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Lexington and Concord
First shots of the Revelution were fired there. This event is sometimes referred to as the “shot heard round the world” because of the impact of the American revolutionary ideals on other nations As a result, the Second Continental Congress met and named George Washington Commander-in-Chief of the army that gathered around Boston after Lexington and Concord. -
Buker Hill
First officail battle of the American Revelution. Significant because of what the Americans learned. Although the untrained American troops were forced to surrender when they ran out of gunpowder, they inflicted heavy casualties on the British regular army. The battle demonstrated the power of the Americans fighting from behind rocks and trees on the British formations. Showed that Americans would need allies to supply ammunition. -
Saragota
The turning point if the war for the American Patriots. American forces defeated the British in their attempt to split the colonies at the Hudson River. Because of this victory the French were willing to enter into an alliance with the Americans which brought both financial aid and the help of the French navy. -
Charleston
The first attempt by the British to capture Charleston was stopped by the tides and the resillince of the Palmetto log fort. The British was successful the second time around. The port of Charleston, South Carolina was under siege by the British for many days. It was attacked by blockading the harbor and cutting off supply lines, until it fell to the British. Soon Patriot partisans were fighting the British regular troops and Loyalist forces using hit and run tactics. -
Cowpens
Important battle in South Carolina. Showed the cooperation of the regular Continental Army and the irregular partisan forces. The partisans led the attack and then fled the field, tricking the British regulars into thinking that the Americans were retreating. Instead the partisans lured the British forces into range of the regular American army. The British were soundly defeated and retreated northward toward Virginia. -
Yorktown
Final battle of the war. The French navy assisted General George Washington and his army by blockading the harbor. The blockade prevented British ships from entering the harbor. The British army, camped in Virginia waiting for transport to winter quarters, from escaping. Surrounded by American and French forces, the British were defeated and surrendered.
