On November 10, 1775, the Continental Congress commissioned Samuel
Nicholas to raise two Battalions of Marines. That very day, Nicholas
set up shop in Tun Tavern. He appointed Robert Mullan, then the
proprietor of the tavern, to the job of chief Marine recruiter –
serving, of course, from his place of business at Tun Tavern.
Prospective recruits flocked to the tavern, lured by cold beer and
the opportunity to serve in the new Corps of Marines. So, yes, the
U.S. Marine Corps was indeed born in Tun Tavern. Needless to say, both
the Marine Corps and the tavern thrived during this new relationship. In March of 1776, 277 Marines sailed from Philadelphia to the Bahamas, where a British fort and large supplies of munitions were known to be. Nicholas' battalion took the fort, and captured the powder and arms for Washington's army. For the first time in U.S. history, the Marines had landed, and the situation was well in hand. |
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