Struggling Toward Saratoga

Battle at Bunker Hill Misnamed: Breed’s Hill, North of Boston. General Gage decided to attack colonial militia on a hill near of Bunker Hill. Nearly 2,300 British soldiers. British attack up hill. Colonists held their fire until the last minute. They ran low of ammunition after 3 attacks. British are successful. Colonists lost 450 men, British over 1,000. Deadliest battle of the War. 2

Strengths & Weaknesses Americans Familiar with land (home advantage) Leadership, Washington Inspired by cause of independence A lot of soldiers were untrained Shortage of food, and ammunition Poor Navy No strong, central government to enforce wartime policies British Strong well-trained Army and Navy Strong government with money Support of colonial Loyalists and Native Americans Not familiar with territory Weaker military leaders

The War Moves British wanted to isolate New England They seized NYC General William Howe, Admiral Richard Howe 32,000 soldiers, German mercenaries (Hessians) Washington rallied 23,000 militia Most had little training and poor equipment Retreated after heavy losses British pushed Washington and his 8,000 men across the Delaware River into Pennsylvania

Battle of Trenton Washington and 2,400 soldiers marched 9 miles to NJ Hessians occupied this area Americans killed 30 and took 918 captive, and 6 cannons Brought American morale up Princeton, NJ Another battle win 8 days later

Victory at Saratoga General Burgoyne wanted to lead an army down to NY to meet General Howe. They would join forces to isolate New England from the other colonies 4,000 redcoats, 3,000 Hessians, 1,000 Mohawk Indians During the trip from Canada to NY, food ran low, slow trip Burgoyne had met other opposition during his trip Ethan Allen in Vermont He did not realize Howe was still in Philadelphia and was not going to meet him in time. Continental Army had appointed General Horatio Gates He put together as many men as he could and they surrounded Burgoyne at Saratoga, NY (1777) Burgoyne surrendered and British changed their strategy They kept close to the coasts and close to supplies from their fleet

A Turning Point French were secretly sending weapons to Patriots as early as 1776 Saratoga victory put trust in American army French recognized American independence 1778, they signed an alliance that said France couldn’t make peace with Britain until they recognized American independence

Valley Forge 1777-1778 Continental Army and Washington were in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania for the winter. Barely any food, clothes, supplies, freezing cold, huts, woods 2,000 out of 10,000 died. British were in Philadelphia, stayed in loyalists’ homes.