The Early Years Chapter 6, Lesson 1

The Opposing Sides After years of disagreements and failed negotiations, the tension between the Colonies and England had reached a critical point. After declaring ourselves independent war was unavoidable. Both sides believed this would be a short war with their beliefs being: British – Crush the rebellion by force. Patriots – British would give up after losing one or two major battles.

“We shall have a long… and bloody war to go through.” The Opposing Sides Few Patriots believed John Adams when he predicted in April 1776: “We shall have a long… and bloody war to go through.” At first glance the British seemed to have the overwhelming advantage: Strongest Navy in the world. Experienced, well-trained army Wealth of a worldwide empire. Population of 8 million (Colonies only had 2.5 million)

The Opposing Sides The Colonists had serious disadvantages: Lacked a regular army and strong navy. Soldier lacked military experience. Weapons and ammunition were in short supply. Many Patriots belonged to militia groups. (meaning: they fight for a short time before returning home) Not all Americans supported the struggle for independence. Some people remained neutral such as the Quakers (Did not believe in any sort of armed conflict). Others remained loyal to Britain.

The Loyalists Those remaining loyal to Great Britain were known as Loyalists or Tories. One in five (maybe even as much as one in three) were loyalists. Some people changed sides during the war depending on who was closest to them. Loyalist strength varied from region to region. Strongest in the Carolinas and Georgia and weakest in New England.

“faced a rebellion arising from such trivial causes.” The Loyalists They supported Britain for many different reasons: Some remained loyal because they were members of the Anglican Church, headed by the British King. Some depended on the British for their jobs. Some feared the disorder that would come from challenging the established government. Other simply couldn’t understand what all the commotion was about. No other country one Loyalists complained: “faced a rebellion arising from such trivial causes.”

The Loyalists The issue for independence disrupted normal relations. Friends and family became divided over their loyalty to Great Britain. Benjamin Franklin’s son, William Franklin, was a Loyalists who served a royal governor. One Connecticut Loyalists observed: “Neighbor was against neighbor, father against son and son against father. He that would not thrust his own blade through his brother’s heart was called an infamous villain.”

African Americans in the War Some African Americans sided with the Loyalists. The British appealed to enslaved Africans to join them. Lord Dunmmore, the royal governor of Virginia, offered freedom to those who fought with the British. Some did end up free either in Canada or Sierra Leone in Africa.

Patriot Advantage The Americans did have some advantages: Fighting on their own turf and fought with great determination to protect it. (British had to ship their soldiers and supplies over thousands of miles across the Atlantic.) British relied on hired soldiers (mercenaries) to fight. Most colonists called them Hessians, since this was the part of Germany where most of them were from. Patriots compared themselves saying that they fought for their freedom and land, not money. Was used to gain support saying that they had a greater stake than those mercenaries.

Patriot Advantages The Americans greatest advantage was probably George Washington. Few could match his courage, honesty, and determination. The war may have gone a different course without his leadership.

Raising An Army Americans placed great value on liberty and personal freedom for its citizens. Despite this, Americans were unwilling to transfer power over to their own Continental Congress. In some ways it was like 13 different wars being fought with each state pursuing personal interests. This resulted in Congress not being able to effectively enlist soldiers or raising money to fight the war.

Raising An Army Although militias were important to the Patriot forces, we needed a regular army (well-trained soldiers who could fight anywhere in the colonies). Congress established a Continental Army but relied on states to recruit (enlist) soldiers. At first many signed up only for one year of Army service. Washington appealed for longer terms: “If we ever hope for success… we must have men enlisted for the whole term of war.”

Raising An Army Congress offered enlistments for three years or for the length of the war. Most soldiers, regardless, still only signed up for a year. Women also fought with Patriot forces. Margaret Corbin – accompanied her husband when he joined. When he died, she took his place. Mary Ludwig Hays McCauley – also accompanied her husband earning herself the nickname Molly Pitcher or “Moll of the Pitcher” for carrying pitchers of water to the soldiers. Deborah Sampson – disguised herself as a boy to fight after watching her brothers and friends go off to war.

Margaret Corbin Molly Pitcher Deborah Sampson

Fighting in New York Most of the early battles involved few troops. At Bunker Hill the British had 2,200 and the Americans 1,200 The British had yet to win a decisive victory over the Patriots and realized they would need more troops to end the war quickly. During the summer of 1776, Britain sent over 32,000 troops across the Atlantic to New York. The British commander, General William Howe, hoped that just be seeing the size of their army that the Patriots would give up. He was soon disappointed.

Defeat on Long Island Though Washington had less than 20,000 troops they were determined to fight. In late August they fought at the Battle of Long Island. They were outnumbered and outmaneuvered, resulting in a serious defeat at the hands of the British. Nathan Hale would prove himself a hero at Long Island. He was a teacher from Connecticut and volunteered to spy on the British troops by pretending to be a Dutch schoolteacher.

Defeat on Long Island Unfortunately he was discovered and was punished by hanging. According to tradition his final words were, “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.” Although the Americans demonstrated bravery they lacked supplies for the army. In autumn of 1776, a British officer wrote that many of the Patriot soldiers lacked shoes, socks, or jackets. “They are also in great want of blankets.” He predicted the rebels would suffer greatly when the severe weather sets in.

Defeat on Long Island After the defeat at Long Island, Washington retreated to Manhattan, pursued by British. By late November, they retreated across New Jersey into Pennsylvania. After this occurred, Thomas Paine (author of Common Sense) publishes another pamphlet known as The American Crisis.

Defeat on Long Island “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 their country; but he that stands it now deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.” He reminded Americans that “the harder the conflict the, more glorious the triumph.” Washington read this to his troops in hopes of inspiring them to continue the fight for independence.

Drawing of Nathan Hale’s hanging.

“I think the game is pretty near up.” A Low Point By the Winter of 1776-77, The Patriot’s cause was beginning to collapse. The size of the Continental Army dwindled as most would simply complete their terms of service and return home while others ran away. Washington wrote to his brother addressing the fact that if new soldiers were not recruited soon… “I think the game is pretty near up.” Washington believed however, that the fight for liberty could not fail.

Patriot Gains Washington pleaded with the Continental Congress for more troops. He asked them to enlist Free African Americans. Earlier on, the Southern states convinced Congress to not allow such a thing. They did not feel comfortable giving black people guns and allowing them to serve as soldiers. Ultimately, the Southern States this would lead to revolt in areas with high slave populations.

African Americans Join the Fight The need for soldier prompted some states to ignore the ban and enlisted African Americans. Rhode Island raised an All-African American regiment in 1778. By the time the war was over, all the states (except South Carolina) enlisted African Americans to fight. Historians believe that as many as 5,000 African Americans fought alongside the Patriots. Among these were Lemuel Hayes and Peter Salem who fought at Concord. African Americans fought for the same reasons as other Americans. (Believed in the cause or needed money) Others just wanted their freedom.

Lemuel Hayes Pater Salem

American Victory in New Jersey The British Army settled in New York in the winter of 1776. Others stayed in New Jersey at Trenton and Princeton. Armies tend to call a halt to their wars during the winters and the British did not expect to fight. Stationed across the Delaware River from the British camp in New Jersey, Washington saw this as a great time to strike. On Christmas night of 1776, Washington took 2,400 troops across the river and surprised the British the next day.

American Victory in New Jersey The Americans captured more than 900 Hessians. The British responded by sending reinforcements under Lord Charles Cornwallis. Washington was long gone by then. Washington than took his army to Princeton. The drove away the British with one remarking in his diary, “A few days ago [the Americans] had given up the cause for lost. Their late success have turned the scale and now they are all liberty mad again.”

American Victory in New Jersey On June 14, 1777 the Continental Congress came up with the design of the first stars and stripes. “The flag of the United States be 13 stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be 13 stars, white in a blue field representing a new constellation.” Since then, the colors represent to Americans certain qualities… Red – Courage White – Purity of Ideals Blue – Strength and unity of the states.

A British Plan for Victory The British worked out a battle plan for 1777. If they could take control of Albany, New York, they could separate the New England Colonies from the Middle Colonies. They planned to attack from three sides. General John Burgoyne would lead almost 8,000 troops South from Canada. Lieutenant Colonel Barry St. Leger would move east from Lake Ontario. General Howe would move north from New York City. They planned to meet in Albany and crush the Patriots.

The British Capture Philadelphia Howe planned to take the American capital at Philadelphia before heading into Albany. THAT’S RIGHT IT WASN’T ALWAYS WASHINGTON D.C.!! After winning battles at Brandywine and Paoli near Philadelphia, they took the city itself. As a result, the Congress had to flee from the city. Washington attempted to attack Georgetown nearby but was unsuccessful. Howe postponed heading into Philadelphia and instead stayed there for the winter.

Patriots Slow the British Problems arose that delayed the British plans to take Albany. Americans succeeded under the leadership of Benedict Arnold at stopping St. Leger’s advance at Fort Stanwix, New York. General Burgoyne’s army was not making much progress either. In July he captures Fort Ticonderoga but ends up going slow. Turns out he was a dashing general with the love for the finer things in life, traveling with 30 wagons of luxury food including good food and fine clothes.

Patriots Slow the British He was further slowed down by Patriots who cut trees and left them in the middle of the road. Needing more food and supplies, he orders 800 troops and Native Americans to an American supply base at Bennington, Vermont. Remember those bright red coats? Yeah… not to effective at camouflaging… and were easy targets. The Green Mountain Boys attacked and defeated them. This meant less men and short supplies, so he is forced to retreat in October into Saratoga, New York.

The Battle of Saratoga At Saratoga Burgoyne was in serious trouble. He expected other British forces from the west and south to join him, but they never arrived. The Americans had stopped St. Leger at Fort Stanwix and Howe was still in Philadelphia. American troops led by General Horatio Gates blocked the path south. Now he finds himself surrounded by an army that was three times as large. He made a last desperate attempt on October 7, but the Americans held firm.

The Battle of Saratoga On October 17, 1777, General Burgoyne surrendered. Patriot bands were playing “Yankee Doodle” The 5,700 British soldiers handed over their weapons to the Americans. Needless to say, the plan failed to separate the New England Colonies from the Middle Colonies. Soon after, General Howe resigns as commander of the British Troops and is replaced by General Henry Clinton.