The Horses that Saved America
September 1777: The British General Howe captures and occupies Philadelphia. American forces surrounded the city to the north, east and west. To mount an offence, Howe and his troops need food; gunpowder, weapons and other needed materials in 240 British ships laden with supplies are anchored in the Delaware Bay.
Between the British and their supplies is Fort Mifflin. Two hundred men assigned to the fort on Mud Island while Washington prepares to set up camp and winter quarters at Valley Forge.
Joel Rose, Producer and Editor
Viet Le, Rachael Berenguer and Jennifer Lynn, Associate Producers
Elisabeth Perez-Luna, Executive Producer
Kenneth Finkel, Executive Director, Arts & Culture Service
Funding was provided by The William Penn Foundation.
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Marking Pennsylvania History
Some of our nation's first veterans fought to defend Fort Mifflin, just south of Philadelphia on the Delaware River, during the Revolutionary War. But "the fort that saved America" has trouble living up to its storied past. WHYY's Viet Le reports that Fort Mifflin has to contend with a variety of modern-day interruptions. [Listen]
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