 | Fun facts you’ve never heard about the Revolutionary Warby Laurie Bradshaw |
Few events shaped the course of history so significantly as
the Revolutionary War. Colonial America’s struggle for independence affected the
country and the world in ways that can still be felt today.
the Revolutionary War. Colonial America’s struggle for independence affected the
country and the world in ways that can still be felt today.
Most people know the basics of the conflict; however, some Revolutionary War facts have been obscured by time. These fun facts give greater insight into the American War for Independence.
Revolutionary Technology
When you think about the Revolutionary War, technological
innovations likely aren’t the first thing that come to mind. However, it was
during the Thirteen
Colonies’ fight for independence that the world’s first
submarine attack took place.
innovations likely aren’t the first thing that come to mind. However, it was
during the Thirteen
Colonies’ fight for independence that the world’s first
submarine attack took place.
The American Turtle, a submersible vessel shaped rather like a giant acorn, was constructed in 1775 by David Bushnell. The seven-and-a-half-foot long pod was used in a 1776 attempt to attach explosives to the hull of the British flagship Eagle, which was docked in New York Harbor.
The Turtle was successful in approaching the ship
unnoticed; however, the operator’s tools were unable to breach the ship’s layer
of iron. The bomb exploded nearby, causing no harm to its target. Subsequent
attempts had similar results.
unnoticed; however, the operator’s tools were unable to breach the ship’s layer
of iron. The bomb exploded nearby, causing no harm to its target. Subsequent
attempts had similar results.
A good first attempt—but perhaps the American revolutionaries were a bit ahead of their time.
Early Espionage
Spies were used extensively during the Revolutionary War. Some of the earliest patriot victories can be attributed to their work. The Revolutionary War’s espionage tactics were sophisticated and included invisible ink, ciphers, and code names.
Among the spy networks used, the Culper Ring was
perhaps the most elite and the most secretive. In fact, its existence wasn’t
public knowledge until the 1930s, over 150 years later. A fun fact—General
George Washington’s code name in the Culper Ring was Agent 711.
perhaps the most elite and the most secretive. In fact, its existence wasn’t
public knowledge until the 1930s, over 150 years later. A fun fact—General
George Washington’s code name in the Culper Ring was Agent 711.
The Culper Ring supplied information on troop positions,
plans, supplies, and much more. Today, the identity of most Culper agents is
known; however, the identity of Agent 355, a
female spy in the Culper Ring, remains a mystery.
plans, supplies, and much more. Today, the identity of most Culper agents is
known; however, the identity of Agent 355, a
female spy in the Culper Ring, remains a mystery.
An International Conflict
It’s fairly well known that the French supported Colonial America in the Revolutionary War. In fact, the war would likely have been impossible for the United States to win without their support. The French provided the patriots with cash, weapons, ammunition, and troops.
However, it wasn’t just the French military that became
involved in the American Revolution. Spain,
a prominent French ally, and
the Netherlands, an important trading partner, also aided the Thirteen
Colonies’ fight for independence.
involved in the American Revolution. Spain,
a prominent French ally, and
the Netherlands, an important trading partner, also aided the Thirteen
Colonies’ fight for independence.
Diversity in the Ranks
Thousands
of African Americans participated in the Revolutionary War—on both sides of
the conflict. Many were enslaved people who were promised their freedom at the
end of the war. Inspired by the promise of liberty, African Americans enlisted
in the continental army.
of African Americans participated in the Revolutionary War—on both sides of
the conflict. Many were enslaved people who were promised their freedom at the
end of the war. Inspired by the promise of liberty, African Americans enlisted
in the continental army.
These men served in the battlefield, in the navy, and in
noncombatant roles such as cooks, wagoners, and artisans. African American war
hero Agrippa
Hull was an orderly for General John Patterson and was present for the
surrender at Saratoga. He spent the remainder of the war constructing defenses
at West Point.
noncombatant roles such as cooks, wagoners, and artisans. African American war
hero Agrippa
Hull was an orderly for General John Patterson and was present for the
surrender at Saratoga. He spent the remainder of the war constructing defenses
at West Point.
Colonial women were also involved in the war effort and regularly served the continental armies as cooks, nurses, and seamstresses. At times, these women were also given the opportunity to fight.
One woman, Mary Ludwig Hayes, took her husband’s place at an
artillery canon to fire at British troops during a battle at Fort Washington.
Because of her actions, she is better known as Molly Pitcher. Another woman, Anna
Maria Lane, disguised herself as a man and joined the continental army.
artillery canon to fire at British troops during a battle at Fort Washington.
Because of her actions, she is better known as Molly Pitcher. Another woman, Anna
Maria Lane, disguised herself as a man and joined the continental army.
The Revolutionary War and You
If your ancestry traces back to Colonial America, it’s likely that this turning point in history may also be a part of your family’s legacy. FamilySearch has hundreds of thousands of records that can help you find your ancestors in the American Revolution and learn their stories.
If you know of an ancestor living in the continental United
States during the Revolutionary War, type his or her name in the search form
below. You never know what you might find!
States during the Revolutionary War, type his or her name in the search form
below. You never know what you might find!
Search Revolutionary War Records
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