Independence dearly bought in blood
Today, July 4, is perhaps the biggest patriotic holiday of the year in the United States. It was on this day in 1776 — 242 years ago — that the 13 American colonies of Great Britain declared their independence as a sovereign republic of 13 states.
But as we celebrate this world-changing event, we would do well to remember the cost in blood it actually took to achieve that independence.
As the delegates were meeting on that hot July day in Philadelphia, just 78 miles away in New York, the British Empire was landing a mighty army on Staten Island. It was one of the most awesome military invasions of the 18th century. It was an unprecedented operation. Hundreds of ships were converging on New York with 34,000 British soldiers and merciless Hessian troops.
While the delegates were declaring to the world that the United States of America had severed their connection to King George III and his parliament, Gen. George Washington and his Continental Army had to make their high-sounding words a reality.
Washington’s men, about 18,000 strong, were out-numbered, out-gunned and under-supplied. Washington notified the delegates in Congress he had a serious shortage of flints for his army’s flintlock muskets.
Benjamin Franklin was deadly serious when he warned the other delegates in Congress, “We must, indeed, all hang together or, most assuredly, we shall hang separately.”
Every delegate knew very well he was considered a rebel and a traitor by the British Crown. George III was determined to bring the “rebels” into “a full and absolute submission.”
While the future seemed ominous, the soldiers of the Continental Army were cheered when they received news they now had a clear objective, independence, and a republican form of government. They also had confidence in their leader, Gen. Washington.
But with undying determination, boundless valor and bloody sacrifice by all soldiers and patriots, they did achieve our independence after eight long years of horrific warfare. The fighting had begun in 1775 and concluded in 1783 with the Treaty of Paris.
So while we are celebrating today with our picnics, fireworks and festivities, let us not forget the courage, sacrifice and blood shed by our forefathers to achieve our independence.