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British Retreat
The British retreat to the Middle states instead of the usual retreat to Boston. Following the grand plan, the British will stop rebellion by Isolating New England from the rest of the states by seizing New York City. -
British Take New York
By joining forces, this allowed General William Howe and General Richard Howe to easily take New York. The force consisted of 32,000 including the Germans Called Hessians. -
Battle in New York ends
Washington's troops, only 23,000 men, were vastly outnumbered. Most of the troops were not trained and were usual poorly equip. By late August the American troops were forced to retreat after the heavy losses. -
American Troops pushed to Pennsylvania
After the New York loss, Washington's troops were pushed across Delaware River and ended up in Pennsylvania. Washington had less then 8,000 troops left and desperately needed a kind of victory. -
The Battle of Trenton
Washington desperately needed a victory and he resolved to risk everything in one blow. With 2,400 troops, Washington crossed the icy cold Delaware River. -
The Battle of Trenton Cont.
Eight in the morning, Washington's troops crossed the Delaware River to reach Trenton. Hessian troops were fast asleep after celebrating the day before, a great time for a surprise attack. The Americans Killed 30 enemy's, took 918 captives and 6 Hessian cannons. -
Battle at Princeton
Eight days later after the astonishing victory in Trenton, Washington rallied troops against 1,200 British stationed at Princeton. -
Fight for Philadelphia
Reaching spring, General Howe began his campaign to capture the American capital Philadelphia. The Continental Congress soon fled the city while Washington's troop failed to block the redcoats. The British take the American capital and enjoyed the hospitality of the city. -
Victory at Saratoga
The British General Burgoyne had planned to lead an army down the lakes of Canada to meet and join forces with two other Generals. For the American side, the Continental Congress appointed General Gates. While heading down, Burgoyne had lost several hundred men making his army weaker. Even worse Burgoyne did not meet with the other generals. Gates took advantage of this and surrounded Burgoyne at Saratoga. -
Valley Forge
Valley Forge just outside of Philadelphia is where the Continental Army camped during the winter. While the British troops sipped their tea in their warms homes, the patriots huddled around fire pits to keep warmth from the freezing snow-covered woods. Some soldiers clothes were worn-out with their feet exposed to the cold. Others nearly naked with just trousers to protect them. -
Turning point in the war-French recognizes American Independence
Ever since the 1776, the French secretly sent weapons to the patriots. The victory at Saratoga settled an alliance with the French to cooperate until American Independence. -
Winter at Valley Forge
It would take month for the french to arrive with weapons and supply's. Meanwhile, troops at Valley Forge were struggling to stay alive amidst the bitter cold and primitive conditions. A surgeon named Albigense Waldo would work hard to save arms and limbs from amputation. Over 2,000 died of 10,000 yet the survivors were still at their posts hungry and cold. -
Von Steuben Trains Troops
Finally the American troops began an amazing transformation under Friedrick Von Steuben leadership. He volunteered his service to General Washington to improve the troops. Von Steuben taught the troops how to stand at attention, execute field maneuvers, and how to reload quickly. -
British Move South
After the defeat at Saratoga, the British moved down south hoping to rally Loyalist support. This will allow them to reclaim their former colonies in the region and slowly move back up. -
British take Savannah
The British expedition easily take Savannah, Georgia -
British take Georgia
By Spring of 1779, a royal governor takes command of Georgia. -
African Americans Join the British
For the most of 1780, Cornwallis was succeeding and advancing with the redcoats. Thousands of African Americans who escaped from the patriots joined the British side hoping for freedom. -
Cornwallis takes South Carolina
General Henry Clinton along with Charles Cornwallis sails south with 8,500 men. Under Cornwallis' command, he takes Charles Town, South Carolina -
Cornwallis Takes Camden
Cornwallis easily takes Camden, South Carolina and three month later settle forts within the state. -
Morgan Defeat the British
Morgan and his men chased the British across the countryside. Once the two met, the British expected to outnumber the Americans but Morgan fought back until the redcoats surrendered. -
Cornwallis' Revenge
Angered with the defeat, Cornwallis attacks Greene at Guilford Court House, North Carolina. Cornwallis succeeds but costed one forth of his troops. 93 killed, 400 wounded, and 26 missing. -
Greene asks for Help
Greene had weakened the British army but still worried about the fight for the south. Greene settles and writes a letter to Lafayette for help. -
Financing the War
To help pay troops, Congress appointed a rich Philadelphia merchant named Robert Morris to superintendent of finance. Along with Haym Salomon, Morris begged and borrowed on their personal credit to raise money for the Continental army. -
Troops get Paid
From the raised funds from many sources for example the Quakers and Jews, the efforts of Morris and Salomon finally got money in the hand of the troops. -
Lafayette's Plan
The French was stationed one fleet in Rhode Island and were operating another in the west indies. When Cornwallis' plans reached Lafayette, he suggested to join forces with the French fleet and attack the British force at Yorktown. -
Victory at Yorktown
Lafayette follows his plans and the Americans and French close in on Cornwallis. The French defeat the a British fleet and then blocks the entrance to the Chesapeake Bay to prevent other British fleets to enter. About 17,000 French and Americans surrounded and bombarded the British which lasted for three weeks. Lafayette's troops outnumbered the British and soon Cornwallis surrender. -
Colonel William Fontaine Watches the War
Colonel Fontaine stood with the French and American armies to witness the surrender of the British. The Americans win, shocking the world. -
British Surrender
Washington, the French general, and troops gathered to accept the British surrender. General Charles O'Hara representing Cornwallis handed over his sword and the British troops laid down their arms. -
Seeking Peace
Peace between the nation began in Paris. The United Sates, Great Britain, France, and Spain joined the negotiation with each nation looking for its own benefits. -
Treaty of Paris
Delegates signed the Treaty of Paris which confired the the independence from Great Britain. The U.S stretch from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mississippi River and from Canada to Florida.
