3. Treason, Spies, and Political Violence: The Revolution as a Raging Civil War Author: Patrick O'Donnell Book Title: The Indispensables: The Diverse Soldier Mariners Who Shaped the Country, Formed the Navy, and Rowed Washington across the Delaware The Re
Update: 2025-10-06
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3. Treason, Spies, and Political Violence: The Revolution as a Raging Civil War
Author: Patrick O'Donnell
Book Title: The Indispensables: The Diverse Soldier Mariners Who Shaped the Country, Formed the Navy, and Rowed Washington across the Delaware
The Revolutionary War was characterized as a "raging civil war" where loyalists and patriots lived together, leading to intense political violence. Individuals were targeted based on perceived loyalties, a form of "cancel culture." Dr. Nathaniel Bond, a virus specialist, faced death threats and had his house surrounded by a mob after he treated wounded British soldiers following Lexington and Concord, simply following his Hippocratic oath. He was eventually exonerated after demanding a court martial. Internal betrayal was severe, exemplified by Dr. Benjamin Church, a medical doctor and influential leader who appeared to be an ardent patriot. Church, who was deep in debt, was actually General Gage's greatest spy. He sat on all major Massachusetts provincial committees, funneling crucial Patriot intelligence to Gage, informing the British general exactly where munitions were stored. Church communicated in cipher code and was known as a charming gambler and ladies' man who even faked his own involvement in battle by sprinkling blood on his stockings.
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