18 Dec 2008 Actor Legends of the Fall Mr. Smith Brad Pitt 1963-

Brad Pitt

Daily Spark

Today War in the West War in the South Victory at Yorktown Treaty of Paris

Frontier Eventually the Revolutionary War reached the frontier, most of the fighting was between the colonists and Britain’s Indian allies. It wasn’t until a young Virginian named George Rogers Clark took command of the Colonial forces. He had the respect of both the Patriots and the Indian leaders.

George Rogers Clark George Rogers Clark had spent years exploring and mapping the frontier, and he had a plan for capturing small forts and Indian villages. His goal was to build an army while weakening the British forces.

Battle of Vincennes Before Clark headed off to capture the town of Vincennes, he persuaded many of the American Indian leaders to become neutral and stay out of the war. Because of this agreement, Clark and his army took the town but he was never able to capture Fort Detroit.

War in the South After the American victory at Saratoga, the British focused more of their efforts in the south. The British strategy of freeing slaves who joined them worked well in the South.

Losses in South Slaves helped the British by showing them secret trails to major cities. The British managed to march through the South destroying Patriot property. The most serious Patriot defeat was at Camden.

Horatio Gates/Camden In August 1780, Patriot forces led by Horatio Gates tried to drive out the British. His troops were starving and he fed them large amounts of molasses and cornmeal. But it backfired as it made them sick.

Guerrilla Warfare The weakened Patriots faced the British but fled the battle. Only 400 of 7,000 survived. Due to the small force the Southern Patriots chose to fight using Guerrilla tactics/warfare -swift, hit and run attacks. To destroy British communications and supply lines.

American Morale In early 1781, the war was going badly for the Patriots. They were low on money to pay soldiers and buy supplies. The Army’s morale took a blow when Benedict Arnold, turned traitor. Arnold felt that Congress had treated him poorly and that Britain would reward him for his knowledge.

Yorktown British Gen. Cornwallis wanted to tighten his grip on the South. He moved his troops into Yorktown. Cornwallis was preparing to defend an attack by Patriots forces led by Marquis de Lafayette.

Washington’s Plan Washington saw a chance to trap Cornwallis. As the French were taking control of the Chesapeake Bay, Washington moved his troops South and surrounded Cornwallis with an army of 16,000. This was twice the size of the British force. Comte de Rochambeau

Battle of Yorktown For weeks the Patriots held Yorktown under siege. During the Battle of Yorktown the Patriots steadily wore down the British defenses. Fearing defeat Cornwallis surrendered. When the king heard of the surrender he declared “it is all over!”

Treaty of Paris After Yorktown, the Continental Congress began peace negotiations with England. It took 2 years to come to an agreement but the Treaty of Paris of 1783 was finally signed and Britain recognized the United States. It set up new borders: Great Lakes in the North, Mississippi River in the West.