The Difference that 7 Years Makes

Today in Revolutionary War History — September 3

Today gives us two excellent anniversaries—one exactly 250 years ago, and one that ultimately finished the Revolution.

September 3, 1776 — Washington tries to restore his battered army. Just a week after the Battle of Brooklyn, Washington’s army around New York was in rough shape. General William Heath reported that soldiers who had suffered most on Long Island were “much Dispirited” after losing officers, blankets and other possessions. Some lacked money, and sickness was becoming a problem. (founders.archives.gov)

Washington’s general orders that day reveal his concern about something even more dangerous: the army’s discipline was beginning to crack. He condemned recent incidents of cowardice, plundering and rioting and warned that stealing abandoned property could bring about the “ruin of any Army.” (founders.archives.gov)

Meanwhile, engineer Rufus Putnam gave Washington a grim assessment of Manhattan’s defenses: the British had so many possible landing places—and such good intelligence about American movements—that preventing another British landing was essentially impossible. Washington was already strengthening the New Jersey side of the Hudson opposite Fort Washington, ordering work on defenses that would eventually become Fort Lee. (founders.archives.gov)

And Congress answered the extraordinary question Washington had raised the previous day: Should New York City be destroyed rather than surrendered to the British? John Hancock informed Washington on September 3 that Congress had decided “that no Damage should be done to the City of New York.” (founders.archives.gov)

And then, seven years later…

September 3, 1783 — The Treaty of Paris is signed.

Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and John Jay signed the definitive peace treaty with Britain’s David Hartley in Paris. Great Britain formally recognized the United States as “free sovereign and independent States,” established extraordinarily generous American boundaries extending west to the Mississippi, and formally ended the Revolutionary War. (loc.gov)

That’s a remarkable September 3 pairing!

1776: Washington is struggling to keep a defeated, demoralized army together and wondering whether New York can even be defended.

1783: Britain formally recognizes the independence of the United States.

Seven years from near catastrophe to recognized nationhood. 🇺🇸