The Wolverine Minute Man

Transcription

1 The Wolverine Minute Man Newsletter of the Michigan Society Sons of the American Revolution December, 2013 Message From The President T his has been an exciting fall packed with many inspirational events. In September, Compatriot James Perkins and I participated in the third annual Vigil at the Tomb of General Washington, an event initiated by Past President William Vette. This was followed up with MISSAR and Vice President General Joseph Conger hosting a very successful Great Lakes District meeting in October at the Amway Grand Hotel in Grand Rapids. NASSAR President General Joseph Dooly was in attendance and the event included a Color Guard Wreath ceremony at President Gerald Ford s gravesite. November included a very productive MISSAR Board of Manager s meeting at the Bavarian Inn in Frankenmuth. Commander Burkland led our Color Guard, with the local VFW, in a ceremony at the Memorial to honor Veteran s Day. Members of our Color Guard also participated in the annual Veteran s Day memorial at St Paul s Cathedral in Detroit that weekend. We closed out this active fall season by having our Color Guard represent MISSAR at the Wreaths Across America Celebration on December 14th at the Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly Michigan. On a personal note, my travels this fall included trips to Savannah, Georgia and Normandy, France. Savannah is home to a large colonial cemetery that includes an ornate entry arch dedicated by the DAR and many patriot gravesites, including one of the original signers of the Declaration of Independence. General Nathaniel Greene was also originally buried in this cemetery, but his remains were later transferred to their current resting place under a large monument honoring him in one of the famous town squares. General Greene was originally from Rhode Island, but in recognition of his service he was given a plantation near Savannah following the war. Legend has it that he never really cared for the heat and humidity, and he frequently complained about the Spanish moss that covers the tall Georgia oaks in all of the town squares, except for the one where General Greene is now buried. My trip to Normandy included a brief visit to the American landing sites at Omaha and Utah beaches. The American cemetery overlooking Omaha Beach is the final resting place for almost 10,000 brave patriots who gave the ultimate sacrifice to change history and preserve freedom for the entire world. Exploring the crumbling German fortifications, seeing the craters from the invasion bombardment, and experiencing the gale force winds of the Normandy coast creates a sense of awe at the courage our veterans demonstrated against almost unimaginable obstacles. It made our memorial services on Veteran s Day in Frankenmuth and at the annual Wreaths Across America ceremony on December 14 th even more special for me. I outlined several new initiatives for both MISSAR and our local chapters at our meeting in Frankenmuth. They are focused on finding ways to increase and retain our membership, including the use of social media to get our message out about the Mission of the Sons of the American Revolution. We need to find ways to increase the interest of younger members to build on the good works of our current and past membership. It is the youth of America that we must reach and draw into our society if it is to remain vital and relevant. These efforts include increasing our collaboration with the schools, the Boy Scouts, ROTC, and veteran s organizations. I am happy to report that since our last meeting I have sent out certificates of recognition and letters of congratulations to four new Eagle Scouts. I look forward to continuing our discussion and planning to further improve and build our society. Finally, I want to wish all of our Compatriots and their families a Merry Christmas and a prosperous, happy and safe New Year. Respectfully, Dr. Robert M. Sprague, President MISSAR

2 Double-Up..Rod Wilson, 1 st Vice President D id you know that MISSAR has lingered around 300 members every year since 1940 (that is as far back as I have records). Some years below and some years above but the average over the past 70+ years is about 300 members. At the Great Lakes District Meeting in November in Grand Rapids, NSSAR President General Joseph Dooley said we have really lost ground by staying around 300 members as the population in the state has increased drastically in those 70 years. Our percentage of increase has not kept up with the population increase. My goal is to increase our membership and by April, 2015, to have 600 members in the MISSAR. That is correct, DOUBLE-UP. We started this year under three hundred but I feel we should shoot for double our average number of 300 members. No one person can make this happen alone. It will take everyone s help to make this successful. Each and every member needs to bring in one new member. Being realistic, that probably is not going to happen so I am asking you to recruit as many new members as you can. Talk to your sons, relatives, friends and acquaintances. Work with your local D.A.R. chapter to sign-up their husbands, sons and relatives. Hold genealogy workshops in your area. These are a few ideas to help you in your recruitment. Along with recruitment is the importance of retention. If we lose a member, that means we have one extra member we need to recruit. We will discuss retention at one of our membership committee meetings. Amidst all the new members joining there will be some new chapters added. If a member can live close enough to where the chapter meets, then there is a good chance he may become active and retain his membership. In closing, all I have to say is DOUBLE-UP, with your help it can be done. The MISSAR is now on Facebook! Recently The Michigan Society Sons of the American Revolution started its own Facebook page. It s a great way to share news of our organization with Facebook users everywhere, and also a good way to share photos and items of interest with other MISSAR members. It is available to all Michigan Chapters. If you have any questions regarding the Facebook page, please contact Compatriot Michael Huey at mikehueymail@yahoo.com. Check it out and like our new page today! 2

3 MISSAR Chapter Presidents Detroit Metropolitan Stuart B. Shuster Paul Emery Robert M Sprague Huron Valley Tom Pleuss River Raisin Jerry Reed Jr. Northern Michigan Joseph C Conger Sauk Trail Robert A. Wagel Oaks Dennis VanWormer West Michigan Michael Huey Courtesy of Joseph Bauman D a n i e l S p e n c e r Daniel Spencer served as a member of the backup troops sent to cover the operatives in a secret mission to capture Benedict Arnold, after he had defected to the British. The maneuver failed when Arnold shifted his headquarters. A member of the elite Sheldon s Dragoons, Spencer was in a few skirmishes. He sat up all night fanning his commanding officer, Captain George Hurlbut, who had been shot in a fight during which the British captured a supply ship. Spencer s account of the death of the officer differed markedly from that of Gen. Washington's; Spencer said the wounds of the officer had nearly healed when he caught a disease from a prostitute and this illness killed him, whereas Washington said he died of his wounds. Spencer s pension was revoked soon after it was granted and for years he and his family lived in severe poverty. Eventually his pension was restored. He was the guest of honor during New York City s celebration of July 4, Read more: -american-revolution/#ixzz2fxneptxg 3

4 2013 Officers, MISSAR President Dr. Robert Sprague PEC 1 st Vice President Rod Wilson OC 2 nd Vice President Tom Fountain HVC Treasurer Joseph C. Conger NMC Secretary Laurence Herman OC Chancellor Don Shaw PEC Chaplain Michael Huey WMC Genealogist Allan Treppa HVC Registrar Robert Wagel STC Historian John Crissman OC DAR/CAR Liaison Timothy LeMarbe PEC Chapter Trustees West Michigan Detroit Metropolitan Sauk Trail Northern Michigan Paul Emery River Raisin Oaks Huron Valley National Trustee Alternate National Trustee Gary Crump, Lensworth Cottrell Jr. Stuart Shuster, Richard Steele Robert M, Heydon, Vernon Potts Gerald Wall, Charles Barr II Gerald Burkland, Donald E. Reifert Donald Nutt, Jerry Reed Sr. Tom Coddington, Dennis VanWormer Tom Pleuss, James Petres Robert Wagel STC William Vette RRC T he MISSAR Board of Managers met on Saturday, November 9, 2013, at the Bavarian Inn, Frankenmuth, Michigan. The meeting was conducted by President Dr. Robert Spraque and included reports from MISSAR officers and committee chairmen. A presentation was made by CAR President Mitchell Huber concerning their support of the World War II Memorial being planned for Royal Oak, Michigan. Memorial bricks may be purchased by individual Compatriots, or by Chapters which will be inscribed and become part of the memorial. MISSAR Board of Managers Meeting Immediately after the meeting the command of Compatriot Gerald Burkland, led Frankenmuth where a memorial service honthe Frankenmuth VFW. Michigan Society Color Guard under the a procession to the Veteran s Memorial in oring our county s veteran s was held with 4

5 Michigan Society Sons of the American Revolution Century Club 2013 Chapter First Name Last Name Fund NMC ** Charles Barr II General Fund NMC** Joseph Conger General Fund OC** John Crissman General Fund PEC John Daly III Patriot Grave OC Leonard Decker Eagle Scout OC Kenneth Dunlap Sr General Fund HVC Thomas Fountain General Fund DMC John Fuller General Fund NMC Larry Hewett General Fund STC** Robert Heydon General Fund OC** Robert Koller General Fund DMC Gordon MacNeil General Fund OC Francis Noggle General Fund HVC James Petres General Fund WMC** Douglas Rasmussen General Fund RRC** Jerry Reed Sr Color Guard HVC David Schankin Ser. To Vets. DMC Wayne Templeton General Fund RRC** William Vette Color Guard OC* Bernie Wagers II Youth Fund NMC* Gerald Wall General Fund PEC* Gary Wooden General Fund HVC Robert Zimmer General Fund 5

6 News from Northern Michigan Chapter tificates. The Northern Michigan Chapter held a meeting on October 12, 2013, at The Ruby Tuesday restaurant in Traverse City, Michigan. Present for the meeting were Compatriots Ervan L. Amidon, Charles Barr II, Roger Benter, Joseph Conger, J. Paul Dennis, Ed Laidlaw, Jack Neal, Harry Olson, Eugene Seldon, David Smith, Lowell Spence, James Strain, and Gerald Wall. Guests present were Brian Anderson, Kathy Neal, and Ken Osaer. The Secretary affirmed there was a quorum present. Innvocation given by Chaplin Gerald Wall President Conger led the Pledge of Allegiance and the SAR Pledge. Minutes of the June 22, 2013 were distributed and motion was made by Gerald Wall to accept the minutes as written. Motion seconded by Col. Amidon. Motion passed unanimously. The treasurer s report was presented and accepted as written. New Members New members Jack Neal and Lowell Spence were inducted into the SAR by Chapter President Joseph Conger. The new members were presented their Rosettes and membership cer- Awards President Conger presented the following awards: Gerald Wall: Past President s Pin and certificate, also pin and certificate for his contribution to The Center for Advancing America s Heritage and a Flag Certificate Dr. Roger Benter: Charles Barr II: Century Club Certificate Joseph Conger: Century Club Certificate Gerald Wall: Century Club Certificate The Northern Michigan Chapter was presented with the Chapter Flag Streamer Award for 2011 to 2012 and 2012 to 2013 for supporting the Center for Advancing America s Heritage. Chapter committee reports were given by: Chapter liaison to the DAR David Smith President Joseph Conger presented a report on the Veteran s Coalition The Northern Michigan Chapter has distributed letters to twenty Boy Scout Troop leaders informing them of the Eagle Scout Essay, the Knight Essay, and the Rumbaugh Oration contests. President Joseph Conger informed all Compatriots of the 125 th NSSAR Annual Congress to be held in Louisville Kentucky on June 26 to 6

7 July 1. The new headquarters and CAAH will be completed. Minutes submitted by Secretary and Past President Charles Barr II Old Business A report was given on the Constitution Day celebration held at the Williamsburg Theatre in September. Members Joseph Conger, David Smith, and Gerald Wall represented the Northern Michigan Chapter in a information booth distributing SAR information. Charles Barr II, Eugene Seldon, and guest Ken Osaer represented the Chapter at the banquet and presented a $ contribution to the event on behalf of the Chapter. New Business There was a discussion regarding the replica of the Statue of Liberty on Mackinac Island. The statue is to restored with a ceremony planned for April, Roger Benter made a motion that the Northern Michigan Chapter donate $50.00 toward the restoration. Motion seconded by Harry Olson. Motion passed unanimously. James Strain moved that there being no further business the meeting be adjourned. Motion seconded by Jack Neal. Motion passed unanimously President Conger led the Chapter in the SAR Recessional and adjourned the meeting at 1:18 p.m. MISSAR Dates to Remember January 18, 2013: MISSAR Board of Managers Meeting Chelsea Comfort Inn March 8, 2014 Oaks Chapter/MISSAR Board of Managers Meeting Great Oaks Country Club, Rochester Michigan April 26, 2014 MISSAR Annual Meeting Kellogg Center, East Lansing, Michigan 7

8 News From The Oaks Chapter T he Oaks Chapter held its October, 2013 membership meeting at Ewell s Grill in Auburn Hills, Michigan. Guests included three prospective members and guest speaker Bill Dow. Guest speaker Dow is a free lance writer and entertained those in attendance with stories of Detroit sports greats such as Gordie Howe and Al Kaline. Bill was instrumental in arranging the 40 th anniversary of The Paper Lion movie with George Plimpton and many Detroit Lions players of the day. He also was very involved in the save Tiger Stadium efforts. The Oaks Chapter also voted to award $50.00 donations to two local C.A.R. Chapters. This money was provided by funds held in the Carl Helfrich Memorial Fund It was also decided to award $ to the MISSAR Youth Fund. This contribution came from the Oaks Chapter Youth Award Fund. The Oaks Chapter will host the MISSAR Board of Managers meeting in early March at Great Oaks Country Club in Rochester, Michigan. Oaks Chapter guest speaker Bill Dow Detroit Metro Chapter Compatriot Robert Briggs The Detroit Metro Chapter has had the distinction of celebrating their 100 th anniversary as a MISSAR Chapter this year, but also has a member as old as the Chapter itself. Robert A. Briggs celebrated his 100 th birthday this year along with his MISSAR Chapter. Compatriot Briggs was approved for membership on April 29, 1981 with a national number of Compatriot Briggs was an active member in his younger days and rose in the ranks to be President of the Michigan Society in He lives in Gosse lle, Michigan, and is mostly confined to his home these days following a heart attack in He recently wrote the Detroit Chapter a letter up dating his condition. It appears Compatriot Briggs has not lost his sense of humor. I am under a health watch from the universe. There was a time when they wanted me up there every two months or so. Now at ninety-nine with a birthday in August they only want to see me once a year. I asked, Why the stretched-out schedule? The Doctor said, The U of M is a research organization and we don t want to treat anyone over ninety. You see, if we learned anything from you, who would we use it on. Compatriot Briggs recalls his experiences with the Sons of the American Revolution as wonderful and wishes he could do it again. Our best wishes and congratulations to Compatriot Briggs. 8

9 West Michign Chapter celebrates 115 Years Secretary's Report & Meeting Minutes Old Business: Accepted meeting minutes from 28 September 2013 Treasurer's Report- Compatriot Harger reported a balance of $2, New Business: Members introduced themselves, including newest member Thomas Lannon President Michael Huey requested reimbursement for expenses incurred, including the new WMC Chapter sign and other materials. The amount totaled $ (moved, supported & passed) The WMC is 115 years old!!!! President Huey introduced the West Michigan Chapter members booklet. This will cost the chapter $7.60 per book, and he suggested we sell them for $ Moved that Compatriot Cottrell will put it together. (moved, supported & passed.) A new schedule for 2014 was introduced by President Huey, and the meeting dates proposed. It was mentioned that these dates may possibly change. (moved, supported & passed) Compatriot Harger shared a brochure regarding possible presentations involving living history for future consideration. We will discuss possible member ancestor presentations in the first March meeting. Compatriot/President Huey introduced the new member's packet, and issued the first one to new member Tom Lannon. Compatriot Lannon received a certificate, decals, key chain, and rosette, among other small tokens. Break for Lunch Discussed Great Lakes district meeting (25 & 26 October in GR), Board of Managers' meeting in Frankenmuth (19 November.) Discussed: *SAR goals & the challenge by President Dooley *Supplemental memberships *President Huey moved to donate $100 to the new SAR museum in Louisville, KY. (supported & passed) *Joining the Color Guard Also discussed: *Upcoming 19 January Board of Managers' meeting in Chelsea *$250 donation to the Ladies of Mt. Vernon for a portrait of George Washington in a local school *January 8 th Lions Club meeting presentation in Lakeview at 5:30 pm *Transfer and new members *Possibilities of a graveside memorial for James Smith Davis from Newaygo County, Ashland Cemetery *President Huey contacted DAR regent, Sarah Dickinson, Holland, MI regarding collaboration of memberships *Facebook page is changing from WMC to the Michigan Society of SAR Compatriot James Richards nominated himself as the chapter youth writing and oration contest coordinator (supported & passed). President Huey restated a need for a recruiting push before we adjourned. Benediction, Recessional & Adjournment Respectfully submitted by James Perkins, Secretary Continued with photographs next page 9

10 West Michigan continued from previous West Michigan Chapter, MISSAR 2013 West Michigan Chapter President Michael Huey welcomes new Compatriots Ralph James Huey and Tom Lannon 10

11 River Raisin Chapter A t the Great Lakes District Meeting In Grand Rapids on October 25 and 26, 2013, Vice President General Joseph Conger presented River Raisin Compatriot, and immediate past President, MISSAR, William Vette, with the Roger Sherman Award. This metal, which is new in 2013, was given to Compatriot Vette in recognition of his faithful service to the Sons of the American Revolution, and especially for developing the concept, and organizing the George Washington Vigil in Mount Vernon. The George Washington Vigil has become an annual and national SAR event. Congratulations Compatriot Vette! Wreaths Across America Rod Wilson P resident Dr. Robert Sprague, retired VPG and Color Guard Commander Gerald Burkland and 1 st Vice President Rod Wilson participated in the placing of the wreaths at the Great Lakes VA National Cemetery in Holly, Michigan. It was cold and blustery with over a thousand people in attendance to help place the wreaths. Two large Walmart semi-trucks were filled to the brim with boxes with over 8,000 wreaths. It is an amazing sight to see young children along with grandma and grandpa placing wreaths on the veteran s grave sites. What a tremendous education for those young people. For more pictures see the Flint Journal website. On the walk back to our cars we talked about how we would have endured this weather during the Revolutionary War. Most likely not the appreciate a little more the sacrifices our patriot fathers made.proper clothing, sleeping in tents and food rations frozen. It makes you 11

12 NSSAR Great Lakes District Meeting O n October 25 th and 26 th, 2013, The Great Lakes District held their annual meeting at the Amway Grand Hotel in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The event was hosted by the Michigan Society and was presided by Great Lakes District Vice President General Joseph Conger. Honored guests included NSSAR Presdent General Joseph Dooley and Dr. Samuel Powell of the NSSAR Center for Advancement of America s Heritage. Friday afternoon highlights included a short walk to the Gerald Ford Museum where representatives of the Wisconsin, Illinois, and Michigan Color Guard marched to the grave site of President Ford. NSSAR President General Joseph Dooley laid a wreath at the grave site and a short ceremony was held. Friday evening featured a gala banquet attended by Compatriots form Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan. Vice President General Conger introduced all Com patriots and guests and after dinner remarks were given by NSSAR President General Joseph Dooley and NSSAR Foundation President Dr. Samuel Powell. On Saturday a business meeting was held which included the election of next year s Vice President General of the GLD, endorsements of the GLD of candidates for national NSSAR office and presentations of awards. See GLD Meeting continued on page 6 Compatriot Bill Vette, President General Joeseph Dooley, VP General GLD JosepConger GLD Color Guard and guests at President Gerald Ford Grave site. Color Guard marchs through Hotel lobby 12

13 GLD Meeting continued from page 5 Distinguished Service Certificates based on the recommendations of the three Society Presidents were presented by Compatriot Conger to: Charles McGee of the Wisconsin Society A $ contribution was given by the Northern Michigan Chapter, MISSAR to Mitch Huber of the C.A.R in support of their efforts to help establish a World War II memorial in Royal Oak, Michigan. Matt Colby of the Wisconsin Society Aaron Krebs of the Wisonsin Society Martinus John Dyrud Of the Illinois Society Stephen A. Bradley of the Illinois Society Michael Huey of the Michigan Society Gerald Burkland of the Michigan Society. The Great Lakes District also contributed $ to Dr. Samuel Powell for the Center for Advancement of America s Heritage. GLD Vice President General Joseph Conger presides over Friday evening banquet and Saturday meeting Color Guard honors President General Dooley with Sword Salute VPG Conger and Michigan, Illinois,and Wisconsin Society Presidents 13

14 Apr 23, 1778: John Paul Jones burns Whitehaven, England A t 8 a.m. on this day in 1778, John Paul Jones, with 30 volunteers from his ship, the USS Ranger, launches a surprise attack on the two harbor forts at Whitehaven, England. Jones' boat successfully took the southern fort, but a second boat, assigned to attack to the northern fort, returned to the Ranger without having done so, claiming to have been scared off by a strange noise. To compensate, Jones decided to burn the southern fort; the blaze ultimately consumed the entire town. It was the only American raid on English shores during the American Revolution. Later the same day, Jones continued from Whitehaven, where he began his sailing career, to his home territory of Kirkcudbright Bay, Scotland. There he intended to abduct the Earl of Selkirk, and then exchange him for American sailors held captive by Britain. Although he did not find the Earl at home, Jones' crew was able to steal all his silver, including his wife's teapot, still containing her breakfast tea. From Scotland, Jones sailed across the Irish Sea to Carrickfergus, where the Ranger captured the HMS Drake after delivering fatal wounds to the British ship's captain and Lieutenant. In September 1779, Jones fought one of the fiercest battles in naval history when he led the USS onhomme Richard frigate, named for Benjamin Franklin, in an engagement with the 50-gun British warship HMS Serapis. The USS Bonhomme Richard was struck; it began taking on water and caught fire. When the British captain of the Serapis ordered Jones to surrender, Jones famously replied, "I have not yet begun to fight!" A few hours later, the British captain and crew of the Serapis admitted defeat and Jones took command of their ship. Jones went on to establish himself as one of the greatest naval commanders in history; he is remembered, along with John Barry, as a Father of the American Navy. He is buried in a crypt in the U.S. Naval Academy Chapel at Annapolis, Maryland, where a Marine honor guard stands at attention in his honor whenever the crypt is open to the public. Articled contributed by Compatriot Joseph Conger 14

15 Victory at Sea by Joseph Conger The American Revolutionary War could not have been won without the naval assistance of France, Spain and Holland, who fought Britain with the American Navy. British supply lines were 3,000 miles, attacked time and time again by American ships and her allies. Forced to bring provisions and soldiers the British were humbled. Prior to 1774 about one third of the British merchant ships were built in North America. The colonies were a source of inexpensive abundant timbers. The ships built may have been smaller than Ships of the Line of Battle, (Ships-of-the-line is the 18th century term for ships substantial enough to be used in a battle line, a tactic of war in which two lines of ships faced off against each other) but they were able to sail afar and fast. At the time of the war, the basic expertise of shipbuilding and navigating the high seas had mastered by the Americans. The American Naval effort took placed on three levels: Privateers (legalized pirates), individual colonies having a naval presence and a Navy organized by Congress. Privateers by far were the most plentiful. Just follow the money. Both sides in the war used privateers. British Admiral Howe was paid off by privateers operating in the New England waters. Sailor would triple his wages! For Britain in the colonies, this was big business. It employed 6,000 black seamen. English privateers were color blind. For black slaves it was freedom. In 1777 there were about 73 privateers, but by 1781 there were 449, who captured some 3,100 vessels and sold 900 back to the owners for ransom, not to mention the stores, gun powder and weapons. Congress and the colonies gave Letters of Marque to perform basically legalized piracy! Privateers sailed gunboats and barrages on rivers and bays to galleys and fast schooners on the seas. At the beginning of the war England had the strongest Navy in the world and it continued to rule the seas for another century and half. In 1776 the British had 16,000 men in the navy of which 4,500 were marines. By it had 90,000 men with 20,000 marines. During the war many British ships were lost accidental explosions, fire and shipwrecks. If we ignore ships wrecks and gangrene wounds the total men lost due to sickness and disease is the highest. The British Navy from 1776 to 1780 some 18,541 died if disease versus some 1,242 killed in action, out of some 175,990 men who served during this period, with 42,000 desertions. Epidemics, yellow fever, malaria, typhus and scurvy were all contributors. (As the America Revolutionary War ended the origins of scurvy became known). Jan 16, 1780: British demonstrate naval supremacy in The Moonlight Battle British Admiral Sir George Rodney, with 18 Ships of the Line engaged an inferior Spanish squadron of 11 battleships commanded by Don Juan de Langara off the southwestern coast of Portugal at Cape St. Vincent, in what comes to be known as The Moonlight Battle. The Spanish, who were at war with the British because they had chosen to back the American rebels in the War for Independence, saw the CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE 15

16 CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE British fleet in pursuit and attempted to retreat home to the port of Cadiz. As they fled, Rodney decided to ignore the accepted rules of naval engagement, which involved two lines of ships bombarding one another with cannon much like two lines of infantry confronting one another across a battlefield. Instead, he decided to attempt to overtake of the Spanish ships by giving orders of general chase--having each British ship chase the Spanish fleet to the best of its ability. The British hounded the Spanish until 2 a.m., when the Spaniards finally surrendered. Four Spanish battleships and two frigates escaped capture, but the British took De Langara's flagship and five others before running into shoals and ending the chase. One Spanish ship with its entire crew was lost in battle. Thirty-two Britons died, and 102 were wounded. Credit for the British victory belongs not only to their greater number of ships and Admiral Rodney's decision to give chase, but also to the British ships' barnacle-free copper bottoms, which allowed them to outpace the less technologically advanced Spanish fleet. The fact that the two fleets engaged in battle overnight was an anomaly in 18th-century sea warfare, and earned the encounter the title The Moonlight Battle, and a painting by Francis Holman, despite its comparative insignificance in the Revolutionary War. In 1775 Britain had 131 ships-of-the-line and at the end of the war had 174. So how were the Americans victorious in winning against this kind of naval power? SEE Next issue Source: Navies of the American Revolution by Antony Preston David Lyon and John H. Batchelor, 1975 Bison Books Message from the Editor, I would like to thank everyone who has contributed articles and photos to this edition of The Wolverine Minute Man. Please keep The Minute Man in mind as your Chapter is involved in all of its many activities this coming year. Please forward your material to me at johncrissman17@gmail.com. As President Sprague noted in his message, there has been much activity in the Michigan Society these last few weeks. I would encourage you all to become engaged in your local chapter and contribute your time and talents to furthering the mission of the MISSAR. I promise that you will find it a very rewarding experience if you do. I wish you all a wonderful Christmas and a very Happy New Year. John Crissman, Editor, The Wolverine Minute Man 16