#shy bitch henry clinton

[acrossthewavesoftime]

Top 5 historical figures?

Oh, that is a good (and very open) question, Eſteem'd Anon!

I think this one could be answered in many different ways: Who do I consider the 5 'best' people by a moral standard? Who do I consider the five 'most influential' people in history? Who do I consider the five most interesting (the definition of interesting here being, having captured my personal interest) people throughout time?

To answer this ask, I will go with the latter definition of "Top 5 historical figures", which does explicitly not pass any moral judgement or is intended to be an absolute, finite list. Since I cannot pick, this list is not necessarilyy 100% in order, and I will be cheating a little by treating couples for the purpose of this ask as a singular entity:

Catharina Elisabeth, who will affectionately remain named by her first name only. I haven't talked about her on this blog, but man, I need to learn more about her. An 18th century woman with an often tragic life, who appears to have been tough, clever, and not one to be crossed.

Samuel and Margaret Graves, who only come as a package deal. The gruff old sea-dog and the outspoken bluestocking, as people often perceived them, are quite fascinating to me in that privately, both appear to have been very different people with an unlikely love story and a very eventful life. Oh, and good taste in furniture.

Henry Clinton and Mary Baddeley. I still think they should cancel Bridgerton and make a show about the two of them instead. I have said it before and I will say it again, but there cannot be any love story more romantic than theirs. The socially awkward self-proclaimed "shy bitch" and Mary, the runaway gentlewoman living as the wife of a common soldier are two people I would love to invite to my proverbial tea party - For Reasons not at the same times as the Graves', however.

Pope Innocent III. A truly unsympathetic man, whose writings about the misery of being human have amused me.

How many Stuarts can I fit into one number? Charles II as well as William III and Mary II need to make this list. A very complicated family that, to me, deserves more attention, both by historians, and in fiction.

[burr-did-nothing-wrong]

"No one liked Henry Clinton, especially Clinton himself, who was, by his own account, a 'shy bitch.'... he did what Clinton did best: act so obnoxiously that even when he proposed the most logical move, those who he was attempting to convince felt compelled to do the opposite."

Damn Philbrick, okay

[acrossthewavesoftime]

And sadly, this is an ongoing issue in historical fiction, many years after The Patriot. TURN: Washington's Spies, which is a great deal more recet, did the same thing with their depiction of General Sir Henry Clinton.

An solidly middle-aged man in uniform, there was apparently not much room to make him look what to some 21st century eyes might pass as "effeminate", so he receives an implied affair with the fashion-conscious hairdresser of Margaret Shippen and friends, Freddie.

I think I need not elaborate on why that doesn't sit right with me, even more so because the historical Clinton was nothing like this gregarious, unashamedly gay (both for handsome hairdressers and in the old-fashioned sense of the word) on-screen portrayal who occasionally oversees a British defeat in a badly-staged battle from afar; historically, the man had a spotless prior military record from the 7 Years' War, 11 biological children by 3 women (not counting his de facto adoptive son John), because of whom he repeatedly threatened to desert as he was homesick for them, and had difficulties socialising with others to the point he described himself as a "shy bitch" in his diary.

None of this information is particularly hard to find; Clinton has a thorough, if somewhat old, biography to his name that can be accessed digitally, and free of chage via archive.org.

As a non-American consuming American media set in this period, what irks me most is that the tactic of using these harmful stereotypes of the "effeminate" or even outright gay man as shorthand for lacking in moral values, strength and cleverness on the battlefield, persists, both because, to repeat myself here, these stereotypes are harmful and indicative of issues our modern-day society has with its image of men and masculinity, and because it's narratively unappealing.

"The bad guys are the bad guys because they shave and use perfume, and maybe also kiss other men!!1!!!" Just isn't a convincing antagonist or villain backstory for me. As an addition to this, yes to OP's point that this way of treating male characters also shines a light on modern-day misogyny.

Furthermore, it justs shows the need of US filmmakers to 'justify' the actions of the same set of male historical figures who verifiably weren't that great as people (or larger-than-life flawless altruistic freedom fighters) after all (think e. g. of slavery, to name but one important point here). Setting a British antagonist whose character is compelling while also displaying posittive traits against Washington and co., one might run the risk of 'devaluing' the Founding Fathers by setting up a character who would make for an equally appealing alternative to them.

TURN tried to work more into that direction with the sympathetic and kind British Major Edmund Hewlett, but failed by making him a) somewhat incompetent in military matters (as compared of course to Patriot characters of a similar rank) and b) a decidedly fictional character, when a great deal of his personality traits were actually lifted from the real life Lieutenant-Colonel John Graves Simcoe, whose name then in turn (hah) gets slapped on a comedically evil, and entirely fictional British arch-villain-type whose main goal in life is to be evil and sadistic, just because he can.

Ideally, filmmakers would at last be courageous and attempt more nuanced displays of the Revolutionary War, bidding adieu to the old "Good Guys vs. Bad Guys" narrative and attempt a more nuanced portrayal of the period and its people, who were no more than that; people. People who, as we all are, were not without fault and had their own reasons to participate; some out of ideological conviction, others for some sort of personal gain, and yet others because being the son of a second son and yet expected to keep up a certain living standard is hard, so you need to take up a job and make money somehow in order to raise your kids with the financial security you never had at their age because your own parents weren't exactly competent keeping the family money together; but the crucial thing is, all of these kinds of people existed, and existed on both sides. Nuance matters.

all the ladies love that I have so many thoughts on the vilification of male effeminacy in popular thought about the American Revolution

it's soooo sexy that those thoughts are half-formed because my research specialty is actually 19th-century social history (with focuses on women's, queer, and dress history)

I'm actually very hot for doing all of this, in fact

[pub-lius]

The 1775 Campaign: Lexington and Concord - Siege of Boston

Last we left off, the British had just arrived in Lexington, Massachusetts from a long March through Brackish Water. Now, we shall discuss what occurred at Lexington and Concord, as well as Bunker Hill, the Battle of Quebec, and the Siege of Boston.

*Several crucial Individuals will be discussed, but separate Posts will only be made on a Few. If you would like a detailed, but still relatively Brief, Biography on anyOne in particular, or any Events, for that matter, send an Ask, and I will see it done (if I have the time). Of course, any additional questions or requests are accepted and encouraged.

Prior to Lexington and Concord, Governor General Thomas Gage was tasked with suppressing the Revolt started by Colonists in Opposition to more strict British law Enforcement. In order to do this, Gage enforced the Coercive Acts, which were even more strict. Obviously, this only made Things worse.

In April 1775, orders for the seizure of Weapon Stores in Concord, Massachusetts were issued, but it is not known if the British intended to arrest Patriot Leaders, John Hancock and Samuel Adams, who were taking refuge in Lexington. On April 18th, Paul Revere, William Dawes, and Samuel Prescott set out on their ride to warn Patriots of the British Approach as two Lanterns were lit in the window of the Old North Church. Meanwhile, British Lieutenant Colonel Francis Smith assembles 700 regulars to march on Concord.

Lexington and Concord

The Patriots were led by John Parker, and massed at about 3,960 Men by the end of the Battle. The British totaled at around 1,500 men under John Pitcairn and Francis Smith.

At 5:00 am on April 19th, the British march into Lexington, and are faced with 70 of Parker’s militia. The British charge the Patriots, and Parker orders his Men to disperse. There is a Gunshot, but which side fired it is unknown. The British fire a Volley, striking 8 Militiamen, and walking away with a Victory.

The British enter Concord at 8:00 am. The officers order around 220 troops to secure the North Bridge, then to go to Barrett Farm. Around 400 militia gather on the high Ground to see Smoke rising from the Town, and falsely presume the British are burning the Town, which leads to an Advance. The leading Company was led by Isaac Davis, who is quoted as saying, “I haven’t a man afraid to go.”

In response to the Patriot Assault, the British retreat to the Shore of the River. The British open Fire, and kill two Men, one of which was Davis. This Volley is referred to as the “Shot heard round the World”.

The British then retreat back to Boston, all the While being harassed and attacked on all Sides by Patriots along Battle Road. When they make it back to Lexington, they are attacked once more by Parker’s men.

The Americans faced 93 casualties: 49 killed, 39 wounded, and 5 missing. The British suffered 300 Casualties: 73 killed, 174 wounded, and 53 missing. Ouch. The British conduct a running Fight, and unclear Orders on behalf of the Patriots allow the British to escape. But, this left a 20,000 man Militia opposing General Gage.

The next event occurs on June 17, 1775. Gage is facing excess pressure to suppress this Rebellion. He plans to launch an Attack on the Heights North and South of Boston. Unfortunately for him, the Details were leaked to the Patriots, and the Patriot Militia gathered to defend Charlestown, Massachusetts. Many of these militia included free and enslaved African Americans. The sheer Number of the Militia intimidated the British Leaders, Gage, William Howe, Henry Clinton, and John Burgoyne. From June 15 to June 16, the Patriots move to Breed’s Hill to prepare a fortified Position. Their left Flank was exposed along the south Bank of the Mystic River, and, despite being disorderly and ill-equipped, the Patriots assemble a makeshift Fortification.

Bunker Hill

General Israel Putnam leads the 2,400 Patriot troops against General Gage’s 3,000 Regulars and Grenadiers. The British move across Boston Harbor and disembark in lower Charleston for the Assault on Breed’s Hill (the Battle didn’t actually occur on Bunker Hill). Sir William Howe leads the Troops up the Hill, and, allegedly, William Prescott says, “don’t fire until you see the Whites of their Eyes,” in order to save Gunpowder.

Once the British are within Range of Patriot Guns, the Militia unleashes an unforgiving Volley. According to one Patriot, “They advanced toward us in order to swallow us up, but they found a choaky mouthful of us. (sic)” This volley was repeated once more, until the third Assault when the Patriots ran out of Ammunition, allowing the British to break through their Works. 

The two sides then engaged in intense, close-combat Fighting. It was at this Point that a “black soldier named Salem” shot and mortally wounded Major John Pitcairn, who allegedly ordered the Fire at Lexington and Concord.

The Patriots faced 450 Casualties: 115 killed, 305 wounded, and 30 missing. The British, on the other Hand, suffered a whopping 1,054: 226 killed, 828 wounded, and 0 missing. Big Ouch. It was then that the British abandon Plans to seize another High Point.

As the Battle of Bunker Hill was occurring, on June 14, the Continental Army was established by the Continental Congress, and on the following day, Colonel George Washington was made His Excellency General George Washington, Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army.

George Washington was nominated by a Massachusetts Delegate, John Adams (not something to boast about). Washington graciously accepted his Commission, but did not feel as though he was fit for the job. But this wasn’t just because Johnny appreciated Washington’s toned Muscles and supple Hamstrings. Up until this Point, the War was almost entirely fought in the New England Colonies (Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island). In order to inspire other Regions, namely the South, to support the Effort, they needed a noteworthy Southern Leader. Other Colonies (as they were still known) and Regions were placated with Appointments as well.

Siege of Boston

Washington arrives at the Cambridge Encampment on July 2 to find the “Continental Army” in disarray. The Militia were entirely ignorant to military Tactics and Standards of Discipline. His first Objective was to establish Order, gather Provisions, and instill Discipline. 

Some of his subordinate Officers include Horatio Gates and Charles Lee, two highly esteemed Veterans from the French and Indian War. Additionally, there was General Nathaniel Greene, and Colonel Henry Knox. Washington’s Aides-de-Camp included Thomas Mifflin and Joseph Reed, two Crucial Players later in the War (not in a good way). None of these Men had worked together, or separately, on something of this Scale.

The first General Orders of the War include the excerpt, “The Colonels or commanding Officers of each Regt are ordered forthwith, to make two Returns of the Number of men in their respective Regiments; distinguishing such as are sick, wounded or absent on furlough: And also the quantity of ammunition each Regimt now has.” (sic), showing how quickly Washington began sending out Instructions to better organize the Army. 

Washington also had to strategize how to get the British from Boston, while also obeying Congress, which often went against the best Interest of the Army, and dealing with Natural Enemies. Provisions were scarce, the Continental Army lacked ammunition and had no artillery, and Diseases such as Smallpox were plaguing the Men.

For several Months, the Army saw only some small-scale Skirmishes, which only lasted for a few volleys before a Ceasefire was called, with a few Raids thrown in for Color. Also during this time, Washington sent 1,000 troops to Canada under Generals Arnold and Montgomery, which will be discussed after this. 

General Washington also ran into a Problem that would last him the Entirety of the War: Enlistments. Congress conjured a System for the Army, where Militiamen could enlist for only a year. Thus, Washington couldn’t guarantee that he would still have an Army after December 31, and if he was lucky enough to have one, they were completely untrained once more. The beginning of 1776 was one of these Lucky Times.

Meanwhile, the British were stuck in Boston. Although Howe was ordered to evacuate the City in November, they were short on Ships, and had to transport, not only the Army, but Hundreds of Loyalists, who flocked into Boston, causing Overcrowding and Scarcity. Smallpox and dysentery were rampant among the British. Additionally, they have limited Access to mainland Resources, leaving them with only exhaustible Supplies of Food, Water, Firewood, and Clothing.

In late January, Colonel Henry Knox arrives with captured Artillery from Fort Ticonderoga, which had been recently taken by the Patriots. Washington decided to bombard the British from Dorchester Heights, the Hills (including Bunker and Breed’s Hills) south of Boston. Washington devised an complex Amphibious Assault, but was overruled by his Subordinates, which became a usual Occurrence.

In Early March, the Artillery was moved to Dorchester Heights. Since it was hard to dig through the frozen Ground, the Continentals hired Carpenters to build timber Breastworks.

On March 6, Howe sees the suddenly-built Fortifications, and is quoted as saying, “My God, these fellows have done more work in one night than I could make my army do in 3 months.” From how quickly these Fortifications were built, the British supposed that the Americans had at least 20,000 men.

The British attempted firing at the Americans, but they were out of Range. Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the Charles River, around 4,000 troops under Generals Greene, Putnam and Sullivan prepared to block the North Side of the Boston Peninsula, following Washington’s Amphibious Plan.

In addition to British fears of a Second Bunker Hill, a large Storm ruined the Chances of a full Engagement. On March 6, the British vote to evacuate, and on March 8, How writes to Washington, bargaining that he would not burn Boston if Washington allowed his Army and Loyalists to leave unharmed. Washington granted this request, and on March 17, Soldiers and Loyalists numbering around 11,000 left Boston for Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. 

"I shall feel no pain from the toil or the danger of the campaign. My unhappiness will flow frok the uneasiness I know you will feel being left alone." -George Washington to Martha Washington, June 18, 1775

Quebec Campaign

As mentioned before, General Washington ordered an Attack on the Colony of Quebec. The Quebec Campaign lasted from August of 1775 to July 1776. 

Congress wanted Quebec to become another of the rebellious Colonies for two Reasons. The first being that English Protestants saw Quebecois Catholics as a physical and cultural Threat. Additionally, the Early Americans wanted Continental Unity across North America. Thus, Congress pushed Washington to capture Quebec, and he eventually complied.

On August 25, General Richard Montgomery ordered 1,200 troops from Ticonderoga into the Quebec Territory, settling at the Ile aux Noix along the Richelieu River. On September 17, Montgomery laid Siege to Fort St. John’s, which was under the Command of General Guy Carleton. 

Carleton attempted to lift the Siege of October 30, and chose to surrender on November 3. Then, Montgomery surrounded Montreal, which was surrendered without Resistance on November 13.

Then, Washington ordered 1,100 men under General Benedict Arnold to move around the enemy’s Side towards Quebec City. Arnold set out on September 15 to the Mouth of the Kennebec River. His Troops faced a 400 mile March through largely uninhabited Terrain. By the End of the March, Arnold only had 600 men, after many Deaths and a large scale Desertion. They finally reached Quebec on November 14, and waited for Montgomery, who arrived on December 2, bringing their Numbers to 1,100.

Montgomery ordered a multi-pronged Attack against the Fortifications on December 31. He separated his Men into 3 Divisions, under himself, Arnold, and General Livingston. They attempted to use a Snowstorm as a Cover, which blinded the Continentals and clogged their Guns. The Engagement ended with Arnold wounded, Montgomery dead, Aaron Burr unemployed, and 400 captured Americans.

Consequently, Arnold took command of the Campaign, and continued the Siege for several Months. In May 1776, John Burgoyne added Reinforcements to the British Garrison. Burgoyne drove Arnold back to New York.

Meanwhile, Congress had to come up with an Excuse for their lack of Judgement. Delegates such as John Adams and Richard Henry Lee (Virginia is his home) blamed an Outbreak of Smallpox. All of the Smart People blamed themselves because it was, in fact, their Fault. A report from a Committee made to consider this Issue (consisting of Franklin, Chase, and Carrol in May 1776) stated that Congress’ Indecision and lack of Organization prevented necessities needed to execute the Strategy. This will become a Reoccurring Theme.

Americans still believed Quebec could be added to the United States up until the early 19th Century, especially those who had served in Congress during this period, such as Thomas Jefferson.

“...I hope our force, add the benefits of skill, the acquisition of Canada this year, as far as the neighborhood of Quebec, will be a mere matter of marching; & will give us experience for the attack of Halifax, the next, & the final expulsion of England from the American continent.” -Thomas Jefferson, August 4, 1812

Sources:

https://www.battlefields.org/learn/revolutionary-war/battles/lexington-and-concord

https://www.battlefields.org/learn/revolutionary-war/battles/bunker-hill

https://www.battlefields.org/learn/articles/siege-boston

Texts for first set of images: https://www.loc.gov/item/rbpe.10800500/

Images and texts for second set of images: https://www.loc.gov/resource/dcmsiabooks.accountofbattleo00dear_0/?sp=5

https://www.thoughtco.com/american-revolution-battles-2360662

https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/03-05-02-0231

https://www.mountvernon.org/library/digitalhistory/digital-encyclopedia/article/quebec-campaign/#5

George Washington’s Indispensable Men by Arthur S. Lefkowitz

[sir-william-hoe]

i gotta say

this is my favorite quote of all time

[msrandonstuff]

"No one liked Henry Clinton, especially Clinton himself, who was, by his own account, 'a shy bitch'."

— "Valiant Ambition: George Washington, Benedict Arnold and the fate of the American Revolution" – Nathaniel Philbrick; pg. 45

then you ask me how a single quote that you one day wrote can define your life

[vankeppel]

Any of the interactions between the British Command always bring me great joy to read, but one I always re-read time and time again is the meeting between William Howe and Henry Clinton when Howe found out the other man was to be his second in command.

The details of the literal meeting cannot necessarily be pinned down, but, it seems when Howe was notified of the change in command (Gage was leaving) he sought out Clinton to discuss their forthcoming work relationship. Both went away much pleased, if Clinton's (already known to himself internally as a "shy bitch") memos are anything to go by. They were excited to work together in early 1775.....

Which makes it doubly fascinating to read of their meetings in 1777 when everything fell apart. What strikes me most is Howe (as commander) *initiated* these meetings with his Second because he knew there were strains in the relationship. We know of them from memos Clinton made at the time to preserve details for later memory (he did this a LOT) and the portrait we receive of Howe (and Clinton in tandem with him) has always touched me. Its exceedingly human. Howe goes so far to express his regret they couldnt be better friends, to "draw together", and Clinton goes even further to show a rare flash on insecurity, asking aloud if his superior (they were infact less than a year apart in age. A quirk of promotion in their youths set this rigid formation) even liked him *as a person*.

Its one of my most favorites in perhaps all history bc of the undeniable human quality that manages to be transmuted through inanimate papers and across time

And, perhaps crushingly, for the fate of the war might have changed, Howe and Clinton parted with the resignation that "by some cursed fatality" they would never see eye-to-eye or work together so closely as they had thought in the bright days of June 1775

I thought of a fun AmRev tag/pass it on game!

What is your favorite interaction between AmRev historical figures? Are there any interactions between your favorite people to learn about?

Personally, I think it was super wholesome that Thaddeus Kosciuszko and Thomas Jefferson were besties. I find it kinda random that their paths crossed! :)

@bowl-of-excuses @kiliane @chaotic-history @gingergentleman @itsoldtimey @elrondsscribe

To everyone not in the tags (sorry if I missed you!): feel free to add your own! :D

[revolutionary-pirate]

...[Gen. Henry Clinton] climbed aboard the Cerberus for the voyage across the Atlantic with General Howe, from whom at first he kept his distance and to whom he seldom spoke, being, as he confessed, 'a shy bitch' as well as dreadfully seasick.

Redcoats and Rebels: The American Revolution Through British Eyes by Christopher Hibbert [pg 46]

I laughed out loud in the school lobby when I read this quote while skimming back through it for information to put into my project. I love it. Very relatable.

[quillsink]

HELLO SO I HEARD YOU'RE BORED HOW ABOUT MAKING A LIST OF 10 HISTORICAL FACTS THAT JUST BAFFLE YOU, LIKE YOU FOUND OUT ABOUT THEM AND WENT WHAAAAT I have no idea why am I writing in caps sorry

OKAY HELLO LETS GO (y’all know all of these lmao)

1. THE BARON VON STEUBEN THREW A LITERAL PANTSLESS PARTY. WHAT. OH MY GOD.

2. JOHN LAURENS GOT SHOT IN THE RIGHT SHOULDER THREE FUCKING TIMES WHAT

3. Only like...4 Laurens kids survived to adulthood I think...John, Harry, Martha, Polly

4. Eleanor and Henry Laurens had like, over 12 children, I’ve lost count at this point

5. The entire Hamilton Schuylkill incident. Just. Wow.

6. That time Hamilton challenged like an entire party to a duel

7. Clinton saying “for you know I am a shy bitch”

8. The whole Laurens Lee duel like Laurens shot a man. Hey shot a man who was like older than him who had been in the military much longer than him and I just giggle a bit lol

9. The fact that James Madison may have been asexual (from what I’ve seen it’s very likely but I haven’t found any concrete evidence, if y’all have any feel free to add on :))

10. Polly Laurens had three kids before she died at 24 and she died of a difficult childbirth just like her mom before her aaaah why

[bantarleton]

In his journal Sir Henry Clinton once described himself as “a shy bitch.”

[floatyteabag]

what a speech man he was 😌

the shy bitch quote will forever be a classic

10 for the ask game

(although i think i know what it is)

I mean OF COURSE the “shy bitch” quote is forever a favourite

BUT

This one also always gets me bc damn if it don’t hit hard

“All, all shrink from the subject. Had not circumstances made me in some degree the scapegoat, I perhaps- who may also have had my share of blunders- might have found myself in the same disposition. I admit there has been blame. I admit also I may have had my share. God knows there is enough for us all.”

The last line just really says it all huh

[i-like-old-things]

I’m just like Henry Clinton...I’m a shy bitch

[jonphaedrus]

sir henry clinton, as in the british commander in chief for the latter half of the american revolution, hated being commander in chief so much he tried to resign four separate times and, when he was selected as one of the seconds under general sir william howe, he wrote a letter to a friend in london while he was on passage to the colonies where he described himself as “[...] for you know i am a shy and retiring bitch [...]”(1) and like

honestly

big fucking mood, my dude.

1. the henry clinton papers 1736-1850, letter books, memoranda, and other correspondence, folio 57, the william l clemens collection, university of michigan

[slutshame-alexanderhamilton]

More American History - How the Hell Did We Manage to Found a Country?

- when Maria Reynolds divorced her husband, her attorney was Aaron Burr - (Not technically American History but still adorable) when Lafayette returned to France in the middle of the war, Adrienne was so happy to see him she fainted - Lafayette crying at the hanging of John Andrè - Abigail Adams basically taking over the ship carrying her to Europe to clean in up and get everything in shape - The Eggnog Riot of 1826 - When Lafayette negotiated a deal with the french for whale oil, the island of Nantucket all got together to make him a 500 pound wheel of cheese - Thomas Jefferson trying to get a dead moose shipped to France to prove American animals were cooler - Gouverneur Morris and the "whale bone in his dick" incident - Oboes being called "haut-boys" - George Washington riding in General Braddock's campaign on a padded saddle because he had just recovered from disentary - When Lafayette returned to America in 1824, a lady had gloves made with his face on them, and he said "a few graceful words words to the effect that he did not care to kiss himself" - Deborah Franklin refusing to leave her house and arming herself with a gun when threatened by an angry mob - Cornwallis missing out on capturing Jefferson as governor of Virginia by 10 minutes - Joseph Warren showing up to a memorial of the Boston Massacre in a toga - General Gage having to ask Hancock for help when he was occupying Boston after pissing him off earlier. Hancock refused - Joseph Warren being a dramatic hoe 100% of the time - Lafayette mcfucking dying at 4:20 am - John Adams calling Edward Rutledge a peacock because he was young and southern and dressed very lavishly - Henry Clinton calling himself "a shy bitch" - Washington going down and jumping on the ice every morning during the siege of Boston to check the thickness for an invasion - John Paul Jones being so passive aggressive that he responded to a failed broadside by a British ship with a single musket shot - Silas Deane being such an inept ambassador that British spies knew what he was having for dinner before he did

[sir-william-hoe]

A study on Clinton and Howe in the American Revolution

Just... poor Cornwallis

They did nothing. But when they did do something, they did the wrong thing. 

Howe and Clinton were both really stupid (affectionate)

Howe only knew how to reject other people’s plans

Clinton and Howe have absolutely no brain cells whatsoever

Clinton knows how to pronounce “good-by”

Somewhere around pg 140 Clinton got upgraded to “sir henry”

Clinton needs constant attention… like,,,,, all of the time

Clinton and Howe really pissed of Cornwallis in the New York Campaign (and any time tbh)

Clinton and Howe didn't like each other but at the same time they did

Clinton was friends (but not really cause he didn’t like anyone and they didn’t like him) with Lord Sandwich, Spider Man, and Sir Guy

Clinton is in fact a shy bitch

Clinton would sing Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! to Howe

Clinton became a knight of the bath

Just.... come on I love them both but,,,, what the actual hell was wrong with them

NSFW under the cut.

Clinton gave Howe such a good blowjob that it outdid all of the blowjobs in history (therefore sucking skills 10000/10) 

Clinton was a bottom

The only knowledge Clinton had was sucking skills

The british lost the war because of Clinton’s blowjobs

Clinton sucked Howe under the table during meetings

Lots and lots of arguing and angry sex

[vankeppel]

Sir Henry Clinton - April 16th, 1730

Some anecdotes of this utterly complex and intriguing man

Called himself a “shy bitch”

Played the violin, his favourite composer being Haydn. In Charlestown, 1775, he was “received as a performer” at the outpost, where they would have concerts at night to boost morale. He spent nearly 50£ on sheet music during his time in America.

A lover of nature, Clinton never failed to describe the natural landscape around him. He took a poetic interest in it and decided the places he saw made the best stories.

A lover of nature, Clinton never failed to describe the natural landscape around him. He took a poetic interest in it and decided the places he saw made the best stories.

A lover of nature, Clinton never failed to describe the natural landscape around him. He took a poetic interest in it and decided the places he saw made the best stories.

Clinton was an avid reader, taking numerous notes on classical history. He was also a fan of Shakespeare, knowing many lines by heart.

Clinton set up activities for him and his aides to do in New York, joining them for a game of handball in the court, leading them in horse races around the city or setting up fox hunting excursions

Clinton was also paranoid, prickly and petty.

Gossiped about his superior officers to friends but wrote it in ciphers and codes so his superiors wouldn’t find out

Had four houses in New York and moved between them so that the enemy assassin he feared could not get at him

He was also violently poisoned at a dinner one night and took the wine bottle as evidence. He put it under his pillow that night but by morning it was gone. He claimed it was the Americans who’d done it.

He would quarrel with anyone he perceived to have insulted him, even continuing the fight when the other person was trying to make amends.

The closest relationships he formed in America among his military peers were with John Burgoyne and John André. Though very close in the beginning, Saratoga ruined the relationship between Burgoyne and him. Clinton was distraught at André’s death which “struck [him] to the heart.” Even years later, it hurt him too much to write about it in his memoirs.

Sources: Portrait of a General by W.B. Willcox, The men who lost America by A.J. O’Shaughnessy, Burgoyne by D.R. Cubbison