The SAR MAGAZINE is the official quarterly publication of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution published quarterly.
Issue link: http://sar.epubxp.com/i/258013
WINTER 2013-14 19 Gen. Washington admired privateering and used it to his advantage prior to the Congressional action. In correspondence to Col. Benedict Arnold on Dec. 5, 1775, Washington stated: "Finding we were likely to do much in the Land Way, I fitted out several Privateers, or rather armed Vessels, in Behalf on the Continent, with which we have taken several Prizes." 23 Later on, Washington complimented Bostonian privateers for "the valuable prizes that have been lately brought to your port. We stand in need of all your activity to increase our supplies by these means." 24 Because of Washington's contributions to privateering, one naval historian declared George Washington "our first great admiral." 25 Privateers played an important role during the war. Between 1778 and 1781, around 500 privateers were at sea compared with 10 Continental Navy ships. 26 In total, an estimated 1,200-2,000 privateers participated. 27 Privateers focused on capturing British merchant ships that were lightly armed. While privateers neutralized 16 British warships during the war, they sunk or captured around 600 British vessels worth $300 million (2008 dollars). Privateers and the Navy combined took around 16,000 prisoners. 28 The weaker Continental Navy (including privateers and colonial navies) did not defeat the Royal Navy, in total, during the war. However, the Battle of Valcour Island—a tactical defeat for the Americans—saved the Revolution. 29 After the American retreat from Canada in June 1776, the British planned a counter-invasion. 30,31 The Continental Army had only 3,500 weak troops to guard northern New York against British invasion. 32 The British plan called for an army, commanded by Gen. Guy Carleton (which became 13,000), to leave Canada, sail down Lake Champlain, enter the Hudson River and link up in Albany, N.Y., with another army commanded by Gen. William Howe, moving north to Albany from New York City. 33,34 The combined British army was to defeat the small American force, take New York, split the colonies in two, and end the war by vanquishing each colony. 35 Naval ships hastily built by Gen. Carleton's army and a smaller American army commanded by then-Gen. Benedict Arnold engaged off Valcour Island on Lake Champlain on Oct. 11, 1776. 36,37 The Americans had 16 ships, with 15 participating in the battle, and 750-800 sailors. 38,39,40,41 The superior British force had 28 ships with other gunboats and smaller boats, 697 sailors, 1,000 soldiers and 650 Indians. 42,43,44 The battle, which ended on Oct. 13, was an American tactical defeat, with 80 killed or wounded, 120 captured and 11 ships lost. 45,46,47,48 The British had 40 killed or wounded, and three small gunboats lost. 49,50 Although a loss tactically, the battle was an American strategic triumph. It delayed Carleton's army/fleet from advancing to Albany, which forced the British to cancel the campaign because of approaching winter weather. 51 The delay gave the Americans time to prepare for the future. When British land operations restarted in 1777, Gen. John Burgoyne's British army was defeated at Saratoga, prompting French, Spanish and Dutch support for the American cause. 52,53,54,55 About the Essay Contest Winner Bryan Habashi of Bristow, Va., is a home- schooled high school student who considers obtaining his Eagle Scout rank at age 13 perhaps his biggest life achievement so far. He has been taking piano lessons the past eight years, participates in piano festivals and is learning to play the violin. An avid swimmer, he competes on two swim teams. Bryan's future plans include obtaining a Ph.D. in political science, serving a mission for his church, getting married and raising a family. WINTER_14_sar18-25.indd 19 2/4/14 11:07 AM