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Bunker Hill
British General: Sir William Howe
US Generals: Dr Joseph Warren, Israel Putnam, William Prescott
Victor: American troops
This was one of the most important battles in the colonies' fight for independence.
The British wanted to take Dorchester Hieghts, and when the colonists found out about that plan, they set out to defend it.
At first, the british won the battle, but was retaken by American troops. -
Long Island
British generals: Lord Charles Cornwallis, Sir Henry Clinton, Sir William Howe
US Generals: George Washington, Israel Putnam, William Alexander
Victor: British
Britain launched an attack on Long island because it was an important point of communication between the North and South Colonies.
It was raining during the battle ,and Howe's forces were delayed attacking American troops.
Although Colonist trops lost, Washington was able to escape because Howe was too slow in following up. -
Trenton
British General: Johann Rall
US General: George Washington
Victor: American troops
Before the battle took place, American morale was low and the soldiers were sick.
Washington surprised the Hessian soldiers in the bad weather.
The battle boosted morale somewhat, but the battle of Princeton is what boosted the morale the most. -
Brandywine
British Gen.: Sir William Howe
US Gen: George Washington
Victor: British troops
General Howe wanted Philadelpia to be captured because it was the capital at the time.
The Continental Congress had to leave Philly when the British attacked.
Washington was able to escape with his troops, yet again where Howe failed to capture the Continental Army. -
Saratoga (Bemis Heights)
British Gen: John Burgoyne
US Gen: Benedict Arnold, Benjamin Lincoln, Horatio Gates
Victor: America
Burgoyne's plan was to join forces with Howe and cut New England off from the rest of the colonies.
Howe was actually busy occupying Philadelphia and wasn't going to meet Burgoyne.
When Burgoyne surrendered on Oct. 17 1777, the British war startegy changed to generally staying by and defending the coast, nearer to the British fleet and supplies. -
Monmouth
British General: Henry Clinton
US General: George Washington
Victor: Draw
The British were defending their baggage train and were mainly focused on transporting it safely.
Washington fought alongside General Charles Lee, and it was the last time Lee was in the military.
Both sides claimed victory because the Amerixans held the field, but the British were just focused on getting their baggage away safely. -
Capture of Savannah
British General: Colonel Archibald Cambell
US General: Robert Howe
Victor: British
The British decided to focus on capturing the South and then work up North.
Robert Howe tried to defend the city feebly, but were easily defeated by British forces.
Savannah remained a British base for the rest of the war until they relinquished hold in July 1782. -
Cowpens
British general: Banastre Tarleton
US General: Daniel Morgan
Victor: American
Tarleton was very hasty in the battle, and morgan had a more well-though out plan and easily defeated the British forces.
Battle at Cowpens, South Coralina was a turning point where American forces started conquering back South Carolina.
It ultimately led to the surrendering of the British at Yorktown. -
Guilford Court House
British General: Lord Charles Cornwallis
US General: Nathanael Greene
Victor: British
Cornwallis eagerly engaged the American forces at the Guilford Court House.
The American's three lines fell unevenly, until Greene ordered a retreat.
Although it was a British victory, the British forces were so decimated that Cornwallis decided to regroup in Yorktown, where America won the Revolution. -
Yorktown
British General:Lord Charles Cornwallis
US General: George Washington
Victor: American
General Cornwallis planned to move the fight to VA and capture Lafayette and Von Steuben, but it failed, so he camped in Yorktown.
Lafayette devised a plan to capture Cornwallis by setting up a blockade in the Chesapeake Bay and troops surrounding Yorktown.
Cornwallis held for three weeks, then surrendered on Oct. 17, 1781, ending the Revolutionary War.
