Hamilton left Washington’s staff in 1781, but returned to the army briefly later that year when Washington gave him a field command at the Battle of Yorktown. Alexander Hamilton's Role in the Revolutionary War

Philip's death devastated the Hamiltons, and many historians believe it led to Hamilton's own reluctance to fire directly at Aaron Burr during their legendary duel just three years later. They would have eight children together, many of whom went on to have celebrated careers in law, politics and the military.Įlizabeth remained a key source of loyalty and stability for him throughout the many tumultuous years to come.ĭid you know? Alexander Hamilton's beloved first-born son, Philip, was killed in a duel in 1801 while attempting to defend his father's honor against attacks by New York lawyer George Eacker.

In 1780, he married Elizabeth Schuyler, the daughter of a wealthy and influential New York landowner and military officer. Hamilton’s writing prowess and military skills helped him thrive as Washington’s aide-de-camp, and built his reputation in Revolution-era society. By 1777, he had captured the attention of the army’s commander-in-chief, General George Washington, who gave him a position on his staff. When the Revolutionary War began, he was commissioned to lead an artillery company in the Continental Army and fought bravely in the Battles of Trenton and Princeton, among others.

While studying at King’s College in New York (now Columbia University), Hamilton got involved in the colonial cause, writing pamphlets like “A Full Vindication of the Measures of Congress,” in which he defended the First Continental Congress’s proposal to embargo trade with Britain.

Alexander hamilton writings