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Mr. Byrne’s Revolutionary War Timeline. April 19, 1775 Battles of Lexington and Concord. British soldiers are sent to investigate rumors of arms being stored in Concord. They are first met by a band of 77 Minutemen in Lexington. “Shot heard round the world”.
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April 19, 1775Battles of Lexington and Concord • British soldiers are sent to investigate rumors of arms being stored in Concord. They are first met by a band of 77 Minutemen in Lexington. “Shot heard round the world”. • In concord they are met by a growing force of 400 minutemen and on the retreat to Boston over 4,000 minutemen fire on them. 300 Brits are killed/wounded. This battle means war!
May 1775Second Continental Congress • Most of the famous founding fathers meet to discuss What to do? They decide to prepare for war! Wash. Elected commander of Cont. Army. They create a currency to help build and pay for a military. In July they pass the Olive Branch Petition – one of a few final attempts to end the conflict in peace.
May 10, 1775Ticonderoga • Ethan Allen lead the Vermont Green Mountain Boys on a daring surprise raid on the British at Ft. T. 83 militia capture 42 Brits and seize valuable cannons to be used in and around Boston.
June 17, 1775Battle of Bunker Hill • First major battle! The Americans take the high ground around Boston. They repulse 2 heroic British charges but ultimately are forced to retreat – LACK OF AMMO! = Problem! • By march Washington arrives organizes his troops and the British evacuate Boston.
Jan 1775Thomas Paine publishes Common Sense • Written in a manner that everyone could understand, Paine lays out very clearly the reasons why America should fight. The pamphlet unites the colonists! Paine goes so far as to call King George III a Royal Brute.
July 4, 1776Declaration of Independence • Independence declared! The document advances the ideas that all men are created equal. Man is born with certain unalienable rights including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Furthermore, it calls on Americans – it is their duty! to alter or abolish their government! King G is furious and sends 20 K soldiers to put down the insurrection in the colonies.
June 1776Disaster in New York • The British land with 34K troops and 10K soldiers, Washington has less than 20K poorly trained, equipped and organized troops. • They wisely retreat and New York falls.
December 26 1776Trenton • Washington’s famous and daring raid across the Delaware to surprise 1000 Hessian mercenaries.
October 17, 1777Battle of Saratoga • British troops under Burgoyne plan to march on Albany New York. Their plan is stalled due to the difficult terrain and American sharp shooters. They are surrounded and defeated at Saratoga – a major blow!
Winter 1777 - 1778 • Washington and his men brave what will be recorded as one of the coldest winters. • Despite the threat of desertion, Washington will spend the winter training and drilling his soldiers and they will emerge a stronger army. • SEE NOTES!
May 1780Siege of Charleston Ends • Charleston South Carolina falls – a major blow to the Continental army. • The Americans lost one of their most important cities along with 5000 troops.
August 1780Camden South Carolina • Another devastating loss for the Americans. • British lose 88 dead and 245 wounded • American losses 162 Dead and 290 wounded
January 1781Cowpens • A victory at last! And an important one! • This battle is considered a major turning point of the war in the south. The battle avenges the slaughter at Waxhaws. • American strategy and planning, coupled with an over confident Tarelton leads to 110 dead British, 200 wounded, and 500 captured. • The Americans suffer 12 dead and 60 wounded
March 1781 – Guilford Courthouse • Largest battle of the southern war. • A force of 2100 British defeat 4500 Americans in 90 minutes. • HOWEVER – the British lose a quarter of their soldiers. Victories cant be won at this price!
