connection between wartime administration & federalist-lean?

There's an argument that wartime service and experiencing Congress' failures firsthand as Washington's aide de camp pushed Hamilton further into the ideals that would later be seen as Federalist: a national instead of state outlook, a permanent military power, and a strong, efficient government.

I was wondering if that argument can be applied on a broader scale: is there an overall connection between revolutionary wartime administration and federalist-leaning political beliefs?

I'm by no means qualified but for my own curiosity's sake, I tried to find the political inclinations of former leaders in the war as well as members of Washington's family, who arguably should have seen the same inefficiencies as Hamilton.

Major Generals:

Washington: Tried very hard to be nonpartisan, but pretty federalist when all's said and done. Especially in 2nd term as president and in last years of life Horatio Gates: Supported Jefferson's presidency, so assuming he was leaning Democratic-Republican? Henry Knox: Federalist Philip Schuyler: Federalist William Alexander, Lord Stirling: Not sure John Sullivan: Federalist, led drive in New Hampshire for Constitution's ratification Thomas Mifflin: Federalist according to Wikipedia (was also aide to GW from June to August 1775) Arthur St. Clair: Federalist. Governor of Northwest Territory, removed by Jefferson in 1802 due to political party differences. Benjamin Lincoln: Federalist, strong policies and presence in Massachusetts Thomas Conway: Unreliable source says Federalist William Moultrie: Some sites say Federalist but he had falling out with Washington because of his pro-French actions towards Genet. Possibly nonpartisan.

Washington's family (Aides, Culper, Life Guard. If they died before we can quantify as "Federalist", then not included):

Note: I tried to include length of service and timeline, arguably important (there during Valley Forge or good period?), but it's difficult in consideration of leave and such. Used Wikipedia's dates.

Edmund Randolph (August - November 75): Wiki says Federalist but I know enough about him that he was often the swinging vote in Washington's cabinet, and that he didn't sign the Constitution because he thought it too strong. Tench Tilghman (August 76 - June 80 | June 80 - Nov 83): Died in 1786. I shouldn't include him but raise a glass for our hardworking Tilghman. Robert Harrison (Nov 75 - May 76 | Military Sec May 76 - 81): Died in 1790. Wikipedia says Federalist. John Fitzgerald (Nov 76 - July 78): Couldn't find John Walker (Feb - March 77): Unreliable source says Federalist Samuel Blachley Webb (June 76 - Jan 77): Couldn't find William Grayson (Assistant Sec. July - August 76 | Aide August 76 - Jan 77): Leader of Anti-Federalist faction with Mason, Monroe, etc. died in 1790 Alexander Contee Hanson Sr. (Assistant Sec. June - Sep 76): Federalist according to Wiki Alexander Hamilton (March 77 - April 81): Is this even a question? Stephen Moylan (March 76 - June 76 | Sept. 76 - Jan 77): "Firm Federalist" according to Founders Online James McHenry (May 78 - August 80): Federalist, GW's Secretary of War in 2nd term when cabinet members were much more partisan. Richard Kidder Meade (March 77 - November 80): Couldn't find. I know that he was very close with Hamilton, which makes me think it possible that their politics had some similarities? But entirely speculation. Hodijah Baylies (May 82 - Dec 83): Federalist. According to Founders Online, Gallatin was advised against Baylies because he was a "decided and we believe a sentimental federalist”. David Cobb (June 81 - Jan 83 | June 83 - Dec 83): Wiki says Federalist Peregrine Fitzhugh (July 81 - Oct 81): Not sure if same Peregrine Fitzhugh, but in a letter to Jefferson in 1807, said: "It is true I have been called a Federalist, and feel a pride in being so: but my Federalism is firmed in those principles which dictated the correct and memorable declaration that we were all Federalists all republicans" William Stephens Smith (July 81 - June 82): Federalist (member of Congress as Federalist in 1812) David Humphreys (June 80 - Dec 83): Federalist. He was part of the Hartford Wits and wrote the poem The Anarchiad. "In 1802, Thomas Jefferson...decided to replace Humphreys...Historians speculate that Humphreys's closeness to the Federalist Party motivated Jefferson’s decisions." from Mt. Vernon Richard Varick (Aide & Priv Sec May 81 - Dec 83): Apparently Federalist and later mayor of New York Benjamin Walker (Jan 82 - Dec 83): Federalist, elected to Congress as Federalist

Caleb Gibbs (May 76 - Dec 80): Couldn't find Nathaniel Sackett: Couldn't find Benjamin Tallmadge (1778 - 1783): Federalist, part of minority in Congress during Jefferson & Madison administrations

Other aides who might've had administrative work, although I'm not sure:

Aaron Burr: Very short run with Washington, and Israel Putnam's aide. Technically Democratic-Republican, but some historians have noted his politics did not always align with a party.

James Monroe: Aide to Stirling, Republican-Democratic

Concerns:

First concern: I'm not sure if the other major generals' aides would see as much administrative work directly with Congress as Washington's aides. I'm under the impression that other generals would report to Washington, than Congress, but I'm not sure.

Second concern: I also want to add that other factors would have most definitely played a role, such as familial and economic interests, which may or may not have been influenced by the war. Still, I thought it would be an interesting exercise.

Third concern: A lot of this is very shallow research as I did not have the time or energy to really dig into all of them. Please let me know if there is any inaccurate information (even Federalist or Democratic Republican is a very broad term and I'm sure their beliefs varied).

Please let me know if you see any inaccurate information, or anyone/some branch I did not consider!

I'm at the Boston Massacre site

I'm at the SweetGreen

I'm at the combination Boston Massacre site and SweetGreen

“I was in Monmouth battle and many others and received a wound in my face from a ball, the scar of which is still visible.” – Robert Green, veteran

Robert Green gave this testimony at the age of 65 when applying for a federal pension for his service. Green’s story embodies the courage and resilience of African American patriots during the Revolutionary War. Wounded at the Battle of Monmouth, Green’s journey is a testament to the sacrifices made for the liberties we cherish today.

We invite you to be a part of a monumental effort to bring these stories to light. By joining our Revolutionary War Veterans Transcription Project, you’re not just transcribing documents; you’re helping to preserve and honor the legacy of African American soldiers.

You can ensure their stories, their sacrifice, and their dreams are not forgotten. Dive into history, transcribe with us, and help make the legacy of heroes like Robert Green accessible for generations to come.

Visit https://www.archives.gov/citizen-archivist/missions/revolutionary-war-pension-files for details!

Is reading cursive writing your superpower?

Join a special transcription challenge featuring Revolutionary War Pension Files!

Image description: One half of image is a form from a Revolutionary War pension file, filled out in cursive writing. The other side says "can you read this? Help us transcribe pension files of the first veterans of the US military." There's the same link as in this post, and the National Archives logo.

I just spent an entire day untangling a knot in a friend's family tree. It turns out that about 100 years ago, some careless researcher accidentally smooshed together two guys with the same name, in spite of the fact that they lived in different states. Even though this person appears on nearly 500 people's family trees on Ancestry.com, and dozens of people have submitted him as their qualifying ancestor for the Sons/Daughters of the American Revolution, no one has ever taken a second look and thought, "Hmm ... it's a bit weird that this feller was still living in Pennsylvania 15 years after he died in Ohio."

Anyway, I think I have it all sorted out now, and I wrote up and posted a document explaining my reasoning, attached to his profile on the tree I made. I hope it is helpful to someone, and that I'm not about to have 100 angry DAR/SAR members show up at my door with torches and pitchforks because I said that their Revolutionary War Soldier Boy ancestor wasn't actually, and they're not as super special as they thought they were.

If you’re ever insecure about how often you use commas or how long your sentences are I IMPLORE you to read the Treaty of Paris (1783), specifically article two.

510 words.

2 periods.

FIVE HUNDRED AND TEN WORDS.

A GRAND TOTAL OF TWO SENTENCES!

SIGNED BY DOZENS OF PEOPLE TO SET UP A TREATY AND AUTHORIZE LAND!!

Like don’t worry babes your 3 commas and semi colon are NOTHING to the revolution era and that’s what truly matters.

WHY ARE THERE LIKE NO SHOWS OR MOVIES ON THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION LIKE ALL WE GET IS TURN, 1776, HAMILTON AND LIBERTY'S KIDS???

thank you to @grumpycorgie for the wonderful image i used for this

I had to turn in a report on the Revolutionary War. I turned in the screenplay to Hamilton.

Some studies I did of the British at Monmouth this past June, featuring soldiers and musicians from the 22nd, 33rd, and 71st regiments of foot, inspired by William Barns Wollen’s 1911 sketchbook. Fantastic event and I can’t wait to do it again.

(Alternate, color-less version below cut)

Post War Washington's Sons

Hamilton: *works himself to death and starts a political war with the Democratic-Republicans*

Lafeytte: *advocates for a French Revolution but is later imprisoned*

Tallmadge: Yeahhhhh, Imma spend time in the middle of nowhere Ohio.

American Girl Moodboards // Elizabeth Cole

Just because I do not travel the same road as you does not mean that I am lost.

(requested by @hannierosie91)

Now on Kickstarter: The American Crisis Sourcebook

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YourDadWillLoveThis.com

"It's a tradition with us, mister!" - Volunteer for the #RevWarVets mission today.

Under the alias Robert Shurtliff, Deborah Gannett served valiantly for over two years. She braved the battlefield at Tarrytown, was wounded, and stood witness to Cornwallis’s surrender. Remarkably, she is believed to be the only woman to receive a pension for her own service in the Revolution.

This story is just one of many waiting to be discovered and shared through the #RevWarVets Transcription Project in partnership with the National Park Service.

Your participation can make a huge difference. By joining our transcription project, you help bring these vital stories of our first veterans to light, ensuring they are remembered and honored.

Get started today!

Project Page: https://www.archives.gov/citizen-archivist/missions/revolutionary-war-pension-files

Deborah’s Catalog entry:

“Deborah Gannett . . . maketh oath, that she served as a private soldier, under the name of Robert Shurtliff in the war of the revolution . . .” 

Pension and Bounty Land Application of Deborah (Sampson) Gannett, September 14, 1818. 

Record Group 15: Records of the Department of Veterans Affairs Series: Case Files of Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Applications Based on Revolutionary War Service

Transcription: 

United States-.

Massachusetts District

Deborah Gannett, of Sharon, in the county of Norfolk, and

District of Massachusetts, a resident and native of the United

States, and applicant for a pension from the United States

under an Act of Congress entitled an Act to provide to certain

persons engaged in the land and naval service of the

United States, in the revolutionary war, maketh oath, that she

served as a private soldier, under the name of Robert Shurtliff

in the war of the revolution, upwards of two years in manner

following vis - Enlisted in April 1781 in the company commanded

by Captain George Webb in the Massachusetts Regiment

commanded then by Colonel Shepherd, and afterwards by Colonel Henry

Jackson and served in said corps in Massachusetts, and

New York - until November 1783 - when she was honorably discharged

in writing. which discharge is lost. During the time of her service

she was at the capture of Lord Cornwallis, was wounded

at Tarrytown and now receives a pension from the United

States, which pension she hereby relinquishes. She is in such

reduced circumstance, as to require the aid of her country

for her support.

Deborah Gannett

Masstts. Dist. Septr. 14. 1818

Sworn to before me

Jno Davis

Dist. Judge

Mass. Dist.