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The Revolution's Early Stages and Battles, 1776-1778

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

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The Revolution's Early Stages and Battles, 1776-1778

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  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 • William will lead the ground troops, while Richard is responsible for naval affairs • Two different personalities: William was somewhat overconfident, while Richard was a bit more attentive to detail • Knowing that Washington and his troops had headed to NYC, the Howes decided to launch a massive invasion of NYC

  6. The Battle for New York (Summer 1776) • NYC was not the best environment for Washington’s soldiers • Too many distractions • They are also 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) • A few weeks after the reading of the Dec. of Independence, the Howes will begin their attack • After meeting up on Staten Island, the British begin their advance up the Hudson and East Rivers • The British will send large forces through Long Island and Brooklyn • They hammer the American forces, forcing them to retreat back through Manhattan • Ultimately, GW’s forces have to retreat across the Hudson in to NJ, all the way across NJ, before finally settling down in PA • The British will give chase before settling in Central NJ for the fall and winter months

  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 (result of desertions and casualties) • Even bigger complication: most enlistment terms are up on 12/31/76 • In order to keep the soldiers he already has, GW badly needs a victory

  9. Trenton (December 25-26,1776) • GW decides to roll the dice on a risky move • On Christmas Night , GW crosses the Delaware River through a fierce storm • Marched his troops (2,400) 9 miles through sleet and snow to ambush a British controlled fort at Trenton • Hessian soldiers occupied the fort, but had a little too much fun on Christmas • GW and his men stormed the fort in the early morning hours • Captured or killed nearly 1,000 Hessian soldiers • The irony is that the 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) • The victory can be used as a propaganda piece; spread the word like the Boston Massacre • Hopefully this 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 • GW can’t secure either fort, but the brief victories will be monumentally important for the Americans • 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 the rest of the winter

  11. Philadelphia (Spring 1777) • Once the fields began to dry out in the spring, General Howe went back on the offensive • Decided to attack the American Capital of Philadelphia • Moved his troops from NYC to Philadelphia by boat • Slapped GW around at Brandywine Creek and Germantown • Took Philadelphia with almost no resistance • Continental Congress had to escape to York, PA

  12. Saratoga (Fall 1777) • “Gentleman” John Burgoyne- British General • Devises a complex strategy to isolate New England from the rest of the colonies • Calls for a multiple-front assault throughout northern and central NY • Burgoyne from Canada, Barry St. Ledger from Western NY, Howe from NYC • All three units would meet up in Albany • Plan looks fantastic on paper

  13. Saratoga (Fall 1777)

  14. Saratoga (Fall 1777) • Problems • #1- Howe isn’t coming from NYC; he is in Philadelphia • He actually isn’t coming at all • #2- Interesting mix of soldiers: 4,000 British; 3,000 mercenaries; 1,000 Mohawk • #3- Burgoyne really 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 down: tired, weakened, cut off from supply lines • Eventually head to Saratoga • Burgoyne’s army will be surrounded by American forces under the command of Horatio Gates • After several weeks of fighting, Burgoyne will be forced to surrender his army to Gates

  16. Saratoga (Fall 1777) • Saratoga is the turning point • Greatly alters the course of the war • First time the Americans will defeat a major British regiment • They won without GW having to be there • The loss will drastically alter British war strategy • Most importantly, the victory at Saratoga will secure us a big time ally: France • The French had been secretly helping us since 1776, but now they will completely support our efforts

  17. Valley Forge (Winter 1777-1778) • The British will settle down comfortably for the winter in Philadelphia • The Americans will have to brave it in the extreme conditions of Valley Forge • Many American soldiers lack provisions; very tough to get resources in the given economic climate • Harsh conditions and 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

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