Chapter 6: The American Revolution Lesson 3: Battlegrounds Shift

Fighting in the West

As the war was fought in the West, the Native Americans often sided with the British. They felt the Americans would take more land than the British.

Chief Joseph Brant led the Mohawk tribe against the Americans during the war. “The Earth is the mother of all people, and all people should have equal rights upon it.” Chief Joseph Brant

Henry Hamilton General Henry Hamilton, a British commander, is said to have paid Natives to attack and scalp Americans.

British attacks on western settlers. George Rogers Clark set out to end British attacks on western settlers. George and his troops seized the posts at Kaskaskia and the town of Vincennes. George Rogers Clark

The War at Sea

During the war, the British Navy used its strength to blockade the American ports. This began to strangle the colonies.

Congress ordered 13 ships to be built to fight the British blockade, but only two made it to sea! So, the colonists relied on privateers to help fight the British. Congress authorized 2,000 private ships to help the colonies.

In 1777, American officer John Paul Jones made a daring attack on a British ship. His Bonhomme Richard fought the British ship Serapis, eventually winning the battle. The Bonhomme Richard was sinking when the British Captain asked Jones if he would like to surrender. Jones stated, “I have not yet begun to fight.” Against all odds, Jones rallies and defeats the Serapis. Although, he did lose his ship – it sank! John Paul Jones

Fighting in the South

The Battle of Moore’s Creek Bridge The Americans had won some battles in the south, but the British Army was determined to use the large amount of loyalist support in the south to help them. The Battle of Moore’s Creek Bridge

In 1780, British General Charles Cornwallis, who had replaced General Henry Clinton, faced American General Horatio Gates at the Battle of Camden. Cornwallis won, but he realized he was in for a huge fight. Charles Cornwallis Horatio Gates

In the South, the use of guerilla warfare, devastated the British troops. Francis Marion Francis Marion, the Swampfox, was one of the most successful guerilla leaders.

In Louisiana, Bernardo de Galvez had been helping America with money. He opened the port of New Orleans on the Mississippi River for the Americans. Eventually he attacked Pensacola and seized it.

In 1781, General Cornwallis moved Charles Cornwallis Henry Clinton In 1781, General Cornwallis moved to Yorktown, in Virginia, to wait for instructions from General Clinton.