Book Description

The reader is offered a fresh perspective on the “Ten Crucial Days” of the American Revolution, during which the Continental Army won its first three significant victories of the war. This book offers a concise but detailed account of a critical moment in our national saga by focusing on the exploits of several obscure individuals and their importance to the momentous events that altered the course of the conflict. These nine men and one woman distinguished themselves in the service of what George Washington famously termed “the glorious cause,” and the author shares their stories in an engaging and inspirational narrative. The unsung heroes that are the subject of this chronicle include the following: Captain William Blackler of Massachusetts, who commanded the boat that carried George Washington across an ice-choked Delaware River on Christmas night 1776 to attack the Hessian brigade occupying Trenton. Joseph Trumbull of Connecticut, Commissary General of the Continental Army, who kept its weary soldiers from starving during the dark days of 1776. Colonel Samuel Griffin of Virginia, who together with a woman known as the “Mysterious Widow” (whose identity is still unknown to us), managed to divert Hessian troops who were posted south of Trenton away from the scene of the battle on December 26, 1776, when Washington’s army attacked the Hessians stationed in Trenton, so that the enemy brigade there could not be rescued from the American assault. Dr. John Riker of New Jersey, who saved the life of a future President, James Monroe, during the December 26thbattle at Trenton. Joseph White of Massachusetts, a young sergeant whose artillery crew captured two enemy cannons aimed at American troops at Trenton on December 26thand then retrieved a damaged cannon that might otherwise have been lost to the enemy. Colonel Edward Hand of Pennsylvania, who commanded a vastly outnumbered force of American skirmishers that fought a daylong running battle against British and Hessian troops marching from Princeton to Trenton on January 2, 1777 and thereby gave Washington the time he needed to organize his defenses and fight off the enemy attack at the Second Battle of Trenton (or the Battle of Assunpink Creek). Colonel Charles Scott of Virginia, whose brigade manned the front line of defense against the enemy assault at Assunpink Creek during what may have been the most underappreciated moment of the Revolutionary War. Colonel John Haslet of Delaware, who provided inspirational leadership and survived one danger after another, including an accidental tumble in freezing Delaware River waters, only to make the supreme sacrifice at the Battle of Princeton on January 3, 1777, during what became the capstone event of the “Ten Crucial Days.” Captain Joseph Moulder of Pennsylvania, 62 years of age, who commanded a youthful artillery company that stood its ground against an elite force of onrushing British infantry at Princeton and gave Washington the time he needed to organize a counterattack that carried the army to its climactic victory of the “Ten Crucial Days.” Praise forRescuing the Revolution Rescuing the Revolution: Unsung Patriot Heroes and the Ten Crucial Days of America’s War for Independence presents ten unique stories of lesser-known heroes whose courage and patriotism contributed to our nation's quest for independence. Through this informative and well-crafted account, Price provides each of these individuals with an honored place in the history of the American Revolution.” —Jennifer Martin, Executive Director, Friends of Washington Crossing Park “Mr. Price’s deep knowledge and passion for his subject infuses every page and draws the reader into his narrative. I would highly recommend this book both to those who are interested in the Revolutionary War as well as to general readers who will be inspired by the realization that our freedom was won and has been maintained not only by the giants of American history but also by those little-known men and women who were willing to sacrifice everything during our nation's most desperate hours.” — Samuel C. Slaymaker, Executive Director, Rock Ford Plantation, Lancaster, PA (home of Revolutionary War hero Edward Hand) “I would strongly recommend this book to anyone interested in the American Revolution.” — Jeanne Floersheimer, President, North Jersey American Revolution Round Table “Rescuing the Revolution: Unsung Patriot Heroes and the Ten Crucial Days of America’s War for Independenceis a well-crafted narrative, combining impeccable research with great writing to tell the stories of common people whose bravery and patriotism changed the course of history.” — Judi Biederman, Regent, Washington Crossing (PA) Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution and Historical Interpreter, Friends of Washington Crossing Park “I was extremely engaged by the author's thorough knowledge of the Revolutionary War and his passion for the ‘Ten Crucial Days’ of that conflict. He is the best, a historian who is bringing history to the people through his work as a historical interpreter, his writing, and his presentations on this terrific book.” —Joseph Garrera, Executive Director, Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum, Allentown, PA “This is a solid, workmanlike book that highlights the contributions of ten people who served the Revolution in what historians call the "Ten Crucial Days" from December 25, 1776 to January 3, 1777.” — Daniel Moran, Ph.D., Adjunct Professor of History, Monmouth University