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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, May 05 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Tue, May 06 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Wed, May 07 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Thu, May 08 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Fri, May 09 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sat, May 10 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sun, May 11 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

Sat, May 10, 10:30am - 11:30am
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Stretch, breathe and cultivate your connections with body-heart-mind-spirit.

Sun, May 11, 3:30pm - 4:00pm
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Wiggle, crawl and clap at Baby Time! Fingerplay and songs for Ages 0-14 Months.

Mon, May 12, 10:15am - 10:45am
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Wiggle, crawl and clap at Baby Time! Fingerplay and songs for Ages 0-14 Months.

Mon, May 12, 11:15am - 11:45am
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Wiggle, crawl and clap at Baby Time! Fingerplay and songs for Ages 0-14 Months.

Mon, May 12, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
The Friends of Duncan Library's Board Members discuss the Duncan Branch activities, fund raising actives supporting the Duncan Branch programs, collection needs and Alexandria Library community goals.

Tue, May 13, 10:15am - 10:45am
Wiggle with glee, Stories and Songs is a great place to be! Perfect for toddlers and siblings. Come enjoy the fingerplay, songs and story-telling with us. Ages 0-5

Tue, May 13, 11:15am - 11:45am
Wiggle with glee, Stories and Songs is a great place to be! Perfect for toddlers and siblings. Come enjoy the fingerplay, songs and story-telling with us. Ages 0-5

Tue, May 13, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Ongoing campaign. For inquiries about Dungeon and Dragons please contact Josstin Gogue at jgogue@alexlibraryva.org.

Wed, May 14, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Spitfire club, Spring Session. Changing the world, one book at a time! Kindergarten - 3rd Grade.

Wed, May 14, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Another installment of Duncan and Dragons with DM Jacob!

Wed, May 14, 6:45pm - 7:45pm
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Drop in Conversational English language learning!

Thu, May 15, 10:15am - 10:45am
Come join Mr. Josstin for an adventure worth gathering for. You were there, remember? Great for toddlers and siblings. Ages 0-5

Thu, May 15, 11:15am - 11:45am
Come join Mr. Josstin for an adventure worth gathering for. You were there, remember? Great for toddlers and siblings. Ages 0-5

Thu, May 15, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
All crafters are welcome! Ages 13+

Sat, May 17, 10:30am - 11:30am
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Stretch, breathe and cultivate your connections with body-heart-mind-spirit.
This event is full

Sat, May 17, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Join us for a workshop on reading and understanding energy. This interactive session offers a safe and supportive space to explore energy awareness, practice intuitive techniques, and ask questions

Sun, May 18, 2:30pm - 3:30pm
Bring your preschooler to the Duncan Library on Sunday afternoons to explore STEAM activities (science, technology, engineering, art, and math)! This is a drop-in event. Recommended ages 3-6

Mon, May 19, 10:15am - 10:45am
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Wiggle, crawl and clap at Baby Time! Fingerplay and songs for Ages 0-14 Months.

Mon, May 19, 11:15am - 11:45am
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Wiggle, crawl and clap at Baby Time! Fingerplay and songs for Ages 0-14 Months.

Mon, May 19, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Our mission is to provide a safe, supportive, non-judgmental environment where people can explore, learn, play, and evolve together - one breath at a time
This event is full