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.
![]() |
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 | |
---|---|---|
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. | ||
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. |
Paul Revere is famous for his ride from through Lexington-Concord, warning of the British attack. | |
American patriot caught by the British and hung for treason. | |
Leader of the Continental Army of the U.S. during the Revolutionary War, and first President. | |
'Hero of Bennington' during the American Revolution. Fought with Rogers' Rangers during French Indian War. | |
Mountain man who became famous leader of Vermont's "Green Mountain Boys" during Revolution Era. | |
Outspoken and adventure-loving soldier. Participated in both French-Indian and Revolutionary Wars. | |
Officer in the Continental army who later arose to be the first American secretary of War. | |
Commander-and-Chief of British forces during Revolutionary War. Took New York and Philadelphia. | |
British General during the American Revolutionary War. |
![]() |
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 | |
---|---|---|
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. | ||
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. | ||
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. |
Outspoken and adventure-loving soldier. Participated in both French-Indian and Revolutionary Wars. | |
Leader of the Continental Army of the U.S. during the Revolutionary War, and first President. | |
Commander-and-Chief of British forces during Revolutionary War. Took New York and Philadelphia. | |
British General during the American Revolutionary War. | |
British leader defeated at Yorktown in Revolutionary War. Later served as governor in India. |
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 |
![]() |
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 | |
---|---|---|
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. | ||
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. | ||
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. | ||
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. |
Hero of the Revolutionary War, but tragically turned traitor. He escaped to the British before discovery. | |
'Hero of Bennington' during the American Revolution. Fought with Rogers' Rangers during French Indian War. | |
Military leader during the American Revolutionary period. Later a statesman from New York. | |
American General during the Revolutionary Wars. | |
British leader who surrendered with 6000 men to American forces at Saratoga. |
![]() |
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 | |
---|---|---|
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. | ||
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. | ||
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. |
Bold and popular Revolutionary War Hero. Well known for victory at Stony Point. | |
General under George Washington, active in the Philadelphia and Southern Campaigns. | |
Leader of the Continental Army of the U.S. during the Revolutionary War, and first President. | |
When her husband was killed, she took over his position and helped man a cannon at the Battle of Monmouth. | |
Commander-and-Chief of British forces during Revolutionary War. Took New York and Philadelphia. | |
British leader defeated at Yorktown in Revolutionary War. Later served as governor in India. | |
British General during the American Revolutionary War. |
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 |
![]() |
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 | |
---|---|---|
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. | ||
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. | ||
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. | ||
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. |
Revolutionary War leader whose used guerilla tactics against the Tories in the Southeast marshes. | |
British leader defeated at Yorktown in Revolutionary War. Later served as governor in India. | |
American General during the Revolutionary Wars. | |
Leader of the Continental Army of the U.S. during the Revolutionary War, and first President. | |
French soldier who fought in American Revolution, and early leader of French Revolution. |
![]() |
Explored the Kentucky and Tennessee Valley. Opened a road for settlers through Cumberland Gap. | |
Controversial frontiersman who allied himself with the British and Indians against the American colonists. Accused of torture of white captives while living with Indians. | |
As Fort Henry was besieged by Indians, Elizabeth risked her life to leave the barricade and carry back gunpowder from her father cabin. | |
Revolutionary war hero who fought both British and Indians in the Ohio Valley. | |
Mohawk leader allied with the British during the Revolutionary War | |
Shawnee chief who led the siege of Boonesborough |
![]() |
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 | |
---|---|---|
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. | ||
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. | ||
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. | ||
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. | ||
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. | ||
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. | ||
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. | ||
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. | ||
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. |
American Revolution Naval Hero. Famous for the sea fight Bon Homme Richard vs. Serapis. | |
French Admiral prominant during the American Revolutionary Wars. |
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 |
---|
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 |