Give That Man a Medal
This Week in 1776, #13
“This Week in 1776” is an ongoing almanac of events from the American Revolution, mostly political and military in nature. I drew on these very loosely for my Engines of Liberty series of YA novels.
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“I’m the captain now.”
You can’t touch America’s boats, but we can touch yours, and we’ll prove it. In fact, South Carolina has been doing it for a long time. On March 22nd, an American vessel seized the HMS General Clinton which wasn’t a massive coup, but it did help secure Charlestown Harbor, and as always, it was a boost to morale. This was the first American naval seizure of a British vessel but boy you best believe it won’t be the last.
“This is Our Tahn Now.”
Did we mention George Washington pwn’d the Brits in Boston and sent them packing? Heck yeah we did and we’ll say it again. In the wake of the British evacuation, Americans continued to move into and stabilize Boston. Some spots were booby trapped, sanitation was bad, and there was a risk of smallpox, so they had to clean it up. The victory was not only good for morale, but for logistics as well; with Boston secure, those forces could redirect south to NY, where the Patriots expected the Brits might next attack.
The Golden Man
On March 25th, Congress authorized a gold medal for Washington to celebrate (you may have heard of this) the successful conquest of Boston. Daddy George will have his own problems with Congress later but let’s not harsh the vibe, right now they’re happy with him and they’re slinging precious metal to really show their love. Officially known as the Comitia Americana for Washington, or the Washington Before Boston Medal, this relic of our history now resides with the Smithsonian.
In true Congressional fashion, it took them 14 years to actually deliver the medal, so George Washington didn’t receive it until 1790. In fairness, I hear there was a war on.
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