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Battles at Lexington and Concord
These battles started off the American Revolution. Paul Revere and other riders notified the colonial militiamen of the oncoming British attacks. The British were not ready for such a retaliation and retreated causing the colonials to gain a sense of confidence in their ability to defend themselves from the British. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
The colonials had learned that the British were going to send troops to the hills surrounding the Boston area. About 1,000 militiamen countered by setting up defensive bunkers on top of Breed's Hill under Colonel William Prescott. The British troops marched to the hills led by Major General William Howe and Brigadier General Robert Pigot. The British won the battle because a lack of ammunition from the colonials and this caused a morale boost for the colonials for their battles ahead. -
Battle of Trenton
George Washington sailed over the Delaware River with his men and cannons before marching 19 miles to Trenton. Washington's men outnumbered the Hessians who were under Colonel Johann Rall who was shot off his horse. The Hessians surrendered after flanking by General Nathaniel Greene and General John Sullivan. The Americans retreated and then came back the next day to Trenton. This resulted in the Americans ability to draw the British south while setting up their next move to Princeton. -
Battle of Princeton
On the night of January 2, 1777, Washington told 500 men to stay behind and keep the campfires going at Trenton while the rest of his men moved north towards Princeton during the night. British General Cornwallis woke in the morning to find the Americans gone. Washington sent General Hugh Mercer to destroy a bridge near Princeton, but he died to British soldiers under Lt. Col. Charles Mawhood. The Americans pushed through under Washington and won the battle to get a stronger hold of the north. -
Battles of Saratoga
There were two battles fought during the battle of Saratoga that were 18 days apart. British General John Burgoyne succeeded in defeating Benedict Arnold and Horatio Gates. Then Burgoyne decided to attack again at Bemis Heights, but lost and was forced to retreat. This victory for the Americans was a key point in the war as the French now saw the colonists cause as a legit deal. France then entered the war as an ally of the Americans. The favor then swung in heavy favor of the Americans. -
Battle of Yorktown
George Washington led 17,000 French and American troops to Yorktown, Virginia to fight against British General Lord Charles Cornwallis and the 9,000 troops under him. Washington ordered Marquis de Lafayette and to block Cornwallis by land. A French fleet blocked Cornwallis by sea. Washington had the British surrounded and the fighting lasted for three weeks before Cornwallis surrendered on October 17, 1781. This caused the war to end in the colonies and an overall victory for the Americans.
