Fun Facts from the American Revolution- APUSH

​Written in 1820 but story set in 1790s post-revolution era...

​The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

The main spirit that haunts the town of Sleepy Hollow, rumored to have lost his head to a cannonball during the American Revolution...

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The Headless Horseman

Why would this be necessary for the British?

How might the American Patriots feel about this?

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-What is significant about Hessian/ German soldiers?
-They were hired as mercenary soldiers to fight with the British Army.

Context:
-December 1776- Continental Army's numbers have fallen from 25,000 to only 4,300, some enlistments expire soon
- New York has fallen to the British who now have 32,000 troops in the colonies
-American Patriots are in desperate need of a morale booster or it's over!
-Plan: Attack the Hessian soldiers at Trenton, NJ the morning after Christmas
Problem: Blizzard hits, 10 mile march and ​semi frozen river crossing in the dark
Three separate groups of soldiers supposed to cross the Delaware...only Washington's troops make the crossing

George Washington Crossing the Delaware (12 x 21 foot painting!)

• (They fell behind during that march and froze to death)

• 2 injuries

• Alex Hamilton, Aaron Burr, James Monroe, James Madison, John Marshall present at Battle of Trenton

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2 American Casualties!

-America's most infamous traitor!
-Veteran of the French-Indian War
-War hero in Saratoga and other battles, Washington's friend
-Felt underappreciated in the politics of promotion in the army

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​Benedict Arnold

British Major intercepted by Americans carrying letters from Arnold to the British

Washington was arriving at Arnold's house to discuss war preparations as Arnold was fleeing

This could have cost America the War

​Arnold asked to takeover command of then-fort West Point...planned to weaken and invite British invasion for payment

-Chemical process developed by John Jay's brother
-Would disguise real message between the lines of other writing

​-"Read between the lines"

​Invisible ink