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Battle of Lexington and Concord
Major John Pitcairn and his troops marched to Lexington and ordered the colonial militia to give up their arms. The American commander, Captain John Parker, told them just to make way. However, a shot rang out, now known as the shot heard round the world. A fight started, the colonists retreated to Concord, and they fought again at the North Bridge. The British were forced to retreat, and were still attacked in doing so, but were saved by Lord Percy. This marked the official start of the war. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
Hearing that the British were planning to occupy Dorchester Heights, Colonel William Prescott, along with two Massachusetts regiments, his own artillery company, and a work detail from Cambridge, went to occupy Bunker Hill. He and Colonel Putman fortified Bunker Hill. The next morning, the British General Gage ordered an attack on them. The Americans fought back hard, but had little ammunition, and were forced to retreat when they ran out. The British had very heavy losses, but took Bunker Hill. -
Battle of Long Island
General George Washington realised the strategic importance of New York, but so did the British. Thousands of British soldiers sailed to Long Island to attack, where Washington's troops were waiting. A battle erupted at Jamaica Pass in Brooklyn. The British lost 400 troops, but Washington lost 2,000. Washington retreated to Brooklyn Heights, which he quickly began to fortify. Washington soon realised that he'd trapped himself, but the weather subdued the British and allowed his forces to escape. -
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Battle of Trenton and Princeton
After General Washington crossed the Delaware on Christmas of 1776, he marched to Trenton and defeated a garrison of Hessian mercenaries, then withdrew. However, he returned a week later to lure British forces south. During the night, he daringly marched to Princeton and captured it from the British. It gave America control of most or all of New Jersey, and strengthened the spirits of everyone on their side of the war. -
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Battle of Saratoga
British General Burgoyne felt the need to take Albany. American General Gates was waiting for him at Bemis Heights, being the only way Burgoyne could get his troops to Albany, so he had to engage Gates. After fighting back and forth, the Americans still held the Heights. Burgoyne got low on supplies and options, and sent in 1,500 men, who were defeated by far, and so retreated. After more such unsuccessful attempts, Burgoyne had to surrender, proving America's strength to the rest of the world. -
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Battle of Vincennes
Fort Vincennes was a timber fort built by the British in 1777 to guard the frontier, but when the officer overseeing it was succeeded by General Hamilton, it was rebuilt and fortified as much as possible. The Americans feared that every day it got stronger, and so decided to launch an attack. He and his troops entered the town. Hamilton was soon alerted to them, and the two sides begun to battle. Clark demanded unconditional surrender and was rejected, but Hamilton later gave in with some terms. -
Battle of Bonhomme Richard vs. Serapis
Experienced seaman John Paul Jones takes command of the Bonhomme Richard. He attacks two British ships: the Serapis and the Countess Scarborough, which were guiding a Baltic merchant fleet. After hours of fighting, the British surrender. -
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Siege of Charleston
The British, commanded by General Clinton, decide to attack the south to cripple the American strength and spirit. They begin bombardment of Charleston on March 29th. The Americans, commanded by General Lincoln, stay in the city to defend it, but both sides lose soldiers quickly. Twice, General Lincoln offers peace, and is twice denied. On May 12th, Lincoln is forced into an unconditional surrender. About 6,700 American soldiers are forced into captivity, making it their biggest loss of the war. -
Battle of Guilford Courthouse
After a British loss at the Battle of Cowpens, General Cornwalis was furious, and hoped to crush American General Greene's forces and recapture his prisoners. He went after Greene, eventually burning his own supplies to catch up, but over-extended and got into hostile territory with few resources. He retreated, but Greene followed. Greene attacked at the Guilford Courthouse with much success, but decided to retreat. Cornwalis took the courthouse, but lost far too many soldiers to have benefited. -
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Siege of Yorktown
General Cornwallis was retreating far east and to coastal towns. He arrived in Petersburg in May of 1781. He then went to Yorktown and began preparing a naval base there. General Washington moved south and, together with French ground and naval forces, did multiple small conquests and surrounded the British army, forcing its surrender. This victory by Washington and French forces ended the war.
