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British Retreat
The British had previously retreated from Boston, moving the theater of war to the Middle States -
Period: to
We Gain Independence
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Joined Forces
General William Howe and Admiral Richard Howe joined forces on Staten Island and sailed into New York harbor with the largest British force ever assembled. -
Battle Loss
The battle of New York ended in late August with an American retreat following heavy losses. -
Across Delaware
The British had pushed Washington's army across the Delaware River into Pennsylvania -
Face the Storm
In the face of a fierce storm, Washington led 2,400 men in small rowboats across the ice-choked Delaware River -
Under Command
Fewer than 8,000 men remained under Washington's command, and the terms of their enlistment were due to end -
Secrets
Still bitter from their defeat by the British in the French and Indian War, the French had secretly sent weapons to the Patriots -
Rallied Americans
The Americans were rallied by an astonishing victory against 1,200 British stationed at Princeton -
Howe's Campaign
General Howe began his campaign to seize the American capital at Piladelphia -
Surrendered
Massed American troops finally surrounded Burgoyne at Saratoga, where he surrendered his battered army to General Gates -
The Surgeon
Albigense Waldo worked as a surgeon at Vally Forge, which was the site of the Continental Army's camp during the winter -
Treaty of Cooperation
The French recogonized American independence and signed a treaty of cooperation, with the Americans -
The Transformation
In the midst of the frozen winter at Vally Forge, American troops began an amazing transformation -
Shift of Operations
After their devastating defeat at Saratoga, the British changed their military strategy and began to shift their operations to the south -
British Expedition
A British expedition easily took Savannah and Georgia -
Lafayette Joins
The young Lafayette joined Washington's staff and bore the misery of Valley Forge, lobbied for French reinforcements in France -
Another Command
A royal governor once again commanded Georgia -
Sailed South
General Henry Clinton, who had replaced Howe in New York sailed south with 8,500 men. -
An army lands
A french army of 6,000 had landed in Newport, Rhode Island, after the British left the city to focus on the south. -
Greatest Victory
In their greatest victory of the war, the British captured Charles Town, South Carolina and marched 5,500 American soilders off as prisoners of war. -
Established Forts
In August, Cornwallis' army smashed American forces at Camden, South Carolina and the British had established forts across the state. -
Red Coats Surrender
When the forces met at Cowpens, South Carolina, the British expected the outnumbered Americans to flee; but the continental Army fought back, and forced the redcoats to surrender. -
Defeat Anger
Angered by the defeat at Cowpens, Cornwallis attacked Greene at Guilford Court House, North Carolina. -
Asking for Help
Greene wrote a letter to Lafayette, asking for help for the fight for the south. -
Finally Paid
The troops were finally paid in specie, or gold due to the efforts of Morris and Salomon. -
White Flag of Surrender
With his troops outnumbered by more than two to one and exhuasted from constant shelling, Cornwallis finally raised the white flag of surrender. -
Accept the Surrender
A triumphant Washington, the French generals and their troops assembled to accept the British surrender. -
Everyone Came to Watch
Colonel William fontaineof Virginia militia stood with the American and French armies lining a road near Yorktown, Virginia to witness the formal British surrender. -
U.S. Independence
The delegates signed the Treaty of Paris, which confirmed U.S. independence and set the boundaries of the new nation.
