The John Batchelor Show

8. The Legacy and Sacrifice of the Marbleheaders: From Bankruptcy to Monument Author: Patrick O'Donnell Book Title: The Indispensables: The Diverse Soldier Mariners Who Shaped the Country, Formed the Navy, and Rowed Washington across the Delaware Following the Trenton campaign, many Marbleheaders, exhausted and with enlistments expired, returned home, including John Glover, whose wife was ill. Marblehead suffered immense devastation post-war; the prosperous town went "bust," the industry declined, and many leading men went bankrupt. The sacrifice was tragic, resulting in nearly 400 widows by the war's end, with many bodies lost at sea. Washington eventually entreated Glover to return, promoting him to general, and Glover continued fighting until 1782. Today, the Marbleheaders' story is visible through remaining historic landmarks: John Glover's house has a plaque, the Jeremiah Lee mansion serves as part of the Marblehead Museum, and notable figures are buried in Old Burial Hill. In Trenton, a statue of Marbleheader John Russell is displayed, holding an oar to symbolize the famous Delaware crossing. Henry Knox paid tribute to the regiment, stating he wished Congress had seen the men of Marblehead alone stand forward to lead the army across the perilous river to achieve the victory at Trenton.

7. The Indispensables at Trenton: Crossing the Ice-Filled Delaware River Author: Patrick O'Donnell Book Title: The Indispensables: The Diverse Soldier Mariners Who Shaped the Country, Formed the Navy, and Rowed Washington across the Delaware On Christmas night 1776, Washington ordered his 2,400 men to cross the ice-filled Delaware River to attack Trenton. This "mission impossible" was only achieved due to the skill of the Marbleheaders in handling the Durham and flat-bottom boats, as all other attempts to cross the river that night failed. Their unique expertise, developed while fishing the Grand Banks, allowed them to manage the difficult currents and ice flows. The regiment was a diverse, unified team, including free men of color such as Caesar Gloverand Oliver Cromwell. After crossing in the nor'easter, the troops—many lacking shoes—marched toward Trenton. Glover's regiment was in the vanguard, marching down the river road. They secured the crucial Assunpink Creek bridge, ensuring the captured Hessians under Johann Rall had no means of retreat, leading to a decisive double envelopment victory. Days later, during the Second Battle of Trenton at Assunpink Creek, the remaining Marbleheaders held the bridge against repeated assaults by elite British grenadiers, allowing Washington to execute a feint and escape north toward Princeton. 8. The Legacy and Sacrifice of the Marbleheaders: From Bankruptcy to Monument Author: Patrick O'Donnell Book Title: The Indispensables: The Diverse Soldier Mariners Who Shaped the Country, Formed the Navy, and Rowed Washington across the Delaware Following the Trenton campaign, many Marbleheaders, exhausted and with enlistments expired, returned home, including John Glover, whose wife was ill. Marblehead suffered immense devastation post-war; the prosperous town went "bust," the industry declined, and many leading men went bankrupt. The sacrifice was tragic, resulting in nearly 400 widows by the war's end, with many bodies lost at sea. Washington eventually entreated Glover to return, promoting him to general, and Glover continued fighting until 1782. Today, the Marbleheaders' story is visible through remaining historic landmarks: John Glover's house has a plaque, the Jeremiah Lee mansion serves as part of the Marblehead Museum, and notable figures are buried in Old Burial Hill. In Trenton, a statue of Marbleheader John Russell is displayed, holding an oar to symbolize the famous Delaware crossing. Henry Knox paid tribute to the regiment, stating he wished Congress had seen the men of Marblehead alone stand forward to lead the army across the perilous river to achieve the victory at Trenton.

6. The Miracle Evacuation: The Marbleheaders at the Battle of Long Island Author: Patrick O'Donnell Book Title: The Indispensables: The Diverse Soldier Mariners Who Shaped the Country, Formed the Navy, and Rowed Washington across the Delaware After the defeat at the Battle of Long Island in August 1776, Washington's 9,000-man army was trapped at Brooklyn Heights, facing destruction by Lord Howe's forces. Washington decided upon a harrowing retreat across the swirling, mile-long East River—an evacuation described as one of the most difficult military maneuvers. Had the British succeeded in destroying the army here, the Revolution likely would have ended. The Marblehead Regiment was tasked with rowing the army across in small, inadequate boats. The success relied entirely on the unique skill set of the Marbleheaders, honed by fishing the deadly Grand Banks. Despite the wind and currents initially frustrating the operation, two timely atmospheric events aided them: the wind failed to shift in a way that would allow the British Navy to sail up the East River to intercept, and as dawn broke, a dense fog rolled in, screening the movements of the escaping army. Washington personally supervised the evacuation, enforcing order and being one of the last men to leave the shore.

5. Battling the Smallpox Pandemic: Dr. Bond and Washington's Strategic Inoculation Author: Patrick O'Donnell Book Title: The Indispensables: The Diverse Soldier Mariners Who Shaped the Country, Formed the Navy, and Rowed Washington across the Delaware The Revolutionary War unfolded under the shadow of a smallpox pandemic. The virus devastated Marblehead after being brought in by fishing ships. Initial quarantine efforts failed, but Dr. Nathaniel Bond promoted inoculation. This dangerous 18th-century technique involved intentionally introducing a small amount of the virus into the body to create antibodies. Patriot efforts to establish an inoculation hospital on remote Cat Island were met with political violence when Loyalists organized a mob to storm the jail and torch the hospital while people were still inside. Later, following the Trenton and Princeton campaigns, the virus became a catastrophic threat, infecting and killing nearly 20% of Washington's army. Recognizing that the virus could destroy his fighting capability, Washington made the strategic decision to order Dr. Bond to establish inoculation hospitals. Bond set up these facilities and personally conducted inoculations, a move considered Washington's greatest strategic decision. Dr. Bond, who had once been ostracized for treating British soldiers, ultimately died as a result of his service to the Continental Army, having saved it through inoculation.

4. Washington's Ad Hoc Navy and the Formation of the Commander-in-Chief's Guard Author: Patrick O'Donnell Book Title: The Indispensables: The Diverse Soldier Mariners Who Shaped the Country, Formed the Navy, and Rowed Washington across the Delaware Upon George Washington's arrival in July 1775, the Continental Army suffered a critical shortage of black powder, forcing Washington to seek urgent supply solutions. He developed a unique trust with the Marbleheaders, whose nautical expertise he relied upon. Washington bypassed Congress to create his own Navy—a fleet of "cruisers" (including the Leeand the Warren) manned by Marblehead sailors, essentially perfect marines. Their primary goal was to intercept British transports laden with ordnance and powder. Captain John Manley, a Marbleheader, achieved a critical success, capturing one of the war's richest prizes—a ship filled with supplies that included a massive mortar used later at Dorchester Heights. Washington's Navy operated primarily out of Beverly, Massachusetts, a heavily defended, difficult-to-navigate, protected port. Additionally, Washington formed the Commander-in-Chief's Guard, or Lifeguard, which was an early precursor to the Secret Service, tasked with protecting the general and his papers. This handpicked volunteer unit was placed under the command of Marbleheader Caleb Gibbs.

3. Treason, Spies, and Political Violence: The Revolution as a Raging Civil War Author: Patrick O'Donnell Book Title: The Indispensables: The Diverse Soldier Mariners Who Shaped the Country, Formed the Navy, and Rowed Washington across the Delaware The Revolutionary War was characterized as a "raging civil war" where loyalists and patriots lived together, leading to intense political violence. Individuals were targeted based on perceived loyalties, a form of "cancel culture." Dr. Nathaniel Bond, a virus specialist, faced death threats and had his house surrounded by a mob after he treated wounded British soldiers following Lexington and Concord, simply following his Hippocratic oath. He was eventually exonerated after demanding a court martial. Internal betrayal was severe, exemplified by Dr. Benjamin Church, a medical doctor and influential leader who appeared to be an ardent patriot. Church, who was deep in debt, was actually General Gage's greatest spy. He sat on all major Massachusetts provincial committees, funneling crucial Patriot intelligence to Gage, informing the British general exactly where munitions were stored. Church communicated in cipher code and was known as a charming gambler and ladies' man who even faked his own involvement in battle by sprinkling blood on his stockings.

2. The Seizure of Black Powder: Lexington, Concord, and the First Shots of the Revolution Author: Patrick O'Donnell Book Title: The Indispensables: The Diverse Soldier Mariners Who Shaped the Country, Formed the Navy, and Rowed Washington across the Delaware Black powder was the most crucial resource for the nascent revolution, as it did not exist in the colonies, making guns useless without it. The British actively sought to seize all gunpowder in New England. The Marbleheaders, utilizing their established supply lines, brought in the bulk of the powder and arms the British were trying to confiscate. A key early action occurred on December 14, 1774, during the raid on Fort William and Mary, which was a main powder source for the British. Led by John Sullivan and John Langdon, the raiders—tipped off by Marblehead intelligence—stormed the fort and seized the powder and cannon; the few shots fired here are considered the "first shots" of the American Revolution. Following this, in April 1775, the British marched toward Lexington and Concord. Marblehead leaders, including Elbridge Gerry, were meeting nearby and fled into a cornfield, fearing arrest. The returning British column faced thousands of angry militiamen, including the Marbleheaders, who fought them during their retreat along the Battle Road. This included a deadly stand at Menotomy (Arlington), where many patriots were slaughtered.

1. The Prosperous Mariner Community of Marblehead and its Revolutionary Leadership Author: Patrick O'Donnell Book Title: The Indispensables: The Diverse Soldier Mariners Who Shaped the Country, Formed the Navy, and Rowed Washington across the Delaware Marblehead was the second-largest port city in Massachusetts and a thriving cosmopolitan community, with a population estimated at about 5,000. Its economy relied heavily on fishing, specifically codfish from the Grand Banks, which were salted and traded globally via a massive merchant fleet. This commerce fostered some of the wealthiest men in the colonies. Key leaders included Jeremiah Lee, a man of enormous wealth and influence, and John Glover, a scrappy, stocky, red-haired self-made man who started as a cobbler and built a successful fleet of ships. These men, along with Elbridge Gerry, were prominent members of the Massachusetts Provincial Congress, sitting on crucial committees of supply and safety. They leveraged their trade routes to bring in vital resources, such as gunpowder and cannon, securing Spain as the colonies' "first foreign aid" in 1774. Glover led the Marblehead Regiment, which was notably diverse, including African Americans like Caesar Glover and Romeo, who sailed and fought together.

1783 Inquiry Fails to Resolve Cause; Historians Exonerate WashingtonThe Great New York Fire of 1776: A Lost Story of the American Revolution In October 1783, General Guy Carleton convened an inquiry to determine if the fire was accidental or by design, questioning witnesses about sabotage and combustibles. However, no summary opinion was reached. The unique records of this inquiry were found not in the British archives but in the clerk's private papers, donated in 1893. Early American memoirists like Joseph Henry concluded Americans were responsible, arguing that even "great countries can do bad deeds." However, influential historians like Washington Irving later strove to exonerate George Washington, blaming apolitical "miscreants" instead. Retry

Washington Acknowledges Captains Circumstantially Linked to the Arson PlotThe Great New York Fire of 1776: A Lost Story of the American Revolution Three Continental captains were circumstantially linked to the arson: Amos Fellows (died in prison, possibly caught with incendiary materials), Abraham Van Dyck (accused of planning the fire by the British, later recommended for a captaincy by Washington), and Abraham Patten (spy who confessed on the gallows in 1777 to setting the fire). Following Patten's death, Washington eulogized him, and Congress awarded funds to his widow, suggesting recognition for his services. Washington never admitted ordering the fire but thought it beneficial, stating "Providence or some good honest fellow has done what we didn't think to do for ourselves."

The Information War Begins: Generals Avoid Written Mention of the Devastating FireThe Great New York Fire of 1776: A Lost Story of the American Revolution The fire quickly ignited an "information war." Robert Morris and Benjamin Franklin urged their European emissaries to spread the narrative that Americans were innocent and highlighted British atrocities. Despite the information war, General Howe, when writing to Washington days later, complained about "dastardly acts" like doctored bullets but avoided mentioning the fire itself. Washington likewise omitted the topic from his correspondence. Both sides competed for public opinion: the British press insisting Americans were responsible, and the American press denying guilt and emphasizing arbitrary hangings like Wright White's.

Missing Inquest Records and Washington's Denial Fuel 250-Year MysteryThe Great New York Fire of 1776: A Lost Story of the American Revolution Immediately after the fire, the British detained many as suspected arsonists, often for possessing "combustibles" (long matches, turpentine, gunpowder). George Washington publicly denied knowledge, writing that they had "no idea how this happened." Crucially, there is no document where anyone confessed at the time. General Howe's inquiry records were lost in a fire in Ireland in 1826, and prisoner records were lost at sea in 1780, leaving key evidence missing. Nathan Hale, executed the next day for spying, has often been historically associated with the fire due to the timing.

Sabotage, Targeted Churches, and Arbitrary Executions Cloud the Fire's IntentThe Great New York Fire of 1776: A Lost Story of the American Revolution Evidence suggesting the fire was deliberate includes eyewitness reports of sabotage of pumps and bucket handles, preventing effective firefighting. Furthermore, witnesses observed the burning of Trinity Church (Church of England) while dissenting churches were reportedly spared, suggesting anti-Crown targeting. General Robertson claimed he fought the fire aggressively, diverting it up Broadway to save the vital eastern commercial district. In the chaos, British soldiers conducted summary executions, bayoneting or throwing suspected incendiaries into burning buildings, including the loyalist carpenter Wright White.

ls planned arson. Midnight Ignition and Multiple Points of Fire Suggest Design in the Great New York FireThe Great New York Fire of 1776: A Lost Story of the American Revolution The fire started between midnight and 1:00 a.m. on September 21, 1776, near Whitehall Slip. One version suggests an accidental fire started by "careless drunkards" in a tavern. However, British observers on warships reported multiple, relatively simultaneous points of ignition (up to 20 points), strongly suggesting rebel saboteurs. Civilian governance had deteriorated; the fire chief feared rebel arson. Firefighting efforts were hindered because the city's bells had been removed for cannons, and equipment was in disarray.

The Debate to Burn New York: Washington Regrets Obeying Congressional Order Against ArsonThe Great New York Fire of 1776: A Lost Story of the American Revolution Following defeat at Long Island, Washington's forces escaped to Manhattan. The British Howe brothers hesitated, offering pardons and hoping for reconciliation. The debate over burning intensified: General Nathanael Greene advocated burning (September 5), but Congress President John Hancock ordered Washington to prevent it (September 6). Washington later confessed this refusal was a "terrible error," as burning would have deprived the British of critical winter quarters. Although Americans publicly blamed the British, rebels had previously burned Norfolk, Virginia. Loyalists circulated rumors that rebels planned arson.

George Washington Arrives in Depopulated New York City, Debating the Burning of the Rebel AnchorThe Great New York Fire of 1776: A Lost Story of the American Revolution In spring 1776, George Washington arrived in New York City, the colonies' second-largest town, finding it small (25,000 people) and politically divided. Two-thirds of the population had fled anticipating conflict. Washington controlled the urbanized area south of Canal Street, occupied by his Continental Army, which he described as ill-disciplined. Before the fire, Washington privately believed burning the city was a good idea to deprive the British of winter quarters. The central question remains: was the fire accidental or by design?

FRANKOPAN8.mp3 - Unsustainable Modern Consumption and the Need for Knowledge Professor Peter Frankopan | The Earth Transformed: An Untold History This segment addresses modern civilization's unsustainable consumption. One cotton shirt requires 2,700 liters of fresh water—equivalent to two and a half years of drinking water for one person. The global fashion industry accounts for 10% of all greenhouse gas emissions. Global food waste is immense, with 930 million tons wasted annually, often due to consumer demands for "perfect" produce. Advanced civilization is described as brittle, relying on constant luck, and when failures occur, the most vulnerable suffer disproportionately. The author concludes that education is crucial to provide the knowledge necessary to understand these resource cycles and implement sustainable practices.

FRANKOPAN7.mp3 - The Age of Turbulence (1870–1920), Resource Extraction, and Global Migration Peter Frankopan | The Earth Transformed: An Untold History The Age of Turbulence (1870–1920) involved rapid technological growth (telegraph, refrigerated shipping) and intense extractive empire building. Empires monetized resources like rubber, transplanted from the Amazon and causing massive deforestation in the Malay Peninsula. Global economic integration meant US grain could be shipped to London more cheaply than Irish grain. While historical focus is often Eurocentric, migration in the Indo-Pacific region (e.g., India to Southeast Asia) exceeded transatlantic migration, creating current geopolitical sensitivities. British infrastructure in India, such as railroads, aimed primarily at administrative efficiency. Furthermore, irrigation projects often failed, causing soil salinity due to rapid water evaporation in high temperatures. Scientific awareness of global warming predated the 1883 Krakatoa eruption.

RANKOPAN6.mp3 - The Great Divergence, Coal Location, and Global Climate Shocks Peter Frankopan | The Earth Transformed: An Untold History The Great Divergence seeks to explain how Europe accelerated scientifically and technologically after 1500 to dominate global empires. A key factor was location: England benefited from coal fields situated close to London and easily transportable by sea, unlike China's distant resources. Climate shocks created opportunities for European powers. Severe famines and droughts in India (such as the 1770s Bengal famine that killed 30 million) shattered the Mughal state's ability to collect revenue, facilitating British control. Additionally, the 1783 Laki volcanic eruption caused a climate shock affecting Egypt's Nile, diverting Ottoman focus southward and enabling Catherine the Great to annex Crimea.

FRANKOPAN5.mp3 - Mosquito Empires, Slavery, and European Prosperity (17th–18th Centuries) Professor Peter Frankopan | The Earth Transformed: An Untold History The 17th–18th centuries saw "mosquito empires" where malaria limited European settlement, leading to West Africa being called the "white man's grave." The rise of transatlantic slavery was linked to disease resilience, as many West Africans carried genetic resistance to malaria, making them highly sought-after laborers in the Americas. New American crops like cassava boosted global calorie provision, freeing up labor. European prosperity, especially Britain's, was built on exploiting the Americas and Africa for resources and labor. Massive wealth extraction, such as Robert Clive's seizure of Bengal's treasury, cemented European power. Meanwhile, the decline of indigenous populations in the Americas resulted in substantial reforestation.