The first meeting of Captain Alexander Hamilton, then commanding his New York “Provincial Company of Artillery,” and General George Washington at Fort Bunker Hill that overlooked New York City and guarded the Hudson River at this strategic point of commanding high ground. Author’s collection.

Birthplace of Alexander Hamilton. Here, on January 11, 1755, Hamilton entered the world on the Caribbean island of Nevis. The family moved to nearby St. Croix before Hamilton was a teenager. Author’s collection.

Portrait of Alexander Hamilton in uniform. Author’s collection.

Portrait of General George Washington in uniform by Rembrandt Peale. Image courtesy of The Athenaeum.

Washington’s Army crossing the Delaware River on the night of December 25–26, 1776. Hamilton exerted considerable efforts in getting his New York cannon loaded aboard a ferryboat for the journey across the river in the stormy darkness. Author’s collection.

Portrait of Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette by Joseph Désiré-Court. The close friendship between Hamilton and Lafayette was a key link in helping to strengthen the French alliance and soothing the considerable differences between dissimilar allies. © Direction des Musées de France.

Washington’s attack on Trenton on the morning of December 26, 1776. Captain Hamilton led his New York artillery unit with distinction at Trenton. After his guns fired on Trenton’s garrison from the commanding heights north of town, he played a key forgotten role that revealed his trademark aggressiveness. Hamilton boldly ordered his cannon down the snowy slope toward the town to inflict greater damage on the reeling Hessian garrison. He was the first American artillery officer to employ his guns effectively as “flying artillery” in an urban combat setting. Author’s collection.

The surrender of the Hessians at Trenton, New Jersey, on the morning of December 26, 1776. During a hard-fought engagement in which many American muskets were wet and unable to fire, Captain Hamilton’s guns played a leading role in garnering for Washington his first true battlefield success to reverse the tide of the American Revolution. Author’s collection.

Tench Tilghman. A native Marylander and distinguished member of Washington’s staff. Bright and personable, Tilghman became one of Hamilton’s closest companions during the years when they worked together on Washington’s staff. Author’s collection.

James McHenry. Born in County Antrim, Ulster Province, Ireland, James McHenry was an intelligent physician with a refined sense of humor like Hamilton. McHenry, of Scotch-Irish heritage, was also a recent immigrant to America. Hamilton, a West Indian, and McHenry, an Irishman, became close friends. They enjoyed exchanging jokes and witticisms directed at not only others, but also each other. Author’s collection.

General Henry Knox. A former bookstore owner from Boston, Knox was a remarkable self-made man (like Hamilton) and gifted general of outstanding ability. As the commander of Washington’s artillery, he early recognized the talents of a young and dynamic commander of a New York artillery unit, Captain Alexander Hamilton. Washington early learned of Hamilton’s many leadership skills and abilities from Knox. Author’s collection.

The parlor of Washington’s headquarters at the Ford Mansion, Morristown, New Jersey. Here, Hamilton socialized after the end of long hours of working at his desk and conferring with Washington.

Washington’s headquarters at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. The team of Washington and Hamilton worked closely together during some of the most trying and difficult times of the American Revolution, including at Valley Forge. Author’s collection.

Washington’s headquarters at Morristown, New Jersey. Here, Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Hamilton worked by Washington’s side at the stately mansion built by Jacob Ford, Jr., after the Continental Army went into winter quarters. Author’s collection.

General Washington and Lieutenant Colonel Hamilton played leading roles in rallying the routed troops of General Charles Lee at the battle of Monmouth Court House, New Jersey, on June 28, 1778. Hamilton’s spirited performance in helping to save day was described as a “frenzy of valor” even by his arch enemy, General Lee.

Robert Hanson Harrison was a longtime member of George Washington’s personal staff known as the “family.” A former Virginia attorney, Harrison became one of Washington’s first staff members. He served Washington with distinction from November 1775 to the spring of 1781. Author’s collection.

Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton in all her glory as revealed in this 1787 portrait by artist Ralph Earl. In the enchanting Elizabeth (also called Betsey and Eliza), who was well known for many admirable qualities, Hamilton gained not only an ideal wife but also a worthy companion. Elizabeth was devoted to Hamilton, who she outlived by more than half a century, and never lost her love for him. Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton lived to nearly the age of 100. Courtesy of the Museum of the City of New York. Image courtesy of The Athenaeum.

Philip Schuyler was elected to the Continental Congress in 1775 and then gained the lofty rank of major general in the Continental Army. Although a member of the aristocratic elite, Major General Schuyler fully accepted Hamilton into his family and as the husband of his dark-eyed second daughter Elizabeth. Author’s collection.

Known as the Pastures, this magnificent brick mansion at Albany, New York, was the home of Major General Philip Schuyler. At this house, located on a commanding bluff that overlooked the Hudson River, Hamilton found his greatest personal fulfillment with the general’s daughter, whom he married in December 1780, and a warm family setting that he had long lacked in his native Caribbean. Author’s collection.