Fact or Fiction

Here’s a riddle for you:

Which plot points or moments in history discussed in The General’s Watch were fact and which were fiction?

Take a guess, then click on the description to find out!

Image: “New England Bedroom, 1750 - 1850,” model by Narcissa Niblack Thorne (1882 - 1966) & workshop artisans, taken at the Art Institute of Chicago

(Meaning, it is a fictional bedroom!!!)

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  • Fact

    Sources:

    Letter to Gen. Washington from Gen. McDougall, April 13, 1778: “Mr. Kosciusko is esteemed by those who have attended the works at West Point.”

    But see:

    Letter from Gen. Washington to Gen. McDougall, Aprl 22, 1778: “As Colo. La Radiere and Colo. Kosiusko (sic) will never agree…”

  • Fiction, although I cannot find support of the officers who are named in the book as having their wives present or absent (at this time).

    As an example, Dr. James Thacher wrote in his memoir that he dined at West Point on July 27, 1778, and the wife of Col. Malcome was present. Thacher dined at West Point several times and mentions the society women present, so the campground and fortifications were not entirely devoid of "polite society," as the character of Col. Greaton says in The General's Watch.

  • Fact, though it happened before the events in book 2

    Sources:

    Letter from Gen. Washington to Gen. McDougall, March 31, 1778: “We must either oppose our whole force to [British Gen. Howe] in this quarter—or take the advantage of him in some other. which leads me to ask your opinion of the practicality of an attempt upon New York, with Parson’s Brigade, Nixons, and the Regiments of Van scoick, Hazen, James Livingston, aided by the Militia from the States of New York and Connecticut…”

    Gen. McDougall’s response, April 13, 1778: “No service would be more agreeable to me than an Attack upon New-York, could I recommend it consistent with any probably Prospect of Success. But the Condition & Strength of these posts, utterly forbid it.”

  • True, sort of, because locals militia were not necessarily intended to serve alongside the army, except as needed

    Source: Letter from Gen. Gates to Gen. Washington, May 23, 1778: “The Militia are all employed upon their Farms, & tho’ immediately called for, would no be here in time to defend, or to finish the intended Fortifications… I have earnestly pressed Govr Trumbull, to comply with Your Excellency’s request for a reinforcement of Militia, but from what I know, they will not come in time to save this pass, should the Enemy make a Sudden & determined push to carry it.”

  • Fictional, so far as I know! However, Orange County was chosen as the setting for The Enlightened series because there was constant skirmishing throughout the War.