Journal #17

1. Journal #17 • Redcoats – British soldiers during the Revolution • Mercenaries – foreign soldiers that are hired to fight in a war that doesn’t involve their own country • Ally – a person, group or nation that is associated with another for a common cause or purpose (the opposite of enemy) • Guerrilla Warfare – a method of fighting which uses small groups in quick hit and run attacks

2. Dark Hours of the Revolution 6.3

3. Bonus Questions • What was the name of the army that was created to defend the colonies? Who was the commander? • How did George Washington get the cannons used to drive the British out of Boston in 1776? • Why was Thomas Paine’s Common Sense so important? • Who wrote most of the Declaration of Independence? • Who was the famous Patriot traitor in the Revolutionary War?

4. Quotes of the Day • “Associate with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation; for it is better to be alone than in bad company.” • “Happiness and moral duty are inseparably connected.” • “It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible.” • George Washington

5. George Washington (1732 – 1799) • 1st President of U.S. (1789-1797) • Leader of the Continental Army • Presided over the writing of the Constitution • Developed presidential rituals (cabinet, inaugural speech) • Born in Virginia to a wealthy slave owning family • At 6 foot 2, he was much taller than most people at this time, he had XXXL hands – his gloves had to be specially made • He lived at Mount Vernon – a 5,000 acre estate in Virginia • He enjoyed fox hunting, dancing, theater, cock fights, cards and billiards • Only president to receive 100 percent of the electoral vote • He had teeth made of hippo and elephant ivory and human and horse teeth • He was privately against slavery, but owned slaves and did not speak out against it publicly because he didn’t want to split the country

6. Advantages for Each Side British Patriots • More money and resources • A powerful military with highly trained professionals • The largest navy in the world • Most citizens supported the Revolution • Did not have to ship their supplies across the Atlantic • Fighting for a cause they believed in

7. A Call to Arms • Washington had to recruit and organize troops for the Continental Army • 230,000 Americans fight for the Continental Army during the war, 145,000 more join local militias • These volunteers came from many different backgrounds • Many were teenagers (13 and up) • Some African Americans (Washington banned them from joining for a while) • Very few had combat experience

8. Revolutionary Muskets • Muskets were the most common type of guns used in the Revolution • Both the British and the Patriots used muskets • Most muskets could be loaded with a single shot or multiple shots (grape shot) • They had a short range and were very inaccurate • They were usually .69 to .75 caliber • Brown Bess (below)

9. The Long Rifle • This was the gun that many Patriots on the frontier used • AKA the Kentucky Rifle – the word rifle means that it has a grooved barrel • Shoots farther and more accurately than a musket – it was used for special missions that required sharpshooting • Takes longer to reload than a musket • Lacks a bayonet • .50 Caliber

10. Bayonets • Were swords attached to the end of muskets • Were one of the most dangerous weapons used • The Patriots did not have experience using bayonets • At first they used them to cook meat and for tent stakes • Bayonet charges could make the enemy retreat • Getting wounded with a bayonet was often deadly because of their triangular shape and dullness

11. The British Recruit African American Slaves • In 1775, Lord Dunmore’s Proclamation promised freedom to any slave who fought for the British • Thousands of slaves joined the British • Because of this, the Continental Army (Patriots) started allowing free African Americans to join • About 5,000 free African Americans enlist

12. American Indians and the Revolution • American Indians fought on both sides during the war • More fought for the British – one of the most important was Thayendanegea – a Mohawk leader • AKA Joseph Brant – he persuaded many Iroquois to support the British • The Patriots worked to keep American Indians neutral

13. Women and the Revolution • Many women helped the Patriots • Running businesses while men fought • Raising money and making supplies for the army • Serving as messengers, nurses, spies, and soldiers • Deborah Sampson – disguised herself as a man to fight in the war • Mary Ludwig Hays (AKA Molly Pitcher) – brought water to thirsty patriot troops, then helped load cannons after her husband was wounded

14. Early Battles • Many Patriot leaders wanted to fight a defensive war – others wanted to take Canada • In 1775, Patriot troops led by General Richard Montgomery took St. Johns and Montreal, Canada • The next Canadian target was Quebec

15. Quebec • General Benedict Arnold led his troops on a long march through Maine to meet Montgomery • Together they planned an attack, but they had problems • The troops were cold and far from home • Many soldiers had enlistments ending • They had no cannons to knock down Quebec’s walls • They decided to wait for a snowstorm which would provide cover

16. Quebec • During a blizzard on New Year’s Eve, the Patriots attack Quebec • The Americans suffer a crushing defeat – Montgomery is killed and more than half of the Patriots in the battle become casualties (killed, captured, or wounded) • The Patriots hopes of taking Canada fade

17. Washington’s Troops Are Defeated in New York – The Battle of Long island • Washington’s troops were in New York • Around July 3, 1776, the Patriots spotted a large fleet of British ships nearing New York • General William Howe and the British drive the outnumbered and out supplied Continental Army out of New York • The British capture many Patriots and valuable supplies • Things look bad for the Patriots after this battle