1776 – New York 1776 – New York “These are the times that try “These are the times that try

men’s souls…”men’s souls…”- - Thomas Paine from “The Crisis” Thomas Paine from “The Crisis”

British Land in New YorkBritish Land in New YorkBritish evacuate Boston in March British evacuate Boston in March 17761776General William Howe landed on General William Howe landed on Staten Island July 3, 1776Staten Island July 3, 1776– Began amassing troops for attack Began amassing troops for attack

32,000 troops32,000 troops– 9,000 Hessian (German 9,000 Hessian (German

Mercenaries) Mercenaries) – Largest expeditionary force Largest expeditionary force

ever sent by any nationever sent by any nation– Philadelphia’s pop was 30,000 Philadelphia’s pop was 30,000

(largest US city)(largest US city)

400 ships 400 ships

Why New York?Why New York?– Centrally Located Centrally Located

Could cut off New England from Could cut off New England from the South the South

– Better port system Better port system British could utilize their superior British could utilize their superior naval powernaval power

– Access to Hudson River and Access to Hudson River and CanadaCanada

– More Tories than in BostonMore Tories than in Boston

Washington’s Dilemma Washington’s Dilemma

Washington was Washington was unsure where the unsure where the British would strike – British would strike – Long Island or New Long Island or New York CityYork City– Would divide his Would divide his

troops between Long troops between Long and Manhattan Island and Manhattan Island

Breaking a cardinal rule Breaking a cardinal rule of warof war

Battle of Brooklyn Battle of Brooklyn (Battle of Long Island)(Battle of Long Island)

August 27, 1776 August 27, 1776 – First major battle after the Declaration of Independence First major battle after the Declaration of Independence

Washington and his 9,000 troops under Israel Putnam dug in on Washington and his 9,000 troops under Israel Putnam dug in on Brooklyn Heights Brooklyn Heights Howe would invade Long Island with 20,000Howe would invade Long Island with 20,000– Largest battle of war Largest battle of war

Howe would outflank the Americans by sneaking through Brooklyn Howe would outflank the Americans by sneaking through Brooklyn Heights using “Jamaica Pass”Heights using “Jamaica Pass”– British get behind Americans and drive them West British get behind Americans and drive them West

Other British and Hessian forces push Washington up against bank Other British and Hessian forces push Washington up against bank of East River of East River Howe decides not to immediately finish the job, gives his troops a Howe decides not to immediately finish the job, gives his troops a rest, and plans to capture Washington later rest, and plans to capture Washington later – leaving Washington the option of retreat leaving Washington the option of retreat

Casualties: 1719 American, 377 British Casualties: 1719 American, 377 British

Map of Long Island, Battle of Brooklyn

Washington’s Retreat Across the Washington’s Retreat Across the East River East River

Washington is fearful of Washington is fearful of British advancing up the British advancing up the East river and trapping East river and trapping his army on Long Islandhis army on Long IslandDesigns a midnight Designs a midnight retreat across the East retreat across the East river to Manhattan Island river to Manhattan Island – Under cover of nightUnder cover of night– Complete silence Complete silence – Approx. 10 hours Approx. 10 hours – Transported cannon, Transported cannon,

horses, 9,000 men, etc. horses, 9,000 men, etc.

A morning fog settled A morning fog settled concealing the last troops concealing the last troops across the riveracross the river

Washington’s RetreatWashington’s RetreatWashington was again unsure of where Howe Washington was again unsure of where Howe would land on Manhattan Island would land on Manhattan Island Fearful of getting trapped on the Island, Fearful of getting trapped on the Island, Washington takes most of his troops over the Washington takes most of his troops over the King’s BridgeKing’s Bridge– Leaves Putnam behind with 4,000 troops to cover Leaves Putnam behind with 4,000 troops to cover

retreat retreat – Putnam’s troops are able to muster a victory at Putnam’s troops are able to muster a victory at

Harlem Heights, but retreat shortly after Harlem Heights, but retreat shortly after

Howe’s forces dominate New York Howe’s forces dominate New York – Victories at White Plains, Fort Washington Victories at White Plains, Fort Washington

Fort Washington was the last American stronghold in Fort Washington was the last American stronghold in New York New York

– Lost guns, cannon, ammoLost guns, cannon, ammo

Washington knows that he doesn’t necessarily Washington knows that he doesn’t necessarily have to beat the British on the battlefield, he just have to beat the British on the battlefield, he just can’t surrender can’t surrender – As long as he lives to fight another day, the As long as he lives to fight another day, the

Revolution survives Revolution survives Britain would lose men, supplies, $ and eventually tire Britain would lose men, supplies, $ and eventually tire of fighting of fighting

AftermathAftermath

Fort Washington would complete Howe’s Fort Washington would complete Howe’s conquest of New Yorkconquest of New York

Americans would loose valuable cannon, Americans would loose valuable cannon, powder, soldiers, etc. with loss of fortspowder, soldiers, etc. with loss of forts

Sunk moraleSunk morale

Enlistments soon to expireEnlistments soon to expire

Washington would retreat Washington would retreat

into New Jersey into New Jersey

Nathan Hale Nathan Hale Captain in CT militiaCaptain in CT militiaWould volunteer to go into Would volunteer to go into New York City to gather info New York City to gather info on British movements in New on British movements in New York (Sept. 1776)York (Sept. 1776)Dressed as Dutch school Dressed as Dutch school teacher teacher Discovered by a British agent Discovered by a British agent pretending to be Patriotpretending to be PatriotWould be hanged Would be hanged Famous Quote Famous Quote – ““I only regret, that I have but I only regret, that I have but

one life to lose for my country.”one life to lose for my country.”Nathan Hale statue outside the Chicago Tribune Tower

New Jersey New Jersey Things would go from Things would go from bad to worse…bad to worse…– 2000 soldiers left when 2000 soldiers left when

enlistments expired on enlistments expired on 12/1/7612/1/76

– Hundreds of deserters Hundreds of deserters – Washington retreated Washington retreated

past Princeton, past Princeton, Trenton and crossed Trenton and crossed Delaware River into Delaware River into Pennsylvania on 12/7Pennsylvania on 12/7

– Congress evacuated Congress evacuated Philadelphia - to Philadelphia - to BaltimoreBaltimore

Colonial Karma Colonial Karma Colonial army retreated from New Colonial army retreated from New Jersey in two sections to meet up in Jersey in two sections to meet up in Pennsylvania Pennsylvania – Colonial General Charles Lee would tarry Colonial General Charles Lee would tarry

with his 7,000 men in retreat with his 7,000 men in retreat In light of Washington’s latest defeats, Lee felt In light of Washington’s latest defeats, Lee felt that he should lead the armythat he should lead the army

– Lee had the most impressive credentials in the Lee had the most impressive credentials in the Continental Army Continental Army

– Began a letter writing campaign to congress to Began a letter writing campaign to congress to try and gain support try and gain support

Lee had left his men at camp to sleep in hotel Lee had left his men at camp to sleep in hotel – captured on 12/13 at his hotel in his bathrobe captured on 12/13 at his hotel in his bathrobe – Less than ½ of his troops would rejoin Less than ½ of his troops would rejoin

Washington in Pennsylvania Washington in Pennsylvania

A Stroke of Luck A Stroke of Luck On December 13On December 13thth, Howe called for an , Howe called for an end of the campaign for the seasonend of the campaign for the season– Howe set up outposts along NY & NJ to hold Howe set up outposts along NY & NJ to hold

territory won in the campaign territory won in the campaign

The rest of the American army would The rest of the American army would make their way to Pennsylvania to rejoin make their way to Pennsylvania to rejoin Washington (now 7,500 total)Washington (now 7,500 total)Thomas Paine writes “The Crisis”Thomas Paine writes “The Crisis”– Author of Common Sense, Paine had joined Author of Common Sense, Paine had joined

the Army the Army – 50 page pamphlet inspires Americans in their 50 page pamphlet inspires Americans in their

darkest hour darkest hour – Justifies the American cause and calls for Justifies the American cause and calls for

American heroism American heroism – Washington has it read to his troopsWashington has it read to his troops

Thomas Paine Statue in Bordentown, NJ

““Victory or Death” – The Christmas Victory or Death” – The Christmas Campaign Campaign

Washington would learn that approx. 1,200 Washington would learn that approx. 1,200 Hessians were holding Trenton, NJ and decided Hessians were holding Trenton, NJ and decided to strike to strike On Christmas night, in a severe snowstorm, On Christmas night, in a severe snowstorm, Washington ferried his men across the icy Washington ferried his men across the icy Delaware just north of townDelaware just north of town– By 3am all (2,400) were wet, cold, tired, and By 3am all (2,400) were wet, cold, tired, and

acrossacross2 soldiers froze to death - only American 2 soldiers froze to death - only American deathsdeaths

Washington’s Crossing of the Washington’s Crossing of the Delaware Delaware

Battle of Trenton Battle of Trenton Attack would begin around 9am Attack would begin around 9am

Hessians caught by surprise Hessians caught by surprise

The Americans surrounded town and would take The Americans surrounded town and would take it in 45 minit in 45 min– 21 Hessians killed, 90 wounded, 900 prisoner21 Hessians killed, 90 wounded, 900 prisoner

7 American casualties 7 American casualties

– A A completecomplete victory victory– Returned to the PA camp Returned to the PA camp

♠

“Capture of the Hessians at Trenton” by John Trumbull, as

featured on the cover of David McCullough’s 1776

Reaction Reaction

HUGEHUGE morale boost for Americans morale boost for Americans– Newspapers around the colonies would boast of the Newspapers around the colonies would boast of the

brilliant victory brilliant victory – Washington would convince over ½ of men to stay Washington would convince over ½ of men to stay

after their enlistment expired after their enlistment expired

Howe sends General Cornwallis with 8,000 men Howe sends General Cornwallis with 8,000 men to retake Trenton to retake Trenton – Would leave 2,500 in Princeton and take the rest to Would leave 2,500 in Princeton and take the rest to

Trenton (5,500)Trenton (5,500)

British come to retake TrentonBritish come to retake Trenton

Washington positioned his forces on the outside Washington positioned his forces on the outside of Trenton across a small creekof Trenton across a small creekCornwallis and his men arrived on Jan. 2, 1777 Cornwallis and his men arrived on Jan. 2, 1777 and easily retook lightly defended Trentonand easily retook lightly defended TrentonDecided to wait until morning to cross the creek Decided to wait until morning to cross the creek and attack Washington’s forces and attack Washington’s forces

Washington and 5,500 men snuck away in Washington and 5,500 men snuck away in the night and swept around to attack rear the night and swept around to attack rear guard in Princetonguard in Princeton

Princeton Princeton On the morning of Jan 3, On the morning of Jan 3, American Forces would meet American Forces would meet the rear guard of the British in the rear guard of the British in an orchard outside of Princetonan orchard outside of PrincetonTook British completely by Took British completely by surprisesurprise– Thought Americans were still Thought Americans were still

in Trenton in Trenton Fierce fighting ensued and Fierce fighting ensued and Americans were driven back Americans were driven back until Washington and Nathaniel until Washington and Nathaniel Greene rode up to rally the Greene rode up to rally the troops troops – Drove Redcoats out of town Drove Redcoats out of town

& back towards Trenton & back towards Trenton – British: British: 278278 casualties casualties

American: American: 9898

“Washington Rallying the Americans at the Battle of Princeton”By William Ranney

Aftermath Aftermath

After defeat in After defeat in Princeton, Howe Princeton, Howe decides to decides to evacuate most of evacuate most of NJNJ– Return to NY Return to NY

Armies would Armies would retire for winterretire for winter

Importance Importance

Victories in NJ gave Americans new hope Victories in NJ gave Americans new hope in their darkest hour in their darkest hour – Could defeat the feared Hessians Could defeat the feared Hessians – Renewed faith in Washington as leader Renewed faith in Washington as leader – 8,000 new enlistments 8,000 new enlistments

Americans treated with greater respect by Americans treated with greater respect by British British

““Perseverance and spirit Perseverance and spirit

have done wonders in all have done wonders in all

ages.”ages.”

- - General George Washington General George Washington

“George Washington at the Battle of Princeton” by Charles Wilson Peale