Major Battles of the

Revolutionary War

Taking Sides: The American Colonists The American army was called the

Continental Army.– George Washington was appointed as the

Commander. Formally trained soldiers were called

regulars; officers received a commission ($); uniforms

Militias were made up of volunteers from the surrounding area (state/colonial militia)—usually not formally trained.

Taking Sides: The British The British soldiers were also called

“redcoats.”

Leaders & Notable Contributors America

*Gen. George Washington

*Horatio Gates Gen. Nathanael Green Benedict Arnold

– Early years, he was a popular Patriot soldier and leader.

– Later, court-martialed for using govt. supplies for his own good

• Angry about this, he shifted his alligence to Great Britian.

• Seen as a traitor

The British *Gen. Thomas Gage Howe Brothers (Gen.

William & Admiral Richard)

Gen. John “Johnny” Burgoyne

*Gen. Charles Cornwallis

Important Terms Mercenaries/Hessians: British hired

soldiers to fight for them (German).

Flank: The side or end of a military unit

Bayonet: A knife that fixes at the end of a rifle to be used as a weapon

Campaign: A series of coordinated military operations

Early in the War Lexington and Concord—first battles

– Britain’s Mission: to seize and destroy all arms and mutations that were being hidden outside of Boston by the colonists.

Paul Revere’s famous ride—to spread the word that the British soldiers were headed for Concord.

Heavy British causalities on the way back.

Bunker Hill (Breed’s Hill)June 17, 1775 Colonists a had strong position overlooking

Boston, but ran out of gunpowder. British victory, but both sides suffer heavy

losses. Showed that the

colonists were not going to give up easily!

Battles Between 1776-1777

The British focus on the Middle

Colonies!

New York HarborSummer of 1776 32,000 British soldiers and Hessians

approached the New York Harbor. Washington rallied 23,000 men to New York’s

defense.

Defeat in New York But Washington was still outnumbered.

– Most of his troops were untrained and had poor equipment.

The battle for New York ended with an American retreat and heavy losses.

By late fall, Washington and his army had been pushed across the Delaware River into Pennsylvania.– Majority of his men had deserted or had

been killed or captured.– Fewer than 8,000 men remained

Battle of Trenton

December 1776

Washington surprises the

British and hired Hessians by crossing the

Delaware River on the night of December 26th.

Victory in Trenton Washington’s surprise attack (with the

help from an important spy) leads to the capture of 1,000 Hessians and British officers who were sleeping off their Christmas partying.

This is a much needed victory for the Continental Army.– Moral was low and Washington was close

to losing many of his men because their time of enlistment was up.

Won another victory 8 days later at Princeton.

The fight for PhiladelphiaSpring of 1777 Gen. Howe began to

move his troops towards the American capital of Philadelphia.

The Continental Congress fled.

Washington’s troops were unsuccessful at blocking the redcoats.

Battle of Saratoga The British began to focus on control of

the Hudson River—if controlled the Hudson they could isolate the New England colonies from the rest.

British Gen. Burgoyne set off with 4,000 redcoats, 3,000 Hessians, and 1,000 loyal Mohawks

Continental Army Gen. Horatio Gates met Burgoyne at Saratoga (up-state NY).

Victory at SaratogaAmerican troops surrounded the British and Gen.

Burgoyne surrendered to Gen. Gates on October 17, 1777.

The Importance of SaratogaMost important battle of the American

Revolution! After the Battle of Saratoga, the French

decided to enter the war on the side of the American colonists.– 1st country to recognize the United States

of America as a country. Later, the Spanish and the Dutch would

also enter on the side of America, so England faced a “world war.”

Waiting for the French It would take months

for the French help to arrive.

In the meantime, the British controlled still New York and parts of New England.

Winter approached and Washington was forced to retreat to Valley Forge for the winter.

Winter at Valley Forge Winter camp at Valley Forge,

Pennsylvania was a struggle for Washington’s men.

The primitive living conditions forced the men to survive in the harsh winter climate with little shelter and little to no food.

Of the 10,000 soldiers who braved the wind, snow, and hunger, more than 2,000 would die.

European Allies Shift the Balance

Friedrich von Steuben

Prussian captain who volunteered his services to Gen. Washington.

Intensively trained Washington’s men– Continental army

became an effective fighting force

European Allies Shift the Balance

Marquis de Lafayette

Young French idealist who offered his assistance to Washington’s staff.

Survived the winter at Valley Forge with the men and lobbied for French help.

Battles after 1777 The British (Cornwallis

at the lead) decided to move south.

In Jan. 1781, victory for the Continental Army at Cowpens, S.C.

Two months later, Cornwallis attacked again in N.C.

British victory, but they suffer heavy losses (1/4 of troops)

British Push NorthWeakened in N.C., Cornwallis

pushes north to Virginia.Tries to capture Continental Army

divisions led by Lafayette and von Steuben.– Unsuccessful

Next, Cornwallis makes a fatal mistake—he led his army of 7,500 onto the peninsula between the James and York Rivers (in Virginia) and camped at Yorktown.

The Battle of Yorktown News of Cornwallis’s

camp at Yorktown reaches the Continental Army.

Not far from this, the French have just arrived.

Lafayette suggests that the American and French armies join and attack Cornwallis.

The Siege at Yorktown The French and American troops

surround the British on the Yorktown peninsula; prevent a rescue by sea

Bombard the British day and night for about 3 weeks.

On October 17, 1781, Cornwallis finally raised the white flag in surrender.

Victory at YorktownOn October 19, 1781, Washington, the French

generals, and their troops assemble to accept the surrender of the British.