The Dramatic Story of the Plot to Assassinate General Washington in 1776

A Tory Plot.: A Story of the Attempt to Kill General Washington in 1776.

by Ferne Arfin

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2263 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	160 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

In the dark days of the American Revolutionary War, as the fate of the newly declared United States hung in the balance, a sinister plot was hatched to assassinate the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, General George Washington.

The plot, orchestrated by a cabal of Loyalists and British agents, was a desperate attempt to cripple the American cause and turn the tide of the war in Britain's favor. The would-be assassins were led by Thomas Hickey, an Irish-born soldier who had deserted from the Continental Army.

Hickey, a man of desperate character, was motivated by a combination of greed and loyalty to the British crown. He had been promised a large sum of money and a commission in the British Army if he succeeded in assassinating Washington.

Hickey recruited a small band of accomplices, including two other deserters from the Continental Army, John Sullivan and William Grayson. Sullivan was a former sergeant who had been cashiered for drunkenness, while Grayson was a private who had been convicted of theft.

The plotters devised a plan to ambush Washington as he traveled from his headquarters in New York City to his home in Mount Vernon, Virginia. They chose a secluded spot along the road where they believed Washington would be most vulnerable.

On November 15, 1776, Washington set out from New York City with a small escort of cavalry. The weather was cold and rainy, and the roads were muddy and treacherous. As Washington's carriage approached the ambush site, Hickey and his accomplices sprang into action.

They fired a volley of shots at the carriage, but miraculously, none of the shots hit Washington. The general's escort returned fire, and the assassins were forced to flee into the woods.

Hickey and his accomplices were eventually captured and brought to trial. They were convicted of treason and sentenced to death. Hickey was hanged on January 2, 1777, while Sullivan and Grayson were executed on February 2, 1777.

The plot to assassinate General Washington was a desperate and ultimately unsuccessful attempt to turn the tide of the American Revolutionary War. However, it serves as a reminder of the dangers that the Founding Fathers faced in their fight for independence.

The fact that Washington escaped the assassination attempt unscathed was seen by many as a sign of divine providence. It is said that after the attack, Washington remarked, "The guardian angel of our country has been hovering over me."

The plot to assassinate General Washington is a fascinating and little-known episode in American history. It is a story of intrigue, betrayal, and heroism that sheds light on the challenges and sacrifices that the Founding Fathers faced in their quest for independence.

A Tory Plot.: A Story of the Attempt to Kill General Washington in 1776.

by Ferne Arfin

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2263 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	160 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE