Battles at Annapolis

On the shores of the Chesapeake, two hard-fought Army–Navy games left a lasting mark on football and the service academies. On two cool late fall Saturday afternoons, separated by forty-nine years, the spectacle of Army–Navy football unfolded at Annapolis, Maryland, on the grounds of the United States Naval Academy. This pair of rivalry games were played in 1893 and 1942, on the edge of brackish tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay and before crowds among the smallest ever to witness the game. While often treated as sidebars in the epic Army–Navy football narrative, these two games had an outsized impact on the series, on the institutions represented on the field, and even on the sport of football. In a series that continues to be defined by toughness and resilience, these were also among the hardest-fought and roughest games ever played. Battles at Annapolis presents the context of the two most recent Army–Navy football games played at Annapolis: how the games came to be scheduled and the impact of each contest on the participating institutions, the sport of football, and the broader community. Author David Gendell also showcases the unique personalities who represented the service academies on the field, on the sidelines, and in the stands. Many of the players would soon represent the United States in combat. But before they went to war, they played football. Rear Admiral Thomas C. Lynch, USN (Ret.), a former Navy football captain and 54th Superintendent of the Naval Academy, contributes the book’s Foreword.

Annapolis native David Gendell is the author of Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse: A Chesapeake Bay Icon and The Last Days of the Schooner America: A Lost Icon at the Annapolis Warship Factory. He lives with his family in Annapolis, where he is a frequent speaker on the subjects of sailing and history.

Foreword Preface Introduction Author's Notes PART 1: THE 1893 GAME: "ANNAPOLIS IS WILD." Chapter 1: Before Dawn and After Sunset Chapter 2: A Most Urgent Errand Chapter 3: Challenge Issued Chapter 4: "I don't mind the bruises much." Chapter 5: Experience Prevails at West Point, 1890 Chapter 6: A Second Chance Chapter 7: Army's First Coach Chapter 8: Stakes Raised Chapter 9: "I can't think of anything but that game." Chapter 10: The Third Meeting Chapter 11: Bliss at Yale Chapter 12: A Sporting Summer Chapter 13: Bliss in California Chapter 14: Naval Academy Summer Chapter 15: Cadets at Chicago Chapter 16: Fresh Start at West Point Chapter 17: Predawn Practice Chapter 18: New Coaches for a New Season Chapter 19: The 1893 Army Cadets Chapter 20: Emerging Stars at Annapolis Chapter 21: Army's 1893 Season Chapter 22: Navy's 1893 Season Chapter 23: "Cry-Baby Sort of Feeling" Chapter 24: Final Preparations Chapter 25: A Goat from New York Chapter 26: Army En Route to Annapolis Chapter 27: The Tailor's Order Chapter 28: Army Arrives at Annapolis Chapter 29: The Crowd Gathers Chapter 30: The Admiral Chapter 31: El Cid at Annapolis Chapter 32: Bull and the Headgear Chapter 33: Underway Chapter 34: Second Half Chapter 35: "To kick a place kick for a goal." Chapter 36: "Without luck." Chapter 37: Celebration and Misbehavior Chapter 38: West Point Reacts Chapter 39: Fallout at Washington, DC Chapter 40: Changes at West Point Chapter 41: Aftermath Chapter 42: "I am told that you are a good football player." Chapter 43: A Vest Pocket Sea Fight Chapter 44: "It's getting pretty hot here." Chapter 45: A Costly "Little War" Chapter 46: Rivalry Renewed Chapter 47: Neutral Sites PART 2: THE 1942 GAME: "AN UNEXPECTEDAND PLEASANT SURPRISE." Chapter 48: The New Stadiums Chapter 49: Surviving 1893 Coaches and Players Chapter 50: "Be on the field in 20 minutes Chapter 51: A New Era at West Point Chapter 52: Army Gets Their Man Chapter 53: High Expectations at Annapolis Chapter 54: Fresh Hope at West Point Chapter 55: Army and Navy Rising Chapter 56: "There's a war coming boys." Chapter 57: "Gentlemen, we are at war." Chapter 58: Pearl Harbor Aftermath Chapter 59: The "Green Light Letter" Chapter 60: Bilged Chapter 61: Woods into West Point Chapter 62: "Doubt Army-Navy Game" Chapter 63: Arrival by Sea Chapter 64: "An unexpected and pleasant surprise." Chapter 65: November 1942 Chapter 66: "Almost anything can happen when these two teams meet." Chapter 67: November 28, 1942 Chapter 68: Ace Chapter 69: Pacific Rescue Epilogue Acknowledgments Notes Sources About the Author