"Marines in the Revolution" in the New Hall Military Museum
A museum devoted to the Army, Navy, Marines, and to early American military history
An exhibit called "Marines in the Revolution" documents the role of leathernecks from the years 1775-1781. Half a year before the Declaration of Independence was written, an Act of Congress gave birth to the Continental Marine Corps by authorizing the formation of two battalions of troops. Recruiting for the new military branch occurred at Tun Tavern, a popular Philadelphia waterfront watering-hole, which no longer stands. Samuel Nicholas, who was the first commissioned officer in the Marines, did much of the mustering.
Vertical, glass-enclosed displays showcase hand grenades, a blunderbuss, swords, and other Marine weaponry and equipment. At the bottom of each case, a Revolutionary War timeline gives a headline history of the clash's salient events, particularly those pertaining to the Marines. We learn that long before the Halls of Montezuma, Marines supported George Washington during his 1776 Christmas crossing of the Delaware, surprising the Hessians at Trenton.
Arousing interest is a ration list spelling out the generous daily allotment a jarhead received in 1777: 1 lb. bread; 1 lb. pork; 1/2 pound peas; 4 ozs. cheese; and 1/2 pint rum.
"Marines in the Revolution" in the New Hall Military Museum
A museum devoted to the Army, Navy, Marines, and to early American military history
An exhibit called "Marines in the Revolution" documents the role of leathernecks from the years 1775-1781. Half a year before the Declaration of Independence was written, an Act of Congress gave birth to the Continental Marine Corps by authorizing the formation of two battalions of troops. Recruiting for the new military branch occurred at Tun Tavern, a popular Philadelphia waterfront watering-hole, which no longer stands. Samuel Nicholas, who was the first commissioned officer in the Marines, did much of the mustering.
Vertical, glass-enclosed displays showcase hand grenades, a blunderbuss, swords, and other Marine weaponry and equipment. At the bottom of each case, a Revolutionary War timeline gives a headline history of the clash's salient events, particularly those pertaining to the Marines. We learn that long before the Halls of Montezuma, Marines supported George Washington during his 1776 Christmas crossing of the Delaware, surprising the Hessians at Trenton.
Arousing interest is a ration list spelling out the generous daily allotment a jarhead received in 1777: 1 lb. bread; 1 lb. pork; 1/2 pound peas; 4 ozs. cheese; and 1/2 pint rum.