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Battle of Lexington & Concord
First military engagement in the war. British intended on taking over the towns & capturing captains, as well as ammunition. Nobody knows who shot the first shot, but the start of the Revolutionary War was marked by this «shot heard around the world» -
Siege of Ticonderoga
Patriots realised they didn't have sufficient ammunition, and the fort was over strategic waterways to Canada. There were two missions led by Ethan Allen & Benedict Arnold. Arnold left his men and tried to take over Allen's mission, but they shared the mission.They showed up, when most soldiers were still sleeping, and the British surrendered. They took +/- 100 cannons. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
Was actually on Breed's Hill. It was one of the bloodiest battles in the war. The Patriots went to Breed's Hill at night and built a fort, which surprised the British in the morning. The British marched up the hill (2,300 soldiers) and hoped to scare the Patriots. The first shots were fired and the British were driven back twice, but the Patriots ran out of ammunition and the British took over. Battle lasts 3 hrs. Days later Washington aims cannons at the fort and the British retreat. -
Battle of Quebec
This battle was a failed attempt at an invasion and capture of the city of Quebec in Canada. General Montgomery organises a night attack in the midst of a snow storm, but it it fought back and he dies. Many of his men are wounded, and retreat from Canada. -
Dorchester Heights
This battle is little known of, because no shots were fired in this battle. General Washington acquired 59 cannons and put the British under threat. This led to negotiations between the British General Howe, who agreed to evacuated, but if any of the Patriots attacked, the British would burn Boston.The British are forced to evacuate and leave New England, therefore the Patriots won the battle. -
Battle of Long Island
The Continental Army is forced to move away from New York, due to the imposing threat of the British attacking and taking over. The Patriots resisted for some time, but the fortification lines of men fell back. -
Battle of Trenton
The German allies (Hessians) are surprised by Coronel Washington's Continental Army, when they cross a nearly frozen river, and with most of the Hessians unprepared, Washington's men win the battle. -
Battle of Princeton
At this point, the Continental Army is short of food and they are cold. Spies told Washington of the British General Cornwallis' plans, so Washington attacked. When the Patriots were within 30 yards, Washington orders the army to fire. The first group of men that attacked were killed, however, the second group was victorious and the Patriots won. -
Brandywine Creek
General Howe intended to capture Philadelphia, and General Washington's army marched down to delay the capture. Washington set up his men behind Brandywine Creek, and the Loyalists began marching down.They had set up brigades, and took over the first column (led by General Sullivan), and the Patriots are forced to withdraw. The battle ended with the Patriots withdrawing from Philadelphia. -
Battle of Germantown
General Washington was determined to surprise the British in Germantown, and planned an attack on the three wings of the British army, and one on the center. This plan was not successful, because the British fought back, setting up brigades. The Continental Army was forced to retreat 16 miles, and withdraw from the battle. This battle, however, made the French Court believe that the Patriots' cause for independence was a worthy cause. -
Battle of Saratoga
The British sent their strongest troops to Lake Champlain, to capture Fort Ticonderoga, advance to the Hudson River then move south. General Baum was sent by General Burgoyne to collect supplies, but Baum's men were overwhelmed by the Patriots. Later on, the Patriots had heard of an intended attack by Burgoyne and when they attacked, they were pushed back. The next day, Burgoyne surrendered, and the consequences were terrible. After this war, the French joined the Patriots. -
Battle of Monmouth
The British Army began their march North East, and General Washington intercepted the column in Monmouth. He sent General Lee to deliver an attack that should have stopped the British, but no proper orders were given and they attacked as they saw fit. They were forced to retreat. Washington ordered more men to fight the British, and after much resisting, the British retreated. This battle is seen as a draw.
Note: Nurse Molly Pitcher took over her husband's cannon when he was wounded. -
Battle of Savannah
Beginning of the British push into the southern colonies. -
Battle of Vincennes
George Rogers Clark captured British forts, which was
important for negotiations with the British after the war. -
Charleston
British gained control of the southern colonies with the victory
here. The largest defeat for the Continental Army. -
Battle of King's Mountain
It was one of the bloodiest battles. The Tories suffered 300 dead and wounded and some 700 captured. The Revolutionaries took 90 casualties. The defeat forced Cornwallis to abandon his plans to invade North Carolina and retreat South. -
Battle of Yorktown
General Cornwallis seized Yorktown and Gloucester, and General Washington marched down with the joint American and French army. The Americans began to form seige operations and the joint army stormed two redoubts, making the position of the British indefensible. In addition, they capture British weapons. Because of the lack of ammunition and supplies. Cornwallis' men surrendered.
