Revolutionary War Battles

Lexington/Concord “Shot heard around the world” When: April Where: Massachusetts People: Thomas Gage (British) –William Dawes (American) –Paul Revere (American) –John Parker (American) What: The first battles between colonial militia and British regulars. COLONIAL VICTORY

Lexington/Concord Significance Colonists were able to defeat highly trained and well supplied British regulars. Helped colonists believe that they could defeat the British and made the British realize it would not be as simple as they first believed.

Breed’s/Bunker Hill When: June 17, 1775 Where: Charleston Neck, North of Boston People: Thomas Gage (British) –William Howe (British) –Israel Putnam (American) –Artemas Ward (American) What: A British victory at a very high cost as they incurred 44% casualties to the colonists’ 29%. British/Colonial Victory

Significance Although the British won the battle, their fear was confirmed that the colonists were dedicated to their cause and would not give up easily.

Trenton When: December 26, 1776 Where: Trenton, NJ People: George Washington (American) –Colonel Rall (Hessians’ commander) –Hessians (German mercenaries) What: A surprise attack by George Washington in an effort to restore colonial faith in his leadership. COLONIAL VICTORY

Significance Displayed Washington’s leadership abilities, battle tactics, restored colonial faith and kept the war effort alive. Showed the British believed they were superior to colonial forces.

Princeton When: January 3, 1777 Where: Surrounding area around Princeton, NJ COLONIAL VICTORY People: George Washington (American) –Lord Cornwallis (British) –General Mercer (American) What: Washington once again used clever tactics to outmaneuver Cornwallis and take another British held city.

Significance Helped Europeans see that the colonials were a force to be reckoned with (they could not be defeated easily)- major step towards gaining French support. Helped cement faith in George Washington’s leadership and battle tactics

Saratoga When: August-Oct 1777 Where: Saratoga, NY People: John Burgoyne (British) –General William Howe (British) –Horatio Gates (American) –Benedict Arnold (American) What: 2 major battles (Freeman’s Farm and Bemis Heights) COLONIAL VICTORY

Significance Necessary victory that was the turning point in the American Revolution. Gained French support as a result of the victory-necessary to win the war.

King’s Mountain When: October 7, 1780 Where: King’s Mountain, NC People: Major General Patrick Ferguson (British) COLONIAL VICTORY –Numerous Colonial Colonels What: A massive colonial victory as Colonial Loyalists were first defeated and then executed by the victorious American colonials.

Significance Showed how brutal both sides were willing to be to win the war as Loyalist colonists tried to surrender and were executed anyways. ***Forced Cornwallis to retreat and abandon his original battle plans. Stopped him from splitting the colonies in two.***

Cowpens When: January 17, 1781 Where: Cowpens, SC People: Banastre Tarleton (British) –Nathaniel Greene (American) What: A significant battle as Nathaniel Greene was able to enact clever tactics that led to Tarleton’s defeat. COLONIAL VICTORY

Significance ***Forced Cornwallis to retreat hastily and into Yorktown where he was trapped*** Necessary victory to win the American Revolution.

Yorktown When: September-October 1781 Where: Yorktown, VA People: General Rochambeau (French fleet) AMERICAN VICTORY –George Washington (American) –General DeGrasse (French fleet) –Lord Cornwallis (British) What: French and Americans trapped Cornwallis and forced him to surrender.

Significance Decisive victory that signaled a colonial victory for the American Revolution. Made British realize that they were not going to defeat the colonists. Fighting continued for 2 more years, but this was the last major battle.

The Battle of Brandywine Creek September 11, 1777 BRITISH VICTORY Fought between British and Colonials General Howe (Brit) outmanuvered General Washington

Brandywine Significance The Americans lost a substantial portion of the troops (about 1000) Loss led to British control of Philadelphia, the colonial capital Physical and Morale Victory

Battle of White Plains October 28, 1776 STALEMATE British and Hessians versus Colonials Series of fights that led to Washington retreating

White Plains Signficance White Plains, NY Washington’s retreat let the British seize the upper colonial territories including New York, New Jersey and Rhode Island Made Americans consider surrendering seriously.

Valley Forge Winter of Encampment used by George Washington and the Colonial military during the winter months

Valley Forge Significance Located in Pennsylvania Nearly destroyed the Continental Army due to disease, hunger, expiring contracts and desertion

Valley Forge Sig cont… Prussian Baron Von Stuben helped drill soldiers into a strong fighting force Soldiers that came out of Valley Forge in 1778 were much more disciplined and able to fight Kept the war efforts alive