Michael C. Harris has authored a trilogy of books on the major campaign that took place in the area in 1777.
The Mullica Hill library will host author and historian Michael C. Harris on Thursday, July 31, for a talk about the Revolutionary War’s Philadelphia Campaign.
Harris has authored a trilogy of books focused on the major campaign that took place in the fall of 1777: “Brandywine: A Military History of the Battle that Lost Philadelphia but Saved America”; “Germantown: A Military History of the Battle for Philadelphia”; and “Fighting for Philadelphia.”
The first book describes the Battle of Brandywine on Sept. 11, 1777, which saw the Continental Army forced by the British to retreat from Brandywine Creek. The Americans nonetheless put up a strong defense and avoided too major casualties.
That book was a finalist for the Army Historical Foundation Distinguished Book Award, according to the library’s head of adult services, Andrew Brenza. The second book focuses on Oct. 4, 1777 and is a comprehensive study of the Battle of Germantown, among the largest engagements of the Revolutionary War.
“This book offers a detailed examination of the battle,” Brenza noted, “its strategic context and the events leading up to and following it, including the British occupation of Philadelphia.”
“Fighting for Philadelphia” will be released on Tuesday, July 15. It describes events following the Battle of Germantown and the fighting that took place along the Delaware River before the Continental Army eventually settled into Valley Forge for the winter.
Harris’ talk was made possible by a grant from the New Jersey State Library that enabled the local library to host a series of events commemorating the 250th anniversary of the start of the Revolutionary War in 1775.
Guests are required to register for the talk in advance on the GCLS website.
