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Lexington and Concord
Lexington and Concord was the first engagement for the American Revolutionary War. British troops marched from Boston to nearby Concord in order to seize an arms cache. Paul Revere and other riders warned others of their arrival. A fight broke out and soon the British retreated, giving Americans a victory. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
American troops learned the British was planning to send troops to Boston to surround the city. Colonists had little ammunition so they weren’t to shoot until the British were very close. “Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes!” The british were caught off guard because they weren’t expecting there to be as many colonists as there were and were forced to retreat. -
Battle of Trenton
George Washington and his army crossed the Delaware river in hopes of surprise attacking Hessians. The army divided when they reached the town and surrounded the town. They were victorious in defeating the Hessians. Colonel Johann Rall, Hessian force leader, was unable to establish a defensive perimeter. -
Battle of Saratoga
During the first battle, Loyalists and Patriots went head to head, after a few hours when neither side gained significant ground. Burgoyne ordered Germans to support the British line, forcing Americans to pull back. British suffered twice the number of casualties than the Americans. The second battle is referred to as Battle of Bemis Heights. Burgoyne stayed put and waited for reinforcements then he ordered an attack on Americans who got wind of the movement and forced the British to withdraw. -
Battle of Yorktown
Washington ordered Marquis de Lafayette and an American army to block Charles Cornwallis from escaping by sea. French naval fleet blocked the escape by sea while Washington encircled Cornwallis and Yorktown, seizing Yorktown. After a few days, Cornwallis surrendered, ending the War for Independence.
