Category: History & Society

George Washington, Donald Trump, and the Character of Power

George Washington addressing Revolutionary War officers in a candlelit wooden hall

In March 1783, George Washington faced what may have been the most dangerous moment of his public life.

The Revolutionary War was essentially won, but the American experiment was anything but secure. Officers of the Continental Army were furious. Congress had failed to pay them what they were owed. Some were openly discussing whether the army should use its power to force Congress to act.

Washington walked into a meeting of those officers at Newburgh, New York.

He argued against military intervention. Then, near the end of his remarks, he pulled out a letter and struggled to read it. Washington reached into his pocket for a pair of spectacles.

“Gentlemen,” he told them, “you must pardon me, for I have not only grown gray but almost blind in the service of my country.”

Men who had endured years of war with him reportedly wept.

The conspiracy collapsed.

There are few moments that better illustrate George Washington’s conception of leadership. He possessed enormous power at that moment. His officers revered him. The national government was weak. History offered plenty of examples of victorious generals who had converted military glory into political power.

Washington chose restraint.

Nearly two and a half centuries later, Donald Trump offers Americans an extraordinarily different conception of strength.

And whatever one thinks of Trump politically, that contrast is worth examining.

Because this isn’t really a story about whether George Washington was a good man and Donald Trump is a bad one.

It is a story about what Americans believe character has to do with power.

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The Meaning of A Battle Is Not Always Visible at Sunset

Battle of Eutaw Springs during the American Revolution

Today in Revolutionary War History — September 8

THE BATTLE

On September 8, 1781, two exhausted armies collided at Eutaw Springs, South Carolina, in one of the fiercest—and most revealing—battles of the American Revolution’s Southern Campaign.

Major General Nathanael Greene marched roughly 2,200 American troops toward a British camp commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Stewart. Greene had spent months refusing to let battlefield setbacks become strategic defeats. Again and again, he forced the British to spend men and supplies they could not easily replace.

The Americans struck early. Their militia gave way to Continental regulars, who drove much of the British line backward. For a moment, the Patriot attack seemed ready to sweep the field. Then the advance lost momentum. Some American soldiers stopped to plunder the British camp, while determined defenders rallied around a brick house and nearby garden. A British counterattack helped turn the tide.

By day’s end, Greene had withdrawn. The British held the field, so by the usual rules of eighteenth-century warfare they could claim victory. Yet their losses were punishing, and Stewart soon pulled his force closer to Charleston. The British had won the battle while losing more of their ability to control the South Carolina interior.

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Submarine and Yellow

Wooden Bushnell's Turtle submarine labeled Bushnell's Turtle in a historic harbor

Today in Revolutionary War History — September 6

If there’s ever a boring anniversary, I’ll skip it but that day is not this day!

Tonight marks an especially good 250th anniversary. On the night of September 6–7, 1776, Sergeant Ezra Lee climbed into David Bushnell’s tiny hand-powered Turtle and set out into New York Harbor to attack HMS Eagle, Admiral Richard Howe’s flagship. Lee was unable to attach the explosive charge to the ship, but the attempt became the first known use of a submarine in combat. The U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command dates Turtle’s departure to the evening of September 6, and the Smithsonian published a substantial new article on the experiment just three days ago for its 250th anniversary. Naval History and Heritage Command

There’s a neat commemorative connection today, too: Warrenton, Georgia, where Bushnell lived late in life under the name David Bush, is holding a 250th-anniversary Turtle commemoration and wreath-laying today, September 6, 2026. Explore Georgia

Then, September 6, 1781, brought one of the Revolution’s darkest final battles. Benedict Arnold, now fighting for Britain, led roughly 1,600 British troops against his native Connecticut. New London was burned, while across the Thames River British troops stormed Fort Griswold at Groton Heights. After the fort fell, many American defenders were killed after surrendering; their commander, Lt. Col. William Ledyard, was among the dead. The attack came only about six weeks before Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown. Fort Griswold

And that battle is being remembered today as well: Fort Griswold is holding its 245th-anniversary commemoration this evening, extinguishing candles one by one as the names of the fallen are read. Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce

So September 6 gives us an extraordinary Revolutionary pairing: 1776 — Americans experiment with the future of warfare beneath New York Harbor. 1781 — Benedict Arnold returns home at the head of a British invasion force.

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Living to Fight Another Day

Today in Revolutionary War History — September 4

250 years ago today, September 4, 1776, George Washington was trying to rebuild discipline in an army still reeling from the Battle of Brooklyn. With the British poised to strike again, Washington was alarmed that soldiers were wandering away from their units. He ordered commanders to keep their men close, conduct roll calls three times daily, punish unauthorized absences, and stop the plundering of homes, orchards and gardens. In a remarkable letter to Colonel Fisher Gay, Washington warned that “the safety of the Army, & the good of the Cause” depended on vigilance and discipline. (Founders Online)

At the same time, Washington was quietly preparing for the possibility that Manhattan might have to be abandoned. He informed John Hancock that unnecessary military stores were being moved north of King’s Bridge so they would not be lost if the Continental Army had to retreat. Mount Vernon is highlighting this exact episode today as part of its “On This Day 250 Years Ago” series. (Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association)

September 4, 1778 also marked the opening movement of Grey’s Raid. Major General Charles Grey’s British expedition sailed into Buzzards Bay and landed near New Bedford that evening. During the ensuing raid, British troops devastated American shipping, warehouses and supplies—a reminder that the Revolution was also an economic war fought against ports supporting privateers and the Continental cause. (Revolutionary War) A recent New Bedford historical investigation notes that the raid remains surprisingly little commemorated locally, though plans are already developing for its 250th anniversary in 2028. (The New Bedford Light)

The thread connecting today’s events: in September 1776, Washington was learning that preserving his army mattered more than holding ground. Two years later, Britain was increasingly trying to damage the American war effort by striking the communities and commerce that sustained it.

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The Difference that 7 Years Makes

Historical battlefield beside gentlemen negotiating around a table indoors

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…

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To Burn or Not to Burn

Split historical artwork contrasting 1776 and 1781

I’m going to just keep going with this #semiquincentennial thing for awhile…

Today in Revolutionary War History — September 2

250 years ago today, September 2, 1776, George Washington was confronting the possibility that New York was lost—and considering an extraordinary response.

Only days after escaping the catastrophe on Long Island, Washington wrote the Continental Congress asking what should happen if his army were forced to abandon New York City. Among the possibilities: should the city be burned rather than allow the British to use it as winter quarters? Congress ultimately rejected the idea. (Smithsonian Magazine)

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Why Is It Called Dragoon Trail?

The legend says British dragoons named Dragoon Trail. The dates say that’s impossible. Here’s the older, stranger truth about the road’s real name.

The article explores the origins of the name “Dragoon Trail,” debunking the popular legend that links it to British dragoons. Instead, it presents an intriguing narrative that reveals the road’s true and older name, offering readers a glimpse into the region’s history that’s often overlooked.

For a deeper understanding and to uncover the full story behind Dragoon Trail, be sure to read the original article here: Why Is It Called Dragoon Trail?

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Narrative of a Revolutionary Soldier

Reenactor resting beside a canvas tent in a snowy military camp

Joseph Plumb Martin’s Narrative of a Revolutionary Soldier is an extraordinary glimpse into the life of a soldier during one of America’s most pivotal eras. From the very first pages, Martin draws readers into his world with a vivid and engaging writing style that makes the harsh realities of war feel immediate and relatable.

What truly shines through in Martin’s narrative is his unwavering sense of duty and patriotism. His accounts of daily life in the Continental Army are filled with both humor and hardship, illustrating the resilience and camaraderie of the soldiers who fought for their beliefs. Each chapter offers a unique perspective on the American Revolutionary War, complete with personal anecdotes that give the reader a true sense of the trials and tribulations faced by those who served.

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Recommended Books after Narrative of a Revolutionary Soldier

Open handwritten journal, quill, map, and leather-bound book on a wooden desk
Narrative of a Revolutionary Soldier

Oh, yes. If what grabbed you about Joseph Plumb Martin was that wonderful “ordinary person actually living through the Revolution” quality—the hunger, marching, lousy officers, humor, fear, boredom, and sudden violence—there are some excellent places to go next. Martin is unusually special because enlisted-men’s memoirs from the Revolution are relatively rare. 

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People in Many Countries Now View China More Positively Than the U.S.

Views of China have improved recently while views of the U.S. have worsened, to the point where China is now seen more positively than the U.S. in most countries surveyed.

Recent surveys indicate a significant shift in global perceptions, showing that views of China have improved while opinions of the U.S. have declined. As a result, in many countries, China is now viewed more favorably than the United States. This trend reflects changing dynamics in international relations and geopolitical influences.

To delve deeper into this evolving perspective and understand the factors at play, read the original article: People in Many Countries Now View China More Positively Than the U.S.

There are signs, however, that China is not the panacea reflected in this survey. You can explore that opinion here: China is Flatlining. Also, my friend Todd has expressed the idea that we have entered into a post-american era…

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Before Breakfast: September 1, 1939

Formation of German World War II dive bombers over farmland

Eighty-seven years ago this morning, the Second World War began.

At roughly 4:40 a.m. on September 1, 1939, German aircraft attacked the Polish town of Wieluń. Minutes later, the German battleship Schleswig-Holstein opened fire on the Polish garrison at Westerplatte.

Most of Europe was still asleep.

There is something about that fact that has always bothered me—not simply the enormity of what followed, but the ordinariness of the morning on which it started.

People had gone to bed the night before. Alarm clocks were waiting to ring. Breakfasts would have been planned. Children were asleep. Somewhere, undoubtedly, someone had left something unfinished at work because it could wait until tomorrow.

Then tomorrow came.

And history divided itself into before and after.

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