothers, as military leaders and peace commissioners, hoped overwhelming force coupled with conciliatory measures might persuade the rebels to reconcile with Britain. The prevalent belief in Britain was that the militant rebels were few and that a show of force would embolden the majority of the colonists to rally to the crown. Admiral Howe even issued a proclamation pursuant to his peace commissioner power to grant pardons and declare peace. All of their peace efforts came to naught, being too little too late as the struggle had become a fight for independence rather than a negotiation for terms of reconciliation. 

Howe had driven Washington to desperation, and he pushed his tattered and rag-tag force through a snow storm and across the Delaware to defeat the garrison at Trenton--but I'll save that for another post.

The above is condensed from The Men Who Lost America by Andrew Jackson O'shaughnessy -- Chapter 3.

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Good news on the writing front this week came in two forms. First, the Sultry Murder Jazz Pinup Noir anthology with my story "A Stardust Memory" came out this week--and I'm named on the cover. Second, my story "Seventh Hussar and Aide to the Mage" was accepted for the Wyrd Warfare anthology scheduled to come out next month. I'll link it then.

If you're looking for some free and discounted books, you'll want to see these limited time offers: 

Check out this telepathic alien detective from the 1930s - Lowan's Checkmate. Download it for free.

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Tea, Coercion, and Conciliatory Acts

 Fun Fact:

Frederick Lord North was 38 when he became prime minister in 1770. Corpulent with large features and a bulbous head, he was famous for his wit, literary anecdotes, and historical references. Prior to becoming PM, he had supported the policies that led to the revolution in America. Although he took a more conciliatory policy when he took office, his policies regarding the East India Company tea precipitated the rebellion. 

The East India Tea Act of 1773 was designed to make tea cheaper in America and increase revenues from the tea tax, thus upholding the right of Parliament to tax America. It seemed like a win-win. While England viewed the right to tax as fundamental to parliamentary supremacy, the Americans regarded any direct tax as a tool for tyranny.

The Americans responded by dumping the East India tea into Boston Harbor. North escalated the tension by imposing the Coercive acts, intending to make an example of Massachusetts; instead, it made North despised in the colonies. The sanctions failed to isolate Massachusetts, uniting the colonies in opposition. 

In February 1775, North introduced his Conciliatory Proposal to Parliament to avoid escalating the conflict. The idea was to allow the colonies to tax themselves--provided they made a sufficient contribution. Parliament would not give up the right to tax the colonies but would suspend the exercise of the right. As you might expect, it was a hit neither with Parliament nor the colonies. Franklin said it was akin to a highway man bringing his hat to the window for you to fill sufficiently to spare him the trouble of rifling your pockets himself.

Although North showed tremendous political courage in submitting the proposal in direct contradiction to the King's wishes, it was too little too late as parliament and the people were set on demonstrating supremacy, and it didn't address other issues that concerned the colonists. 

The heavy losses at Bunker Hill in June 1775 made North believe that a successful military conquest of the colonies was not a likely possibility. 

The above is condensed from The Men Who Lost America by Andrew Jackson O'shaughnessy -- Chapter 2 or 3, I think.

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I spent most of yesterday researching and writing a short story. Don't leap to the conclusion that I finished; it's not even half done. The weather was too cold to do anything outside, and will be worse tomorrow with temperatures coming in at -20.

A fellow author's having a difficult time, being hospitalized at the moment. Give her books a look and choose one or six to start with. Here's a link to Rex Regis, a series starter.

 

First, I've got a flash fiction contest going for my newsletter subscribers. Go get signed up. Here are the contest terms:  

Flash Fiction Contest: Submit a story of 500 words or less. The story must include a pool table OR a piece of farm machinery. Submit your story in the body of your email, or you may attach it as a .docx or pdf. The winner will be awarded his/her choice of one of my autographed paperbacks (delivery in continental U.S. only). I retain no rights to any stories presented. If the winner and runner(s) up consent, I'll post their stories on my webpage. Fair warning: Don't exceed a PG-13 rating. Let's make March 20 the deadline to submit your story.

You can subscribe to the newsletter now, and submit your story with your reply to the March 1 newsletter.

Fun Fact:

Let's take a break from the French and Indian War to take a peek at the Revolutionary War. In July 1776, the British sent a huge fleet and more than 34,000 troops to New York. In August, the redcoats, led by General Howe, outmaneuvered the Americans to drive Washington's army on Long Island back to the East River. Washington was trapped. It seemed inevitable that the largest contingent of the army was doomed to be crushed and captured between the forces of General Howe on land and his brother Admiral "Black" Dick Howe on the water; the revolution would be throttled on the banks of the East River.

Fortunately, the hammer hesitated, and the anvil couldn't get into position. General Howe elected not to press the assault against Washington's defenses, fearing a repetition of the horrendous British casualties at Bunker Hill. Admiral Howe was stopped from sailing up the East River by a lack of favorable wind. 

Washington saw his opportunity for salvation and called for the 14th Regiment, the Marblehead men, under Colonel John Glover. These were men who knew how to could handle boats. The swaggering Glover, who wore pistols and a broadsword in his belt, called for all the craft that could be found, and sent a false message, to throw off British intelligence, that the boats were to bring reinforcements down from New Jersey.

Under cover of rain and darkness, the boats gathered, and Washington's men began slipping away from Long Island across the river. Unfortunately, dawn was approaching, and many of the weakened rear guard would be left vulnerable when the British discovered the escape still in progress. 

When the sun rose, it was as Washington had feared. The rear guard was trapped. However, before the British discovered the paltry force, a heavy fog arose to obscure the true circumstances from the enemy's eyes, and the evacuation continued behind the providential veil.  The fog lifted and the redcoats advanced to test the defenses only to find the American breastworks deserted as elements of the massive British fleet sailed up the river too late too block the path to refuge.

These events form a substantial part of Crisis in Fire and Snow, Book 6 in the Tomahawks and Dragon Fire Series. Of course, the battle goes somewhat differently in the book, and the evacuation requires aid from Alex and Lucette's special abilities.