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Battle of Bunker Hill
The Battle of Bunker Hill began when colonists learned that the British planned to take over the Boston Peninsula area; Dorchester Heights. This battle actually took place on Breed's Hill rather than Bunker Hill. A day after they had heard of the British's plan to occupy Dorchester, the colonists began fighting. In the end, the British won the Battle of Bunker Hill. The U.S general was William Prescott and the G.B general was Sir William Howe. -
Battle of Brandywine
The Battle of Brandywine had been planned ahead of time by both the British and the Continental Army because it was thought to be unavoidable. The day of battle there was fog and it worked in the British's favor, as it concealed them from the approaching Continental Army. Although in the end General Howe (leader of the British army) and his men took the win, they did not totally destroy American troops because the redcoats moved too slowly. Washington led the fighting colonists in this battle. -
Battle of Long Island
The Battle of Long Island occurred when Washington sent his men to New York knowing how important it was to have control of New York. The British also came around the same time the colonists, leading to the start of this battle. The weather played an important part in the Battle of Long Island. If it hadn't been dark and foggy, the British would probably have killed more of George Washington's men because they would not have been able to make it to Manhattan. -
...Battle of Long Island
Overall the Continental Army lost around a quarter of their men due to fatalities while the British only lost sixty-three. In the Battle of Long Island, the British came out victorious. -
Battle of Trenton
At around eight o'clock in the morning the Continental Army surprised the British and ambushed them. Before the battle took place, the weather was almost unbearably cold for the men and some of Washington's troops left blood in the snow while crossing the Delaware where they would attack Rahl’s troops. During the battle, both of America's soon-to-be presidents were there; James Monroe and James Madison. Johann Rahl was the British general and George Washington lead the U.S to victory. -
Battle of Saratoga
General Burgoyne of Great Britain's army collided with General Gate's Continental Army just outside of Saratoga which broke up the British force. The Battle of Saratoga was fought on the Hudson River. After the Battle of Brandywine, this battle was the U.S' first greatly needed win. This caused France to become involved in the war as an ally to the Americans. The British surrendered on the seventeenth and the Benedict Arnold's men (the U.S) won the battle. -
Battle of Monmouth
During the Battle of Monmouth, the French helped the Americans to fight the British. At the end, the British troops withdrew and Washington's men were prepared to fight until they soon discovered that Clinton's army had retreated. This battle was considered a turning point in the war because this proved that the Americans could hold their own against the British who were more experienced fighters. (Washington led the U.S while Sir Henry Clinton led G.B.) The U.S and G.B declared victory here. -
Capture of Savannah
The capture of Savannah was a surprise attack lead by Campbell on the American troops protecting Savannah from the British. Campbell had to leave a decent amount of his men in the New York area while he and the rest of his troops headed down to Georgia. Campbell had to go south because the south had a large amount of Loyalists, however, he could not leave the northern states to the U.S. Robert Howe was the Continental general during this battle and Archibald Campbell lead the British to a win. -
Battle of Cowpens
Because both sides had been consistently fighting, the Battle of Cowpens was fought a bit "sloppier" and the men used guerilla warfare. (Guerilla warfare was not typical of Great Britain.) The U.S army began what is called a bayonet charge, where the bayonet would strike the enemy and remain piercing until notice from a general. Although the Battle of Cowpens was not a large one, it helped the U.S army significantly because it gave them more hope to finally defeat the king's army. -
...Battle of Cowpens
Banastre Tarleton was in charge of British forces, and Daniel Morgan lead the Continental army to a crucial win against the redcoats. -
Battle of Guilford Court House
The British were vastly outnumbered by the Continental army lead by Nathanael Greene at the Battle of Guilford Court House. After the battle had ended, Lord Charles Cornwallis' men (G.B) moved into Virginia and loss control of North and South Carolina where they had also lost a significant amount of men. Many British soldiers were killed in a friendly fire at this battle. -
Battle of Yorktown
George Washington was in control of the Continental army once again. When the Americans came to New York, they met with Marquis Lafayette of the French who had been watching Cornwallis and his army (G.B). Two important attributes to the U.S victory were having the French as American allies and having the Chesapeake. Finally, the British surrendered on October 19, 1781.
