26 Comments

History is so interesting. The French had a lot to do with the eventual success in forming an independent nation. Britain made some terrible mistakes because of feeling superior and confident in their own strength. It cost them dearly. Pride goes before a fall and the fall can be devastating. This is a piece of history I was unaware had happened.

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Good story today! I knew of JPJ at Whitehaven but not this action.

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Tara, you amaze this old man with your telling of history that I either have never heard of before, or didn't remember. This story is one that I don't think I knew.

The Naval battle between 30 French and 30 British ships was a part of the war for American Independence and Freedom.

I knew that we owed a great deal to France for its help to the American cause, but to have a major Naval engagement in the Pacific, off the French coast seems a bit unreal.

Hooray to the French and to Benjamin Franklin for his work in securing such an ally to the American cause. Thank you Tara.

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God was definitely on our side throughout the American Révolution, to the point of aiding our Allies!

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“ Keppel and Palliser were both court-martialed.” Is it my reduced comprehension because of not enough coffee this morning, but did I read about Palliser in this story?

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author

No, this is my bad. An early draft had more detail about what the rear guard did wrong here, but the story was getting too long, so I had to omit some of that detail. Palliser is a reference to Rear Admiral Sir Hugh Palliser who commanded that rear division. I've fixed the text. Oops!

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Thanks! I read what you put out every day. I appreciate what you do as one historian to another.

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Yet another lesson about our efforts for independence that aren't taught. With our French allies doing far more for our battles for independence than most of us are unaware of.

Thank you for enlightening us, Tara Ross.

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Jul 27, 2023·edited Jul 27, 2023

Great story that was Never taught or even mentioned in school.

❤️🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

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🇺🇲 A great example of the difference between confidence and hubris. 🇺🇲

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What a come-uppance for the haughty British! Their assumed supremacy was proven to be just that--assumed. The mightiest power on the earth was being brought down, inch by inch. And then Yorktown!

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What's that saying? "Pride goeth before a fall"..

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Don't know how I missed commenting on this post, but it appears to Me that much is owed to the French for OUR freedom! Without Allies, would we now be still subjects, rather than free citizens. ALL the more vital that We preserve, Protect and Defend our Constitution.

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Thank you, Tara, for this story of France helping our Revolutionary cause when needed!

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Great history I didn't know. Thanks,Tara

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Interesting! Thanks Tara!

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Thank you, Tara.

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Never knew of this battle. Amazing how these type of events aided the final outcome.

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