by Brad Meltzer
Back on that historic day in Philadelphia—June 16, 1775—when George Washington first accepted the command of the Continental army, no one there could possibly have known what the future would hold.
A few days after accepting the command, while preparing to leave for Boston, Washington wrote a letter to his wife, Martha, back in Virginia. In the letter he predicted that he would most likely be home in Mount Vernon later that fall, when the hostilities are over.
In fact, from the day that George Washington left Philadelphia for Boston to meet his new army, he didn’t see his home in Virginia again for six years, and then for another two years after that. That’s how long the Revolutionary War lasted—eight years—and Washington was on the road with his army for all of it.
That summer of 1776 in New York City, as he was forced to prepare for the first major British attack, Washington would, in many ways, be given his first epic tests of the war.
In those trying months, he was working to get his ill-equipped new army into fighting shape. He had to contend with the deadly plot against him, including from his own men. And he experienced a near-cataclysmic defeat in the first full-scale battle of the war.
On that rainy night in Brooklyn Heights—August 29, 1776—Washington’s daring overnight evacuation and escape came to symbolize the essence of the war—and the essence of the man himself.
His army was beaten, battered, outfought, outgeneraled, and stuck on a rainy bluff with the enemy closing in. Almost everything had gone wrong. Yet somehow, some way, George Washington led his troops to escape and survive. More important, he showed his army that he was willing to give his life for his men—and for their cause.
A few weeks later, Washington’s troops similarly had to flee New York City and retreat. After fighting a battle in northern Manhattan, they fled even farther. After fighting and being forced to retreat from White Plains, they escaped to New Jersey. The entire fall of 1776 was basically a long campaign of losses.
But the American army somehow stuck in there.
Washington’s enduring reputation as a great military leader is not based on his technical skill as a tactician. He would win a few impressive battles, but overall he lost more than he won. What made him great—at least in the particular circumstances of the Revolutionary War—was his sheer staying power, his total devotion to his army, his relentless sense of duty, and a stubborn refusal to ever give up.
That summer and fall of 1776 alone, the war could have ended at least three different times had the British successfully crushed or captured Washington’s army. But General Howe couldn’t quite finish them off. Despite the overwhelming British victories during this campaign of the war, where they totally dominated most battles and claimed control of New York City and the surrounding region, the British slowly learned a painful truth:
As long as Washington and his army were out there somewhere, the British could never really win the war.
As a leader, George Washington’s personal identification with the army became so complete that he himself became almost synonymous with them. They all suffered extraordinary setbacks together, again and again. They never had enough funds, enough provisions, enough supplies, enough officers, enough men.
Washington was with them in the snow, in the mud, in the rain, in the sleet, in the ice. He dealt with the endless politics, the staffing, the funding, the organizational challenges. He slogged through countless problems with logistics, recruiting, weapons, food, sickness, and transportation.
It never got easy, and he never gave up.
This is why, looking back at the strange events of America’s first conspiracy—all taking place in the first year of a long, drawn-out war—the most momentous question is: What if the conspirators had actually killed or captured George Washington?
The question itself is a speculative game, but it’s also so difficult to answer, because, when it comes to the Revolutionary War and the seismic events surrounding it, it all seems so totally unthinkable without George Washington at the center. And this is before we even get to Washington becoming the nation’s first President.
Somehow, this rural kid from Virginia became totally interwoven with the founding of the country. The fact is, if Washington had been killed or captured in the summer of 1776, America’s history would be different in ways that are impossible to guess or even imagine.
As the old joke goes, we might all still be sipping tea.
Still, in the end, one more detail deserves a mention from the battle of New York.
In the late fall of 1776, as the Continental army flees from New York City to northern Manhattan, fighting various skirmishes along the way, George Washington takes notice of a young artillery captain from New York who conducts himself bravely. Washington remembers his name: Alexander Hamilton.
That winter, when the freezing army is encamped in New Jersey, Washington gets to know Hamilton better. The young man is proud, stubborn, and dedicated. The General sees a bit of himself. Washington learns something else. Hamilton was an orphan from a poor background, and never knew his father.
Soon, Washington takes Hamilton under his wing. He mentors him and becomes his role model. With Hamilton serving as a close aide, Washington will strategize some of the great victories that turn the tide of the war.
Earlier, the greatest losses in Washington’s boyhood were the deaths of his father and his half brother. Years later, with people like Alexander Hamilton, Henry Knox, John Jay, and Benjamin Tallmadge; with his team of officers, as well as the countless local officials and citizens who aided the war effort; and, most important, with the thousands of dedicated soldiers and volunteers—men and women—who would give their lives for this cause, Washington forged more than a new brotherhood. He forged a nation—and proved, over and over again, the one truth at the core of both the Revolution and America itself:
That in our lowest moments, we can find our greatest strengths.
Acknowledgments
From Brad:
As I mentioned in the Author’s Note, this book started as a detective story. So first and foremost, I need to thank my fellow detective, Josh Mensch. Five years ago, on the TV show Lost History, we met on a quest to find the missing 9/11 flag that the firefighters raised at Ground Zero. From the start, Josh was determined. It was the same in these pages. So let me just say it: There aren’t many people like Josh. He is a meticulous researcher and a wise analyst, dedicated to finding that most elusive reward—the truth. In addition, he’s a true storyteller with a natural knack for knowing which historical nuggets to polish and display. Josh, thank you for being a kind and thoughtful collaborator, as well as a dear friend. This book wouldn’t exist without you.
I also owe thank-yous to the following: My first lady, Cori, who I fight for every day. Jonas, Lila, and Theo are my life. This is a book about character and, through them, I’ve learned so much more about my own. Jill Kneerim, my friend and agent, believed from Chapter 1. Friend and agent Jennifer Rudolph Walsh at WME made this entire dream a reality. I mean it; she built it. Special thanks to Hope Denekamp, Lucy Cleland, Ike Williams, and all our friends at the Kneerim & Williams Agency.
I want to also thank my sister, Bari, who is proof of the power of a shared history. Also to Bobby, Ami, Adam, Gilda, and Will, for always supporting us.
My Committee on Conspiracies is rightfully small: Noah Kuttler, Ethan Kline, Dale Flam, Matt Kuttler, Chris Weiss, and Judd Winick help shape every page by never letting me get away with anything. Additional love goes to Chris Eliopoulos, Katy Greene, Marie Grunbeck, Nick Marell, Staci Schecter, Jason Sherry, Jim Day, Denise Jaeger, Katriela Knight, Eling Tsai, and Maria Venusio.
When it came to research, we could’ve never managed the minutiae of Revolutionary history—as well as all the George Washington details—without our expert in arms, Barnet Schecter. His knowledge and expertise is interwoven throughout. Thank you, Barnet, for answering every question.
Special thanks to Joseph J. Ellis, for encouraging me from the start; to
Archivist of the United States David Ferriero and James Swanson, for being guiding lights as I had questions; our family on Lost History, and at HISTORY and Left/Right, including Nancy Dubuc, Paul Cabana, Mike Stiller, Ken Druckerman, Mike Mezaros, Mary Robertson and Lee White; and to Rob Weisbach, for being the very first.
I also want to thank everyone at Flatiron and Macmillan: Fearless leader and friend Don Weisberg, Cristina Gilbert, Marlena Bittner, Aileen Boyle, Steven Boriack, Nancy Trypuc, Amy Einhorn, the production team of Rafal Gibek, Lena Shekhter, Emily Walters, Donna Noetzel, and Keith Hayes, as well as Astra Berzinskas, Jeff Capshew, Malati Chavali, Hank Cochrane, Cristina Cushing, Patricia Doherty, Leigh George, Jenn Gonzalez, Ken Holland, Jonathan Hollingsworth, Matt Johnson, Don O’Connor, Laura Pennock, Brad Wood, Jeanette Zwart, and the entire sales force who do all the heavy lifting. I’ve said it before, and I’ll never stop saying it: They’re the true reason this book is in your hands.
I want to add a special thank-you to our incredible editor, Jasmine Faustino, who helped at every level and put out every fire. She is unflappable and unstoppable. Finally, I need to thank our true Commander-in-Chief Bob Miller. He is a steadfast friend, and it’s his vision that opened up this chapter of my life. I owe him forever for that. Thank you, Bob, for your faith.
From Josh:
First and foremost, I’d like to thank Brad Meltzer for providing me the opportunity to embark on this journey through history. It’s been a privilege, and one for which I’ll always be grateful. Brad and I have now told stories in multiple mediums about many eras of America’s past, with hopefully more to come. It’s rare to find a creative partner who is both a great collaborator as well as a great person, and Brad is both. For this reason, special gratitude also to Ken Druckerman, and Mike Mezaros Left/Right, and everyone else from the Lost History team who made the collaboration possible. Also, thank you to Brad’s wife, Cori, for her input and her hospitality.
On this project, I owe a huge debt of gratitude to Barnet Schecter, our historical consultant. Barnet’s knowledge and impeccable scholarship were an inspiration, and I relied upon his feedback in ways too numerous to list. Barnet’s book The Battle of New York is one of the most thoroughly researched texts about New York City during the Revolutionary War, and essential reading for anyone studying the era.
I’d like to thank Bob Miller at Flatiron for making this project possible. His enthusiasm and support kept the wind at our backs. I’d also like to extend the sincerest gratitude to our editor, Jasmine Faustino, who guided us patiently through the challenges of this undertaking. Her expertise, organization, and input made our story so much better.
No book of history is possible without the libraries and historical societies on which our research depends. In our case, the resources and personnel of the New-York Historical Society, the Brooklyn Historical Society, the Massachusetts Historical Society, the New York Public Library, and the Clements Library at the University of Michigan were invaluable. Special mention also to the superbly organized digital resource Founders Online, a joint project of the National Archives and Records Administration with the University of Virginia Press, on which I frequently relied.
Every manuscript needs great readers, and three of the greatest are in my family. My mother, Elizabeth Mensch, my father, Steven Mensch, and my stepmother, Pamela Mensch, all provided excellent feedback at critical times. Beyond the specific input, their engagement provided inspiration and challenged me to work harder. This engagement applies not just to this book, but also to my life.
When it comes to family and friends, there are so many others to whom I owe gratitude. Thanks again to my mom and dad, for their constant support. Thanks to my brothers, Jon, Jake, and Joe Mensch, and James and Jeremy Freeman; to Greg Patnaude; to Mariana Barzun and my wonderful nieces Libby and Claire; to Mary Ellen Smith; to John, Anna, London, Mila, and August Acunto; and to Lynn James, who makes every day possible. Thanks to my close friends from every phase of life, and to the many great colleagues I’ve been lucky to collaborate with on television and documentary projects over the years.
Finally, my deepest gratitude of all goes to my wife, Mary, and our son, Malcolm. I simply can’t imagine life without you. With every challenge we grow stronger. I’m the luckiest man alive.
Cast of Characters
(in order of appearance)
GEN. GEORGE WASHINGTON—Commander-in-Chief of the Continental army.
GOV. WILLIAM TRYON—Governor of the colony of New York.
GEN. NATHANAEL GREENE—Oversees Long Island operations while the Continental army is stationed in New York City in the spring and summer of 1776.
HENRY DAWKINS—Engraver, silversmith, and member of counterfeiting operation based in Cold Spring Harbor, Long Island.
ISRAEL YOUNG—Ringleader of a counterfeiting operation based in his home in Cold Spring Harbor, Long Island.
ISAAC YOUNG—Brother of Israel Young, and fellow member of a counterfeiting operation based in Cold Spring Harbor, Long Island.
COL. HENRY KNOX—Continental artillery specialist instrumental in the siege of Boston in early 1776.
ISAAC KETCHAM—Accomplice to a counterfeiting operation based in Cold Spring Harbor, Long Island.
MAJ. GEN. CHARLES LEE—George Washington’s second-in-command in the Continental army, sent to fortify New York City in February 1776.
GEN. WILLIAM ALEXANDER, AKA “LORD STIRLING”—Continental officer sent to fortify New York City in March 1776, after Gen. Charles Lee’s departure.
DAVID MATHEWS—Mayor of New York City, appointed by Gov. William Tryon in February 1776.
GILBERT FORBES—Gunsmith based in Manhattan.
JAMES MASON—Part-time mill worker at the Ringwood Ironworks iron mill in Goshen, New York.
WILLIAM FARLEY—Recruiter for Gov. William Tryon based in Goshen, New York. [As indicated in our note here, Farley’s actual name was William Forbes, but we’ve changed it to “Farley” within the text to avoid confusion with the gunsmith, Gilbert Forbes.]
WILLIAM BENJAMIN—Laborer at the Ringwood Ironworks iron mill in Goshen, New York.
PHILIP LIVINGSTON—New York congressman appointed to a secret committee in June 1776 to investigate plots against George Washington and the Continental army.
GOUVERNOUR MORRIS—New York congressman appointed to a secret committee in June 1776 to investigate plots against George Washington and the Continental army.
JOHN JAY—New York congressman appointed to a secret committee in June 1776 to investigate plots against George Washington and the Continental army.
PVT. WILLIAM GREEN—Soldier in the Commander-in-Chief’s Guard, aka the Life Guards.
PVT. JAMES JOHNSON—Soldier in the Commander-in-Chief’s Guard, aka the Life Guards.
PVT. MICHAEL LYNCH—Soldier in the Commander-in-Chief’s Guard, aka the Life Guards.
PVT. JOHN BARNES—Soldier in the Commander-in-Chief’s Guard, aka the Life Guards.
SGT. THOMAS HICKEY—Soldier in the Commander-in-Chief’s Guard, aka the Life Guards.
WILLIAM LEARY—Foreman at the Ringwood Ironworks iron mill in Goshen, New York.
Notes
ABBREVIATIONS
AA: Peter Force, ed., American Archives: Consisting of a Collection of Authentick Records, State Papers, Debates, and Letters and Other Notices of Publick Affairs. 4th Series. 6 Vols. (Washington, DC: M. St. Clair Clarke & Peter Force, 1837–1853)
CHM:Calendar of Historical Manuscripts, Relating to the War of the Revolution, in the Office of the Secretary of State. 2 Vols. (Albany: Weed, Parsons, and Company, 1868)
GW:George Washington
JPC:Journals of the Provincial Congress, Provincial Convention, Committee of Safety and Council of Safety of the State of New-York, 1775–1777. 2 Vols. (Albany: Thurlow Weed, 1842)
PGWR:The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series. Vols. 1–8. Edited by W. W. Abbot, Philander D. Chase, and Dorothy Twohig. (Charlottesville: Univ. Press of Virginia, 1985�
��1998)
PROLOGUE
wooden manor house: The house is on a property owned at the time by Abraham Mortier, situated on what is now the corner of Charlton and Varick Streets in Manhattan. Abstract of Wills on File in the Surrogate’s Office, City of New York (New York: New-York Historical Society, 1900), 8: 285. Mortier’s estate was also known as “Richmond Hill,” a name that would remain attached to it for many decades.
For the last ten months: The night described is on or near April 19, 1776. As the story will soon cover, George Washington was first appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Continental army on June 16, 1775 (as formalized in GW’s address to Continental Congress, 16 June 1775, PGWR, 1: 1–3).
about two miles north: In the 1770s, New York City comprised only the southern-most tip of Manhattan, extending north to approximately present-day Chambers Street. Most of Manhattan Island above the city was woods, farms, and some wealthy estates. The geography of the region at the time is described in more detail in Chapter 6 of this book.
next few weeks or months: The first ships of the British fleet arrived on June 29, 1776, approximately eleven weeks from the night described. At the time, GW and his officers expected the arrival to be sooner.
elite group of specially trained soldiers: The origin and initial formation of George Washington’s Life Guards is described in detail in Chapter 19 of this book.
three miles away due south: This distance is approximate, and the precise location of the Governor’s ship in the waters around Manhattan will sometimes vary.
one of the city’s underground jails: The jail referred to is under New York City’s first City Hall, located on the corner of Wall and Broad Streets in lower Manhattan where Federal Hall now stands. Barnet Schecter, Battle of New York: The City at the Heart of the American Revolution (New York: Walker, 2002), 12.
the largest public execution: In this context “largest” refers to the number of spectators, rather than the number of persons executed.