Who was that Mad Man?
As a boy learning about the American Revolution, I was thoroughly amused that a general would have the name "Mad" Anthony Wayne. I wondered who that madman was. I wondered what he was so mad about. Any study of the American War for Independence should address this colorful Pennsylvanian who captured the imagination of his times and down through the ages.
Scion of a Scots-Irish Military Family
Anthony Wayne was born on January 1, 1745, to Isaac Wayne and Elizabeth Iddings Wayne in Easttown Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania. Isaac Wayne was born in Ireland, the son of a military officer, Captain Anthony Wayne, who immigrated to America with his Dutch wife, Hannah. Their son Isaac became a tanner, establishing one of the most prominent businesses in Pennsylvania, and eventually took over the family estate, Waynesboro, from the aging captain. Young Anthony Wayne was well-educated, attending the Philadelphia Academy and the College of Philadelphia. Like George Washington, Wayne also had a stint as a surveyor, particularly in Nova Scotia. He returned to Pennsylvania in 1766, where he continued surveying and worked at Isaac's tannery. He also married Mary Penrose, who would bear him two children, Margretta and Isaac. As the political tensions with Great Britain escalated, young Anthony became involved in the American cause. Like many rising men of means, he turned to public service. Wayne served in the Pennsylvania legislature in 1774, and the following year, he raised a militia regiment in Chester County. In January 1776, he received a commission as colonel of the 4th Pennsylvania Continental Line. Things were about to get interesting for Anthony and the war.
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| Wayne's Home in Waynesboro |
A Mad Campaigner in a Mad Campaign
In the role of colonel of the 4th Pennsylvania, Wayne headed north to join General John Sullivan's division in the quixotic and ill-fated invasion of Canada. In his first action, Wayne fought bravely but unsuccessfully against superior forces at the Battle of Trois Rivieres in June 1776. The campaign soon collapsed, but Wayne distinguished himself through his leadership in covering the army's retreat into New York. He then took command of Fort Ticonderoga, the key defense point on New York's northern frontier. Congress, approving of his efforts, promoted him to Brigadier General in February 1777. Not long after, he was summoned south to join General George Washington and the main Continental Army, where he received command of a brigade of Pennsylvanians.
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| Anthony Wayne |
A Colorful Character
Wayne was a colorful and irreverent leader who seemed to set the stage for such later military notables as George Custer and George Patton. He used profanities to great effect, often amusing his troops. Like Patton, he understood that troops should look sharp and that military pride came from a good appearance. As with Custer and Patton, he was a dapper dresser and always turned out immaculately. His braggadocio contributed to his legend, making him the talk not just of the troops but also of his fellow officers. And like Custer and Patton, Wayne backed all this up with stirring performances in battle.
His actions at the Battle of Brandywine on September 11, 1777, provide an example. His division was positioned to cover Chadd's Ford, where the British commander Lord Howe decided to send a powerful force of Hessians to launch a frontal assault on the Americans. Wayne's command withstood fierce attacks by the Hessians under General von Knyphausen until his division, along with Nathanael Greene's, was forced to withdraw.
Although Washington was defeated, he managed to extricate his army and keep it as a threat to the slowly advancing British forces. When the Americans abandoned Philadelphia, Washington sent Wayne to shadow the British army and threaten their lines of communication. Unfortunately, the British received intelligence that revealed Wayne's position. Wayne's encampment near the Paoli Tavern was overrun in a stealthy night attack by Major General Charles Grey on the evening of September 20th. Grey earned the nickname "No Flint" because he ordered his men to remove their flints to avoid accidental discharges that could spoil his surprise: cold steel for the rebels. Later, claims emerged that the British took no prisoners and granted no quarter, leading to the engagement being known as the "Paoli Massacre." The massacre tarnished Wayne's reputation somewhat. Undaunted, he led his men across the fog-shrouded fields near Germantown, Pennsylvania, on October 4, 1777. With typical audacity, Wayne's command advanced ahead of other Continental brigades and pressed on the retreating British with the bayonet. However, Wayne and his old commander, General John Sullivan (also known to be headstrong and impetuous), advanced too quickly. Both were cut off about two miles ahead of the other Continental regiments. When the British regained their composure, their defenses stiffened. When Washington finally ordered a retreat, he once more called on Wayne to provide the rear guard. Not long after, the Continental Army went into winter quarters at Valley Forge.
The harsh winter at Valley Forge had a silver lining. A new American army was born, trained, and drilled to fight in European style by the German General Von Steuben. This new army would get its chance to prove itself the following summer, and Wayne would be in the mix once again. The British relieved Lord Howe of his command and replaced him with Sir Henry Clinton, who chose to abandon Philadelphia and concentrate forces once more around New York City. In June 1778, Clinton ordered half of his forces to sail north. However, a sizable column marched across the Jerseys towards their new base of operations. Wayne was called upon to lead the advance guard at Monmouth Court House, New Jersey. Once again thrust into a controversial engagement, Wayne's forces were abandoned by Major General Charles Lee. His men were soon pinned down by superior British forces, a rearguard that struck back at the pursuing Americans. Demonstrating determination and resourcefulness under fire, Wayne held his ground until reinforcements sent by Washington arrived. Wayne reformed his troops and continued to fight.
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| Holding the line at Brandywine |
Although Washington was defeated, he managed to extricate his army and keep it as a threat to the slowly advancing British forces. When the Americans abandoned Philadelphia, Washington sent Wayne to shadow the British army and threaten their lines of communication. Unfortunately, the British received intelligence that revealed Wayne's position. Wayne's encampment near the Paoli Tavern was overrun in a stealthy night attack by Major General Charles Grey on the evening of September 20th. Grey earned the nickname "No Flint" because he ordered his men to remove their flints to avoid accidental discharges that could spoil his surprise: cold steel for the rebels. Later, claims emerged that the British took no prisoners and granted no quarter, leading to the engagement being known as the "Paoli Massacre." The massacre tarnished Wayne's reputation somewhat. Undaunted, he led his men across the fog-shrouded fields near Germantown, Pennsylvania, on October 4, 1777. With typical audacity, Wayne's command advanced ahead of other Continental brigades and pressed on the retreating British with the bayonet. However, Wayne and his old commander, General John Sullivan (also known to be headstrong and impetuous), advanced too quickly. Both were cut off about two miles ahead of the other Continental regiments. When the British regained their composure, their defenses stiffened. When Washington finally ordered a retreat, he once more called on Wayne to provide the rear guard. Not long after, the Continental Army went into winter quarters at Valley Forge.
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| Despite the Paoli Massacre, Wayne was held in high regard |
The harsh winter at Valley Forge had a silver lining. A new American army was born, trained, and drilled to fight in European style by the German General Von Steuben. This new army would get its chance to prove itself the following summer, and Wayne would be in the mix once again. The British relieved Lord Howe of his command and replaced him with Sir Henry Clinton, who chose to abandon Philadelphia and concentrate forces once more around New York City. In June 1778, Clinton ordered half of his forces to sail north. However, a sizable column marched across the Jerseys towards their new base of operations. Wayne was called upon to lead the advance guard at Monmouth Court House, New Jersey. Once again thrust into a controversial engagement, Wayne's forces were abandoned by Major General Charles Lee. His men were soon pinned down by superior British forces, a rearguard that struck back at the pursuing Americans. Demonstrating determination and resourcefulness under fire, Wayne held his ground until reinforcements sent by Washington arrived. Wayne reformed his troops and continued to fight.
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| American attack at Monmouth |
Light Anthony
By the spring of 1779, Washington's Army was focused on the main British garrison in New York. The British sought to draw Washington into a decisive battle. Awaiting the long-anticipated French support, Washington engaged in a cat-and-mouse game. In May 1779, Sir Henry Clinton, the British Commander in Chief, launched the first phase of a complex strategy to destroy Washington's army. Utilizing their superior naval forces, the British advanced up the North (Hudson) River and seized the critical position at Stony Point, about 10 miles south of West Point and 35 miles north of the city. This maneuver aimed to lure Washington out of the Hudson Highlands. Clinton then sent an expedition to Connecticut, leaving a reinforced regiment with fifteen guns to defend the earthworks around Stony Point. Washington observed the British defenses and resolved to take them by force. To assault the position, the Corps of Light Infantry was formed on June 12, 1779. There was never any doubt as to who would command the unit or the mission: Anthony Wayne. The Corps of Light Infantry was an elite unit assembled for each campaign between 1777 and 1781. Its members were drawn from the light infantry companies of each regiment in Washington's army. In 1779, the Corps comprised a brigade of four regiments, each consisting of two battalions of four companies. At midnight on July 16, the attack began in three columns, with Wayne personally leading one. In a tactic that had been used successfully against him at Paoli, Wayne had his men advance with unloaded muskets—ready to storm the defenses with bayonets. Wayne's column came under musket fire, and he fell wounded. Nevertheless, Wayne's men continued their assault and quickly overran the British defenders. They captured over 500 prisoners and suffered only 100 casualties. The victory was vital for the morale of the American Army and the cause, which had faced a series of setbacks. For his personal heroics and tactical success, Congress awarded Wayne a rare medal in recognition of the victory.
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| Stony Point was Wayne's most celebrated exploit |
Why so Mad?
I always assumed Wayne was nicknamed "Mad" because of his heroics in combat, particularly for his exploits at Stony Point. But ironically, he did not get his nickname for his reckless fighting style; rather, it originated from an incident at Morristown, New Jersey, during winter quarters in 1781. The story goes that New Jersey law officers arrested an eccentric soldier known as “the Commodore” or “Jimmy the Drover” for a local civil infraction. The soldier demanded Wayne’s intervention, but Wayne threatened to have the miscreant flogged instead. “Jimmy the Drover” reportedly responded, “Anthony is mad! Farewell to you; clear the coast for the Commodore, ‘Mad Anthony’s’ friend.” Wayne’s Pennsylvanians really got a kick out of the story and decided that “Mad Anthony” suited their commander pretty well. You have to admit, it’s not a bad nickname.
Winning the War
In the spring of 1781, Wayne led his Pennsylvanians to Virginia and served under Lafayette in an effort to thwart the British. On July 6, 1781, he fought alongside Lafayette at the Battle of Green Spring. His aggressive charge shocked the superior British forces, likely saving the Americans from destruction. Wayne then joined Washington in the effort to defeat Cornwallis at Yorktown. However, the war did not end with Yorktown. In 1782, Wayne was sent to Georgia to help dislodge the British forces there. He broke the long-standing British alliance with the Indian tribes in Georgia. With the decline of British power, he was able to negotiate treaties with the two most powerful tribes, the Creek and the Cherokee. As a final tribute, Congress promoted him to major general on October 10, 1783. After the war, Wayne returned to Pennsylvania. The noted war hero served in the Pennsylvania Assembly and became a delegate to the Constitutional Convention. Yet, his post-war life would be one of peace. And tranquility, as it was with so many of his peers.
Commander of the US Army
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| Wayne, as Commander of the Legion of the United States |
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| Wayne's victory at Fallen Timbers was the new Army's first post in the RevWar |
Upon his arrival, Mad Anthony energized the beleaguered Legion with his own brand of fervent leadership. At the Battle of Fallen Timbers, Wayne decisively ended Indian resistance when his seasoned force of 1,000 men routed the 2,000 warriors assembled for a final confrontation near Fort Miami on the Maumee River. This victory allowed Wayne to negotiate the Treaty of Greenville in August 1795. Under its terms, the Indians ceded most of Ohio and large portions of Indiana, Illinois, and Michigan. This was not guaranteed for many reasons (British machinations sought to keep the 13 states pinned along the Atlantic coast). Wayne's victory secured thousands of square miles of disputed land for the United States and resulted in signed peace treaties with the Indian tribes. Mad Anthony Wayne successfully accomplished the mission for which President George Washington had called him back to active duty.
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| Treaty of Fort Greenville secured peace in the Northwest Territory paving the way for American expansion |
Untimely Death
Having completed his work in the northwest, Wayne began the long journey home. He sailed from what is now Detroit on a sloop. After five days, he reached the site of the former French outpost at Fort Presqu'Isle, now known as Erie, Pennsylvania. Although the weather was pleasant, his thoughts grew grim, and he penned several letters outlining his final wishes. At Presque Isle, Wayne suffered a serious gout attack. Anyone who has endured gout knows that is plenty of reason to be upset. This was clearly a severe case with complications. Urgent calls for doctors were sent to Pittsburgh and the Army hospitals. Wayne's health continued to deteriorate as he developed intense stomach pains. The doctors from the east arrived, but on the same day, December 15, 1796, "Mad" Anthony Wayne died. He was buried in a plain coffin, with his initials and date of death driven into the wood using round-headed brass tacks, at the foot of the blockhouse flagstaff on garrison hill.
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| Rebuilt blockhouse on Presque Isle |
A Strangely Eerie Homecoming
In 1808, Wayne's son Isaac returned to Presque Isle to take his father's remains back home.
Unfortunately, he did not have enough room for all the remains in his small sulky wagon. The doctor assisting him boiled the late hero's corpse, then threw the flesh and clothing back into the coffin and re-interred it. He subsequently packed the bones for transport to the east. "Mad" Anthony Wayne's bones were interred in the family plot at St. David's Episcopal Church cemetery in Radnor, Pennsylvania. The bizarre end to the great warrior's earthly remains gave rise to legends of hauntings. One might say that while Anthony Wayne may have become enraged for little cause in life, he certainly had a reason for rage in death.
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| Wayne's 2d Gravesite Radnor, Penna. |
