The Revolutionary War

Washington’s Army

Lexington and Concord

Paul Revere, William Dawes & Samuel Prescott Revere and Dawes rode from Charlestown (by Boston) to Lexington Warn Sam Adams & John Hancock of British attack Only Prescott made it to Concord

Paul Revere’s Ride – Longfellow (1860) … So through the night rode Paul Revere; And so through the night went his cry of alarm To every Middlesex village and farm, - A cry of defiance, and not of fear, A voice in the darkness, a knock at the door, And a word that shall echo for evermore! For, borne on the night-wind of the Past, Through all our history, to the last, In the hour of darkness and peril and need, The people will waken and listen to hear The hurrying hoof-beats of that steed, And the midnight message of Paul Revere.

Battle of Bunker Hill June 17, 1775 Charleston Peninsula on North side of Boston Harbor Boston British garrison (2400) vs. American Continental army (1500) General Gage blockaded in Boston by the American army British want to take the Charlestown peninsula Americans occupied Breed’s Hill and Bunker Hill

Bunker Hill British ship “Lively” opened fire General Howe landed for frontal attack No preceding bombardment due to the wrong size cannon balls American success despite fewer troops and ammunition After three attacks the Americans were forced to retreat due to lack of ammunition

After Bunker Hill… British casualties – 1150 American casualties – 450 British fortified both hills British use flanking techniques in all future battles Death of American General Warren

Invasion of Canada Ethan Allan & Benedict Arnold capture British Forts Ticonderoga and Crown Point May 1775 Montgomery captured Montreal Nov Montgomery & Arnold attacked Quebec Dec 1776 but were forced to retreat to Ticonderoga

June 17Battle of Bunker HillBattle of Bunker Hill: The British drive the Americans from Breed's Hill July 3Washington assumes command of the Continental Army Nov. 13The patriots under Montgomery occupy Montreal in Canada Dec. 31 American forces under Benedict Arnold fail to seize QuebecBenedict Arnold Revolutionary Timeline Jan. 15Paine's "Common Sense" published"Common Sense" Mar 17The British evacuate Boston; British Navy moves to Halifax, Canada June 8Patriots fail to take Three Rivers, Quebec June 12The Virginia Declaration of Rights June 29The First Virginia Constitution June 28Patriots decisively defeat the British Navy at Fort Moultrie, South Carolina July 1At the instigation of British agents, the Cherokee attack along the entire southern frontier July 4Congress adopts the Declaration of Independence Aug. 27Redcoats defeat Washington's army in the Battle of Long Island. Washington's army escapes. Sep 15The British occupy New York City Sep 16Generals George Washington, Nathanael Greene, and Israel Putnam triumphantly hold their ground at the Battle of Harlem Heights Oct. 11Benedict ArnoldBenedict Arnold defeated at the Battle of Valcour Island (Lake Champlain), but delayed British advance Oct. 28The Americans retreat from White Plains, New York. British casualties (~300) higher than American (~200). Nov. 16The Hessians capture Fort Washington, NY Nov. 20Lord Cornwallis captures Fort Lee from Nathanael Greene

Battle of Long Island Aug 27, 1776, New York British vs. American Continental Army Major General Lord Howe vs. Washington

Battle of Long Island

British withdrew from Boston Mar. 17, 1776 Howe landed at Staten Island July 3, 1776 Brooklyn Heights commanded by Major General Putnam to defend Manhattan Aug 22 British landed on Long Island Howe brought troops along unguarded northern roads on Aug. 26 to attack from rear while the German mercenaries attacked from the front Aug 28 American reinforcements Aug 29 Americans withdrew

Aftermath at New York Howe again did not chase the American army, losing the chance to capture Washington British casualties 400 American casualties 2000 Collapse of American morale

Battle of Trenton Dec 31, 1776 Washington would lose over ½ his troops Washington crossed the Delaware River north of Trenton at night Dec. 25 during a storm to attack on the morning of Dec 26 Colonel Rall & the Hessians were hung over Washington and Sullivan divided the attack starting at 8:00 am Hessians retreated and Rall died Battle was over by 9:30 am Increased American morale

Battle of Oriskany Colonel Leger (Br) attacked General Herkimer (Am) Herkimer was ambushed by the Iroquois under Joseph Brant and losing badly Major rainstorm forced all to take cover in the trees and Indians felt this was a sign from the Great Spirit to retreat from battle British retreated

Treaty of Alliance with France General Howe won the battles of Brandywine and Germantown British set up winter quarters in Philadelphia Continental army in Valley Forge Trained by Baron von Steuben Feb 6, 1778 B. Franklin negotiated a treaty with Louis XVI against the Br. May 1778 French army & fleet arrived

Battle of Yorktown George Washington (Am) – 8800 soldiers Lieutenant General de Rochambeau (Fr) Major Gen. Lord Cornwallis (Br.) – 6000 Cornwallis was losing so he took Yorktown Virginia Am & Fr marched to attack Sept 28, 1781 Sept 30 American siege of Yorktown Oct 14 American attack Oct 16 Br. tried to cross river but stopped by a storm Oct 19 Cornwallis surrendered

Treaty of Paris Sept Br. acknowledges American independence Br. signed peace agreement with France John Jay, John Adams, Ben Franklin signed for America