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The plan of British defenses on the north side of Philadelphia in 1778 was drawn by Colonel Lewis Nicola, an original member of the Pennsylvania Cincinnati. Colonel Nicola, a professional soldier, translator of military texts and engineer, was Philadelphia Town Mayor. He was commissioned Col. of the Invalid Corps by Congress on June 23, 1777. This unit, originated by him, was made up of men fit only for limited service -- the progenitor of World War II's Coast Guard Reserve.
When the British occupied Philadelphia, Congress ordered Col. Nicola's unit, then at Fort Mifflin, to Allentown, PA, as a guard for the Army Hospitals and Stores.
Unique as his contributions were to the war, he is best remembered for his letter to Washington in May, 1782, suggesting Washington make himself a king.
Nicola was a member of the American Philosophical Society. |
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| Left Side Of English Plan Near North Side Of Philadelphia, 1778 |
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| Right Side Of English Plan Near North Side Of Philadelphia, 1778 |
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