Thomas Sumter is routed at the Battle of Fishing Creek   On this day in history, August 18, 1780, Brigadier General Thomas Sumter is routed at the Battle of Fishing Creek. Sumter had been engaged in harassing British supply lines in early August while British Lieutenant General Charles Cornwallis

Newport Jewish congregation addresses George Washington   On this day in history, August 17, 1790, the Newport Jewish congregation addresses George Washington. Washington traveled to all 13 states during his years as President, but he had deliberately skipped Rhode Island when he toured New England because Rhode Island had not

The Battle of Camden   On this day in history, August 16, 1780, the Battle of Camden is the worst American tactical loss of the Revolutionary War. In the battle, Major General Horatio Gates loses nearly 2,000 men to the British and has his commission taken away as a result.

The Siege of Bryan’s Station begins   On this day in history, August 15, 1782, the Siege of Bryan’s Station begins. Bryan’s Station was a fort at the top of a hill with about 40 homes inside its walls near Lexington, Kentucky. Down the hill was Elkhorn Creek with a

The Bermuda Gunpowder Plot   On this day in history, August 14, 1775, the Bermuda Gunpowder Plot secures Bermuda’s store of gunpowder for the American patriots when sympathetic Bermudians cooperate with the Continental Congress to deliver the gunpowder to them.   The Continental Congress voted early on in the war

The Second Battle of Machias   On this day in history, August 13, 1777, the Second Battle of Machias begins when British marines assault the town of Machias, Maine. Machias, which was then part of Massachusetts, was a center of American privateering during the American Revolution. The town was an

Andrew Pickens wins the Ring Fight   On this day in history, August 12, 1776, Andrew Pickens wins the Ring Fight, a unique battle with Cherokee Indians in South Carolina. The Cherokee tribe was spread out across the southeast through western North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia, as well as

  Sir Frederick Haldimand is born   On this day in history, August 11, 1718, Sir Frederick Haldimand is born. Haldimand would serve as the British governor of Quebec and Montreal throughout the time of the American Revolution. Francois-Louis-Frederick Haldimand was born in Yverdon, Switzerland and trained in military affairs

Georgia patriots meet at Tondee’s Tavern   On this day in history, August 10, 1774, Georgia patriots meet at Tondee’s Tavern in Savannah for the first time to plan Georgia’s response to British policies. Only a few days before, Royal Governor James Wright had issued a proclamation forbidding gatherings from

The Action of 9 August 1780 takes place   On this day in history, August 9, 1780, the Action of 9 August 1780 takes place during the American Revolution. It would be one of the largest naval captures of all time. Spain joined the American Revolution in 1779 as an