My Bookshelf: Washington’s Secret War by Thomas Fleming
Washington’s Secret War: The Hidden History of Valley Forge is the first book I’ve read by Thomas Fleming. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I learned a lot from reading it and found it was more than simply a story about survival during the winter of 1776-1777. Behind that story is the story of the political machinations of men. You had a faction of Congress that believed that a weak federal government was the best course for the states and worked toward this goal behind the scenes. George Washington was seen as a symbol of a strong federal government and because of this Congress worked to weaken his position. Washington found himself fighting a secret war to maintain his position and his army while he fought the public war against the British. I also have to say I was surprised at how Read more…
A 219-year old time capsule unearthed in Massachusetts
Can you imagine better timing than being able to open a time capsule right around Christmas time? Officials have uncovered one that is 219 years old in Massachusetts. It was removed from the cornerstone of the Massachusetts State House while the building was being renovated. It was buried in 1795 by Gov. Samuel Adams, Paul Revere, and William Scollay, who had been a militia officer during the Revolutionary War. Think about that. Two of the three are men who we still learn about in American history and this box contains items that they thought we might be interested in. What’s more, this is like a double time capsule. Emergency repairs needed to be made to the state house in 1855 and the time capsule was uncovered during that time. Rather than officially open it, more items were added and it Read more…
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