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The Battle of Trenton
George Washington and his troops launched a surprise attack the morning after Christmas, crossing the Delaware to fight the Hessians. The German soldiers fought back, but were captured or dispersed.
General John Rall of Britain is killed during the attack.
The Americans win the battle. -
The Battle of Princeton
George Washington and the Continental Army once again crossed the Delaware River, this time to attack General Cornwallis' troops that he left stationed in Princeton.
Washington rallied his troops in the fight, giving a large morale boost as it proved the Americans had a shot to win the war. Many doubted them.
The British were nearly completely driven out of New Jersey. -
The Battle of Brandywine
British General Howe attempted to capture the capital of Philadelphia.
Washington and the Americans received many conflicting reports of where the British would be attacking from.
The British broke through the American lines, forcing an American retreat to Germantown.
The Continental Army lost over 400 lives in Battle, while the British lost nearly 600.
It was a loss for the Americans, however, it still served as a morale boost; Showed that the untrained army was capable of fighting. -
The Battle of Saratoga ("First Saratoga")
British General Burgoyne's "Three-Pronged Attack" plan had failed, leaving him and his troops alone to fight the Continental Army at Saratoga.
Burgoyne split his troops into three parts; Two would go towards Bemis Heights, another to the Hudson River.
The Battle lasted 3 hours, with the Americans retreating due to a lack of ammunition.
500 British soldiers killed.
Burgoyne wanted to have a follow up attack to finally take out the Americans, but his subordinate officers talked him out of it. -
The Battle of Germantown
Washington launched a coordinated attack on General Howe's headquarters, massing four separate columns against the British and 9,000 troops.
The British began to retreat, however, the heavy fog and smoke eventually forced the Americans to retreat.
Once again an American loss, the Battle of Germantown still provided a morale boost because the Americans hung around with the British.
The Continental Army would retreat to Valley Forge and train to become a better army over the harsh winter. -
The Battle of Saratoga("Second Saratoga")
General Burgoyne led his troops into Bemis Heights as part of the Battle of Saratoga.
Prior to the battle, American commander Horatio Gates argued with General Benedict Arnold over battle-strategy. Arnold was fired, but fought anyways.
The British would suffer 400 casualties , while the Americans only lost 150.
The American Victory was the turning point in the war, as it finally showed they could win against the British.
This convinced France to finally begin to aid the Continental Army. -
The Battle of Monmouth
The Continental Army decides to attack the British by orders of George Washington.
General Lee did not believe the Americans normal army could hold up against the British's normal army so during the attack, he ordered his men to retreat.
Washington caught up to Lee and demanded to know why the army was retreating. Washington disapproved and began to turn the battle around.
The battle could be labeled a tie; Each side did similar damage.
This was the last battle between the 2 main armies. -
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Major Naval Battles
John Paul Jones, the "Father of the American Navy", led the Continental Navy during the Revolutionairy War on the side of the Americans.
He is most famous for taking down the most powerful British Warship, "Serapis".
Jones eventually forced a British surrender after hours of gunfire and fighting. -
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Francis Marion aka "The Swamp Fox"
One of the military members of the Continental Army.
He was known for his strong use of guerrilla warfare, as well as advancing through swamps hence the nickname.
He could never be caught by the British, and his war tactics severely crippled the British's advances in the South. -
The Battle of Kings Mountain
The British were advancing into the Southern colonies to try and gain support from the Loyalists. General Cornwallis began to invade North Carolina in an attempt to reach Virginia.
The Loyalists and Patriots met and fought at Kings Mountain.
British General Ferguson, who led the Loyalists, was the only Brit killed in the battle, the rest being Americans either Loyalist or Patriot.
Considered the turning point in the south, as the British advance into the south was stopped. -
The Battle of Cowpens
The battle was an attempt to regain South Carolina from the British.
George Washington put Nathaniel Green as the head of the Southern Continental Forces, who then called up Commander Morgan. His strategy for war, having depth upon depth, wore out the British with casualties and fatigue as they drove in successive lines.
The battle resulted in a strong American win, becoming the turning point for the American's reconquest of South Carolina. -
The Battle of Yorktown
The combined forces of French and American troops resulted in a decisive win for the Continental Army.
The French were led by John Baptiste Rochambeau, while the Americans were once again led by George Washington.
The battle was the last major battle of the war, as the 17,000 soldiers captured British sites and surrounded General Cornwallis and co, forcing his surrender.
The war would officially end two years later with the signing of the Treaty of Paris.