A Critical Time Chapter 6 Section 2

Why it Matters The thirteen colonies had proclaimed their independence, but this declaration would have lasting meaning only if Washington and his army of poorly trained troops could win victories over the powerful British army.

Attack and Retreat In June of 1776, just as the Continental Congress was considering independence, a large British fleet arrived off of New York. William Howe was the commander of the fleet, and he gathered his forces on Staten Island. Washington expected Howe’s attack so he had already led his forces south from Boston to Brooklyn, and then settled in Long Island.

Attack and Retreat Washington’s army was no match for the British. How had about 34,000 well trained troops and about 10,000 sailors, as well as ships to ferry them ashore. Washington had fewer then 20,000 poorly trained troops and no navy. The summer saw a long series of battles and American retreats. In the Battle of Long Island, in August of 1776, the British drove Washington’s troops out, and the following month, Washington had to abandon New York City.

Nathan Hale During the fight for New York, Nathan Hale, became an American legend. He was a Connecticut officer, and he volunteered for a dangerous task, spying for the colonists. His mission was to collect information about the British battle plans on Long Island. Hale was caught behind enemy lines. He was tried and condemned to death.

Nathan Hale Hale was hanged the morning after his trial. Later it was reported that his last words had been, “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.”

British Dominance Under relentless British pursuit, the Continental Army kept retreating. The British crossed the Delaware River into Pennsylvania and threatened the city of Philadelphia. Many soldiers had deserted on the colonist’s side, and morale was low. Many soldiers wanted to go home, just waiting for their terms of service to end to do so.

Thomas Paine Thomas Paine had retreated with the Continental Army through New Jersey. To raise morale, Paine wrote another pamphlet titles, The Crisis. Paine urged Americans to support the army, despite the hard times they were experiencing. Washington had The Crisis read aloud to his troops. At the same time he made a plans for a bold attack of the British.

Thomas Paine “These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot, will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it now deserves the love and thanks of man and women.” - Thomas Paine, The Crisis

Crossing the Delaware On Christmas night, 1776, Washington led 2,400 men across the Delaware River in small boats. Soldiers had to huddle together in the boats because the spray from the frozen river felt like sharp knives when it hit their faces. The soldiers were so poorly supplied that some didn’t even have shoes. Some bound their feet with rags to keep from freezing. Once across the river, the troops marched through a swirling snow storm. They marched on to Trenton, New Jersey and attacked it from two sides giving them the element of surprise.

An American Victory The attack on Trenton brought about a ringing American victory. Most of the soldiers they fought against in Trenton were Hessians, men from Hesse, a small German state. Hessians were among the thousands of German mercenaries who were fighting for the British. Mercenaries are soldiers who are paid to fight for a country other than their own. Washington’s army captured almost a thousand Hessian mercenaries.

An American Victory Washington was pursued by the British army, but he used a clever trick to escape. His soldiers made camp near Trenton and lit campfires. After dark, most of the men packed up and quietly withdrew from the camp. The British did not discover they were gone until daylight, when they were ambushed by a large body of Washington’s soldiers near Princeton, New Jersey.

The British Plan General Burgoyne had a plan for the British to attack Albany, New York, from three different directions. From Canada an army of 8,000 men would move south to capture the forts locating on Lake Champlain, Lake George, and the upper Hudson River. From the west, a smaller British force would drive through Mohawk Valley toward Albany. From the south, General Howe led a large army up the Hudson River from New York City.

The British Plan Burgoyne’s plan had the potential to gain the British some valuable territory as well as seize several of the American’s forts. His plan was held off because King George III ordered Howe to move his forces south in an attempt to take Philadelphia. While Howe was moving his force through the Mohawk Valley, American troops cut them off.

An American Victory Burgoyne’s plan was put on hold, but after the delay he began moving his forces south from Canada in June. The British recaptured fort Ticonderoga, and slowly made their way south, but their supplies started running low. By September, the American Commander in New York, General Horatio Gates, had 6,000 men ready to take on the British forces. At the village of Saratoga, in New York, the Americans surround the British, and forced General Burgoyne to surrender on October 17, 1777.

Results of the Battle The battle of Saratoga was a major turning point in the war. The American victory ended British threat to New England and also destroyed British hopes of an easy victory. The victory also lifted the spirits of the Patriots at a time when Washington’s army was suffering many defeats. Perhaps the most important part of the Battle of Saratoga was it helped to convince Europeans that the Americans had a good chance of winning the war.

Help from Overseas Soon after the Americans score a victory at Saratoga, France agreed to openly support American independence. In February 1778, France officially formed an alliance with the United States.

The French Alliance Even before the Americans scored a victory at Saratoga, the French were secretly supplying the Americans with money and arms. The French did not want to take an open stand and openly support the Americans until they were convinced the Americans could win the war. The Battle of Saratoga convinces the French that the Americans could win. In February 1778, France became the first nation to sign a treaty with the United States.

The French Alliance France convinced its allies of the Netherlands and Spain to go to war with Britain. The British could spare few troops to fight in North America, so the Europeans carrying the fight to Europe and the Caribbean proved most challenging for the British for now they would have to fight this war on many fronts.

European Volunteers A number of Europeans volunteered to fight with American forces. They were inspired by the American’s struggle for liberty. Volunteers from Poland also made vital contributions to the American’s war effort. Thaddeus Kosciusko was an engineer who took charge of building fortifications at West Point. Casimir Pulaski led a trained cavalry, or units or troops on horseback, in many battles.

Baron Von Steuben A German baron, Friedrich von Steuben helped train the Continental Army. Steuben had served in the Prussian army, which was considered the best in Europe at the time. Before Steuben arrived in early 1778, American troops were often poorly trained and undisciplined. Steuben taught the soldiers how to march, how to improve their aim, and how to attack with bayonets. His methods helped to transform raw recruits into soldiers and shaped the Continental army into a more effective force.

Valley Forge Washington’s Continental army suffered through the cruel winter of 1777-1778 in a hastily built camp at Valley Forge in Pennsylvania. At the same time, only 22 miles away, British officers were living the high life in Philadelphia with numerous parties and balls.

Valley Forge The 11,000 soldiers stationed at Valley Forge were not sufficiently fed, clothed, or housed. Many soldiers lacked socks, shoes, and even trousers or pants. Throughout the winter they shivered in drafty huts. It was discovered that one in fours soldiers were sick with chills, fever, or worse.

Valley Forge Food was scarce and many soldiers ate thin soup and dry bread. One soldier later recalled that he went without food for two days. He was so hungry he would have grabbed food away from anyone, even his best friend. When Americans learned of the conditions of Valley Forge, they sent help. Women collected food, medicine, clothes, and ammunition. Some women, like Martha Washington, Washington’s wife went to Valley Forge to tend the sick and wounded.

Valley Forge Despite all the hardships the Continental army went through at Valley Forge, the army used that winter to gather its strength for the battles that lay ahead of them. Steuben’s drills sharpened the soldiers skills and discipline while stationed at Valley Forge.