PODCAST

History Distilled

Team Elendil

A quick shot of history.

history

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21:25

Lafayette's Impossible Escape: The Battle of Barren Hill

History Distilled ·

2025/12/26

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 Distilled, we break down the Battle of Barren Hill—a near-disaster that could have ended the American Revolution before the summer began. General James Grant had sworn to send the "Boy General" back

18:40

Simcoe’s Ruthless Raid: The Battle of Crooked Billet

History Distilled ·

2025/12/14

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 nightmare, and General George Washington tasked 25-year-old Brigadier General John Lacey with starving them out. But Lacey was inexperienced, and his opponent was the cunning Major John Graves

21:40

The Trap That Turned a Creek Red: Battle of Quinton's...

History Distilled ·

2025/12/04

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" erupted in the marshes of New Jersey. We dive into the brutal British expedition led by Colonel Charles Mawhood and Major John Graves Simcoe , designed to strip Salem County of its cattle and crush

14:50

Friedrich von Steuben & The Rebirth of the...

History Distilled ·

2025/11/20

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 concocted "the greatest public deception ever perpetrated in a good cause" by presenting Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben—a former Captain—as a "Lieutenant General". This lie was the spark that brought

14:25

Battle of Matson's Ford: The Forgotten Trial on the...

History Distilled ·

2025/11/07

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 most iconic winters. In December 1777, as a bitter wind swept through Pennsylvania, both American and British forces found themselves locked in a foraging war around Philadelphia. What started as a

20:17

How Washington's Trap Became Howe's Final Failure

History Distilled ·

2025/10/24

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 of White Marsh, a critical, multi-day engagement in December 1777. After being beaten at Brandywine and Germantown , Washington's army dug into a natural fortress and dared General Howe to attack ,

14:34

Skirmish of Gloucester: The Rise of Lafayette

History Distilled ·

2025/10/05

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 battle that launched a hero.In this episode of History Distilled, we dive into the Skirmish of Gloucester, the battle that ignited the rise of the Marquis de Lafayette. We'll break down the strategic

15:14

Battle for the Delaware: The Fort That Had to Fall

History Distilled ·

2025/09/23

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 Mifflin, a desperate battle to control the Delaware River

12:22

The Impossible Victory: The Battle of Red Bank

History Distilled ·

2025/09/15

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 military might; instead, it became a shocking humiliation.This is the story of the Battle of Red Bank, a desperate defense that turned into one of the most stunning underdog victories of the American

14:10

Fog of War: How Chaos Lost the Battle of Germantown

History Distilled ·

2025/09/03

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 Germantown, a bloody fight shrouded in fog and confusion. We dive into Washington's audacious strategy, the critical moment the American advance stalled at the Cliveden mansion, and how the battle that could

13:14

Sullivan's Gambit: The Daring 1777 Raid on Staten Island

History Distilled ·

2025/08/26

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 Staten Island, one of the most chaotic and overlooked engagements of the American Revolution. On August 22, 1777, General John Sullivan launched an ambitious amphibious assault that spiraled out of

14:06

Bayonets in the Dark: The Story of the Paoli Massacre

History Distilled ·

2025/08/17

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 uncover the full story of the Battle of Paoli, also known as the Paoli Massacre. We'll explore the controversial tactics that led to a devastating American defeat and how the cry "Remember Paoli!"

13:00

Washington's Miracle: The Forgotten Story of the...

History Distilled ·

2025/08/09

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 decisive blow that could have crushed the rebellion.But the battle that was supposed to happen... never did.Join us as we uncover the forgotten story of the Battle of the Clouds, a bizarre and

18:18

Disaster at Brandywine: The Defeat That Almost Ended...

History Distilled ·

2025/08/01

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 intelligence failures almost led to a crushing defeat.This episode dives deep into the Battle of Brandywine, fought on September 11, 1777. Discover General Howe's controversial decision to target

13:14

Ambush at the Bridge: The Battle for Philadelphia Begins

History Distilled ·

2025/07/22

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 of the war. Discover General Howe's disastrous sea voyage, the formation of Washington's elite light infantry, and the brutal hit-and-run tactics that defined this critical early engagement. Learn

11:44

Battle of Bemis Heights: The Battle That Sealed...

History Distilled ·

2025/07/10

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 ill-fated British three-pronged attack to control the Hudson River Valley, the American scorched-earth tactics that hindered Burgoyne's advance, and the crucial role of fortifications designed by Tadeusz

14:07

Battle of Freeman's Farm: The Opening Clash of Saratoga

History Distilled ·

2025/06/16

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 Saratoga, also known as the Battle of Freeman's Farm, a pivotal moment in the American Revolutionary War. We'll examine:The British Strategy: Learn about the audacious plan to sever New England from

11:34

End of the Siege at Fort Stanwix

History Distilled ·

2025/06/13

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 from the fort caused the British allies to abandon their camps.The siege became a stalemate, with British morale declining due to losses, broken promises, and the slow pace of siege warfare. Meanwhile,

16:57

Battle of Oriskany

History Distilled ·

2025/05/30

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 characterized by intense, close-quarters fighting and high casualties on both sides. While not a clear tactical victory for either side, it had significant strategic consequences, contributing to the

12:07

The Siege Fort Stanwix Begins

History Distilled ·

2025/05/16

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 the Iroquois Confederacy.Fort Stanwix, an abandoned British fort, became strategically vital as it guarded the Oneida Carrying Place, connecting the Mohawk River to Lake Ontario. The Americans,

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