1. The Revolution's Early Stages and Battles, 1776-1778
Sasso
US I

2. Bunker Hill- June, 1775 Charlestown, MA
English soldiers want to move the Minutemen off the hills surrounding Boston
William Howe takes command of British forces
William Prescott led the Minutemen
Howe ordered 2,200 British soldiers to advance on Breed’s Hill (battle was misnamed!)
After three attempts, the British were able to take the hill
Major casualties (England- 1,000; America- 300)

3. Early Stages and Battles, 1776-1778
Washington will take command of the Continental Army shortly after Bunker Hill
Immediately gets to work training his inexperienced army
There will be some minor conflicts with the British during this time
The British begin to realize that Boston probably isn't the best base of operations
By March of 1776, the British will pack up shop and head to NYC

4. Early Stages and Battles, 1776-1778
Even though England had to vacate Boston, they are still in a great position to end the war quickly
Still dealing with sizable advantages over the Americans
Both the British and the Americans will head down to NYC

5. Early Stages and Battles, 1776-1778
The British will now be lead by two brothers: General William Howe and Admiral Richard Howe
Two different personalities: William was somewhat overconfident, while Richard was a bit more attentive to detail
Both agree invasion of NYC should be aggressive

6. The Battle for New York (Summer 1776)
NYC was not the best environment for Washington’s soldiers
Too many distractions
Seriously outnumbered
32,000 British soldiers
19,000 American soldiers
General Howe simply wants to “shock and awe” the American soldiers
Howe actually offers GW terms of surrender before the battle begins
GW rejects the offer

7. The Battle for New York (Summer 1776)
Howes will begin their attack a few weeks after the Dec. of Ind.
After meeting up on Staten Island, the British begin their advance up the Hudson and East Rivers
British send large forces through Long Island and Brooklyn
Hammer American regiments, forcing retreat back through Manhattan
GW’s forces have to retreat across the Hudson into NJ, all the way across NJ, before finally settling down in PA
The British give some chase before settling in Central NJ for fall/winter camp

8. The Battle for New York (Summer 1776)
Not exactly the start that GW was hoping for
Total number of soldiers dwindles to about 5,000 (desertions, casualties, etc.)
Bigger complication: most enlistment terms are up on 12/31/76
GW needs some positive vibes just to keep the soldiers he already has

9. Trenton (December 25-26,1776) GW decides to roll the dice
Christmas Night- GW crosses the Delaware River through a fierce storm
Marched troops (2,400) through sleet and snow to ambush a British-controlled fort at Trenton
Hessian soldiers occupied the fort- had too much fun on Christmas
Americans stormed the fort in the early morning hours
Captured/killed nearly 1,000 Hessian soldiers
Ironic twist- Hessians had been warned that GW was coming and they ignored it

10. HUGE VICTORY…sort of. Important victory for GW
First of all, it’s a victory (can’t underestimate that)
Utilized as a propaganda piece; spread the word like the Boston Massacre
Fingers crossed it will be enough to encourage soldiers to reenlist or motivate new recruits
8 days later- GW will replicate the attack, only this time he will attack British soldiers at Princeton
Quick victories pay big dividends
GW managed to keep his main army intact, and the British were no closer to total victory than at the start of the year
After Princeton, GW will march his troops to Morristown for winter camp (76-77)

11. Philadelphia (Spring 1777)
General Howe went back on the offensive
Planned to invade Philadelphia
British smack GW around at Brandywine Creek
Narrowly defeat GW at Germantown
These battles afforded time for colonial leaders to flee Philadelphia
British take the city with almost no resistance
Continental Congress escapes to York, PA

12. Saratoga (Fall 1777) England decides to swing for the fences
“Gentleman” John Burgoyne- devises a complex strategy to isolate New England from the rest of the colonies
Calls for a multi-front assault through upstate and central NY:
1) Burgoyne from Canada
2) Barry St. Ledger from Western NY
3) Howe from NYC
All three units would meet up in Albany
Plan looks fantastic…on paper

13. Saratoga (Fall 1777)

14. Saratoga (Fall 1777) Massive problems
#1- Howe isn’t in NYC; he’s in Philadelphia
#2- Interesting mix of soldiers in Western NY: 4,000 British; 3,000 mercenaries; 1,000 Mohawk
#3- Burgoyne didn’t know the territory he would be marching through going to Albany
Thought it would take three weeks; took him nearly three months
#4- Burgoyne never expected to face constant American harassment
Continually falls victim to guerilla attacks (Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys)

15. Saratoga (Fall 1777)
Burgoyne’s army gets worn out and cut off from supply lines
Eventually head to Saratoga
Burgoyne’s army encounter American forces under the command of Horatio Gates
After several weeks of fighting, Burgoyne surrenders his forces to Gates

16. HUGE VICTORY…FOR REAL.
Saratoga is the turning point for American forces
Alters the course of the war
First time Americans defeat a significant British regiment
Won without GW present (trouble for George)
Loss drastically alters British war strategy
Most importantly- victory at Saratoga will secure us a major ally: France
France had been secretly helping us since 1776, but now they will openly support our efforts (declare war on England)

17. Valley Forge (Winter 1777-1778)
British settle down comfortably for the winter in Philadelphia
British aren’t terribly fazed by the Saratoga surrender
Americans will brave it in the extreme conditions of Valley Forge, PA
American soldiers lack provisions; very tough to get resources in the given economic climate
Harsh conditions and physical climate; Americans will lose 20% of their soldiers as a result of exposure to the elements
Two important additions to the military: Marquis de Lafayette and Friedrich von Steuben
Ultra important for training and morale