Commander/Battle Matching

Ethan Allen George Washington

Led a raid on Fort Ticonderoga, seizing weapons and ammunition (later used at Bunker Hill) Commanded a group of Vermont Volunteers known as “The Green Mountain Boys” Aided Horatio Gates, Daniel Morgan, and Benedict Arnold in the victory at Saratoga Commander-in-Chief of all Continental military forces Led a surprise raid on Hessian forces at Trenton, New Jersey Led his army through a difficult winter at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania Commanded Continental forces at Yorktown, forcing Cornwallis to surrender (leading to the Treaty of Paris)

Benedict Arnold William Prescott

Joined Gates, Morgan, and Allen in the victory at Saratoga, but gained little recognition for his effort Plotted to surrender Fort West Point to the British (but failed in his effort) Left the Continental Army and joined the British, later commanding British troops Led Continental forces at Bunker Hill (a Continental defeat that cost the British so many lives that they were soon forced to withdraw from Boston)

Marquis de Lafayette Horatio Gates

Former British officer who commanded Continental forces at Saratoga Failed to recognize Benedict Arnold in field dispatches, leading to Arnold’s disillusionment and eventual betrayal of the American cause A French national who became a close friend and confidante of George Washington Worked tirelessly in his efforts to convince the French to join the American cause

John Paul Jones Nathaneal Greene

The Father of the American Navy Quote: “I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast, for I intend to go in harm’s way Quote:“I have not yet begun to fight!” Fighting in England’s back yard (the North Sea), captures the English warship Serapis Generally considered to be America’s best commander other than Washington Commander of Continental forces in the South Commands in the Continental victory at Cowpens and largely responsible for Cornwallis’ retreat onto the Yorktown penninsula

Francis Marion “The Swamp Fox” Daniel Morgan Francis Marion “The Swamp Fox”

Commands a group of 500 volunteer “sharpshooters” who harass the army of Burgoyne as he moves south from Canada Generally given credit for developing the guerrilla tactics that are adopted by Continental militia throughout the war Commander of a unit of the South Carolina militia Inspiration for the Benjamin Martin character in the movie “The Patriot”

Thomas Gage William Howe

Commander of British forces in Boston prior to the beginning of the war Leads the British expedition to seize weapons and arrest traitors in Lexington and concord Commands British forces in America at the outset of the Revolution Devises the British battle strategy known as “divide and conquer” (split the colonies in two to cut supply lines and lines of reinforcement)

Charles Cornwallis John Burgoyne

Commands the British army of the South Defeated by Greene’s Continental forces at Cowpens Defeated by Continental forces under Washington at Yorktown (but neglects to attend the official surrender ceremony, claiming “illness”) Known by most as “A Dandy” Responsible for executing the “divide and conquer” strategy by moving British forces south from Canada After serious losses, surrenders his British forces to Gates at Saratoga

Sir Henry Clinton Benedict Arnold

When “divide and conquer” fails, appointed Commander of all British forces in America Devises a strategy of pitting Southern Loyalists against Continental forces in the South

Important Battles of the Revolution

April 19, 1775 – Lexington and Concord; The first battle of the Revolution! An unknown “minuteman” fires on British troops at Lexington, leading to return fire from the British. As the British return to Boston, Patriot militiamen fire on them almost continually, resulting in 73 killed, 174 wounded, and 26 missing.

The first battle of the Revolution Sometimes referred to as “The Shot Heard ‘Round the World” Patriot militiamen meet British forces under Thomas Gage as he searches for patriot leaders and weapons The first major battle of the Revolution Continental forces under William Prescott attempt to hold the high ground overlooking Boston Harbor British lose nearly 1,000 men and have to withdraw despite their victory

June 16, 1775 The Battle of Bunker Hill; The first major battle of the Revolution! British forces (2,200) take both Bunker and Breed’s Hill, but half are killed or wounded (268 killed, 828 wounded), forcing the British to retire afterward.

Battle of Trenton - December 26, 1776 Battle of Trenton - December 26, 1776. Washington crosses the Delaware river and surprises Hessian troops at Trenton. After a string of losses (most importantly the Battle of New York), Washington gains a much-needed victory over British troops (Hessian mercenaries) at Trenton, New Jersey.

Washington crosses the Delaware River on Christmas and surprises Hessian troops on the 26th. Continental victory comes after a string of defeats, lifting Patriot spirits. British General John Burgoyne attempts to execute a “divide and conquer” strategy Patriot sharpshooter target Native American scouts, then British officers. Horatio Gates takes credit for this victory, which convinces the French to join America in the fight, making it the turning point of the war.

October 17, 1777 Battle of Saratoga October 17, 1777 Battle of Saratoga. British General Burgoyne surrenders to American forces. Victory at Saratoga convinces the French to join the American cause; the turning point in the war.

Winter 1777-1778 Valley Forge; Washington’s troops suffer hardship over the cold winter.

Washington’s winter headquarters during the winter of 1777-78 Marked by suffering, deprivation, and disease. Baron Von Steuben joins Continental forces and trains them in Prussian military tactics. Following Cowpens, British General Cornwallis retreats onto a peninsula. Continental forces besiege Cornwallis from land as the French Navy prevents escape by sea. Cornwallis surrenders on October 19, 1781.

October 19, 1781 Battle of Yorktown October 19, 1781 Battle of Yorktown. Cornwallis surrenders his British forces. The American victory convinces the British to sue for peace.