Glover's Regiment in the Revolutionary War

 

You may have seen the painting Washington Crossing the Delaware in your American History class, but did you know that the men in the boat were from Marblehead, Massachusetts? In the painting, as in life, a heroic Washington guided the Continental Army across the Delaware River on Christmas 1776. Despite disastrous weather and icy waters, they went on to triumphantly win The Battle of Trenton. 

These brave soldiers were a part of the Glover’s Regiment in the Continental Army. Salem-born Col. John Glover (1732-1797) succeeded the 21st Massachusetts Regiment after Col. Jerimiah Lee’s death shortly after April 19th, 1775. Lee assisted in the plan to save Samuel Adams and John Hanock from being arrested by the British regulars. 

Soon, Glover took hold of the Army after being appointed by General Washington. Glover’s financial success with the “codfish aristocracy” led to him commanding the Continental Navy on the ship, Hannah. The schooner was commissioned in September 1775 by Washington during the siege of Boston, then had almost been captured by the British the following month.

The “Marblehead Mariners” became the 14th Continental Regiment. The group included African Americans, Indigenous People, Jews, and the Spanish. Maritime culture benefited the men as their nautical skills gave them advancement during naval battles. The band of brothers were successful during the Battles of Long Island (August 1776) and Bell’s Point (October 1776). They were saved by British forces by fleeing to the ferry. On Christmas 1776, Glover’s Regiment crossed the river into Trenton, NJ, and captured 1,000 Hessians. Their bravery helped inspire more soldiers to pick up the ore and fight. The impact of men of every race working together was uncommon at the time, especially since General Washington owned enslaved people. But they all would come together for their shared fight for freedom. 

While John Glover’s time in the Continental Army was short, it had a lasting impact. He traveled home to care for his sick wife, Hannah (whom the ship was named after), before contracting a mysterious illness (believed to have been hepatitis or malaria). He succumbed to his illness in 1797. 

Marblehead’s Board of Selectmen advocated for a reenactment group of Glover’s Regiment. This group would honor Col. John Glover and men fighting in the Continental Army in the Revolutionary War. Presenters offered a presentation about the regiments’ nautical skills and their contributions in the Battle of Trenton Christmas 1776. 

Glover’s Marblehead Regiment continues reenactments today. Their role as “impressions” ranged from a ship surgeon to sailor. The women helped with the “codfish economy” by maintaining the house while the husbands were away. Many of the actors wear sailor or soldier gear head-to-toe and still offer presentations at events. 

The mission of the Regiment is “to research and interpret Glover’s Marblehead Regiment and its 18th century culture, for the purposes of inspiration and education.” Their project for the Bicentennial was to travel up and down the Atlantic from Maine to Virginia, following the route Glover’s men took. Today, the group still marches in parades and do more reenactments in the city.

Work Cited

John Glover. American Battlefield Trust. (2022). https://www.battlefields.org/learn/biographies/john-glover

John Glover and the Marblehead Men of Massachusetts. American Battlefield Trust. (2023, February 16). https://www.battlefields.org/learn/articles/john-glover-and-marblehead-men-massachusetts

 Soldiers from the Shore. The American Revolution Institute. (2023, March 14). https://www.americanrevolutioninstitute.org/coastal-regiments-in-the-continental-army/

 Vellucci, J., Woodfin, B., McPhee, D., Leach, B., Dalal, J., Thomas, M. M. T., Thiem, L., & Fairchild, M. (2022, December 16). The Red, Black and White Men of Glover’s Regiment Take Washington Across the Delaware. New England Historical Society. https://newenglandhistoricalsociety.com/glovers-regiment-crosses-delaware/

NPS. (2012, March 31). A hero of 1776. National Parks Service. https://www.nps.gov/sapa/planyourvisit/overlooked-hero_a-hero-of-1776.htm