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The British retreated from Boston, moving the theater of war to the Middle states.
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General William Howe and Admiral Richard Howe came together and sailed into the New York harbor. They brought with them the largest British expeditionary force ever assembled. Many of these soldiers inculded thousands of German mercenaries, called the Hessians.
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George Washington brought his men to New York's defense, but were greatly outnumbered. The battle for New York ended in late August.
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The British pushed away Washington's army across the Delaware River into Pennsylvania.
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On Christmas night, Washington led 2,400 men across the icy Delaware River.
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By the next morning, the men had marched nine miles through steep snow to Trenton, New Jersey. Trenton was held by a garrison of the Hessians.
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Washington's men were due to leave on December 31.
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General Howe began his campaign to possess the American capitol at Philadelfia.
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Howe's troops sailed from New York to the head of the Chesapeake Bay and landed near the capital.
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American troops surrounded Genral John "Gentleman Johnny" Burgoyne at Saratoga. He surrendered his defeated army to General Gates.
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Valley Forge (outside of Philadelfia) served as a camp for the Continental Army during the Winter. This is where the Patriots stayed during the Winter.
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The French supported the Americans independence and signed a treaty of cooperation with the Americans. The terms concluded that the French agreed to not make peace with Britain until Britain recognizes Americans independence.
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Friedrich von Steuben offered his services to General Washington. With his experienced techniques, he taught the troops how to stand at attention, fire and reload quickly, and how to execute field maneuvers. This new training helped improve the Continental Army.
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Marquid de Lafayette, a young French aritocrat offered his assistance.
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After their defeat at Saratoga, the British changed their fighting style. They shifted their opperations to the South. By doing this, they hoped to rally Loyalist's support and reclaim their former colonies.
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A British expedition easily took Savannah, Georgia and by Springtime a royal govenor once again commanded Georgia.
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Marquis de Lafayette lobbied for the French reinforcements in Frnace and led a command in Virginia in the last years of the war.
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General Henry Clinton along with general Charles Cornwallis sailed south with 8,500 men.
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The British captured Charles Town, South Caolina and marched 5,500 American soldiers off as prisoners of war.
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Cornwallis's army defeated American forces at Camden, South Carolina.
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After the British left Rhode island, the French landed there. Marquis de Lafayette suggested that the American and French armies join forces witht he two French fleets and attack the British forces at Yorktown. Using this plan, the French were able to block the entrance to the Chesapeake Bay, therefore preventing a British rescue by sea.
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Within a couple of months, the British established forts across the state.
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At Cowpends, South Carolina, the British expected the Americans to flee. But, to their surpise the Continental Army fought back and forced the redcoats to surrender.
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Congress appointed a rich merchant named Robert Morris as the superintendent of finance.
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After his costly victory, Greene wrote a letter to Lafayette, asking for help.
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Cornwallis was very angry about the defeat and attacked Nathanael Greene at the Guilford Court House, North Carolina. Even though Cornwallis won, it cost him nearly a fourth of his troops.
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The troops were finally paid with specie, or gold coin.
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Since his troops were outnumbered, Cornwallis finally surrendered.
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Colonel William Fontaine from the virginia militia stood with the American and French armies at road near Yorktown. They were there to witness the British surrender.
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A happy Washington, French generals and their troops assembled to accept the British surrender.
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The delegates signed the Treaty of Paris. This treaty confirmed U.S. independence and the United States now stretched from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mississipi River and from Canada to the Florida border.
