Lexington and Concord - The First Battles
The first battle between the Americans and the British was at Lexington on April 19th, 1775. After receiving word from spies that the the colonists had a big stash of weapons and gunpowder in Concord, General Gage ordered his best troops to march there and take the supplies. Hearing Gage’s plan from their own spies, the colonists sent word to other towns that the British were coming. In the early morning of the 19th, a small force of Minutemen faced off against 700 British soldiers in Lexington, which was on the way to Concord. The British won easily and continued their march to Concord.
By the time they reached Concord later that morning, the British were frustrated to find that the colonists had hidden the supply of weapons and gunpowder. Again, the Minuteman and the British soldiers faced off. The British expected to beat the Minuteman as easily as they had previously, but fueled with anger, the Minuteman ended up chasing them away. As the British retreated back to Boston, they were met with 4,000 colonists lining their route that shot at any soldier they saw.
In the end, 74 British soldiers were counted dead along with 200 that were missing or wounded, whereas the colonists were faced with 49 dead and 41 wounded. The battles of Lexington and Concord proved to the whole world that the colonists were willing to fight and die for their rights as Americans. However, this would not be the last time that the British underestimated the colonists.
By the time they reached Concord later that morning, the British were frustrated to find that the colonists had hidden the supply of weapons and gunpowder. Again, the Minuteman and the British soldiers faced off. The British expected to beat the Minuteman as easily as they had previously, but fueled with anger, the Minuteman ended up chasing them away. As the British retreated back to Boston, they were met with 4,000 colonists lining their route that shot at any soldier they saw.
In the end, 74 British soldiers were counted dead along with 200 that were missing or wounded, whereas the colonists were faced with 49 dead and 41 wounded. The battles of Lexington and Concord proved to the whole world that the colonists were willing to fight and die for their rights as Americans. However, this would not be the last time that the British underestimated the colonists.
22. A painting of the battle of Concord
Battle of Saratoga - Turning Point
General John Burgoyne and his army met Horatio Gates and Benedict Arnold and their militia at Saratoga Springs on the Hudson river. On September 19th of 1777, Burgoyne attained a small but very costly victory. Again on October 7th, Burgoyne ordered his army to attack the Americans even though he was outnumbered. This time, he was defeated and forced to retreat. 10 days later on October 17th, Burgoyne surrendered.
The General’s surrender was considered the unofficial turning point in the war. The Americans’ victory showed the rest of the world that they stood a chance against the British. This success also convinced France and Spain to become allies with the Americans. All of a sudden, there was hope that the Americans could win this war.
The General’s surrender was considered the unofficial turning point in the war. The Americans’ victory showed the rest of the world that they stood a chance against the British. This success also convinced France and Spain to become allies with the Americans. All of a sudden, there was hope that the Americans could win this war.
23. A painting of the Battle of Saratoga
Yorktown - The Final Battle
When General Charles Cornwallis arrived in Yorktown after being chased across the Southern countryside by Nathanael Greene and his army, George Washington received word that 3,000 French troops on 29 warships were going to join the 5,000 French troops he had in New York. Using this news, Washington secretly moved his army to join the French troops he already had and surrounded Yorktown with nearly 16,000 men. At the same time, the 29 French warships arrived in Chesapeake bay and effectively cut of Cornwallis from the British navy and reinforcements.
The French and Americans started shooting at Yorktown on the 16th of October in 1781. After days of constant fire, Cornwallis gave up hope that reinforcements were coming to his aid, and on October 19th, he surrendered.
The colonists had the French warships that blocked the entrance to Chesapeake bay to thank for their victory. That maneuver was vital for the Americans because it caused Cornwallis and his men to be trapped and unable to be rescued by sea.
The French and Americans started shooting at Yorktown on the 16th of October in 1781. After days of constant fire, Cornwallis gave up hope that reinforcements were coming to his aid, and on October 19th, he surrendered.
The colonists had the French warships that blocked the entrance to Chesapeake bay to thank for their victory. That maneuver was vital for the Americans because it caused Cornwallis and his men to be trapped and unable to be rescued by sea.
24. A painting of the Battle of Yorktown
Other Battles - New England Colonies
The Battle of Chelsea Creek - Massachusetts
This battle took place on May 27th and 28th, 1775. It was the second military engagement and the first naval engagement in the war between the colonists and the British. It started with the American militia deciding to raid the British Harbor for livestock as well as other supplies. Seeing this, the British sent a schooner to chase the colonists to Hog Island, but the ship got stuck in the marshes. The Americans seized this opportunity and decided strip it of valuables such as cannons and munitions before setting it on fire. Almost all of the British soldiers escaped before the colonists attacked, but the Americans were still joyful over the small victory.
This battle took place on May 27th and 28th, 1775. It was the second military engagement and the first naval engagement in the war between the colonists and the British. It started with the American militia deciding to raid the British Harbor for livestock as well as other supplies. Seeing this, the British sent a schooner to chase the colonists to Hog Island, but the ship got stuck in the marshes. The Americans seized this opportunity and decided strip it of valuables such as cannons and munitions before setting it on fire. Almost all of the British soldiers escaped before the colonists attacked, but the Americans were still joyful over the small victory.
25. A painting of the Battle of Chelsea Creek
The Battle of Bunker Hill - Massachusetts
On the night of June 16th, 1775, Israel Putnam along with about 1,000 militia built a small fort on Breed’s Hill that overlooked Boston. Although they were originally ordered to built it on Bunker Hill, they chose Breed’s Hill instead because it was closer to Boston and smaller. Upon seeing the small fort the next morning, William Howe ordered an attack with roughly 2,000 men. Putnam ordered the colonists to wait to fire until the British soldiers were nearly upon them. This plan worked, and the militia forced the British to fall back and regroup twice before they finally took the hill.
Although the British ended up taking over the fort, the colonists considered it a moral victory because the only reason they pulled back was because they had run out of gunpowder. The Americas were somewhat happy with the results because they proved that they could hold their own against the more experienced British soldiers.
On the night of June 16th, 1775, Israel Putnam along with about 1,000 militia built a small fort on Breed’s Hill that overlooked Boston. Although they were originally ordered to built it on Bunker Hill, they chose Breed’s Hill instead because it was closer to Boston and smaller. Upon seeing the small fort the next morning, William Howe ordered an attack with roughly 2,000 men. Putnam ordered the colonists to wait to fire until the British soldiers were nearly upon them. This plan worked, and the militia forced the British to fall back and regroup twice before they finally took the hill.
Although the British ended up taking over the fort, the colonists considered it a moral victory because the only reason they pulled back was because they had run out of gunpowder. The Americas were somewhat happy with the results because they proved that they could hold their own against the more experienced British soldiers.
Other Battles - Middle Colonies
The Battle of Monmouth - New Jersey
William Howe had just been replaced by Henry Clinton, and Clinton’s first move was to retreat back to New York. Seeing an opportunity, George Washington decided to attack the retreating British forces.
Putting General Charles Lee in command of the army, they met Clinton and his men near Monmouth in New Jersey on June 28th, 1778. Following a small skirmish, Lee learned that reinforcements under the command of Charles Cornwallis were coming and ordered a retreat. This decision infuriated Washington and he promptly relieved Lee from his command. Washington tried to reassemble his scrambled army, but was not successful in gaining a victory. Clinton continued his march to New York following the skirmishes. Both forces claim to be victorious, but it was eventually deemed a tactical draw.
William Howe had just been replaced by Henry Clinton, and Clinton’s first move was to retreat back to New York. Seeing an opportunity, George Washington decided to attack the retreating British forces.
Putting General Charles Lee in command of the army, they met Clinton and his men near Monmouth in New Jersey on June 28th, 1778. Following a small skirmish, Lee learned that reinforcements under the command of Charles Cornwallis were coming and ordered a retreat. This decision infuriated Washington and he promptly relieved Lee from his command. Washington tried to reassemble his scrambled army, but was not successful in gaining a victory. Clinton continued his march to New York following the skirmishes. Both forces claim to be victorious, but it was eventually deemed a tactical draw.
26. A painting of the Battle of Monmouth
The Battle of Brandywine - Pennsylvania
The Battle of Brandywine started on early on September 11th, 1777. A heavy fog helped cover British advances and Washington received false information on the position of William Howe’s troops. He expected the British to meet his force directly, which was positioned to guard the fords of the Brandywine. However, when the majority of the British forces appeared on his right flank, Washington realized he had made a mistake. Panicking, he ordered his troops to take the high ground, but in the confusion they were unsuccessful in defending their location. The battle was over at nightfall, and the defeated American troops marched back to Chester.
The Battle of Brandywine started on early on September 11th, 1777. A heavy fog helped cover British advances and Washington received false information on the position of William Howe’s troops. He expected the British to meet his force directly, which was positioned to guard the fords of the Brandywine. However, when the majority of the British forces appeared on his right flank, Washington realized he had made a mistake. Panicking, he ordered his troops to take the high ground, but in the confusion they were unsuccessful in defending their location. The battle was over at nightfall, and the defeated American troops marched back to Chester.
Other Battles - Southern Colonies
The Battle of Camden - South Carolina
This battle began the morning of August 16th, 1780. General Horatio Gates faced off against William Howe with their respective troops. The Patriots were at a disadvantage because of the large amount of men that were infected with dysentery. Despite the dearth of strong and healthy soldiers, Gates still chose to engage in battle. The British forces pushed forward aggressively with the advantage of possessing bayonets. In the end, almost 2,000 colonists were taken prisoner or dead and General Gates was quickly replaced by Nathanael Greene. It was a crushing loss for the Patriots.
This battle began the morning of August 16th, 1780. General Horatio Gates faced off against William Howe with their respective troops. The Patriots were at a disadvantage because of the large amount of men that were infected with dysentery. Despite the dearth of strong and healthy soldiers, Gates still chose to engage in battle. The British forces pushed forward aggressively with the advantage of possessing bayonets. In the end, almost 2,000 colonists were taken prisoner or dead and General Gates was quickly replaced by Nathanael Greene. It was a crushing loss for the Patriots.
27. A painting of the Battle of Camden
The Battle of Guilford Courthouse - North Carolina
The Battle of Guilford Courthouse took place on March 15th of 1781. Charles Cornwallis was greatly outnumbered with about 2,000 soldiers, compared to Nathanael Greene’s 4,500. After couple of hours, Greene ordered his troops to retreat. The British did consider this a tactical victory, but over 25% of Cornwallis’ men were captured, wounded, or killed compared to Greene’s army which faced only very minor casualties.
The Battle of Guilford Courthouse took place on March 15th of 1781. Charles Cornwallis was greatly outnumbered with about 2,000 soldiers, compared to Nathanael Greene’s 4,500. After couple of hours, Greene ordered his troops to retreat. The British did consider this a tactical victory, but over 25% of Cornwallis’ men were captured, wounded, or killed compared to Greene’s army which faced only very minor casualties.
A Timeline - Major Battles
1775
April 19 - Battle of Lexington/Concord May 10 - The Siege of Fort Ticonderoga May 27 - The Battle of Chelsea Creek June 16 - The Battle of Bunker Hill December 31 - The Battle of Quebec |
1776
August 27 - The Battle of Long Island October 28 - The Battle of White Plains November 16 - The Battle of Fort Washington December 26 - The Battle of Trenton |
1777
January 3 - The Battle of Princeton August 6 - The Battle of Oriskany August 16 - The Battle of Bennington September 11 - The Battle of Brandywine September 19 - The 1st Battle of Saratoga October 4 - The Battle of Germantown October 7 - The 2nd Battle of Saratoga |
1778
June 28 - The Battle of Monmouth December 29 - The Capture of Savannah |
1780
March 29 - The Siege of Charleston August 16 - The Battle of Camden October 7 - The Battle of King’s Mountain |
1781
January 17 - The Battle of Cowpens March 15 - The Battle of Guilford Courthouse September 8 - The Battle of Eutaw Springs October 9 - The Battle of Yorktown |
28. A birds-eye view of Fort Ticonderoga