PDF Washington's Immortals: The Untold Story of an Elite Regiment Who Changed the Course of the Revolution by Patrick K. O'Donnell in History

Review

58 of 59 people found the following review helpful. A Revolutionary HistoryBy Justin Oldham“Washington’s Immortals” is a fast read that reveals the origin of a light infantry regiment from Baltimore (Maryland) that was founded by wealthy merchants to fight in the American Revolution. Mordecai Gist played a vital role in financing the “Maryland Line;” as it was known. He saw action throughout most of the conflict; living to witness its conclusion at Yorktown. Of all the historical figures presented by the author in this book that sometimes felt like a novel; I found myself interested in him the most.Some of Gist’s handwritten correspondence survives to the present day on microfilm. Quotations from those pages are cited by the author; providing historical context for what he and many of his contemporaries were thinking when they decided to take up arms. They; like many others in their day; believed in principled destiny. If the defense of their liberties meant starting a new country—then; so be it!O’Donnell’s narrative blends portrayals of period combat with a historical overview of events leading up to 1776 to give the reader a sense of method and motive before rebellion began. Tools and tactics of the day are explained in a way that bridges time; showing how present-day soldiers are using similar approaches based on past practices. The idea of Americanism was unacceptable to crown loyalists who sided with Britain. They formed “Tory” combat units that make appearances through the book.This well-researched account includes several surprises. Time and time again; elements of this elite outfit are called on to fight desperate holding actions that allow General George Washington to make the most of his situation; which included going over to the attack when he could. When it was called for; they improvised fortifications that once included building a siege tower—just to make some high ground. Battles you’ve never heard of changed our future because they bought priceless time for scattered forces to move or reinforcements to arrive. Sixty minutes of defiance during the retreat from Brooklyn saved the revolution. Another instance of bravery during the second battle of Trenton is a shocker when it paves the way for victory at Princeton.“Immortals” is not all blood and guts; though the showdown at Guilford Courthouse reads like an epic denouement. Opponents are presented in some detail. Howe; Tarleton; and Cornwallis (among others); are given their due as British officers rather than as villains. Nathaniel Green; Daniel Morgan and “Mad Anthony” Wayne each made hard choices during the Southern campaign that resulted in success at a high price.We take it for granted that Patriots fought Redcoats; but we don’t truly-genuinely understand what they did or why. Opening chapters demonstrate how colonial opinion was influenced by the French and Indian Wars before various tax acts went in to effect. That “lack of representation” we’re all so familiar with was more than a matter to dispute through channels for men like Gist; it was a matter of honor that had to be dealt with after decades of increasing authoritarian rule. Times have changed and our vision society may be different than that of our ancestors; but we still have a lot in common with them: our choices do make our future. For the benefit of that reminder; Washington’s Immortals is worth your time to read.60 of 62 people found the following review helpful. Gist; Maryland; Washington; RevolutionBy D. G. MitchellPat O'Donnell has contributed much to 20th century military history scholarship; having written extensively on mid-century conflicts and especially World War II. With Washington's Immortals; O'Donnell establishes himself as a pure military historian who can explore and present the personal and professional experiences of soldiers who have fought in any period.Washington's Immortals offers meticulous and original research into an elite regiment that formed in Maryland; under the leadership of Mordecai Gist in the early days of the Revolution; and fought its way through to American independence. Compiled largely from personal diaries; correspondence and pension applications of the men who fought -- on both sides of the conflict -- O'Donnell (as with all of his works) makes the experiences of the men about whom he writes both very personal and very immediate. He has created a virtual oral history from the voices of soldiers long since dead. Although gone; they are not forgotten and the reader really does hear their stories through their own voices.Students of the American Revolution will largely know what happened during the conflict; but most will never have discovered the contribution that these Marylanders made to the cause of American independence; the sacrifice they made at the Battle of Brooklyn; the strategic advantages that their sacrifice gave to Washington in fighting the larger cause; or what typical combatants experienced while all of these things were happening. Readers of Washington's Immortals will discover all that and more.This is a must-read work that belongs in the library of every student of American history or military history. Indeed; readers who seek a good story will appreciate O'Donnell's effort even if they have never read a history book.6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. Good on-the-ground account of the Revolutionary War.By Machinery's HandbookI've done a lot of reading on the Revolutionary War period; but this book filled in quite a lot of detail and color that I didn't know but am happy to learn. Relaxed writing style was an easy read. May not satisfy the hardened academic; in that footnotes are end-notes; (56 pages of 'em) and are not indicated in the main text. I don't mind. I read the end-notes; then reread the entire text with those in mind. I'll probably re-read this a third time....it's that entertaining.