Tag «Henry Knox»

American Revolutionary War Artillery: Spiking Cannon so the Enemy Was Unable to Use

By Harry Schenawolf, author of the Shades of Liberty Series about African American soldiers in the American Revolution.  Whenever there existed the possibility that artillery pieces could fall into the hands of the enemy, the weapons were rendered useless, even if only temporarily.  The method most common was called spiking.  Spiking involved jamming some metal …

Cannon Carriages of the American Revolution

From the earliest settlements in New England and Virginia, the British Government encouraged the colonists to incorporate into tight knit communities. All supplies and necessities of life were to be provided by King and country in exchange for raw materials harvested and mined from this rich new land. This arrangement was not driven by a …

Cannon Projectiles of the American Revolution

Cannon were identified by the weight of ball they were capable of throwing.  By the 1600’s this became standardized.   Their calibers went from the smallest – a two pounder used with swivel guns, mortars and small bore cannon on specially made carriages, to the largest – a fifty pound garrison gun. The distance or range …

Battle of Germantown – Part 2

October 4th, 1777 The Continental Army was licking its wounds after their defeat at Brandywine Creek on September 11, 1777.  However, with the arrival of militia from Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, including Wayne’s six hundred men who had rejoined the army after trailing the British, his army was larger than what he had at …

Cliveden House (Chew Mansion) and the Battle of Germantown

Cliveden (Chew) House & Its Role in Battle of Germantown The Americans advanced in force caving in pickets, outposts and all resistance.  One hundred British regulars, outnumbered with shot canisters full and plenty of powder, streamed inside the stately country mansion of wealthy Quaker loyalist Benjamin Chew, Pennsylvania supreme court justice.  The British commander, battle …