290 likes | 396 Views
The Fog That Saved America. a nd other crazy stories. The Declaration of Independence was officially signed on August 8. Over the next several weeks, England sent the largest force ever used to deal with a “distant foe”: . More than 400 warships….
E N D
The Fog That Saved America and other crazy stories
The Declaration of Independence was officially signed on August 8.
Over the next several weeks, England sent the largest force ever used to deal with a “distant foe”:
George Washington had…20,000 menno fighting shipsvolunteersfew suppliesno tentsno bayonetes
The British crushed the Americans, and used their bayonets frequently on the Americans…including many who had surrendered.
The American army was trapped, and the British were sending more ships to surround them.
After this meteorological miracle, the US army was saved, but England was a little miffed.
August 27, 1776 The British won, but the 9,000 Americans escaped thanks to mega-thick fog.
George Washington was worried that the Americans were about to lose the war. “I think the game is pretty near up…” From a letter to his brother, December 18, 1776
Oh, yeah, it involved 9 miles of marching…through a blizzard… at 4 AM.
December 25, 1776 and January 3, 1777 The US surprised Hessians (German soldiers hired by the British) on Christmas night. Then, days later, they left the fires burning and took over Princeton.
Next Up:The British plan to divide the colonies by capturing New York with a three part plan.
Part 1: The British forces from Fort Oswego would head to Albany to meet… Part 2: General John Burgoyne’s troops arriving from Canada who would also be met there by… Part 3: General Howe’s troops sailing up the Hudson River from New York City. It would look like this:
Burgoyne Howe
Sounds good, but it folded faster than Superman on laundry day.Here’s why:
Burgoyne Pow Biff Howe Huh??
The Battle of Saratoga was the turning point of the war. After the second battle at Saratoga, France decided to offer help against the British. Why?
George Washington and his men spent the winter of 1777-1778 in Valley Forge, PA.
The Americans were joined by European volunteers and trained Marquis de Lafayette of France and Prussian Baron von Steuben.