tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28102666.post4997875980542907027..comments2024-03-28T04:26:30.557-05:00Comments on Boston 1775: The Gridley Legacy: From Louisburg to Cobble HillUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28102666.post-39820567545079404552012-07-07T18:00:30.148-05:002012-07-07T18:00:30.148-05:00Thanks, Sam, for the tips!Thanks, Sam, for the tips!J. L. Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15405157000473731801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28102666.post-14850930237464884222012-07-07T17:59:57.811-05:002012-07-07T17:59:57.811-05:00Thanks, Don! I'm not surprised the tradition a...Thanks, Don! I'm not surprised the tradition about Gridley's marksmanship doesn't match the realities of the siege of '45. I'd really like to know if that tradition was current in 1775, when the Massachusetts Provincial Congress was convinced that Gridley was the finest artillerist on the continent, or if it arose later.J. L. Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15405157000473731801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28102666.post-1558442250813097132012-07-07T14:58:22.062-05:002012-07-07T14:58:22.062-05:00John, Wish I could be there for your July 10th tal...John, Wish I could be there for your July 10th talk at Anderson House SOC in Washington, DC. While you are there, look at their archives' copies of 1764 Crown Manual, Norfolk, and Pickering militia drills. They possess multiple Massachusetts editions - most autographed to officers you may recognize - of the pre- and early Revolutionary era. These are part of what I understand to be the best library of 18th century militaria in the U.S.Dr. Sam Formanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14393878160942696386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28102666.post-62942947753355752642012-07-07T13:36:47.999-05:002012-07-07T13:36:47.999-05:00Everett's description of Gridley senior's ...Everett's description of Gridley senior's role at Louisbourg is a fine example of historical romance. The fortress did capitulate on 17 June 1745 (O.S.) but not in response to a well-placed mortar round striking the "citadel." George Rawylk's Yankees at Louisbourg (1967) while interpretively dated and improved and enriched by subsequent research by Parks Canada historians like B.A. Balcom, still provides a sound narrative. Of the factors leading to Louisbourg's capitulation, Rawlyk wrote: "Many factors combined to persuade [French commander] du Chambon on the night of June 24 (N.S.) that he should consider capitulating...the frontal assault preparations being made by the New Englanders, the arrival of four additional warships to reinforce Warren's already formidable squadron, the scarcity of gunpowder...the widespread damage to the town caused by over 6,000 New England cannon-balls and shells...and the bad mauling the Island Battery [guarding the harbor mouth] was receiving..." DCDon Carleton (Jr.)https://www.blogger.com/profile/02995856884718068236noreply@blogger.com