#6 - The Road to the Revolution

Colonies vs. Great Britain Continental Army Home field Advantage –Know the land –Easy to resupply Leadership Purpose – fighting for a cause (independence) Frontiersman –Horse Riding –Hunting / firearms Redcoats (British) More fighting experience Better military training Well supplied Greater number of soldiers More money

The War Begins General Howe New British General August 1776 – The British sail from Nova Scotia to New York The Battle of Brooklyn Heights British Army – 32,000 men including paid soldiers (German Mercenaries called Hessians)

Nathan Hale 1 st American Spy – Hale was caught by the British in Manhattan and executed (present day 66th Street and 3rd Avenue) “I only regret that I have only one life to lose for my country”

Washington Retreats General Washington escapes the British and retreats through Manhattan, Fort Lee, White Plains, Hackensack, Princeton, and settles in Pennsylvania.

Washington’s Retreat

Continental Army Needs a Boost Supplies are low Men are hungry Army is on the run – escaping from New York thru New Jersey and into Pennsylvania Enlistments are almost expired

Battle of Trenton December 25,1776 George Washington and 2,400 men secretly cross the Delaware River into NJ at night A surprise attack of Hessian (German) soldiers on Christmas “Victory or Death” Weather: –Cold –Sleet –Snow

Battle of Trenton

Results Continental Army WINS! 918 Hessians are captured 6 cannons and much needed supplies are taken Men begin to re-enlist in the Continental Army

Cold Winter at Morristown

Soldiers At Morristown