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Retreating from Boston, the British moved the scene of the war to the middle colonies. In attempt to stop the rebellion by isolating New England, they decided to seize New York.
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Brothers General William Howe and Admiral Richard Howe join forces and sail to New York with 32,000 men. The largest british expeditionary force assembled consisted of German mercenaries as well as British soldiers.
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With 23,000 men, Washington was vastly outnumbered and the battle of New York ended in late August. The Americans retreated following with heavy losses.
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The British had pushed Washington's army across the Delaware River and into Pennsylvania. Fewer than 8,000 men remained under Washington;s command. Most had either deserted or had been killed and the remaining troops terms of enlistment were to end on December 31.
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In the face of a fierce storm, Washington lead 2,400 men in small rowboats across the icy Delaware River
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Through sleet and snow Washington's men marched 9 miles to their destination Trenton, NJ. Hessians stationed in Jersey had been attacked by Americans as they slept. Americans killed 30 men, captured 918 and 6 Hessian cannons. The suprise attack had led to a small victory for the colonies.
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Americans were rallied by another astonashing victory against 1,200 British soldiers stationed at Princeton. Washington then marched his troops into a winter camp near Morristown in Northern Jersey.
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After begining his campaign, in the spring, to seize Philidelphia; General Howe's troops sailed from New York to the head of the Chesapeake Bay and landed in late August. Washington's troops unsuccessfully blocked the Redcoats at Brandywine Creek and the British captured Philidelphia.
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Surrounded at Saratoga, British General John Burgoyne surendered his army to General Gates leading to another victory for the Americans. After the Battle of Saratoga the British dramatcily changed their war strategy and generally kept their troops along the coast.
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George Washington's troops march to Valley Forge where it served as the site of the Continental Army's camp for the winter. As the British stationed comfertably in Philedelphia, Washington and his troops struggled to stay alive in the harsh winter conditions at Valley Forge. Of 10,000 soldiers more than 2,000 died.
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Struggling to make profit, Congress appointed rich merchant Robert Morris as the superintendent of finance. Along with the help of Jewish political refugee, Haymn Salomon, they were able to raise funds and by September 8, 1781 troops were finally paid in spice or gold coins.
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After the Saratoga victory, the French recognized American Independence and formed an alliance with them. They signed a treaty of cooperation that stated the French were not to make peace with the British unless the British were to also recognize American Independence.
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The Continental Army became an efficient fighting force with the help of European military leaders such as Friedrich von Steuben. The Prussian Captian volunteered his services to turn them into regular soldiers.
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After the defeat at Saratoga, the British completely changed thier military strategy . They began to shift their operations to the south where they hoped to rally loyalists, reclaim their former colonies and slowly fight their way back up.
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10,000 British soldiers fought against 11,000 American men. 5,000 African americans served in the continental army. Molly Pitcher was the heroine along with many other other women who followed their husbands to battle where they washed, mended and cooked for the troops.
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British expeditioneasily took Savannah, Georgia.
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20- year old military leader, Marquis de Lafayette, offered his assistance and joined Washington's staff. He lobbied for French reinforcements in France and led a command in Virginia for the last few years of the war.
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A royal governor once again commanded Georgia.
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General Henry Clinton along with General Charles Cornwallis sailed south with 8,500 men.
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British Capture Charles Town, South Carolina and marched 5,500 American soldiers off as prisoners of war. It was the greatest victory of the war. Clinton then left for the New York and left Cornwallis to command and conquer South and North Carolina.
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A French army of 6,000 landed in Newport, Rhode Island. While stationed there Marquis de Lafayette heard of Cornwallis's plans and suggested the French and American troops should join forces and attack the British in Yorktown.
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Cornwallis's army smashed American forces at Camden, South Carolina. Within three months the British had established forts all across the state, Cornwallis's troops advanced into North Carolina, Patriots soon attacked the British and forced the redcoats to retreat back to South Carolina.
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General Morgan and his men his chased the British through rough countryside until both forces met at Cowpens, South Carolina. The Continental army forced the Redcoats to surrender.
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General Cornwallis attacked Nathanael Greene at Guilford Court House, North Carolina. He won the battle but it cost him a fourth of his British troops.
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Greene wrote a letter to Lafayette asking for help.
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After being bombarded day and night for about three weeks by 17,000 French and American soldiers in Yorktown, Cornwallis finally raised a white flag of surrender,
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Colonel William Fontaine of the Virginia Militia stood with the French and the American army lining a road near Yorktown, Virgina. The French in bright blue coats and the Continental Army in their faded uniforms witnessed the formal British surrender. The American Revolution had finally ended and the Americans had won.
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Washington, French Generals and their troops assembled to accept the British surrender. General Charles O'Hara, representing Cornwallis, handed over his sword and the British troops laid down their arms.
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Delegates signes the Treaty of Paris, which confirmed U.s Independence and set boundries of the new nation.
