Revolutionary America! How Did We Do? The High Price of Liberty

The High Price of Liberty

In this photo:
DINNER PLATE of blue Canton china, one of 27 dishes purchased by Washington from Fraunces Tavern, 1783.
	On loan from the collection of:
		--Claude and Jeanne Harkins
CERTIFICATION of SERVICE and PAY ORDER for an artillery soldier, signed Henry Knox, Major General and Commander of the Artillery, 1783
		--Robert G. Oswald
EPAULETTES worn by George Washington
		--Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston MA
ARTWORK (reproduction) depicting the embrace of Washington and Knox after the farewell dinner for officers held at Fraunces Tavern in 1783, another of General Washington's resignation as Commander in Chief before the Continental Congress, and the General on his horse (cutout).

THE HIGH PRICE OF LIBERTY
Blood, Guts and Glory

Only three battles of the Revolutionary War were considered unqualified victories - Trenton, Princeton, and Yorktown - of the 1,331 engagements on land and sea. New Jersey endured the most conflict with 238 clashes; second was New York at 228. In eight years of war, George Washington commanded over 200,000 men, yet no more than 10,000-15,000 men were in the Continental Army at any one time.

6,000	men were killed in action on battlefields or died of fatal wounds
10,000	men died in camp of disease and infection
8,500	men died as prisoners of war - nearly one-half of all captured

24,500	TOTAL deaths directly related to war (12.5% of all soldiers)*

*These figures do not include an estimated 60,000 soldiers whose deaths were likely caused by war-related disease and malnutrition contracted during the Revolution.

*How Did We Do?* Sub-Sections
The High Price of Liberty (You are here)
	George Washington
Becoming American
Miracle at Philadelphia
	Three Visionaries: James Madison, Benjamin Franklin and Alexander Hamilton
	The First President of the United States
The Real Revolution
	The Original Rebels