-
Battle of Lexington and Concord
Francis Smith led a small army of about 900 British soliders to Concord to seize military supplies that were being assembled by the Massachusetts Militia. The militia heard that the british were coming so they prepared to ambush. When they passed through the town of Lexington, the Militia fired at the British. The Amerians Won. -
Capture of Fort Ticonderoga
Small force of Green Mountain Boys led by Ethan Allen and colonel Benedict Arnold overcame a small british garrison at the fort and looted the personal belongings of the garrison. Cannons and other armaments from the fort were transported to Boston. -
Second Continental Congress meets
The Second Continental Congress met on May 10, 1775 and continued to meet through out the war. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
General Gage learned new fortifacations were going up so he ordered an assult on Bunker Hill and the nearby Breeds Hill. The British launched to attacks, both where repulsed by American Fire. A third assult drove the rebels out. The British won. -
George Washington named commander-in-chief
Washington was selected over other canidates such as John Hancock because of his previous military experience and the hope that a leader from Virginia could help unite the colonists. -
American Defeat at Quebec
Two American forces converged to attack Quebec. The first 300 men commanded by General Montgomery, went up St. Lawrence River. The next 1,100 men under command of General Benidict Arnold, marched 350 miles up to Boston. General Benidict attacked the city. The citys garrison refused to surrender, the general called off the attack and waited for reinforcements. Montgomery arrived in early December. They had a new attack on December 31. By 10:00 half the americans were captured. The British won. -
British evacute Boston
The 11-moth siege of Boston ended when the Continental Army fortified Dorchester Heights in early March 1776 with cannons captured at Ticonderog. British General Howe was forced to decide between attack and retreat. To prevent what could have been a repeat of the Battle at Bunker Hill, Howeretreated, withdrawing from Boston to Nova Scotia on March 17,1776. The evacuation was Washinton's first victory of the war. -
British occupy New York City
Having abandoned Boston in March 1776, they decided to focus their efforts on New York. -
Declaration of Independence issued
The Declaration of Independence is a statement adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, then at war with Great Britain, regarded themselves as independent states. and no longer a part of the British Empire. -
Battle of Long Island
This battle was a major British victory and defeat of Americans under General George Washington: The British were under the command of General William Howe. The British attacked American defenses on the Guan Heights. Howe had brought his main army around thier rear and attacked thier flack soon after. Washington evacuated the entire army to Manhattan without the loss of material or a single person. -
Battle of Trenton
General Washington's crossing of the Delaware River north of Trenton, New Jersey. The hazardous crossing in adverse weather made it possible for Washington to lead the main body of the Continental Army against the Hessian soliders garrisoned at Trenton. After a brief battle, nearly the entire Hessian force was captured, with negligible losses to the Americans. The battle significantly boosted the Continental Army's flagging morale, and inspired reenlistments. The Continental Army won. -
British occupy Philadelphia
The British fleet left from Sandy Hook carrying more than 15,000 soliders and headed into the Atlantic before turning south to enter CHesapeake Bay in August. Once inside the bay they sailed up the Chesapeake to its northern extremity and set the troops ashore at the head of the Elk River on August 25. During this time the British recruited a good many enslaved Virginians, especially from the Eastern Shore, but also Princess Anne Country, Norfolk and Hampton. -
Battle of Brandywine
Fought between the American army of Major General George Washington and the British army of General Sir William Howe. The British defeated the Americans and forced them to withdraw toward the American capital of Philadelphia. Howe's army sailed from New York City and landed near Elkton Maryand. After a stiff fight, Howe's wing broke through the newly formed American right wing which was deployed on several hills. The defeat and subsequent maneuvers left Philadelphia vulnerble. -
Battle of Saratoga
(September 19 and October 7, 1777) The Battle of Saratoga conclusively decided the fate of British General John Burgoyne's army in the American War of Independence. The first battle began when Burgoyne moved some of his troops in an attempt to flank the entrnched American position on Bemis Heights. Burgoyne succeeded in gaining control of Freeman's Farm. Burgoyne attacked Bemis Heights again after it became apparent he would not receive relieving aid in time. Burgoyne Surrendered. -
Winter at Velley Forge
Exposure to freezing temperatures and snow contributed to the 2,500 soliders that died by the end of the winter. -
Alliance with France
Creating a military alliance between the United States and France against Great Britain. -
Battle at Monmouth Court House
An American Revolutionary War battle fought in Monmouth County, New Jersey. The Continental Army under General George Washington attacked the rear of the British Army column commanded by Lieutenant General Sir Henry Clinton as they left Monmouth Court House. -
Fall of Savannah
Savannah was considered to be a key port by the British. In November, 1778 Henry Clinton sent 3,500 regulars and tories against Savannah. This port was to be a base where the British would have access to the southern American colonies as well as the West Indies. Savannah was defened by about a thousand militia from Georgia and neighboring South Carolina. -
Spain enters the war
In European waters, the English Channel had been invaded by a combined French and Spanish fleet of 66 sail of the line, Spain having now joined the coalition against Britain. -
Seige of Charleston
The Battle of Charlestown was one of the major battles which took place towards the end og the war, after the British began to shift their strategic focus towards the American Southern Colonies. After about 6 weeks of siege, Continental Army Major General Benjamin Lincoln surrendered forces numbering about 5,00 to the British. -
Benedict Arnold's Treason Discovered
3 young patriots who grew suspicious of a passerny who turned out to be British spy, John Andre. The discovery led to the 3 men's entry into the hall of fame of American Heroes from the Revolution. -
Articles of Confederation adopted
The formal ratification by all 13 states was completed in early 1781. Even when not yet ratified, the Articles provided domestic and international legitimacy for the Continental Congress to direct the American Revolutionary War, conduct diplomacy with Europe and deal with territorial issues and Native American relations. -
French and British Battle in Chesapeake Bay
British fleet led by Rear Admiral Sir Thomas Graves and a French fleet led by Rear Admiral Francois Joesph Paul, the Comte de Grasse.Major defeat for the British. When the French were able to achieve temporary control of the sea lanes against the Bristish, the result was the reinforcement of the rebel army with siege artillery and French troops. -
Siege of Yorktown
Decisive victory by combined forces of American Continental Congress Troops led by General George Washington and the French Army Troops led by Comte de Rochambeau over a British Army commanded by British lord and lieutenant General Lord Cornwallis. The siege proved to be the last major land battle of the war. As the surrender by Cornwallis, and the capture of both him and his army, prompted the British Government to negotiate an end to then conflict. -
Cornwallis Surrenders
Surrender of British Major General Charles, Earl Cornwallis at Yorktown, Virginia. Ening the Siege of Yorktown, and virtually guaranteeing American Independence.
