Daniel Grimes

This month is an appropriate time to read about the San Patricios. My book, The Irish Who Fought for Mexico, tells the story of the Irish immigrants who came to America shortly before the Mexican-American War (1846-48). Some of…

On March 5, 1770, the Boston Massacre took place, in which five Americans were killed in a confrontation with British troops. This incident helped to boost the popularity of the Sons of Liberty in Boston and was one of several…

I just finished the text of my latest book, The Long Road to Revolution. This book is the story of how the American colonies went from dependence to independence. It will be available first as an e-book, on or…

I recently gave a presentation about the Hessians at the Saint Paul's Church National Historic Site in Mount Vernon, New York, at the Battle of Pell's Point annual encampment.  I highly recommend a visit to the site and hope everyone…

This time of the year in 1776, the British, with the help of the Hessians, won a series of battles against George Washington's Continental Army in the New York campaign -- at Long Island, Kips Bay, White Plains, and Fort…

On July 9, 1755, a French and Indian force routed a larger British army commanded by General Edward Braddock near present-day Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  It was one of the biggest Indian victories over whites in the history of North America and…

On July 3, 1754, Fort Necessity in southwestern PA was attacked by a French army during the French and Indian War. The British garrison defending the fort was led by Lieutenant Colonel George Washington. Washington was decisively defeated in the…

During the Mexican-American War, when the United States wanted to expand, hundreds of Irish and other immigrant soldiers decided to fight on the Mexican side.  Known as the San Patricio Battalion, they fought in the important battles of Monterrey, Buena…