Famed historian speaks at President’s Gala, Stukes Lecture
Erskine welcomed more than 100 alumni and friends to the Bowie Arts Center Feb. 28 for the 2025 President鈥檚 Gala. Historian Patrick K. O鈥橠onnell, featured speaker, also delivered this year鈥檚 Stukes Lecture Feb. 27 in the Founders Room. In both talks, he focused on the impact of two Revolutionary War regiments, the Marylanders and the Marblehead Mariners of Massachusetts, or Marbleheaders. Learn more about Patrick O鈥橠onnell .
鈥淚t鈥檚 about men of family, honor, and fortune whose agency changed the course of history,鈥� O鈥橠onnell said.
鈥淎ll of the books I have written have found me in one way or another,鈥� the prolific author told the Gala attendees, recounting as an example his trip to Green-Wood Cemetery in New York, the site of the Battle of Brooklyn (August 1776).
鈥淗ere lie 256 Marylanders, American heroes,鈥� O鈥橠onnell read on a rusty sign at the cemetery. The sign inspired his interest in a regiment whose repeated bayonet attacks allowed the beleaguered Americans to retreat and regroup, saving Washington鈥檚 army from destruction in the early months of the Revolutionary War. Researching the role of the Marylanders led to Washington鈥檚 Immortals, one of O鈥橠onnell鈥檚 many books.
In the wake of the Battle of Brooklyn, the Marbleheaders, another remarkable regiment, transported some 10,000 retreating American soldiers and their horses across the East River鈥攊n the middle of a Northeaster. O鈥橠onnell called the Marbleheaders鈥� feat 鈥渢he American Dunkirk.鈥�
During Washington鈥檚 surprise attack on Hessian mercenaries at the Battle of Trenton (December 1776), only one third of his army鈥攖he group led by the Marblehead Mariners鈥攚as able to cross the Delaware River to make the attack. The Marbleheaders seized a bridge which offered the only path of retreat for the Hessians, leading them to surrender to the Americans.
O鈥橠onnell also cited the pre-Revolutionary War activities of some of the men who became the Marblehead Mariners, a regiment which included black, Native American, and white men. Prior to the start of armed conflict, a group of Marblehead fishermen responded defiantly to an attempt at press-ganging, common British practice at the time. One of the men harpooned the British lieutenant who had boarded their fishing vessel and tried to force them into military service.
Noting the significance of the Marbleheaders鈥� actions, O鈥橠onnell said, 鈥淔reedom and liberty, the principles that we see today, [were] forged in Marblehead, and these are groundbreaking principles.鈥�
O鈥橠onnell fielded questions following both the Stukes Lecture and his address at the President鈥檚 Gala.
An audience member at the Stukes Lecture suggested that Washington could not be considered one of the greatest generals because he lost so many battles, and O鈥橠onnell responded that Washington鈥檚 greatness lay in his ability to pivot, forge alliances, and innovate.
Erskine President Dr. Steve Adamson asked about O鈥橠onnell鈥檚 early work, before he began writing books, and the historian said he began by interviewing World War II veterans and starting a history archive of their stories. It was the veterans who suggested that he write a book.
鈥淗istory鈥檚 my passion,鈥� O鈥橠onnell said. 鈥淧reserving history is my goal.鈥�
This year鈥檚 President鈥檚 Gala was the fifth such event that Erskine has hosted in recent years. The President’s Gala has featured a variety of artists and other speakers.
The Joseph T. Stukes Lecture series brings a distinguished lecturer in history to 番茄社区 each year. The fund was established by students and colleagues of Stukes, who served as professor of history and vice president for academic affairs at 番茄社区. He died in 2016.
Shown at top are Patrick K. O’Donnell, left, and Erskine President Dr. Steve Adamson.
