Episodes
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The First Battle of Ninety Six: The South's First Revolutionary Battle
In November 1775, the American Revolution violently arrived in the South Carolina backcountry. The First Battle of Ninety Six wasn't fought by British regulars, but by neighbors staring down the barrels of long rifles at men they had known for years. Trapped on the plantation of John Savage, 560...
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The Burning of Falmouth: The Fire That Forged the Declaration of Independence
In October 1775, the Royal Navy unleashed a firestorm on the colonial seaport of Falmouth, Massachusetts (modern-day Portland, Maine). What started as a punitive bombardment by Lieutenant Henry Mowat to punish the town turned into a massive strategic blunder. It radicalized the eastern seaboard,...
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The 1775 Invasion of Canada: The Siege of Fort St. Jean
The water of the Richelieu River ran black and freezing in the autumn of 1775. Here, in the dense, mosquito-infested swamp lands of the Canadian wilderness, the first great offensive of the American Revolutionary War ground to a muddy, agonizing halt. The Siege of Fort St. Jean was a brutal,...
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How 1,200 Farmers Bled an Empire: The Battle of Bunker Hill
On the night of June 16, 1775, 1,200 colonial militiamen raced against the dawn to build a massive earthen redoubt on a 75-foot hill overlooking Boston. Their goal? To challenge the mightiest military force on the planet. Following the skirmishes at Lexington and Concord, British forces found...
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The Battle of Chelsea Creek: How a Raid for Supplies Became a Naval Triumph
In May 1775, a simple raid for livestock accidentally sparked the first British naval defeat of the American Revolution. Six weeks after Lexington and Concord, British General Thomas Gage and his army are trapped inside the Boston peninsula, entirely cut off from mainland supplies. Desperate for...
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America's First Black Ops Mission: Taking Fort Ticonderoga
The Heist of Fort Ticonderoga: Allen, Arnold, and America's First Offensive In this episode, we dive into the dark, misty morning of May 10, 1775, when a ragtag band of rebels executed the very first offensive colonial operation of the American Revolutionary War. Discover how a giant frontier...
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Lexington & Concord: The Raid That Broke an Empire
General Gage wanted a surgical strike. He got a slaughterhouse. Everyone knows the "Shot Heard 'Round the World," but the reality of April 19, 1775, was a tactical disaster that broke the British Empire. In this episode of History Distilled, we track the British column from the initial standoff…
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The Heist That Sparked the Revolution (Before Lexington!)
History remembers the "Shot Heard 'Round the World" in April 1775, but four months earlier, a high-stakes heist in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, set the stage for war. In this episode of History Distilled, we uncover the story of the Raid on Fort William and Mary. Triggered by a confidential order...
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Monmouth: The Victory That Wasn't?
On June 28, 1778, soldiers dropped dead without a scratch, their hearts bursting from the 96-degree heat. The Battle of Monmouth wasn't just a fight against the British Empire—it was a battle against human limits. Get the custom battle map and full script on Patreon:...
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Lafayette's Impossible Escape: The Battle of Barren Hill
On the night of May 19, 1778, 16,000 British soldiers marched through the dark to crush just 2,000 rebels. Their target was the 20-year-old Marquis de Lafayette, and their trap was perfect: the Americans were surrounded on three sides with a raging river at their back. In this episode of History...
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Simcoe’s Ruthless Raid: The Battle of Crooked Billet
Major John Graves Simcoe wanted a "grand stroke" to destroy the Pennsylvania Militia. On May 1, 1778, his ruthless surprise attack caught a sleeping American camp in a trap that ended in the horrific "Buckwheat Straw Massacre." In the spring of 1778, British-occupied Philadelphia was a logistical...
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The Trap That Turned a Creek Red: Battle of Quinton's Bridge
It was a trap that turned a frozen creek into a killing field. In March 1778, the Queen's Rangers used a "feigned retreat" to lure American militia into a deadly massacre at Quinton's Bridge. While George Washington’s army teetered on the brink of starvation at Valley Forge, a gritty "Forage War"...
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Friedrich von Steuben & The Rebirth of the Continental Army (Valley Forge)
They were starving, freezing, and dissolving into a "wrecked army". The Continental Army at Valley Forge was on the brink of collapse, facing famine, disease, and its own disorganization. Enter a down-on-his-luck Prussian outcast and a master of public relations named Benjamin Franklin. Franklin...
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Battle of Matson's Ford: The Forgotten Trial on the Road to Valley Forge
Before the legend of Valley Forge, there was Matson's Ford – a chaotic, accidental battle that nearly brought Washington's Continental Army to its knees. Discover the untold story of the desperate river crossing, the panic, and the British blunders that set the stage for one of American history's...
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How Washington's Trap Became Howe's Final Failure
General Howe had one last chance to destroy Washington's army before winter. He planned a massive surprise attack to crush the Continental Army in its sleep. But he didn't count on one thing: a Quaker spy listening at the keyhole . Welcome to History Distilled! Today, we're exploring the Battle…
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Skirmish of Gloucester: The Rise of Lafayette
He was 20 years old, wounded, and desperate to prove himself. When the Marquis de Lafayette spotted a column of elite Hessian soldiers, he didn't hesitate. The resulting skirmish would change his life—and the course of the American Revolution—forever. Join us for the story of Gloucester, the…
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Battle for the Delaware: The Fort That Had to Fall
magine the most intense bombardment of the entire American Revolution. For six weeks, a few hundred American defenders inside a small mud fort held out against the full might of the British Royal Navy, enduring a storm of over 10,000 cannonballs. This is the forgotten story of the Siege of Fort...
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The Impossible Victory: The Battle of Red Bank
They were the Hessians, the most feared professional soldiers of the 18th century, and they had come for blood. On October 22, 1777, an army of 1,200 mercenaries marched on a small, muddy fort defended by just 400 American rebels. The attack was supposed to be a swift, brutal lesson in European...
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Fog of War: How Chaos Lost the Battle of Germantown
It was the battle George Washington should have won. A bold, four-pronged surprise attack had the British reeling, and a stunning American victory was within grasp. So how did it all descend into a chaotic mess of friendly fire and a confused retreat? This is the story of the Battle of…
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Sullivan's Gambit: The Daring 1777 Raid on Staten Island
It was meant to be a swift, surgical strike deep in enemy territory. But for the American soldiers raiding Staten Island, the mission quickly devolved into a desperate, bloody fight for survival—not just against the British, but against their own countrymen. This is the story of the Battle of...
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Bayonets in the Dark: The Story of the Paoli Massacre
What happens when an army is ordered to attack in total darkness with only bayonets? In the dead of night on September 20, 1777, British forces under Major General Charles "No-Flint" Grey did just that, launching one of the most brutal surprise attacks of the Revolutionary War. In this video, we...
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Washington's Miracle: The Forgotten Story of the Battle of the Clouds
It's one of the great 'what ifs' of the American Revolution. In September 1777, just days after a stinging defeat at the Battle of Brandywine, George Washington's battered Continental Army turned to face the British once more. A second major battle was imminent, and with it, the potential for a...
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Disaster at Brandywine: The Defeat That Almost Ended the Revolution
Witness the chaos, the miscalculations, and the incredible bravery that defined one of the American Revolution's most pivotal battles! Learn how General George Washington's army faced near annihilation at Brandywine, and how a combination of cunning British strategy and crucial American...
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Ambush at the Bridge: The Battle for Philadelphia Begins
Step back to 1777 and witness the dramatic opening moves of the Philadelphia Campaign. Join History Distilled as we explore the often-overlooked Battle of Cooch's Bridge – where a small American force stood against a mighty British army, buying precious time for Washington and shaping the future…
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Battle of Bemis Heights: The Battle That Sealed Britain's Fate
Uncover the pivotal moment that reshaped the American Revolutionary War ! This look into the Second Battle of Saratoga, also known as the Battle of Bemis Heights, reveals the desperate gamble of British General Burgoyne and the decisive attack that sealed an American victory. Explore the…
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Battle of Freeman's Farm: The Opening Clash of Saratoga
1777: A grand British plan to crush the American rebellion is set in motion. What could possibly go wrong? Dive into the brutal realities of the American frontier and discover the untold story of the Battle of Freeman's Farm, the first clash of Saratoga. This episode explores the First Battle of...
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End of the Siege at Fort Stanwix
In 1777, the British besieged Fort Stanwix as part of a larger plan to control the Hudson River Valley. American forces, led by Colonel Peter Gansevoort, defended the fort. A relief effort led by Brigadier General Nicholas Herkimer was ambushed at the Battle of Oriskany, but a raid by Willett…
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Battle of Oriskany
The Battle of Oriskany, fought on August 6, 1777, was a bloody and pivotal battle of the American Revolutionary War. It occurred in the Mohawk Valley of New York. American militiamen and their Oneida allies were ambushed by British forces, Loyalists, and other Iroquois nations. The battle was...
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The Siege Fort Stanwix Begins
In 1777, the British planned to isolate New England by controlling New York's Hudson River Valley. This involved a three-pronged attack converging on Albany. Lieutenant Colonel Barry St. Leger was to lead a western expedition through the Mohawk Valley, a crucial area for agriculture, trade, and…
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Battle of Bennington
In the summer of 1777, British General Burgoyne launched a campaign to sever New England from the American colonies. Seeking supplies at Bennington, Vermont, he sent Lieutenant Colonel Baum with a mixed force. However, contrary to Burgoyne's expectations, a large militia led by General Stark was...
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Battle of Fort Ann
This episode details the events surrounding the Battle of Fort Ann during the American Revolutionary War. It describes the British pursuit of American forces after the evacuation of Fort Ticonderoga, leading to a confrontation at Fort Ann. Despite being outnumbered, the British held their ground...
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Battle of Hubbardton
In 1777, British forces aimed to control key waterways to divide the American colonies. After the Americans abandoned Fort Ticonderoga, a rear guard action unfolded at Hubbardton, Vermont. The battle saw intense fighting between American and British/German troops. Though the Americans suffered...
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Fall of Fort Ticonderoga
In 1777, British General Burgoyne led an army south from Canada aiming to capture Fort Ticonderoga, a strategically vital location. Despite its reputation as the "Gibraltar of the North," the fort had fallen into disrepair and the American defenses were inadequate. The British discovered Sugar…
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Battle of Short Hills
The Battle of Short Hills occurred near the end of June during the American Revolutionary War in 1777. The episode details how General Howe attempted to lure General Washington into a decisive battle, Washington's strategic defense, and Lord Stirling's stand against a larger British force, which...
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Battle of Bound Brook
In April 1777, British forces under Lord Cornwallis launched a surprise attack on the Continental Army outpost at Bound Brook, New Jersey. This strategic location on the Raritan River was vital for controlling troop and supply movements. The outnumbered American forces were caught off guard,...
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British War Plans for 1777
In 1777, the British aimed to crush the American rebellion with a two-pronged strategy: isolate New England by capturing Albany, New York, via a three-pronged attack led by Burgoyne, St. Leger, and expected support from Howe. Howe on the other hand wanted to capture Philadelphia to demoralize the...
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American Revolutionary War at the End of Year One
The New York/New Jersey Campaign of 1776-1777 was a crucial period in the American Revolutionary War. It involved key battles like Long Island, Trenton, and Princeton, showcasing the strategic maneuvers of both General George Washington and General William Howe. The campaign significantly…
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The Forage War
The Forage War was a series of skirmishes and raids that took place in New Jersey during the winter of 1777, amidst the American Revolutionary War. It was a direct consequence of the Battles of Trenton and Princeton. The Continental Army, led by General Washington, aimed to disrupt the British...
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Battle of Princeton
In this episode we detail the Battle of Princeton during the American Revolutionary War. Describing Washington's strategic maneuvering to escape Cornwallis's forces, his attack on the British garrison at Princeton, and the ensuing battle. Highlighting key figures like Mercer and Mawhood, and the...
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Second Battle of Trenton
In this episode we focus on the events of the Second Battle of Trenton, Analyzing the events leading up to the battle, the strategies employed by both sides, and its significant consequences for the war effort. Thanks to Google Gemini for helping craft this story. The map used in this video can…
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The First Battle of Trenton
In this episode we focus on the events and significance of the First Battle of Trenton, a pivotal battle during the American Revolution. In 1776, the Continental Army was demoralized and facing collapse. General George Washington devised a daring plan to cross the Delaware River on Christmas…
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Washington's Crossing of the Delaware
In this episode we focus on events surrounding George Washington’s crossing of the Delaware River and the subsequent Battle of Trenton. It highlights the importance of this event as a turning point in the American Revolution. Thanks to Google Gemini for helping craft this story. Works cited 1....
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Battle of Iron Works Hill
In this episode we look at the Battle of Iron Works Hill which took place on December 21-23, 1776. It provides an overview of the events leading up to the battle, including the retreat of the Continental Army and the actions of Colonel Samuel Griffin and Colonel Carl von Donop. The article…
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Battle of Fort Washington
In this episode we discuss Battle of Fort Washington that resulted in the surrender of the fort to the British. It details the events leading up to the battle, the strategies employed by both sides, and the aftermath of the American defeat. Thanks to Wikipedia and Google Gemini for providing the...
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Battle of White Plains
The Battle of White Plains followed the Battle of Long Island, where General Washington and his troops were defeated and forced to retreat. General Howe pursued Washington to Manhattan, attempting to trap his army. Washington, aware of the threat, strategically moved his troops to White Plains,...
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Battle of Harlem Heights
The Battle of Harlem Heights took place on September 16, 1776, shortly after the Continental Army's defeat at the Battle of Long Island. Washington's forces, though initially surprised by the British advance, rallied and successfully ambushed the British troops, ultimately forcing them to…
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Staten Island Peace Conference
The Howe brothers, assigned to quell the rebellion in the American colonies, attempted to negotiate peace but were limited by their government's restrictions. Despite meeting with representatives from Congress, the talks failed due to the Americans' insistence on independence and the British...
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Retreat from Long Island
The Battle of Long Island was a major defeat for the Continental Army, but General Washington's skillful retreat saved the army from total destruction. Under the cover of darkness and fog, Washington managed to evacuate all 9,000 troops across the East River to Manhattan, a feat considered one of...
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Battle of Long Island
This episode details the Battle of Long Island in New York .The battle was a strategic victory for the British during the American Revolutionary War. The British, led by General Howe, utilized a flanking maneuver to surprise the American forces, who were primarily positioned on the Guan Heights....
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Preparing to Defend New York City
This episode details the early stages of the Revolutionary War in New York City. It covers the strategic decisions made by both the Americans and the British, the challenges faced by Washington in organizing his troops, and the initial skirmishes leading up to the Battle of Long Island. Thanks to...
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does History Distilled have?
History Distilled currently has 133 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is History Distilled about?
A quick shot of history.
How often does History Distilled release new episodes?
History Distilled publishes regularly with 133 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
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Who hosts History Distilled?
History Distilled is created and hosted by Team Elendil.
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