The War in the West and South Chapter 6, Section 3 and 4

War in the West A large portion of the Revolutionary War took place in the western frontier. A large portion of the Revolutionary War took place in the western frontier. Much of the fighting in the west also involved Native Americans. Much of the fighting in the west also involved Native Americans. While some Native Americans sided with the Patriots, the majority sided with the British. While some Native Americans sided with the Patriots, the majority sided with the British.

Henry Hamilton A British commander named Henry Hamilton even paid Native Americans for the scalps of Americans. This gave him the nickname the “hair buyer”. A British commander named Henry Hamilton even paid Native Americans for the scalps of Americans. This gave him the nickname the “hair buyer”.

War at Sea While many battles occurred on land there were also battles waged at sea. While many battles occurred on land there were also battles waged at sea. Britain used its powerful navy to patrol American waterways and kept ships from entering or leaving American harbors. Britain used its powerful navy to patrol American waterways and kept ships from entering or leaving American harbors. These British blockades often prevented supplies and reinforcements from reaching the Continental Army. These British blockades often prevented supplies and reinforcements from reaching the Continental Army.

War at Sea The American navy had difficulty against the strong British navy. The American navy had difficulty against the strong British navy. To wage a war by sea against the British, Continental Congress hired large amounts of privateers, privately owned ships that were equipped with weapons. To wage a war by sea against the British, Continental Congress hired large amounts of privateers, privately owned ships that were equipped with weapons. Continental Congress hired approximately 200 privateer ships and their crew to attack British vessels. Continental Congress hired approximately 200 privateer ships and their crew to attack British vessels.

John Paul Jones Perhaps the most well known American naval officers during the war was John Paul Jones. Perhaps the most well known American naval officers during the war was John Paul Jones.

John Paul Jones In 1779 he battled against the feared British naval ship the Serapis. In 1779 he battled against the feared British naval ship the Serapis. The battle lasted nearly three hours. The battle lasted nearly three hours. Despite the fact that Jones’ ship was badly damaged in the battle; he is remembered for his famous words “I have not yet begun to fight”! Despite the fact that Jones’ ship was badly damaged in the battle; he is remembered for his famous words “I have not yet begun to fight”! In the end, Jones would capture the Serapis, repair her, and turn her into an American vessel to fight the British. In the end, Jones would capture the Serapis, repair her, and turn her into an American vessel to fight the British.

British depiction of John Paul Jones British depiction of John Paul Jones

Struggles in the South By 1778, the British realized that bringing the American colonists back into the empire would not be easy. By 1778, the British realized that bringing the American colonists back into the empire would not be easy. The British began concentrating their war efforts in the South where there were many Loyalists. The British began concentrating their war efforts in the South where there were many Loyalists. The British were led by a brilliant military leader in the South, General Charles Cornwallis. The British were led by a brilliant military leader in the South, General Charles Cornwallis.

Struggles in the South In 1780 Cornwallis won the most decisive British victory to date at Charles Town, South Carolina were he took thousands of prisoners. In 1780 Cornwallis won the most decisive British victory to date at Charles Town, South Carolina were he took thousands of prisoners. Despite his victory, Cornwallis would soon experience a new type of warfare. Despite his victory, Cornwallis would soon experience a new type of warfare.

Guerrilla Warfare As British troops moved through the countryside of South Carolina, small forces of Patriots would attack them. As British troops moved through the countryside of South Carolina, small forces of Patriots would attack them. These Patriots used a hit-and-run technique known as guerrilla warfare. These Patriots used a hit-and-run technique known as guerrilla warfare.

Francis Marion One successful Patriot leader was a man named Francis Marion. One successful Patriot leader was a man named Francis Marion. He used guerilla warfare in the swamps of South Carolina. He used guerilla warfare in the swamps of South Carolina. Marion was veteran soldier from the French and Indian War where he learned guerilla warfare from Native Americans. Marion was veteran soldier from the French and Indian War where he learned guerilla warfare from Native Americans. Marion was given the nickname “Swamp Fox” by his British rivals. Marion was given the nickname “Swamp Fox” by his British rivals. Marion was quick with his tactics and smart. Many British also called him the “Ghost of the Devil.” Marion was quick with his tactics and smart. Many British also called him the “Ghost of the Devil.”

Francis Marion The Hollywood movie “The Patriot” starring Mel Gibson was based on the life of Francis Marion. The Hollywood movie “The Patriot” starring Mel Gibson was based on the life of Francis Marion.

Benedict Arnold

Best general in Continental Army Best general in Continental Army Does the most, with the least Does the most, with the least Continues to get overlooked for promotion Continues to get overlooked for promotion Disappointed about not being as famous as Washington and Ethan Allen Disappointed about not being as famous as Washington and Ethan Allen Begins to sell secrets to British Begins to sell secrets to British Plans to hand over West Point to British forces Plans to hand over West Point to British forces Name becomes synonymous with TRAITOR Name becomes synonymous with TRAITOR

Patriot Victories and British Retreat In 1780 Nathaniel Greene took command of the Continental Army in the South. In 1780 Nathaniel Greene took command of the Continental Army in the South. Due to the brilliant battle tactics used by Nathaniel Greene and the guerilla warfare used by Francis Marion, Cornwallis and the British were forced to retreat from South Carolina. Due to the brilliant battle tactics used by Nathaniel Greene and the guerilla warfare used by Francis Marion, Cornwallis and the British were forced to retreat from South Carolina.