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American Revolution Battles
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The Battle of Lexington and Concord
In Lexington, Massachusetts, 700 British troops were up against 77 militiamen, and although it is unknown who fired first, the British then continued into Concord, Massachusetts. Here they were met by hundreds of militiamen, and there were more minutemen to arrive on scene later, but the British started to fire first, which was known as the “shot heard ‘round the world”. This battle ended with 250 redcoats killed or injured, and 90 colonists killed or injured. -
The Siege of Fort Ticonderoga
In Fort Ticonderoga, New York, Benedict Arnold lead nearly 100 militiamen surprised attacked the British in the midst of their sleep, and captured them. This battle was the first win for the colonials, and served as a moral boost for the rebels. -
The Battle of Chelsea Creek
Suffolk County, Massachusetts set the scene of this battle where the British ordered a British vessel to cut off any colonial escapes. However, the ship got stuck near Hog Island, and the colonials took this opportunity to attack. The boat was damaged and eventually tipped over, causing may British soldiers to be captured, and giving the patriots another victory. -
The Battle of Bunker Hill
Although it was a British victory, this battle fought in Charlestown, Massachusetts was an important part of the American Revolution. It showed that the Continental army could battle against British army troops by having 1,200 colonial troops set up on Bunker Hill because the British were headed to the Charlestown peninsula. When the troops met, battles broke out on Breed's Hill where they fought until the colonials ran out of ammunition and retreated. -
The Battle of Quebec
The intention of this battle was to capture the British-occupied Quebec City in the Province of Quebec, and gain Canada's support. British were quick to open fire causing more than 400 colonials captured, wounded or killed. Whereas British casualties were minor. -
The Battle of Long Island
George Washington led an army through Long Island, New York to stop British from seizing control of the colony, which would isolate New England from the rest of the colonies. It was a British victory, but Washington and his men luckily escaped from having to surrender. -
The Battle of White Plains
This battle in White Plains, New York, was a British victory. They pursued Washington and his army on land and river, which would eventually cause the colonials to fall back. Washington was forced out of the colony, but he retreated to New Jersey which would work in his favor later on. -
The Battle of Fort Washington
Washington Heights, Manhattan, New York was the scene at which the British gained Fort Washington and its 2,800 surviving defenders. The colonials under George Washington's command suffered a devastating loss of thousands of men, and military supplies. -
The Battle of Trenton
Washington and his men crossed the Delaware River to battle in Princeton, New Jersey. Here Washington's continental army captured almost two-thirds of the Hessian force. This was another victory and moral boost for the Americans. -
The Battle of Princeton
The American victory that took place in Princeton, New Jersey happened when Washington took a different route then British general Cornwallis thought he would take. The colonials attacked the British, resulting in 275 British casualties and only 40 patriot casualties. Most of New Jersey was left to Washington. -
The Battle of Oriskany
Known as one of the most bloodiest wars of the Revolution, Oriskany, New York is where the colonials maintained control of the battlefield even after the withdrawal of the opposing Indians. Though this was technically an American victory, both sides suffered tremendous causalities. -
The Battle of Bennington
During this war in Bennington, New York, the Loyalists and Indian positions were overrun, causing many of them to flee or surrender. After trying to order a charge, they failed and there were many British casualties. This resulted in yet another American victory. -
The Battle of Brandywine
This British victory took place around Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania. Washington thought the British were sending their entire troops towards his line which was not true. Caught in the confusion caused by this surprise, the Americans were unable to successfully defend their position. -
The Battle of Saratoga (Freeman's Farm)
In Saratoga County, New York, with the help of German reinforcements that arrived during the day, the British eventually drove the Americans from the battlefield, and they retreated back to their defenses, leaving the British on the field. There were points during the battle where the colonials were dominating, but in the end they lost power. -
The Battle of Germantown
Germantown, Pennsylvania was the location of another British victory. In this battle, it was between Sir William Howe's British Army, and the American Continental Army, with the 2nd Canadian Regiment, under George Washington's control. It was another hard fought war lost by the Americans, but gave them hope that they could win since they began to us offensive tactics. -
The Battle of Saratoga (Bemis Heights)
Back in Saratoga County, New York, this was one of the most important battles of the revolution. Here 20,000 American soldiers surrounded England's remaining 5,000 soldiers. British general Burgoyne's failed attack and surrender led to an American victory, and convinced the French government to formally recognize the colonist’s cause, and enter the war as their ally. -
The Battle of Monmouth
The battle that ended in a draw in Monmouth, New Jersey ended with the Americans holding the field, and the British getting their army and supplies safely to New York. It was here that the Americans intercepted the British forces who were marching from Philadelphia. -
The Capture of Savannah
Down in Savannah, Georgia, there was a battle fought over local American Patriot militia and Continental Army units, holding the city, against a British invasion force. In the end the British gained another victory. -
The Siege of Charleston
The city of Charleston, South Carolina, was surrendered to the British. Though they won, their northern strategy was collapsing, British commander Sir Henry Clinton could not conquer the Northern colonies with the forces given him. This was an important battle because it was the start of battles in the Southern regions. -
The Battle of Camden
North of Camden, South Carolina marked the spot of conflict between Continental General Horatio Gates and British General Charles Cornwallis who chose to engage in battle. Although Gates instigated the conflict, it was a British victory -
The Battle of King's Mountain
Near Blackburn, SC and King's Mountain, NC bred a victory for the patriots. This battle was fought over who was going to secure the region to the west of the mountains. This battle was important because it was the first major patriot victory to occur after the British invasion of Charleston. -
The Battle of Cowpens
In Cowpens, South Carolina, the American victory forced the British army to retreat, and gave the Americans a confidence boost that they could win the war. During this battle the Americans dominated, more than 800 British troops were killed, wounded or captured, and there was less than 100 patriot casualties. -
The Battle of Guilford Courthouse
In Guilford Courthouse, North Carolina, the British won a tactile victory, but suffered major troop loss. The Americans won a strategic victory, but also suffered major loss. In the end both sides withdrew in this battle. -
The Battle of Eutaw Springs
This war near present-day Eutawville, South Carolina ended in a tactical victory for the British, and a strategic victory for the Americans; however, both sides claimed victory. This battle was important because it was the last major engagement of the war in the Carolinas. -
The Battle of Yorktown
This battle in Yorktown, Virginia was arguably the most important as it "ended" the war. This battle ended in a French-American peace agreement. During the battle however, George Washington's army of 17,000 French and Continental troops, began the siege against British General Lord Charles Cornwallis and his 9,000 British troops. It was then that Cornwallis surrendered, and America could begin to be granted independence.
