American Revolutionary War

1774-1783
American Colonies, France — versus — Britain

Boston — 1775     New York, New Jersey — 1776      Saratoga — 1777     
Philadelphia — 1777-78      Southern Theatre — 1780-81      Western Theatre — 1777-83     
Naval Battles — 1777-83     

Rebellion in the American colonies was never a problem for Britain until after she succeeded in driving France from the continent during the French Indian Wars. As long as England's army was required to fend off the French and their Indian allies, there was no talk of rebellion, but once the threat was relieved, the colonists no longer wanted to be taxed to support British troops in the region that they no longer saw as necessary.

Although Britain's army and resources dwarfed that of the American colonists, the colonists had several important advantages. First, the colonies were spread out over an enormous area and governed independently from each other. Settlers were accustomed to living off the land and even if Britain conquered most of the major cities, it made little difference to the colonists. Second, the population of the colonies at the time of the revolution was over 2 million, far too large to control by force, even with the largest army Britain could muster. Third, the war was so unpopular in Britain that king George had to hirer mercenaries from Germany to fight the colonists, and even his generals were less than enthusiastic about the effort. In contrast, most patriots were were entirely loyal to the cause and they had an excellent leader in George Washington. Lastly, the British would need an overwhelming victory over the patriots to crush the rebellion, while the American only needed to make it impossible for Britain to prevail. A stalemate, over the long term, would be an American victory.

Siege of Boston : 1775

THE BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL

The American War of Independence began in the area of Boston, a city which had long been a hot-bed of revolutionary activity, and had never had good relations with the crown. It had already been the site of several small-scale rebellions, including the Boston tea party, and was considered a trouble-spot by Britain.

The battles of Lexington and Concord were small, but significant conflicts that were triggered by a British decision to confiscate the armaments of a local militia and arrest several well-known "trouble-makers". The British plans were thwarted, and once hostilities commenced, Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold made a surprise attack on Ft. Ticonderoga near Lake Champlain. A month later, when the patriots heard that the British were going to fortify several hills surrounding Boston, they fought the first major battle of the war at Bunker Hill. At the same time the Continental Congress, realizing that war was imminent, appointed George Washington commander-in-chief of the Continental army.

All this activity occurred in April, May and June 1775, over a year before the Declaration of Independence was signed. As soon as possible, Washington joined the Massachusetts militiamen who had besieged the British army inside Boston. With very little arms or ammunition, there was little he could do but drill his men. Meanwhile, Henry Knox managed to move almost all of the cannon taken for Ft. Ticonderoga to Boston, where it was used to fortify Dorchester Heights. Seeing that it was now impossible to use Boston as a base of operations, the British withdrew to Halifax. This successful campaign gave confidence to many wavering patriots and encouraged the signers of the Declaration of Independence.

Date	Battle Summary
1775	Battle of Lexington (Boston ) drawn battle victory Fought April 19, 1775, between the Royal troops, under General Gage, and the Americans. After a brief engagement the Americans were defeated, and retired. The losses on both sides were very small.
1775	Battle of Bunker's Hill (Boston ) British victory Fought June 17, 1775, when 2,000 British troops, forming a portion of General Gage's army, dislodged the Americans holding Breeds Hill and Bunker's Hill, on the outskirts of Boston. The position was stubbornly contested, the assailants losing 800 men.

Commander	Short Biography
Paul Revere	Paul Revere is famous for his ride from through Lexington-Concord, warning of the British attack.
Nathan Hale	American patriot caught by the British and hung for treason.
George Washington	Leader of the Continental Army of the U.S. during the Revolutionary War, and first President.
John Stark	'Hero of Bennington' during the American Revolution. Fought with Rogers' Rangers during French Indian War.
Ethan Allen	Mountain man who became famous leader of Vermont's "Green Mountain Boys" during Revolution Era.
Israel Putnam	Outspoken and adventure-loving soldier. Participated in both French-Indian and Revolutionary Wars.
Henry Knox	Officer in the Continental army who later arose to be the first American secretary of War.
General Howe	Commander-and-Chief of British forces during Revolutionary War. Took New York and Philadelphia.
Henry Clinton	British General during the American Revolutionary War.

Story Links	Book Links
Paul Revere  in	America First—100 Stories from Our History  by  Lawton B. Evans
Green Mountain Boys  in	America First—100 Stories from Our History  by  Lawton B. Evans
Bunker Hill  in	Boys' Book of Battles  by  Chelsea Curtis Fraser
The Battle of Lexington  in	Story of the Thirteen Colonies  by  H. A. Guerber
Bunker Hill  in	Story of the Thirteen Colonies  by  H. A. Guerber
The British leave Boston  in	Story of the Thirteen Colonies  by  H. A. Guerber
Paul Revere's Ride  in	This Country of Ours  by  H. E. Marshall
First Thrust—The Battle of Bunker Hill  in	This Country of Ours  by  H. E. Marshall
Paul Revere's Ride  in	Historical Tales, Vol I: American  by  Charles Morris
Battle of Lexington  in	American History Stories, Volume II  by  Mara L. Pratt
Paul Revere's Ride  in	American History Stories, Volume II  by  Mara L. Pratt
Battle of Bunker Hill  in	American History Stories, Volume II  by  Mara L. Pratt
General Warren  in	American History Stories, Volume II  by  Mara L. Pratt
Red-coats Leave Boston  in	American History Stories, Volume II  by  Mara L. Pratt
The Siege of Boston in	George Washington  by   Ada Russell
Declaration of Independence  in	The Struggle for Sea Power  by  M. B. Synge

New York and New Jersey : 1776

WASHINGTON CROSSING THE DELAWARE

Once the Declaration of Independence was signed, Washington anticipated an attack on New York and did what he could to fortify the area. The British took Staten Island and spent several months marshaling forces before they attacked the Patriot fortifications on Manhattan. Confronted by an overwhelming force of over 30,000 British soldiers, there was little the Patriots could do but retreat, first to their camp at Brooklyn heights, and then north. They fought several more engagements, but eventually had to surrender Forts Washington and Lee, guarding the entrance to the Hudson River. By November, Washington and his army had to retreat through New Jersey, pursued by British forces.

Washington crossed the Delaware with most of his forces in late November to escape the British army. A month later he crossed back into New Jersey on Christmas eve and surprised the Hessian garrison at Trenton. He followed this up with another victory at Princeton, which boosted morale considerably. During the rest of the winter of 1776-77, the British army under General Howe was solidly entrenched in New York, with control of the Hudson river, and Washington was working to rebuild his army.

Date	Battle Summary
1776	Battle of Brooklyn (New York ) British victory Fought August 27, 1776, between 30,000 British under Sir William Howe, and the Americans, about 11,000 strong, under General Putnam. The Americans were completely defeated, with a loss of about 2,000 killed and wounded. The British lost 65 killed and 255 wounded.
1776	Battle of Trenton (New York ) Colonists victory Fought Dec 26, 1776 when 2400 colonists under George Washington crossed the Delaware and surprised and 1400 Hessians under Johann Rall. The battle, fought early in the morning after a snowstorm was a route. The colonists captured over 900 prisoners and lost only two.
1776	Battle of Princeton (New York ) Colonists victory Fought 1776 between the Americans, under Washington, and the British, under General Gage. The British were defeated, and this victory enabled Washington to regain possession of New Jersey.

Commander	Short Biography
Israel Putnam	Outspoken and adventure-loving soldier. Participated in both French-Indian and Revolutionary Wars.
George Washington	Leader of the Continental Army of the U.S. during the Revolutionary War, and first President.
General Howe	Commander-and-Chief of British forces during Revolutionary War. Took New York and Philadelphia.
Henry Clinton	British General during the American Revolutionary War.
General Cornwallis	British leader defeated at Yorktown in Revolutionary War. Later served as governor in India.

Story Links	Book Links
Capturing the Hessians  in	America First—100 Stories from Our History  by  Lawton B. Evans
A Lady's Way of Helping  in	Story of the Thirteen Colonies  by  H. A. Guerber
Christmas Eve  in	Story of the Thirteen Colonies  by  H. A. Guerber
Darkest Hour—Trenton and Princeton  in	This Country of Ours  by  H. E. Marshall
Washington's Christmas Gift to the American Army in	American History Stories, Volume II  by  Mara L. Pratt
War of Independence in	George Washington  by   Ada Russell

Saragota Campaign : 1777

SURRENDER OF BURGOYNE AT SARATOGA

The British strategy was to cut the colonies in half by gaining control of the Hudson valley. General Burgoyne would enter New York from the north, by way of Canada, while General Howe worked his way up the Hudson, from his base in New York city. It was a good strategy, but Burgoyne met stiff patriot resistance at the battles of Bennington and Oriskany, and his supply lines were constantly disrupted. Howe's army was split, and got off to a late start, so when the continental army, surrounded Burgoyne at Saratoga, he was forced to surrender with his entire army. The patriots took over 6000 British prisoners, and established such a strong presence in the area, that the British made few attempts to control the interior regions of the Northwest, beyond the major port cities.

The Saratoga campaign lasted from July to October, 1777. It was an outstanding victory and did much to boost moral. More importantly, however, it convinced the French to make an alliance with the Americans against Britain. This was not entirely altruistic, however. France had lost much colonial territory to Britain during the Seven Year's War, and wanted a chance to re-establish her Empire. France's main contribution to the American war effort was to distract Britain by attacking her colonies throughout the globe; in India, Canada, and the West Indies. France was a formidable opponent and Britain could no longer concentrate her troops, ships, or resources on the colonial war in America. Suddenly she had much more to lose than just the colonies.

Date	Battle Summary
1777	Siege of Ticonderoga (Saratoga ) British victory This place was invested, June 22, 1777, by the British, under General Burgoyne, and was defended by 5,000 Americans, under General St. Clair. After a brief siege, the Americans evacuated the Fort, July 5.
1777	Battle of Bennington (Saratoga ) Colonists victory Fought August 10, 1777, between a British force under Colonel Baum, and the New Hampshire troops under General Stark. Baum had been ordered to seize the American magazines at Bennington, but found the place too strong, and asked for reinforcements. Meanwhile they were surrounded and attacked by Stark. The British fought till their ammunition was exhausted and then surrendered, while Baum was killed trying to cut his way through the American lines.
1777	Battle of Oriskany (Saratoga ) Loyalists victory On August 6, 1777 a force of patriots under the General Herkimer was ambushed by a force of Loyalists and natives under General Johnson and Chief Joseph Brant. The patriots were defeated with losses of over 450, including Herkimer.
1777	Battle of Saratoga (Saratoga ) Colonists victory Fought October 7, 1777, between the British, 6,000 strong, under General Burgoyne, and the Americans, under General Gates. The Americans occupied a strongly entrenched position, which was attacked by Burgoyne. After a severe encounter, the attack was repulsed at all points, and the British driven back upon their camp at Saratoga, with heavy loss, including General Fraser, mortally wounded. The Americans followed up their success by an assault upon the British camp, in which they succeeded in effecting a lodgement, and on the following day, Burgoyne withdrew, and took up a fresh position on the heights near the Hudson. On October 15, Burgoyne, surrounded by the Americans, and finding that no aid could reach him, surrendered with 5,790 men, his total losses during the campaign having amounted to 4,689.

Commander	Short Biography
Benedict Arnold	Hero of the Revolutionary War, but tragically turned traitor. He escaped to the British before discovery.
John Stark	'Hero of Bennington' during the American Revolution. Fought with Rogers' Rangers during French Indian War.
Philip Schuyler	Military leader during the American Revolutionary period. Later a statesman from New York.
Horatio Gates	American General during the Revolutionary Wars.
General Burgoyne	British leader who surrendered with 6000 men to American forces at Saratoga.

Story Links	Book Links
Mad Anthony  in	America First—100 Stories from Our History  by  Lawton B. Evans
How Schuyler was Saved  in	America First—100 Stories from Our History  by  Lawton B. Evans
Saratoga  in	Boys' Book of Battles  by  Chelsea Curtis Fraser
The Fight at Bennington  in	Story of the Thirteen Colonies  by  H. A. Guerber
Burgoyne's Surrender  in	Story of the Thirteen Colonies  by  H. A. Guerber
War in Canada  in	This Country of Ours  by  H. E. Marshall
Burgoyne's Campaign—Bennington and Oriskany  in	This Country of Ours  by  H. E. Marshall
Burgoyne's Campaign—Bemis Heights, Saratoga  in	This Country of Ours  by  H. E. Marshall
Green Mountain Boys  in	Historical Tales, Vol I: American  by  Charles Morris
British at New York  in	Historical Tales, Vol I: American  by  Charles Morris
Siege of Fort Schuyler  in	Historical Tales, Vol I: American  by  Charles Morris
Capture of Ticonderoga  in	American History Stories, Volume II  by  Mara L. Pratt
March to Quebec  in	American History Stories, Volume II  by  Mara L. Pratt
Surrender of Burgoyne  in	American History Stories, Volume II  by  Mara L. Pratt
Saratoga  in	American History Stories, Volume II  by  Mara L. Pratt
Philip Schuyler and Burgoyne's Campaign  in	Builders of Our Country: Book II  by  Gertrude van Duyn Southworth
Saratoga  in	The Boy's Book of Battles  by  Eric Wood

Philadelphia Campaign : 1777-1778

MOLLY PITCHER AT THE BATTLE OF MONMOUTH

While Benedict Arnold and the other heroes of Saratoga were destroying the British offensive in upstate New York, Washington and Howe were skirmishing in the New York, New Jersey area. Washington could not afford to risk another large, pitched battle, so he avoided meeting Howe until the Battle of Brandywine, as Howe marched on Philadelphia, the continental capital. The colonists were defeated at Brandywine and again at Germantown before they retreated to Valley Forge for the winter. After defeating the patriots, Howe entered Philadelphia with half of his army and occupied the city. He did not, however, take aggressive action against Washington's army, and allowed his troops to rest there for the winter. When word of the disaster at Saratoga reached Britain, however, Howe was blamed for not being more aggressive, and relieved of command.

During the Winter at Valley Forge, Washington drilled his troops with the help of Baron von Steuben, a Prussian military expert who became Washington's chief of staff. Their vastly improved discipline and tactics were apparent in the next major contest at Monmouth, New Jersey, where the Patriots held a superior British force at bay, while taking few losses. The Battle of Monmouth was the last major battle in the area. The British received word that a French fleet was on its way to New York, and they retired from New Jersey to defend their stronghold.

Date	Battle Summary
1777	Battle of Brandywine (Philadelphia ) British victory Fought September 11, 1777, between 18,000 British under General Howe, and 8,000 Americans under Washington. The British General made a flank movement with a large portion of his force, whereupon Washington attacked the British in the front, but, being ill-supported by his lieutenant, Sullivan, he was driven back, and forced to retreat, with a loss of 900 killed and wounded and 300 prisoners. The British lost 590 killed and wounded.
1777	Battle of Germantown (Philadelphia ) British victory Fought October 4, 1777, between the Americans under Washington, and the British under Sir William Howe. The Americans attacked the British entrenchments, and were repulsed with heavy loss.
1778	Battle of Monmouth (Philadelphia ) British victory Fought June 28, 1778 between 11,000 patriots under Generals Washington and Lee, and 15,000 British and Hessians under Generals Clinton and Cornwallis.

Commander	Short Biography
Anthony Wayne	Bold and popular Revolutionary War Hero. Well known for victory at Stony Point.
Nathaniel Greene	General under George Washington, active in the Philadelphia and Southern Campaigns.
George Washington	Leader of the Continental Army of the U.S. during the Revolutionary War, and first President.
Molly Pitcher	When her husband was killed, she took over his position and helped man a cannon at the Battle of Monmouth.
General Howe	Commander-and-Chief of British forces during Revolutionary War. Took New York and Philadelphia.
General Cornwallis	British leader defeated at Yorktown in Revolutionary War. Later served as governor in India.
Henry Clinton	British General during the American Revolutionary War.

Story Links	Book Links
Lydia Darrah  in	America First—100 Stories from Our History  by  Lawton B. Evans
Captain Molly Pitcher  in	America First—100 Stories from Our History  by  Lawton B. Evans
The Winter at Valley Forge  in	Story of the Thirteen Colonies  by  H. A. Guerber
Brandywine—Germantown—Valley Forge  in	This Country of Ours  by  H. E. Marshall
Battle of Monmouth  in	This Country of Ours  by  H. E. Marshall
Quakeress Patriot  in	Historical Tales, Vol I: American  by  Charles Morris
Lydia Darrah Saves General Washington  in	American History Stories, Volume II  by  Mara L. Pratt
Valley Forge  in	American History Stories, Volume II  by  Mara L. Pratt
Massacre of Wyoming  in	American History Stories, Volume II  by  Mara L. Pratt

Southern Theatre : 1780-1781

SURRENDER OF CORNWALLIS AT YORKTOWN

After France entered the war in 1778, the British shifted their strategy in the America. They decided that their limited resources were best deployed by trying to take control of the south, where loyalist sentiment was stronger than in the north, and at the same time, to encourage Indians of the Ohio valley to harass American settlements in the west. Knowing that time was on his side, and the French aid would soon be available, Washington avoided meeting British armies in large battles for much of 1779. And even during 1780-81, when fighting resumed in earnest in the south, most battles were much smaller scale than they had been in the north.

Britain began its southern campaign by taking the port city of Charleston, and using it as its southern base. From there they fought a number of indecisive skirmishes with Patriots militias. Francis Marion, known as the "Swamp Fox" was especially effective against the British, using unconventional tactics. The greatest Patriot defeat at this time was delivered at Camden, but this was only a temporary setback. Once a large French fleet arrived to aid the patriot effort, Washington and the French commanders decided to surround Cornwallis at Yorktown. By cutting off all escape by land or sea, Cornwallis was forced to surrender with his entire army of 7,000. This was the last major military operation of the war.

Date	Battle Summary
1780	Battle of Camden (Southern ) British victory Fought August 16, 1780, between the British under Cornwallis, and the Americans under Gates and de Kalb. Cornwallis had concentrated about 2,000 men at Camden, and though the Americans numbered 5,000, they were of very inferior quality. After a small affair of outposts, the British attacked the American levies, who were unable to face the steady attack of the regulars, and fled with heavy loss. Among the killed was de Kalb. The British lost 312 killed and wounded.
1781	Battle of Guildford Court House (Southern ) British victory Fought March 16, 1781, between the British, under Lord Cornwallis, and a largely superior force of Americans, under General Greene, The Americans occupied a strongly entrenched position in and round Guildford, and the battle consisted of a series of independent actions, in which the British were uniformly successful, driving out the Americans with heavy casualties, and the loss of all their guns and ammunition. The British lost 548 killed and wounded, but the victory served little purpose, as Lord Cornwallis was too weak to pursue his advantage.
1781	Battle of Eutaw Springs (Southern ) British victory Fought September 8, 1781, between the British garrison of Charleston, under Colonel Stewart, and the Americans, under General Greene. The British were attacked and at first driven back, but rallying carried the American positions, but with a loss of 700 men, which so weakened their small force that they were unable to profit by the victory.
1781	Siege of Yorktown (Southern ) Colonists victory The entrenched position of Lord Cornwallis, with 6,000 British troops at this place, was invested by Washington, with 7,000 French and 12,000 Americans, in September, 1781. The British held out until October 19, when, surrounded and outnumbered, Cornwallis surrendered, having lost during the operations, 12 officers and 469 rank and file, killed and wounded.

Commander	Short Biography
Francis Marion	Revolutionary War leader whose used guerilla tactics against the Tories in the Southeast marshes.
General Cornwallis	British leader defeated at Yorktown in Revolutionary War. Later served as governor in India.
Horatio Gates	American General during the Revolutionary Wars.
George Washington	Leader of the Continental Army of the U.S. during the Revolutionary War, and first President.
Lafayette	French soldier who fought in American Revolution, and early leader of French Revolution.

Western Theatre : 1777-1782

ELIZABETH ZANE AT THE SIEGE OF FT. HENRY

The western theatre of the American Civil War was fought mostly in the Ohio valley between settlers and Indians who had been armed by the British. In 1776, a Shawnee Chieftain had made an unpopular treaty ceding land in Kentucky. Many Indian tribes in the region who never agreed to the treaty and as soon as the colonies declared independence, the Shawnees made an alliance with Britain and began to attack settlements in Kentucky. The most well-known actions were the Siege of Boonesborough, Bryant's Station, and Fort Henry, and the Battle of Blue Licks. The fighting in the west continued even after 1781, when a stalemate was reached in the east.

Commander	Short Biography
Daniel Boone	Explored the Kentucky and Tennessee Valley. Opened a road for settlers through Cumberland Gap.
Simon Girty	Controversial frontiersman who allied himself with the British and Indians against the American colonists. Accused of torture of white captives while living with Indians.
Elizabeth Zane	As Fort Henry was besieged by Indians, Elizabeth risked her life to leave the barricade and carry back gunpowder from her father cabin.
George Rogers Clark	Revolutionary war hero who fought both British and Indians in the Ohio Valley.
Joseph Brant	Mohawk leader allied with the British during the Revolutionary War
Chief Blackfish	Shawnee chief who led the siege of Boonesborough

Story Links	Book Links
Backwoodsmen of Kentucky  in	Indian History for Young Folks  by  Francis S. Drake
Indians Join Britain against the Colonies  in	Indian History for Young Folks  by  Francis S. Drake
Elizabeth Zane  in	Stories of American Life and Adventure  by  Edward Eggleston
Clark and His Men  in	Stories of Great Americans for Little Americans  by  Edward Eggleston
Elizabeth Zane  in	America First—100 Stories from Our History  by  Lawton B. Evans
Indian Trick  in	America First—100 Stories from Our History  by  Lawton B. Evans
Winning the Northwest  in	America First—100 Stories from Our History  by  Lawton B. Evans
Boone in Kentucky  in	Story of the Thirteen Colonies  by  H. A. Guerber
How Clark won the Northwest  in	Historical Tales: American II  by  Charles Morris
The Battle of the Blue Licks  in	Boys' Book of Border Battles  by  Edwin L. Sabin
Attack on Logan's Station  in	Frontier Fighters  by  Edwin L. Sabin
Big Turtle Breaks the Net  in	Frontier Fighters  by  Edwin L. Sabin
Scout Kenton has a Hard Time  in	Frontier Fighters  by  Edwin L. Sabin
Scrape of the Wetzel Brothers  in	Frontier Fighters  by  Edwin L. Sabin
Captain Brady Swears Vengeance  in	Frontier Fighters  by  Edwin L. Sabin
Flight of Three Soldiers  in	Frontier Fighters  by  Edwin L. Sabin
The Women of Bryant's Station  in	Frontier Fighters  by  Edwin L. Sabin

Naval Battles : 1778-1782

JOHN PAUL JONES CAPTURES THE SERAPIS

The area where the colonists were most over-matched by the British was in naval power. Britain maintained the strongest navy in the world and the colonists had only a few merchant ships fitted with cannon, that were suitable only for harassing merchant ships supplying British troops and colonies in the West Indies. The most ambitious coordinated naval effort was at Penobscot Bay in Maine, but that turned into a disaster for the Americans, when a British fleet arrived to support the British garrison.

The most famous naval battle of the war the Bonhomme Richard vs. Serapis, where John Paul Jones, managed to take a British ship while his own ship was on fire and sinking. It had little effect on the war effort, but helped demonstrate American resolve. Most of the other naval battles during the Revolutionary War were fought between British and French fleets with little contribution from American vessels.

Date	Battle Summary
1778	Battle of Onessant (Naval-Europe ) drawn battle victory Fought July 27, 1778, between 30 British ships of the line, under Admiral Keppel, and a French squadron of equal force, under the Comte d'Estaing. After a fight which lasted throughout the day, the two fleets drew off to repair damages, neither side having lost a ship.
1778	Battle of Carenage Bay (Naval-West indies ) British victory Fought 1778, between the French under the Comte d'Estaing, and the English under Admiral Barrington and General Meadows. After a severe encounter, the French were defeated, and the British took possession of the island of St. Lucia.
1779	Battle of Grenada (Naval-West indies ) French victory Fought July 3, 1779, between a British fleet of 24 sail, under Admiral Byron, and a French fleet of 20 sail-of-the-line, and to frigates, under the Comte d'Estaing. Admiral Byron attacked the French with a view of recapturing Grenada, but was unsuccessful, though he inflicted upon them a loss of 1,200 killed and 1,500 wounded. The British lost 183 killed and 346 wounded.
1779	Battle of Penobscot Bay (Naval-North America ) British victory Fought July 14, 1779, when a British squadron of 10 ships, under Sir George Collier, completely destroyed an American squadron of 24 ships, and captured the 3,000 men who formed their crews.
1779	Battle of Bon Homme Richard vs. Serapis (Naval-Europe ) Americans victory Famous naval battle between the French ship Bonhomme Richard under John Paul Jones, and the English frigate Serapis, fought September 23, 1779. In a far inferior vessel, against all odds, the Americans lashed the ships together, cleared the deck with grenades, and boarded the English vessel. The victory, although strategically unimportant, helped encourage the French to become more involved in the war.
1779	Battle of Gibraltar (Naval-Europe ) British victory From 1779 to 1783, Gibraltar sustained a siege at the hands of a combined French and Spanish force, who, though provided with powerful floating batteries, were unable to make any impression on the defenses. In the course of the siege, the garrison, under General Elliot, were several times reinforced and revictualled by British fleets, which ran the gauntlet of the blockade.
1781	Battle of Cape Henry (Naval-North American ) British victory Fought March 16, 1781, between a British fleet of eight ships of the line and three frigates under Vice-Admiral Arbuthnot, and a French squadron stronger by one frigate. The French were forced to retire, the British losing 30 killed and 64 wounded.
1781	Battle of Lynn Haven Bay (Naval-North America ) French victory Fought September 5, 1781, between a British fleet of 19 ships of the line and 7 frigates, under Admiral Thomas Graves, and a French fleet of 25 line of battle ships. Admiral Graves attacked the French as they were lying in Lynn Haven Bay, but was unsuccessful, and drew off after two hours' hard fighting, with a loss of 79 killed and 230 wounded. The French lost 22 officers and 200 men killed and wounded.
1782	Battle of Dominica (Naval-West indies ) British victory Fought April 12, 1782, between the British fleet of 36 sail of the line, under Rodney, with Hood second in command, and the French fleet of 33 sail under de Grasse. Rodney departed from the usual tactics of a ship to ship action, and broke the enemy's line, gaining a complete victory, and capturing or destroying 5 ships, while 2 more were captured within the next few days. The British lost 261 killed and 837 wounded. The French losses have been put as high as 15,000, but it is probable that they lost about 3,000 killed and wounded, while 7,980 were taken in the captured ships. This action is also known as the battle of the Saints.

Commander	Short Biography
John Paul Jones	American Revolution Naval Hero. Famous for the sea fight Bon Homme Richard vs. Serapis.
Compte dEstaing	French Admiral prominant during the American Revolutionary Wars.

Story Links	Book Links
Commodore John Paul Jones  in	Boys' Book of Sea Fights  by  Chelsea Curtis Fraser
Famous Sea Fights  in	Story of the Thirteen Colonies  by  H. A. Guerber
War on the Sea  in	This Country of Ours  by  H. E. Marshall
John Paul Jones  in	Builders of Our Country: Book II  by  Gertrude van Duyn Southworth

Book Links
American History Stories—Volume II  by  Mara L. Pratt
Hero of Stony Point  by  James Barnes
George Washington  by  Ada Russell

Story Links	Book Links
Lost Colonies  in	Stories from English History, Part Third  by  Alfred J. Church
Washington in the Revolution  in	A First Book in American History  by  Edward Eggleston
Execution of Major Andre  in	America First—100 Stories from Our History  by  Lawton B. Evans
The American Rebellion  in	The Hanoverians  by  C. J. B. Gaskoin
George Washington  in	Famous Men of Modern Times  by  John H. Haaren
George III. and the American Revolution  in	The Story of England  by  Samuel B. Harding
George Washington  in	Heroes Every Child Should Know  by  H. W. Mabie
George III—The Story of How America Was Lost  in	Our Island Story  by  H. E. Marshall

Image Links
Wayne aimed and fired one of the field pieces himself  in  The Hero of Stony Point	Commander Paul Jones capturing the Serapis  in South American Fights and Fighters	General Herkimer directing the battle  in Indian History for Young Folks
Battle-field at Oriskany  in Indian History for Young Folks	General Wayne's Escape  in Indian History for Young Folks	One of Marion's Men  in Stories of American Life and Adventure
Elizabeth Zane's Return  in Stories of American Life and Adventure	Crossing the Delaware  in A First Book in American History	March to Trenton  in A First Book in American History
The Redcoats are Coming!'  in A First Book in American History	Marching to Trenton  in Stories of Great Americans for Little Americans	Battle Map: Bunker Hill  in Boys' Book of Battles
The Battle of Bunker Hill from an old print  in Boys' Book of Battles	Battle Map: Saratoga  in Boys' Book of Battles	The surrender of Burgoyne  in Boys' Book of Battles
Battle Map: Yorktown  in Boys' Book of Battles	The Surrender of Cornwallis by John Trumbull  in Boys' Book of Battles	Battle Map: Serapis vs. Bonhomme  in Boys' Book of Sea Fights
John Paul Jones  in Boys' Book of Sea Fights	Bonhomme (64 guns), Serapis (50 guns), Lady Scarborough  in Boys' Book of Sea Fights	The scene of General Borgoyne's Surrender  in The Hanoverians
The sortie made by the garrison of Gibraltar on the Morning  in The Hanoverians	Shays' Rebellion  in Story of the Great Republic	The Retreat from Concord  in Story of the Thirteen Colonies
Battle of Bunker Hill  in Story of the Thirteen Colonies	Washington crossing the Delaware  in Story of the Thirteen Colonies	Burgoyne's surrender  in Story of the Thirteen Colonies
At Valley Forge  in Story of the Thirteen Colonies	Molly Pitcher  in Story of the Thirteen Colonies	Indian cruelty  in Story of the Thirteen Colonies
The capture of Stony Point  in Story of the Thirteen Colonies	Clark's March  in Story of the Thirteen Colonies	Elizabeth Zane brings powder  in Story of the Thirteen Colonies
The Bonhomme Richard and the Serapis  in Story of the Thirteen Colonies	Marion's Dinner  in Story of the Thirteen Colonies	Battle of Kings Mountain  in Story of the Thirteen Colonies
Surrender of Cornwallis  in Story of the Thirteen Colonies	Washington crossing the Delaware  in Famous Men of Modern Times	The taking of Fort Vincennes from the British  in
The Battle of Bunker Hill  in	Washington Crossing the Delaware  in	Washington Crossing the Delaware  in Historical Tales, Vol I: American
The Spirit of '76  in Historical Tales, Vol I: American	The Boston Massacre  in Builders of Our Country: Book II	The Battle on the Village Green of Lexington  in Builders of Our Country: Book II
The Last Defense behind the Breastworks of Bunker Hill  in Builders of Our Country: Book II	Fortifying Dorchester Heights  in Builders of Our Country: Book II	Washington Crossing the Delaware  in Builders of Our Country: Book II
Washington and Lafayette at Valley Forge  in Builders of Our Country: Book II	The English Route from Canada  in Builders of Our Country: Book II	General Stark at the Battle of Bennington  in Builders of Our Country: Book II
The Wounded Herkimer  in Builders of Our Country: Book II	Map of General Greene's Campaign in the South  in Builders of Our Country: Book II	Touching Off the First Gun at the Siege of Yorktown  in Builders of Our Country: Book II
The Battle of Golden Hill  in Builders of Our Country: Book II