Washington’s Marines: The Origins of the Corps and the American Revolution, 1775-1777

by Jason Q. Bohm

The fighting prowess of United States Marines is second to none, but few know of the Corps’ humble beginnings and what it achieved during the early years of the American Revolution. That oversight is fully rectified by Jason Bohm’s eye-opening Washington’s Marines: The Origins of the Corps and the American Revolution, 1775-1777.

The story begins with the oppressive days that drove America into a conflict for which it was ill-prepared, when thirteen independent colonies commenced a war against the world’s most powerful military with nothing more than local militias, privateers, and other ad hoc units. The Continental Congress rushed to form an army and placed George Washington in command, but soon realized that America needed men who could fight on the sea and on land to win its freedom. Enter the Marines.

Bohm artfully tells the story of the creation of the Continental Marines and the men who led them during the parallel paths followed by the Army and Marines in the opening years of the war and through the early successes and failures at Lexington and Concord, Bunker Hill, Canada, Boston, Charleston, and more. As Washington struggled to preserve his command after defeats in New York and New Jersey in 1776, the nascent U.S. Navy and Marines deployed the first American fleet, conducted their first amphibious operation, and waged a war on the rivers and seas to block British reinforcements and capture critically needed supplies.

Desperate times forced Congress to detach the Continental Marines from the Navy to join the embattled army as Washington sought an “important stroke” to defeat his adversary.

Washington’s Marines joined their fellow soldiers in a protracted land campaign that culminated in turning-point victories at Trenton, Assunpink Creek, and Princeton. This chapter of the Continental Marines ends in Morristown, New Jersey, when Washington granted Henry Knox’s request to leverage the Marines’ expertise with naval guns to fill the depleted ranks of the army’s artillery during the “Forage War.” Washington’s Marines is the first complete study of its kind to weave the men, strategy, performance, and personalities of the Corps’ formative early years into a single compelling account. The sweeping prose relies heavily on primary research and the author’s own extensive military knowledge. Enhanced with original maps and illustrations, Washington’s Marines will take its place as one of the finest studies of its kind.

Genres: History, Military Fiction, American History, American Revolution

360 pages, Hardcover

First published June 15, 2023

Reviews

[Charles Inglin · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting book, though the title is a little misleading. The United States Marines date their beginning to November 10, 1775, when the Continental Congress authorized raising detachments of Marines for manning ships of the new continental navy. The Marines would not exist as a permanent corps until 1798, as the author mentions in the epilogue. Something I was unaware of, the Continental Congress had authorized building thirteen frigates even before the Declaration of Independence, a rather ambitious goal for the upstart rebels, as well as authorizing conversion of civilian ships and issuing letters of marque to privateers. All these ships needed companies or detachments of Marines. Some Marines were raised for the Continental navy, while others were raised by the states, so they were more of a job title than an organized corps. Generally Marines were recruited from men who already had experience at sea.

The book focuses on the origin of the Revoution and the early battles, up to Trenton and Princetown. While the Marines were not a numerically large organization they provided a reserve of disciplined men that Washington could call on for the battles around New York and then Trenton and Princeton. since the ships they were recruited for were still fitting out. At Trenton and Princeton the Marines were formed into a battalion under Major Samuel Nicholas, considered, informally, the first commandant of the Marine Corp. An added benefit was that Marines often had experience firing cannons and were able to fill out the Continental artillery batteries when needed. After Princeton the Marines were mostly employed in their primary role on shipboard, but at a crucial time when Washington was desperate for manpower they filled a small but important niche.

Overall, I'd rate this book a worthwhile read for anyone not necessarily interested in the Marines but in the Revolutionary War. The author gives a very clear, readable account of the battles of the early years of the Revolution that are worth reading even without the information about the Marines' participation.

[Jeremy Duncan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do YOU want to know more about the early years of the American Revolution and the role our Marines played in it? Well do I have a book for you!
I enjoyed reading more about the Continental Marines and some in depth descriptions of the early battles of the Revolution. General Bohm’s book gives us a pretty good idea about the different challenges Washington and his commanders had to overcome to defeat a larger and more organized British army, especially from an infantry officer’s perspective.
I actually didn't know they basically got lucky at Trenton (famous Delaware River crossing) because the Hessian commander was just arrogant.

[Ken · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Blow-by-Blow of Continental Marines

This is a well researched and documented history of the Continental Marines. It covers its initial charter and recruiting as well as how Marines augmented the Continental army. Worth reading if your are a Marine history or independence war buff. Thank you for this addition to Marine Corps history.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining read about the onset of the revolution. Though it seemed more of a book specifically about Washington that mentions the Marines throughout. It references some of its notable officers and how the continental and state's Marines contributed in part to the early battles of the revolution.

[Gregg · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great overview of the political and strategic environment during the Revolutionary War. There is a particular focus on the Marines and is an important contribution to our Corps. Interestingly, the use of the Marine Corps is similar to modern day—wherever needed.

[Rodeoroy · Rating 4 out of 5]

An extremely comprehensive and precise account of the Revolutionary War. The Marines' subject matter is very informational but just a small storyline in the book as a whole.
Overall, it is a highly recommended read on United States history.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellant book.