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Ellen Smith - The Court-Martial of Captain John Armstrong

Life, Death, and Politics in America’s First Regiment

2023-01-24 18:30:00 2023-01-24 19:30:00 America/New_York Ellen Smith - The Court-Martial of Captain John Armstrong Ellen Smith presents a significant work on this treacherous chapter in the United States Military History James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room

Tuesday, January 24
6:30pm - 7:30pm

Add to Calendar 2023-01-24 18:30:00 2023-01-24 19:30:00 America/New_York Ellen Smith - The Court-Martial of Captain John Armstrong Ellen Smith presents a significant work on this treacherous chapter in the United States Military History James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room

James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library

Beth Patridge Meeting Room

Ellen Smith presents a significant work on this treacherous chapter in the United States Military History

John Armstrong was destined to be a humble farmer on the Pennsylvania frontier until the American Revolution changed his life. Rising from private soldier to an officer in the Continental Army, he later served in the First American Regiment, foreruner of the U.S. Army, that was tasked to facilitate the settlement of the Northwest Territory. He endured the fledgling army’s growing pains, was selected for a covert operation in Spanish territory to explore the Missouri River, and fought Native Americans in two disastrous military campaigns. The army subsequently evolved into a successful fighting force despite its second-in-command’s quest to destroy the career of its commander, Maj. Gen. Anthony Wayne. Armstrong became an unwitting pawn in a treacherous game crafted by Brig. Gen. James Wilkinson, of whom Theodore Roosevelt once wrote, “He had no conscience and no scruples . . . In all our history there is no more despicable character.” Rebuilding his life in Ohio and Indiana, Armstrong became a noted government official, militia officer, land speculator, and pioneer.

Ellen Denning Smith began researching the life of John Armstrong to seek confirmation of the many tales she had heard as a child regarding her Revolutionary War ancestor, After locating his papers at the Indiana Historical Society and noting references to facts previously unknown to her, she determined that his life as soldier, explorer, magistrate, land speculator, and treasurer of the Northwest Territory was a story that needed to be told. 

This program will also be presented on a Zoom Webinar Platform.

Copies of The Court-Martial of Captain John Armstrong will be available for purchase.

AGE GROUP: | Teens | Seniors | Adults |

EVENT TYPE: | Special Event | Movies & Film | Children | Booksales | Author Talks |

TAGS: | |

James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library

kpayne@alexlibraryva.org
Phone: 703.746.1705
Fax: 703.746.1785

Hours
Mon, Nov 27 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Tue, Nov 28 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Wed, Nov 29 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Thu, Nov 30 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Fri, Dec 01 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sat, Dec 02 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sun, Dec 03 1:00PM to 5:00PM

About the branch

Parking: There is a small lot with 9 spaces.  On street parking is available.

Public Transit:

  • Metrorail: Yellow and Blue lines at Braddock Road (1.3 miles) and King Street Stations (1.5 miles)
  • Metrobus: 10A, 10B
  • DASH Bus: 33

For reasonable disability accommodation, contact jgregorio@alexlibraryva.org or call 703.746.1701 or TTY 703.746.1790.

Upcoming Events

Thu, Nov 30, 10:15am - 10:45am
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Toddler Rock N' Read is a musical half hour full of fun fingerplay and story telling for toddlers and siblings. Ages 0-5

Thu, Nov 30, 11:15am - 11:45am
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Toddler Rock N' Read is a musical half hour full of fun fingerplay and story telling for toddlers and siblings. Ages 0-5

Thu, Nov 30, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Both beginners and advanced fiber artists are welcome! Ages 12+

Sun, Dec 03, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
A young man hears a chance phone call telling him that a nuclear war has started and missiles will hit his city in 70 minutes.

Mon, Dec 04, 10:15am - 10:45am
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Frosty the Snowman loved Baby Time! Fingerplay and songs for Ages 0-14 Months.

Mon, Dec 04, 11:15am - 11:45am
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Frosty the Snowman loved Baby Time! Fingerplay and songs for Ages 0-14 Months.

Tue, Dec 05, 10:15am - 10:45am
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Bundle up for Stories and Songs! Perfect for toddlers and siblings. Come enjoy the fingerplay, songs and story-telling with us. Ages 0-5

Tue, Dec 05, 11:15am - 11:45am
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Bundle up for Stories and Songs! Perfect for toddlers and siblings. Come enjoy the fingerplay, songs and story-telling with us. Ages 0-5

Tue, Dec 05, 4:00pm - 4:30pm
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Join Miss Katie for a selection of Pre-K stories and themed craft each week. Ages 3+ with a caregiver. Siblings welcome! Recommended Ages 3-5

Wed, Dec 06, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Join us for a poetry reading from Serena's latest book, "Artists' Paradise Pieces of Life volume 3". Books will be for purchase and signing after the event!

Wed, Dec 06, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Join us for a free one-hour meditation class lead by our Friends at Yoga in Daily Life! Open to everyone and all levels

Thu, Dec 07, 10:15am - 10:45am
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Cozy up with friends for singing and dancing at Toddler Rock N' Read. Ages 0-5

Thu, Dec 07, 11:15am - 11:45am
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Cozy up with friends for singing and dancing at Toddler Rock N' Read. Ages 0-5

Thu, Dec 07, 1:30pm - 2:30pm
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Join us the first Thursday of the month to discuss titles chosen by the club members!

Thu, Dec 07, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
⭐ Please email Ally Zomchek at azomchek@alexlibraryva.org if interested in joining ⭐

Thu, Dec 07, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Teen Area
Both beginners and advanced fiber artists are welcome! Ages 12+

Fri, Dec 08, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Brave the cold for Lego Competition. Attendees will be put on a team and given a prompt with 1 hour to complete their build! Our esteemed judges will evaluate and choose a winning team. Ages 6- 12

Sat, Dec 09, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
A special viewing of film releases.