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Battle at Lexington and Concord
Tension caused by the Intolerable Acts sparked discontent among the colonists in Boston, leading to an uprising of colonial militia in Concord. With about 400 colonists making up the militia, the British forces eventually retreated. During their retreat the British looted the surrounding homes, though the colonists lost 95 men, the British lost much more with 273 men. This battle proved that the colonists' cause was worth while and that they could contend with the hefty British forces. -
Battle at Fort Ticonderoga
Shortly after Lexington and Concord, this battle was aimed to be used by the colonists as a surprise attack against the British. Though not enough men arrived, the colonists' continued to execute their assault with only 83 men crammed in small boats. This battle was essential to the colonists' future success in the war, so they pressed on, taking 73 guns from a half dressed commander. These guns drove the British from Boston effectively, again showing the passion of the colonists. -
Battle at Bunker Hill
British had to seize Bunker Hill because if the colonists maintained control of the hill and places artillery on the hill they would be very vulnerable to attack. The British forces were decimated due to a lack of artillery power, as well as their low ground allowing the colonists to take clean shots at them. Though the British should have retreated, they continued to be mowed down by the colonists, retreating eventually with 826 wounded and 226 killed, with the Americans losing 1/4 of that. -
Battle at Trenton/Princetown
General William Howe separated his troops in New Jersey not expecting an attack, meanwhile George Washington plans an attack across Delaware in December. Washington divided his men into different sections, and arrived at the same time and attacked simultaneously. Their powerful forced forced the Hessians to retreat and captured Princeton. -
Battle of Saratoga
The British established a camp at a farm near the Hudson River where Horatio Gates planned to meet them. British General Arnold was hurt in the war and didn't learn of the army's fate until after the war. The British army of nearly 600 mean surrender to colonial forces. This battle turned the tide of the war. -
Siege of Charleston
General Lincoln of colonial forces amounts to 3600 with 2000 of them being militia. This defense created a thick line of armory, it was attacked by the British, initiating the siege. Lincoln refused to surrender despite his losses, resulting in the eventual surrendering of nearly 10000 troops. Amounting to be the worst American defeat of the War. -
Kings Mountain
One thousand American frontiersmen under Colonel Campbell of Virginia gathered in the backcountry to resist Ferguson’s advance. These colonial forces surround the British forces under Ferguson, Ferguson was killed in the battle, causing many of his men to surrender and become captured. With American forces suffering a small amount of losses, the British suffered major losses and captures, allowing the colonist to gain control in the war. -
Battle of Yorktown
British forces were moved to Yorktown, while Washington surrounds the force with nearly 16000 men and the help of the French. The British were pounded by Franco-American forces. Cornwallis tried to escape at nightfall but a storm prevented his progress and he then surrender in the morning. This battle showed the France's affect on the war, and the significance of their naval forces.
