David Price - John Haslets World: An Ardent Patriot, the Delaware Blues, and the Spirit of 1776

Advance Praise for John Haslets World

Delawares Revolutionary War hero, John Haslet, should be much better known. I am delighted that David Price has taken on this task! Prices book is both well-written and carefully documented. I highly recommend it!

Kim Burdick, MA, MPA, founder, American Revolution Round Table of Northern Delaware and author of Revolutionary Delaware: Independence in the First State

David Price has composed an interesting and informative narrative history of Colonel John Haslet and the 1st Delaware Regiment of the Continental Army in the early phase of the Revolutionary War, neither of which should be overlooked or forgotten as we approach the semiquincentennial of our nations independence.

Glenn F. Williams, Ph.D., Historian, U.S. Army Center of Military History and author of Dunmores War: The Last Conflict of Americas Colonial Era and Year of the Hangman: George Washingtons Campaign Against the Ir oquois

If there ever was a book about one regiment, one state, that covers the trials and tribulations of the American Revolution, this is one you cant skip by. The story of the Delaware Continentals is one that is truly amazing! It is almost unbelievable that this one regiment from one of the smallest states impacted the outcome of the Revolution not just once but time after time, each and every year of the war.

Chris Mlynarcyzk, President, 1st Delaware Regiment

Colonel John Haslet was the Delaware Continental most likely to attain general officer rank. Instead, he fell valiantly on the battlefield. Now David Price, in this fine biography, leads us on an engaging tour of Haslets journey to that fatal encounter. Price chronicles Haslet the minister, physician, planter, politician, and officer from Ireland to Princeton, breathing life into this Renaissance and revolutionary man. Along the way, we learn of Delawares colonial history and the Delaware Regiment. But Haslet remains the focus of Prices well-paced and informative story, offering the subject well-deserved recognition. I highly recommend this book.

Bill Welsch, President, American Revolution Round Table (ARRT) of Richmond and co-founder of the Congress of ARRTs

David Price gives his readers a complete picture of the life of John Haslet. This largely forgotten leader not only helped give birth to Delawares Patriot movement before the war but served as a critical part of the Continental Armys military survival in the early part of the American Revolution. Haslets military daring and organizational ability showed his potential to become one of the armys top commanders. He likely would have gone on to play an important role in the founding of the new nation. As he gave the last full measure of devotion to make the crucial Princeton campaign a success, the nation owes eternal gratitude to the sacrifice of Colonel Haslet.

Michael Troy, host of the American Revolution Podcast

In this well-chronicled account, David Price tells the story of Revolutionary War hero John Haslet and how his inspiring leadership and sacrifice helped turn the tide of the American Revolution during the Ten Crucial Days campaign of 177677. Davids work is a great addition for any history enthusiast wanting to learn more about some of the lesser-known heroes of the Revolution or the Ten Crucial Days.

Jennifer Martin, Executive Director, Friends of Washington Crossing Park

What brave fellows I must this day lose lamented General George Washington as he watched the Delaware Blues bravely stand with the Marylanders against overwhelming odds in the opening battle for New York. Few know of this band of brave men and where they came from. This is the seldom-told story of a newly formed state and the common citizens who selflessly volunteered to serve in Delawares Continental regiment. David Price gives us a powerful and concise account of Revolutionary War hero John Haslet and his Delaware Continentals. An inspiring story told by a gifted writer.

Bill Hampton, international leadership consultant, U.S. Navy veteran, and President, Washington Crossing Chapter, National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution

David Prices latest book, on the life and times of John Haslet and his Delaware Regiment during the Revolutionary War, is a flat-out winner. It is easy to read, very informative, and enjoyable. This is a must for those who would like to dig deeper into the human side of the war.

Thomas Maddock II, Historical Interpreter, Washington Crossing Historic Park

ALSO BY DAVID PRICE

Rescuing the Revol ution:

Unsung Patriot Heroes and the Ten Crucial Days of Americas War for Indepe ndence

The Road to Assunpink Creek:

Libertys Desperate Hour and the Ten Crucial Days of the American Revo lution

A KNOX PRESS BOOK

An Imprint of Permuted Press

ISBN: 978-1-68261-945-2

ISBN (eBook): 978-1-68261-946-9

John Haslets World:

An Ardent Patriot, the Delaware Blues, and the Spirit of 1776

2020 by David Price

All Rights Reserved

Cover art by Cody Corcoran

From the permanent collection of the Delaware Historical Society.

Author Photo by Alison Roth

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author and publisher.

Permuted Press, LLC

New York Nashville

permutedpress.com

Published in the United States of America

To the memory of David Howard,

a dedicated historical interpreter at Washington Crossing Historic Park and

a friend who served his country honorably in war and peace

A NOTE ABOUT THE COVER

The cover image of John Haslet and the Delaware Regiment of 1776 is from The Drum Beat of a Nation (Stanley Arthurs, 1915 - courtesy of the Delaware Historical Society), the original of which hangs in the Delaware Public Archives building. Colonel Haslet is shown leading the regiment as it departs from the Dover Green in Dover, Delaware, for Philadelphia, July 10, 1776, on its way to join the Continental army. The cover illustration has been reversed from the actual painting in order to accommodate artistic design requirements. The image displayed above is a copy of the real painting, which depicts the regiment marching from right to left.

A NOTE ABOUT SP ELLING

The original spelling found in source texts has been retained in this work. The term [ sic ] is not used.

War, my Lucy, is not a humane trade, and the man who follows (it) as such will meet with his proper demerits in another world.

General Henry Knox, from a letter to his wife, Lucy Flucker Knox, January 2, 1777

Whereas, Sir, you know courage is reckoned the greatest of all virtues; because, unless a man has that virtue, he has no security for preserving any other.

Samuel Johnson, from The Life of Samuel Johnson, LL.D. by James Boswell, 1791