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Battles of Lexington and Concord
The British heard of Patriot stockpiled weapons and ammunition stored in Concord, and the British army sets off to the destroy the stockpile. Paul Revere and Willaim Dawes rode to warn Patriot leaders, and arrive in Lexington first. Minutemen arm up to fight the British in Lexington. While the British do march on to Concord and destroy some of the stockpile, most of it has been moved, and overall 70 British soldiers are killed and 170 wounded during a surprise attack by Patriots in hiding. -
Siege of Boston
Realizing the need for a stronger and lasting army, the Patriots led a siege onto the British-occupied Boston. Patriots destroyed British supplies before they could reach Boston, slowly forcing the city into surrender. The British general, Howe, realized the severity of the situation and called for a retreat. -
Bunker Hill
The Patriots hold two high points north of Boston, Breed's Hill and Bunker Hill. The British decide that they must take these high points. The British and Patriot troops clashed on Breed's Hill, and in spite of heavy Patriot fire, were able to force the Patriots to run out of ammunition and retreat to the weaker Bunker Hill. On the weaker Bunker Hill, the Patriots were overrun and forced to retreat. The British suffered 1,100 casulties, and the Patriots less than 400. -
Battle of Quebec
Patriots invaded Canada, considered the first military invasion in the war. While the Patriots tried to fight the British-Canadian garrison, they ended up losing 500 men compared to the British and Canadian forces losing a mere 20. -
Battle of Long Island
The British landed on Long Island, close to Brooklyn. Washington lost nearly a quarter of his men. However, he then used the rain to his advantage, not expecting a British attack in that kind of weather. This kept the British from trapping him and his troops. The rain continued to the 29th, and Washing retreated- leaving the British to find empty trenches. -
Battle of Saratoga
As Patriots fled from British troops, they slowed their pursuers down by destroying bridges and knocking down trees, causing the British army to run low on supplies due to their slowed progress. Patriot forces took this time to increase in numbers, and attacked the British forces in mid-September. The British surrendered, and marked a turning point in the war. -
Battle of the White Plains
Determined to outflank the Patriot troops, British general Howe decided to land troops at Throg's Neck. The expected landing site was guarded by American troops, forcing the British to go further up the river. Washington held his men on th White Plains, and fortified a position between Bronx River and Crotton River. However, for some reason, the British attack was unmounted and allowed Washington to advance. -
The Battle of Trenton
Running low on finances, supplies and seasoned troops, George Washington needed to find a way to win. He decided to attack during the water, breaking a tradition. 2,400 boats crossed the icy Delaware River, carrying Patriot troops. They launched a sneak attack on 1,400 mercenaries, capturing most of them while suffering only five casulaties themselves. -
Battle of Princeton
Following his successful surprise attack on the British-hired mercenaries, Washington retreated back across the Delaware and decided to use his momentum to grab another victory. Crossing the Delaware again, he took 1,400 British troops by surprise before reinforcements could arrive. -
Capturing of Fort Ticonderoga
New York.
The American forces were weak on weaponry, such as cannons. The British-held Fort Ticonderoga held not only ammunition, but was also an important strategical location. Colonel Ethan Allen and the "Green Mountain Boys" led a surprise attack on the still-sleeping British troops in the fort and took Fort Ticonderoga and its weaponry for the Americans