Existing comment:
The Pennsylvania Line:
The First and Second Pennsylvania Brigades -- the Pennsylvania Line -- was the backbone of Washington's army. From the invasion of Canada in 1775 to the victory at Yorktown in 1781, Pennsylvania troops served in almost every major battle.
At Monmouth, which began as an American calamity and ended no worse than a draw, Pennsylvanians held the American positions during the initial retreat until Washington put things to rights.
Anthony Wayne, who commanded the Second Brigade, wrote of his men:
"I would risk my soul that they would sell their lives or liberties at too dear a rate for Britons to make any purchase." |