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Period: to
War Years
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Lexington and Concord
The first shots of the Revolutionary War were fired at Lexington on April 19th by American militia on British Redcoats on their way to Concord.
From Lexington, the British marched to Concord which they easily occupied. Nevertheless, the Redcoats were decimated by militia fire and snipers in Concord and as they marched back toward Lexington. -
Fort Ticonderoga
Fort Ticonderoga is located on the western side of Lake Champlain in New York was an important post on the route from Canada to the colonies. Colonel Benedict Arnold and Ethan Allen with his Green Mountain Boys led a surprise attack on the British fort in May of 1775. The Americans took the fort without firing a shot. -
Battle Of Bunker Hill
On June 16, the first major battle of the war occurred. British Generals William Howe and Thomas Gage took Bunker Hill despite suffering casualties of over 1,000 men. -
Battle of Long Island
Patriot forces were routed by British forces under General Howe. Patriots retreated under the cover of darkness to Manhattan and were not pursued. Patriot casualties numbered 1,400. -
Battle of HArlen Heights
American forces under George Washington drove back British forces on September 16, 1776. Patriot casualties numbered 60. -
Battle of Fort Washington
British forces launched a massive attack on Fort Washington. Despite initial resistance, British forces were able to take the fort, as well as 2,800 prisoners and 43 cannons. Many prisoners were jailed on British ships where they died of malnutrition and disease. The British occupation of New York City was complete and the state government was forced to relocate to Kingston. -
Bennington
British General Friedrich Baum (a Hessian) detached from Burgoyne’s forces with 800 Loyalists and Indians. They set out to capture the arsenals at Bennington and to send a message to the rebellious New Englanders. On August 16th, the army of 800 was ambushed by about 1,600 militia men under the command of Patriot General John Stark. The Patriots massacred Baum’s forces and captured over 700. 200 were killed. -
Saratoga
Two battles took place at Saratoga – one at Freeman’s Farm on September 9, and the other at Bemis Heights on October 9, 1777. Gates was defeated at Freeman’s Farm but at Bemis Heights, Arnold launched a relentless counterattack on Burgoyne’s battered army that resulted in such horrible casualties that the British were forced to surrender. -
Oriskany
On August 6, 1777, Patriot General Nicholas Herkimer led a 800 man relief effort to the Mohawk Valley in upstate New York. His objective was to confront British forces led by Barry St. Leger at Fort Schuyler, a heavily fortified Patriot stronghold.When the confrontation failed to materialize, Herkimer led his army to Oriskany Creek, where 1,200 loyalists and Indians were waiting for them. American forces were promptly routed, and Herkimer himself suffered a mortal gunshot wound to the leg. -
Monmouth
American forces under General George Washington engaged in battle with British forces under Henry Clinton on an oppressively hot day.Washington never intended for an all-out engagement, but British forces drew them into battle. In the confusion, Patriot General Charles Lee ordered his troops to retreat – an order which angered Washington. Washington promptly took complete command of the Continental Army and organized them into a defensive position.In the the longest battle of the Revolution,
