M4901

Definative

U. S. Flag

Col. John Glover

Collins Cover Announcement 

Patriot John Glover

Forgotten hero of the American Revolution and Officer in Charge of the unit that enabled George Washington to cross the Delaware

The son of a carpenter, Glover was born in the coastal town of Marblehead, Massachusetts, on November 5, 1732. As a young man he became a fisherman and eventually a merchant and ship owner. In October of 1754 he married Hannah Gale.

Following the Boston massacre of 1770, John joined with other future revolutionists to form committees that tried to establish trade restrictions with the British. He became active in the local patriot militia and in 1175 was elected lieutenant colonel of the 21st Massachusetts Regiment from Marblehead. Shortly thereafter in April of that year, he was promoted to colonel and became commander of the regiment. In June he marched his unit to Boston and joined the siege of the British

controlled city.

At Boston, General George Washington chartered Glover's schooner "Hannah" named after the colonel's wife, to raid British supply ships. It was the first of many sailing ships that would be authorized by General Washington to become privateers fighting for the American forces. It is noteworthy that the "Hannah" has been called the first vessel of the United States Navy. My individually hand painted cachet honors Colonel John Glover at this important time in his military career and also illustrates his historic schooner "Hannah. " It is a fine patriotic cachet, and in the future will be sought not only by new Collins collectors but military topicalists as well. 

The Marblehead militia soon became known as "Glover's regiment" and subsequently was converted to the 14th Regiment of the Continental Army. It consisted almost entirely of fishermen and seamen from the Marblehead area who had many nautical skills and much sailing experience. The 14th assumed the unofficial name of the "amphibious regiment" and became responsible for the important task of water transport for the Continental forces.

After the American side lost the battle of Long Island, it was Glover's men who saved the entrapped Army by ferrying the troops to Manhattan in a night operation. When retreat was necessary from that island, the 14th successfully evactuated the Army to New Jersey. By far, the most famous action of the

regiment occurred in December of 1776 when the skilled rivermen of the regiment under Colonel Glover carried General Washington and his troops in their boats across the Delaware River. That famous force then made surprise attacks on Trenton and Princeton, defeating the British and Hessians. It was one of the turning points of the American Revolution!

John Glover went on to become a brigadier general. He fought in the successful Saratoga campaign in 1777 and then for the remainder of the war was assigned to the Hudson River to prevent the British from moving up that strategic waterway. This cachet is dedicated to the forgotten hero of the American Revolution — Patriot John Glover. Collins #M4901 — $14.00