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American Revolution Battles
American Revolution Battles -
The Battles of Lexington and Concord
The Battles of Lexington and Concord, kicked off the American Revolutionary War. Tensions had been building for many years between residents of the 13 American colonies and the British authorities, particularly in Massachusetts. This happened because the British commander in Boston had heard of supplies of powder and weapons being kept by Patriots in the towns of Lexington and Concord. -
The Siege of Fort Ticonderoga
Located on Lake Champlain in northeastern New York, Fort Ticonderoga served as a key point of access. Benedict Arnold of Massachusetts joined Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys of Vermont in a dawn attack on the fort, surprising and capturing the sleeping British. This was the first American victory of the Revolutionary War and would give the Continental Army a boost in morale. -
The Battle of Chelsea Creek
The Battle of Chelsea Creek took place in Suffolk County, Massachusetts. A portion of George Washington's army was stationed in the Chelsea area of Suffolk County during the Siege of Boston. The Battle of Chelsea Creek ended in victory for the American colonists - it was also the first naval engagement of the Revolutionary War. -
The Battle of Bunker
The British defeated the Americans at the Battle of Bunker Hill in Massachusetts. Despite their loss, the battle provided them with an important confidence boost. Although commonly referred to as the Battle of Bunker Hill, most of the fighting occurred on nearby Breed’s Hill. The high price of victory at the Battle of Bunker Hill made the British realize that the war with the colonies would be long, tough and costly. -
The Battle of Quebec
Patriot forces under Colonel Benedict Arnold and General Richard Montgomery attempted to capture the British-occupied city of Quebec and with it win support for the American cause in Canada. The attack failed, and the effort cost Montgomery his life. -
The Battle of Long Island
The battle took place in Long Island, New York. This area is Brooklyn today and the battle is often referred to as the Battle of Brooklyn. Instead of finishing off the Americans, the British leaders halted the attack. They didn't want to needlessly sacrifice British troops as they had at the Battle of Bunker Hill. -
The Battle of White Plains
The battle was located in White Plains, New York. It ended in victory for the British.General Washington was forced to retreat to the west pursued by Cornwallis. Howe was able to take advantage of Washington’s withdrawal to take Kingsbridge and capture Fort Washington. This was a considerable blow to the American cause and forced the American retreat to the Delaware River. -
The Battle of Fort Washington
The battle that took place in Manhattan, Washington Heights, New York took place when the British army wanted to capture Fort Washington, the last American stronghold in Manhattan. Washington had thought of leaving the Fort and moving its military camp to New Jersey but was convinced to fight for it. The fort was attacked from several directions. With the fort surrounded by land and sea the Fort's commander, Robert Magaw, chose to surrender. -
The Battle of Trenton
In Trenton, New Jersey the Hessian men were exhausted and unprepared for Washington’s attack. Rumors that they were drunk from Christmas celebrations spread, Washington divided his men, sent them out to bring damage when they least expected it. The Hessians, under Rall's control, attempted to rally his troops but was never able to establish a defensive perimeter, and was shot from his horse and fatally wounded. The Hessians quickly surrendered. -
The Battle of Princeton
Led by Washington his army advanced to Princeton after their victory at Trenton. The army defeated a small British force. A larger British force, led by Charles Cornwallis, was alerted and gave chase. However, the Continental Army burned the bridges behind them and sniped at the British army before escaping. The Americans suffered minimal losses. The battle boosted American morale. -
The Battle of Oriskany
The battle in Oriskany, New York was the bloodiest battle yet. The initial attack cut down most of the American leadership, including Herkimer who sustained a serious leg wound. He had his men prop him up against a tree and continued to direct the battle. Despite his efforts, the Americans were eventually forced from the field.Both sides suffered heavy losses at Oriskany. -
The Battle of Bennington
The battle in Bennington, New York used the American plan, hitting the positions simultaneously from several directions. The Loyalists and Indians ran at the first volley, but the British and German regulars fiercely defended their redoubt for two hours until their ammunition was gone. In attempt to break out, Baum had his dismounted Hessian cavalrymen draw sabers and attack on foot. Baum fell fatally wounded, and the survivors surrendered. -
The Battle of Brandywine
The battle near Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania Washington persisted in the mistaken belief that the British were sending their entire force against his line at Chadds Ford but the British had crossed the river at the unguarded ford to the north and gained a strategic position near Birmingham Friends Meeting House. Washington realized that he had been outmaneuvered, ordered his army to take the high ground as a last defense. The Americans were unable to successfully defend their position. -
The Battle of Saratoga
Continental forces at the Battle of Freeman’s Farm, Saratago County, New York, they stood fast and fought for several hours, but at dusk, they withdrew. Despite losing the field, the Americans had suffered only half as many casualties as the British, which would hurt the British in the coming days. Gates took this time to strengthen his positions as more American units arrived. Meanwhile, Burgoyne’s force grew weaker as supplies became desperately short. -
The Battle of Germantown
The Battle of Germantown in Germantown, Pennsylvaina, played an important role in the outcome of the Revolutionary War. Although the British won the battle, the Continental Army had finally gone on the offensive and attacked the British. This gave the soldiers and the Patriots a renewed confidence that they could win the war. -
The Battle of Saratoga
Burgoyne, the British General, decided he could wait no longer and launched an attack without the reinforcements. This engagement was called the Battle of Bemis Heights which took place in Saratoga County, New York. As the American attack began to falter, Brig. Gen. Benedict Arnold appeared on horseback with a fresh brigade behind him.This drove the British troops back and Burgoyne surrendered his troops under the Convention of Saratoga, which provided for the return of his men to Great Britain. -
The Battle of Monmouth
This battle which was fought at Monmouth, New Jersey on intercepted the British forces who were trekking from Philadelphia. The Americans were not working as one, it was easy for the British to gain control. A retreat to Washington's main troop was ordered. The British attacked trying to break the lines, neither army would budge. As night set in, the British fell back and continued North on their journey, leaving the Americans in the field. Most who look back on this battle consider it a draw. -
The Capture of Savannah
In Savannah, Georgia Continentals opened fire at about 100 yards; the British, rather than returning fire, advanced rapidly with bayonets fixed, denying the Continentals a second shot. A local slave exposed a nearby swamp. The British seizure of the city led to an extended occupation and was the opening move in the British southern strategy to regain control of the rebellious Southern provinces by appealing to the relatively strong Loyalist sentiment there. -
The Siege of Charleston
The battlefield in which the British and American Forces fought during the Battle of Charleston was located in Charleston, South Carolina. Benjamin Lincoln unconditionally surrendered Charleston and 4650 Continental soldiers to Clinton. It was the greatest loss of manpower and equipment of the war for the Americans. The significance of the conflict was that the British gained control of South and the Americans lost many soldiers due to the surrender. -
The Battle of Camden
The Battle of Camden north of Camden, South Carolina was a lopsided victory for the British during the American Revolutionary War. Despite the proliferation of dysentery among his men, Continental General Horatio Gates chose to engage British General Charles Cornwallis’s force on the morning of August 16, 1780. The illness depleted the Patriot advantage in troop numbers, and the British pressed forward aggressively as the sole side in possession of bayonets. -
The Battle of King's Mountain
A number of American militia groups gathered under Colonel William Campbell and began searching for Ferguson and the Loyalists near Blackburn, SC and King's Mountain, NC. Ferguson requested reinforcements from Cornwallis and set up camp on "Kings Mountain". Militiamen fired and British used their bayonets in return. Loyalists were shut in until they were squeezed into a small area at the northern end. Ferguson was shot, this American victory devastated Loyalist support and stalled Cornwallis. -
The Battle of Cowpens
This battle was fought in Cowpens, South Carolina. American troops under Brigadier General Daniel Morgan routed British forces under Lieutenant Colonel Banastre Tarleton. The Americans inflicted heavy casualties on the British, and the battle was a turning point in the war’s Southern campaign. This victory provided yet another important morale boost for the Patriots. -
The Battle of Guilford Courthouse
The battle at Guilford Courthouse in North Carolina proved pivotal to the American victory in the American Revolutionary Wa. Although British troops under Lieutenant General Charles Cornwallis (scored a victory at Guilford Courthouse over American forces, the British suffered significant troop losses during the battle. Afterward, Cornwallis abandoned his campaign for the Carolinas and instead took his army into Virginia. -
The Battle of Eutaw Springs
This battle was fought near present day Eutawville, South Carolina, with British troops under Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Stewart and American forces commanded by General Nathanael Greene. Greene wished to prevent Stewart from joining General Lord Cornwallis in the event of that leader’s retreat south from Yorktown. In the early fighting the British were more successful; on September 9, however, Stewart withdrew his forces to Charleston, where they remained until the end of the war. -
The Battle of Yorktown
The significance of the conflict was that Cornwallis surrendered to George Washington as French and American forces trapped the British at Yorktown, Virginia. The British Army was now surrounded at Yorktown. They were greatly outnumbered by the French and American troops. For eleven days the American forces bombarded the British. The British surrender at the Battle of Yorktown ended the American Revolutionary War.
