Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Hamilton, A Soldier's Story
Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Hamilton, A Soldier's Story
Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Hamilton was born on the island of Nevis in the British West Indies, either in 1755 or 1757. The exact year of his birth remains debated, but the direction of his life is not. Hamilton rose from difficult circumstances to become one of the most influential figures in the founding of the United States.
Before he became a statesman, lawyer, writer, and the first Secretary of the Treasury, Hamilton was a soldier.
As a young man, Hamilton came to the American colonies for his education. He was bright, ambitious, and restless, and when the conflict between the colonies and Great Britain moved toward open war, he did not remain on the sidelines. He joined the patriot cause and became involved with a volunteer militia company while still a student in New York.
Hamilton had a quick mind, a hunger for advancement, and a serious interest in military science. In 1776, he was appointed captain of a New York artillery company. It was a significant responsibility for such a young man, and he proved capable. His artillery company served during some of the hardest and most uncertain months of the Revolutionary War, including the New York and New Jersey campaigns.
Hamilton's skill, discipline, and intelligence brought him to the attention of General George Washington. In 1777, Washington invited Hamilton to join his military family as an aide-de-camp. Hamilton accepted and was given the rank of lieutenant colonel.
For several years, Hamilton served at Washington's side. It was demanding work. He drafted letters, handled military correspondence, assisted with strategy, and observed the burdens of command from the center of the Continental Army. This position gave him a close view of the Revolution's military and political struggles. He saw the shortages, the frustrations with Congress, the weakness of the young nation's finances, and the challenge of keeping an army in the field.
But Hamilton did not want to be remembered only as a staff officer. He wanted a field command. He wanted the chance to prove himself in battle.
That opportunity came during the Yorktown Campaign in 1781. At Yorktown, American and French forces trapped the British army under General Lord Cornwallis. During the siege, Hamilton commanded an assault against Redoubt No. 10, a British defensive position that had to be taken before the siege lines could be completed.
Hamilton and his men attacked with speed and determination. The successful capture of Redoubt No. 10 helped bring the American and French forces closer to victory. Soon after, Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown. The victory did not end the war immediately, but it marked the decisive military defeat that made American independence possible.
After the war, Hamilton continued to serve the new nation in other ways. He became one of the strongest advocates for the United States Constitution, writing many of the Federalist Papers. As the first Secretary of the Treasury, he helped build the financial system of the United States and argued for a stronger national government.
Hamilton's life ended violently in 1804 after his famous duel with Aaron Burr. He died on July 12, 1804, in New York. He rests at Trinity Churchyard, New York, New York.
Alexander Hamilton is often remembered for his writing, political arguments, financial plans, and dramatic personal life. But his American story began in uniform. He served as an artillery officer, became one of Washington's trusted aides, and fought at Yorktown in one of the decisive moments of the Revolutionary War.
Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Hamilton helped build the United States with his pen, his policies, and his service in the field. Before he helped shape the American government, he fought to make sure there would be an America to govern.
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About the Author
a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller traveling through life
She shares her journeys at Take the Back Roads, explores new reads at Rite of Fancy, and highlights U.S. military biographies at Everyday Patriot.
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