Samuel John Atlee Goes From POW To Continental Congressman
Updated 9/4/21
Samuel John Atlee survived imprisonment by the British only to become a member of the Continental Congress and leader in Pennsylvania politics.
Samuel John Atlee
Samuel John Atlee gained military experience serving in the British Army during the French and Indian War.
Atlee was a member of the Forbes Expedition, one of many successful confrontations which led to the British victory. He undoubtedly knew of George Washington who he was a Colonel that played a large role in the Expedition.
Afterward, Atlee returned to his home in Pennsylvania where he took up practice of the law.
Continental Army
At the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War, Atlee had decided to firmly stand with the Patriot Cause. He volunteered for the Continental Army and was named Colonel.
Atlee was put in command of the Pennsylvania Musketry Battalion and led them north to join the main Army.
When he arrived in New York, Atlee was sent to Brooklyn in anticipation of a British attack.
Captured
In the Battle of Long Island, Washington was fooled by the British and Atlee’s men were taken by surprise.
His Battalion fought bravely at the Old Stone House, pushing the redcoats back two times.
When reinforcements finally arrived, it was too late. The Americans were vastly outnumbered and a retreat was ordered.
Atlee stayed behind, fighting the enemy until there was no move but surrender.
He was taken captive by the British.
Continental Congress
Samuel John Atlee remained as a prisoner of war for two years, somehow surviving in unbelievably harsh conditions. When he was release, Samuel returned to Pennsylvania.
Soon after, Atlee was selected as a Delegate to the Continental Congress.
He spent five years in the Congress, eventually seeing the Articles of Confederation being ratified (though he did not sign them).
Governing Pennsylvania
After his time in the Continental Congress, Atlee was elected to the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania, representing Lancaster County.
This Council was the group which, at the time, served collectively as the Governor of the State.
Although Atlee was just one member of this group, it still put him in an extremely significant position when it came to steering the direction of Pennsylvania’s government just as the Revolutionary War was coming to an end.
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