The Regiment

This site, MarbleheadRegiment.com was originally started in support for the campaign of Fred Thompson in the 2008 presidential primaries. It has evolved into something much different.

The original Marblehead Regiment was the 14th Continental Regiment of Marblehead Massachusetts.

The Marblehead, Massachusetts unit was originally formed in January 1775 after a town meeting voted to reorganize the militia, stripping the existing Tory commanders of their military powers and assigning Jeremiah Lee as the regimental commander. John Glover was elected second lieutenant colonel. The regiment armed itself in part using captured weapons and powder seized during a night time raid of the HMS Lively led by Samuel Trevett in early February.

John Glover assumed command after Lee fell sick and died from exposure when he was forced to flee from oncoming British troops.

This group is perhaps best know for the part they played in the Battle of Trenton.

As the end of 1776 approached, Washington faced a desperate situation. Morale was low, and the enlistments for many of his regiments, including the 14th, would expire at the end of the year. Washington decided to get one more battle in before these troops left the service. Howe had pursued Washington through New Jersey, but as Washington crossed the Delaware River into Pennsylvania, his troops had collected all the boats they could find and stopped Howe’s advance. Howe halted his campaign for the winter, moving most of his army back to New York, but leaving a chain of garrisons behind to hold New Jersey. Washington devised a plan to attack the garrison at Trenton, and selected Glover and the 14th Regiment to ferry his troops across the Delaware.

[...]

Washington ordered the operation for Christmas night, which turned out to be a howling snow storm. As the 14th ferried the heavily laden boats across, they had to contend with ice forming on the gear, and cakes of ice that needed to be wrestled out of the way.[20] In addition to ferrying the troops, the 14th was responsible for ferrying the artillery that was under the command of Colonel Henry Knox. At 3am on the morning of December 26, three hours behind schedule, the 14th Regiment had completed their task.

After the crossing of the Delaware was completed, the 14th Regiment joined the other regiments in Glover’s brigade in General John Sullivan’s division and were part of the American victory at the Battle of Trenton that immediately followed. Before the day was out, the 14th Regiment would be assigned to ferry Washington’s force and approximately 900 Hessian prisoners back across the Delaware.

Most of us will never be in a position to directly effect public policy, such as being an elected official. We can, and will, be more effective by our ability to “pull the oars.”

As a starting point I would like to see members of this group:

• Develop strong groups to focus on states, localities, and specific areas of opportunity
• Explore ways to effectively promote conservative ideas, programs, and candidates
• Discuss strategies to move forward
• Educate members and visitors on our shared vision and ideas

Of course there is much more that will have to be added to this list over time. Help get things started by creating an account now. Your comments are welcome.