Peter Francisco is the American Revolutionary hero everyone should know about but doesn't. Even George Washington credited the courage and combative prowess of the “Virginia Hercules” with turning the tide of two major battles and possibly preventing defeat in the entire war.
Francisco was a six-foot-four, two hundred and sixty pound illiterate blacksmith who went into battle armed with a gigantic custom-made broadsword long enough to be used with two-hands, although he used it with one. He was said to have killed eleven redcoats with this fearsome weapon in a single battle. He is also credited with single-handedly carrying rebel artillery off the battlefield on his massive back in order to save it from the advancing British.
Francisco's exploits are more like those of a mythical hero than a historical figure, but he really lived and they really happened. The main reason he isn't better remembered is simple class prejudice- as an illiterate private soldier, he just isn't seen as an important figure compared to men like Washington and Jefferson, with their plantations and their wealth.
Without common soldiers like Peter Francisco, we would never have won our independence. Nor would we have won it without the uncommon strength and courage he so often displayed.
Americans are not generally known for their love of swordsmanship, but Francisco's demonstrated prowess with his enormous broadsword would make a thrilling Hollywood blockbuster, don't you think?
It would really be the least he deserved for the services he performed- services Washington himself described as indispensable.