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Lexington
The battles of Lexington and Concord kicked of the American Revolutionary War. A confrontation on the Lexington town green started off the fighting, and soon the British were hastily retreating under intense fire. -
Concord
The British went into Concord to look for weapons but theu were already relocated. So they burned what they found, and the fire got slightly out of control. The militiamen hustled to Concord’s North Bridge, which was being defended by a contingent of British soldiers. The British fired first but fell back when the colonists returned the volley. -
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American Revolution
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Bunker Hill
The battle is named after the adjacent Bunker Hill, which was peripherally involved in the battle and was the original objective of both colonial and British troops. Despite their loss, the inexperienced colonial forces inflicted significant casualties against the enemy, and the battle provided them with an important confidence boost. -
New York
The British commanders felt humiliated after being driven from Boston. They just needed to shift their base of operation to New York. The battle of New York was a disaster for the Americans but not a complete disaster. More than 300 were killed, 800 were wounded, and another 1000 were captured. Washington bungled the defense of the city and was slow to grasp the futility of his position. -
Trenton
The Hessian force at Trenton numbered 1,400 under the leadership of Colonel Johann Rall. His men were exhausted and unprepared for Washington’s attack though rumors that they were drunk from Christmas celebrations are unfounded. The Hessians surrendered. All told, 22 were killed, 92 wounded, 918 captured and 400 escaped. The Americans suffered two frozen to death and five wounded. -
Marquis de Lafayette
When he heard of the American Revolution he was inspired and decided to go over and help where he could. He had no idea that he was going to become one of America's greatest leaders. -
Battle of Saratoga
The battles marked the climax of the Saratoga campaign. Arnold poured in fresh regiments until the jittery Gates broke off the action, leaving the battered British in possession of the ground. British General John Burgoyne achieved a small, but costly victory over American forces led by Horatio Gates and Benedict Arnold. Though his troop strength had been weakened, -
Philadelphia
Thus it was that General William Howe was thrilled to outmaneuver George Washington and march into Philadelphia without opposition on September 26, 1777. Tense conflict ensued, however, because American patriots stripped the city of supplies before they arrived. Even the Liberty Bell was carried out to prevent the British from making bullets from it. Philadelphia had been taken by the British and lost without a shot being fired. -
Battle of Saratoga
Burgoyne attempted another assault on October 7. Ignoring orders from the jealous Gates to remain in his quarters, Arnold joined the fighting and led an attack that captured key strong points, forcing the British to retreat to Saratoga. There, surrounded by a belated outpouring of militia, Burgoyne surrendered ten days later. -
Battle at Valley Forge
No battle was fought at Valley Forge. Yet, it was the turning point of the Revolutionary War. It was here that the Continental army was desperately against the ropes bloody, beaten, battle-weary and ready to quit. Even General Washington conceded, "If the army does not get help soon, in all likelihood it will disband." A new army anxious to fight the British streamed out of Valley Forge toward New Jersey. They had been transformed from Rebel into a Mature Army. -
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Yorktown
Cornwallis marched his army into Virginia and seized Yorktown and Gloucester, towns on each side of the York River. With the arrival of the French fleet of Admiral De Grasse, General Washington was able to march south from New York with the joint American and French army to attack Cornwallis. The Americans and French marched out of Williamsburg and arrived before Yorktown on 28th September 1781, forming a semi-circle around the entrenchments and putting the British positions. -
Treaty of Paris
Comissioners from Spain and the United States met in Paris to produce a treaty that would bring an end to the war after six months of hostilities.
