Ten Facts About the Battle of Princeton-- Part 5: Marines Fought Alongside Washington

Maybe I'll finish these ten facts sometime in the future.  Continued from February 17.

7.  MARINES FOUGHT ALONGSIDE  WASHINGTON AT THE BATTLE OF PRINCETON

Washington sent out a desperate plea for reinforcement.  One of the first groups to  respond to this request were  roughly  600 Marines from the Philadelphia area.  This force had been recruited to serve aboard Continental warships now anchored in Philadelphia and were generally considered to be excellent fighters.

Their officers had had duty against British ships and they had been occupied in daily drill and frequent skirmishes with the British forces operating in  the area.

Three companies of Marines accompanied Washington on his nighttime march to Princeton.  Moving with Cadwalader's Brigade into the fight, a few Marines under the command of  Major Samuel Nicholas, engaged Manhood's British troops  on the Clarke Farm.

(Major Samuel Nicholas was the first Marine Corps officer and, by tradition, considered the first commandant of the corps.)

During the fierce fighting, several Marines were killed, including Captain William Shippin.

These casualties were  some of the first to be  suffered by the Marine Corps on any battlefield.

--Cooter

Happy 245th Birthday USMC

Today marks the 245th anniversary of one of the world's greatest fighting forces, the United States Marine Corps.

Today's Corps traces its roots back to the Continental Marines of the American Revolution.  It was formed by Captain Samuel Nicholas by resolution of the Second Continental Congress on 10 November 1775, hence today's birthday.

Nicholas was authorized to raise two  battalions of Marines, and that was the beginning.

Happy BD, Jarheads!!!  --CootJar

Happy 244th USMC!!!

Today marks the 244th birthday of the United States Marine Corps.  I am sure it will be celebrated all over the world, wherever they're stationed, also all retired Marines.

Once a Marine, always a Marine.

The United States Marine Corps traces its origins to the Continental Marines of the American Revolution.  They were formed by Captain Samuel Nicholas, by a resolution of the Second Continental Congress on 10 November 1775, to raise two battalions of Marines.

That date is regarded and celebrated as the date of the Marine Corps' birthday.

I can remember that MASH episode of the Marines celebrating their birthday during the Korean War and Norm getting the pool ball stuck in his mouth.

Happy Birthday, Jarheads!!  --CootRine

Marines in the American Revolution-- Part 2: Fort Nassau

Just weeks after being formed, the U.S. Marine Corps proved their mettle in 1776 at Fort Nassau, Bahamas.  The British were storing large supplies of gunpowder there.

Captain Samuel Nicholas and 234 Marines sailed with the Continental Navy to the Bahamas.  The British troops surrendered within minutes

The Americans also acquired cannons and other military supplies, all badly needed for the new cause.

--DaCoot

Marines In the American Revolution-- Part 1: The Job and First Commandant

The U.S. Marines were authorized by the Continental Congress 10 November 1775 when two battalions were to be formed.  Their job was conduct ship-to-ship fighting, shipboard security and discipline enforcement and to assist landing forces.

The first commandant, Captain Samuel Nicholas, was commissioned 28 November.  Enlisting took place at Nicholas' family's tavern "The Conestoga Waggon" or, according to Marine lore, the Tun Tavern in Philadelphia.

--Cooter