Do You Know the Heroes of the Revolutionary War?

George Washington wasn't just a war general. He was a political force which drew the British into a reckoning. He is the "Father" of the United States.

As the wife of John Adams, Abigail had access to the political system. And with her avid letter writing and intelligence, she helped formulate many of her husband's motives and ideals.

Thomas Jefferson, by his own account, was a terrible public speaker. But his eloquence with a pen made him the Declaration's primary author, and he (rather politely) told the British that the Americans would really like their independence, if that was OK with you.

Hale was a spy who wound up captured by the redcoats. Just before he was hanged, he reportedly showed no fear and said, “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country."

Crispus Attucks escaped slavery and wound up in Boston … and was killed at the Boston Massacre during a demonstration against the British.

Marquis de Lafayette was a French general who became a trusted ally of George Washington. His reliability on the battlefield, and his help in convincing the French to join the fight, were invaluable.

Esther de Berdt was born in Britain but fully engaged in the Revolution. She became a secretary to George Washington and helped to generate all sorts of aid for the fighting men.

In upstate New York, the British held Fort Ticonderoga. Ethan Allen led the Patriots who captured this outpost, helping the locals gain better control of the northern theater.

John Hancock signed the Declaration of Independence. He was also the president of the Continental Congress, offering important guidance to the army's fight against the redcoats.

Patrick Henry, from the start, was an outspoken political supporter of the Patriot cause. When he said, "“Give me liberty or give me death,” he echoed the sentiments of many Americans who were tired of British oppression.

James Madison is frequently hailed as the Father of the Constitution. He remained so popular for so long after the war that he eventually became the fourth president.

As a young man in Boston, he took part in street fights. As an officer, he took the fight to the British, particularly through artillery and logistics. The man? Henry Knox.

At the Battle of Flamborough Head, a British commander told Jones to give up. Jones refused, supposedly saying, "I have not yet begun to fight!"

Samuel Adams' first attempts at the brewing business were anything but successful. So instead, he became a Patriot politician, a job that better suited his skill set.

At the Battle of Bunker Hill, John Stark led his men to seal a gap in the Patriot's lines … and it worked. They still lost the battle, but thanks to Stark's courage, his men inflicted terrible British casualties.

Greene was asthmatic and had a noticeable limp, so no one thought he'd amount to much in war. But his diligence in planning and strategy made him indispensable to General Washington.

Thomas Paine left behind a long history in England for America. Once there, he (anonymously) published "Common Sense," which rallied colonists to the cause of independence.

Paul Revere wasn't the only man who rode off at night to warn the Patriots that the British were coming. So too did William Dawes, whose bravery matched that Revere's.

John Jay pushed hard for a more powerful Constitution, in large part because he saw the need for more leverage in terms of foreign policy. Later, he became the young country's first Chief Justice.

Robert Morris gave much of his money to help the failing Continental Army and later became a senator. He died nearly broke … in large part because he spent so much of his money on the rebel cause.

Roger Sherman's name hasn't drawn the same accolades as the other Founding Fathers. But it should -- he was the only man to sign all four the most important founding documents of the country.

Benjamin Franklin was a true Renaissance man for his time, adept at many skills, including diplomacy. His efforts helped convince France to join the fight against the British.

Dr. Joseph Warren anonymously wrote editorials decrying British colonial policies. And when the time came to fight, he raised Boston's militia … and died at the Battle of Bunker Hill.

Alexander Hamilton served as a senior aide to Washington during the war. After independence, he was put in charge of the Treasury Department.

His name is often forgotten, but Jeremiah O’Brien is a true hero of the war. He led dozens of men on a brazen attack against a British schooner … and captured it, marking the first Patriot naval victory.

Each winter, when the rebels bedded down for the cold weather, Mrs. Washington would join her husband's camp. There, she buoyed his spirits and those of his troops.

Even as a boy he loved to fight. And when the Revolution came, that’s exactly what Daniel Morgan "Old Wagoner" did, leading numerous Patriot fights and becoming an expert at supply line processes, too.

Pitcher's real name was Mary McCauly, and she earned fame during the Battle of Monmouth. She set aside her water-carrying duties and manned a cannon … something most women of the day simply did not do.

Baron von Steuben was a Prussian veteran who joined with George Washington in his winter of despair at Valley Forge. Steuben helped train the Patriots to become a better fighting force … and the following spring, the British were in for a terrible surprise.

Jefferson was not only a skilled writer, he was a capable politician, too. He served as governor of Virginia, secretary of state, president, and in other capacities, too, during his long life.

Washington lost a lot of battles during the war. He was no battlefield genius. But his persistence made him the ultimate threat to the British … and in the end, he won.

"Mad" Anthony Wayne spent his childhood arranging mock battles with other boys. In the war, he led a bayonet charge -- at night time -- and defeated a tough British fortification.

Founding Father George Mason refused to sign the Constitution. Why? Because it didn't feature a specific bill of rights … a concession he later won after endless battles.

Not all Americans were heroes. Arnold used his political grievances as reasoning to (literally) sell his army to the British in exchange for cash. When discovered, he pretended that he was merely sworn to British allegiance the whole time … instead of admitting he was a traitor.

As the legend goes, Nancy Hart was a Georgia native with a wild side. She spied for the Patriots by pretending to be a man, tricked the enemy at every turn and shot and killed multiple redcoats during the war.