"The World Turned Upside Down" takes readers on an exhilarating journey through one of history's most transformative periods.
This masterful work of historical fiction follows the audacious British-American colonists, known as the Founders, as they boldly rise against the mightiest empire of their time: England. Their unprecedented struggle challenged the status quo and reshaped the foundation of global politics and human rights, ushering in the era of democracy. As the narrative unfolds with rich, immersive detail and dynamic characters, the story poses a profound question: after securing their hard-won liberty, could they preserve and nurture the fragile promise of a new world?
This compelling tale captures the spirit of revolution and the enduring quest for freedom.
“I thought you would like a narrative,” wrote Alex to Reverend Knox, “of my late involvement in a battle.”
“Asked by the hard-drinking Lord Sterling to help man some cannon, I went to Long Island on Monday morning, August 26.
Quickly, we learned by the return of some of the scouting parties that the English were in motion and coming up the Island with several fieldpieces.
Three thousand men received orders, chiefly from the Pennsylvania and Maryland troops, to attack them on their march. About sunrise, they meet up with a very extensive body of them.
The assault from this flanking force began amid a clear and cloudless sky at nine A.M., the 27th. This unopposed force under Howe outnumbered the whole American army. It was now in the rear of the American detachments under Sullivan and Sterling, who rushed forward to defend the direct western routes.
Yours truly and my men, with few cannons to defend ourselves, set up in an orchard.
On the enemy's approach, we gave them a very severe fire.
We kept this up for a considerable time until we were near surrounded.
We then retreated to the woods.
The overweight and rheumatic Lord Sterling, who commanded, immediately drew us up in a line and offered them intense battle in an authentic English taste.
The British army then advanced within about three hundred yards of us and began a heavy fire from their cannon and mortars, for both the balls and shells flew very fast, now and then taking off ahead.
Ordered not to fire until the enemy came within fifty yards; the patriots stood their fire coolly and firmly, but the British declined to come any nearer, although treble in number.
In this situation, my men and I stood from sunrise to midnight, the enemy firing upon us most of the time.
By a route never dreamed of, the main body of the British army surrounded the rebels and drove within our lines. Ordered to withdraw, we fought through the enemy on every field and road. We retreated a quarter of a mile before being fired upon by an advanced party of the enemy. In our rear, we received fire from their artillery. Our men fought with more than Roman courage, and I am convinced they would have stood until they were shot down. We forced the advanced party, which first attacked us, to give way. Through an opening, we got a passage down to the side of a marsh, seldom before waded over, which we passed, and then swam a narrow river, all the time exposed to the enemy’s fire.
The whole of our battalion’s right-wing, thinking it impossible to pass through the marsh, attempted to force their way through the wood. They were almost to a man killed or taken.
The Maryland battalion has lost two hundred and fifty-nine men, amongst whom are twelve officers: Captains Veazey and Bowie, the first certainly killed; Lieuts. Butler, Sterrett, Dent, Coursey, Muse, Prawl; Ensigns Coats and Fernandes; who are killed, or who prisoners, is yet uncertain. Many of the officers lost their swords and guns.
Historium Press Edition Links:
Seth Irving Handaside
Connect with Seth:
No comments:
Post a Comment