Strategies for WarStrategies for War

ColoniesColonies 1. Allies1. Allies 2. Make war Last2. Make war Last 3. Fight Defensive3. Fight Defensive

EnglandEngland 1. Blockade Ports1. Blockade Ports 2. Divide and 2. Divide and

ConquerConquer 3. End war quick3. End war quick

A Critical TimeA Critical TimeRetreat from New York:Retreat from New York:

British troops : General Howe and British troops : General Howe and 34,000 troops and 10,000 sailors vs34,000 troops and 10,000 sailors vs

Washington’s 20,000 Washington’s 20,000 Series of battles during the summer Series of battles during the summer

forced the Americans out of New York: forced the Americans out of New York: Loss Aug 1776 @ Long Island and then Loss Aug 1776 @ Long Island and then

he left New York the next month he left New York the next month

Nathan HaleNathan Hale

Nathan HaleNathan Hale (June 6, 1755 – September (June 6, 1755 – September 22, 1776) was a soldier for the 22, 1776) was a soldier for the Continental Army during the American Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. A spy for the Revolutionary War. A spy for the Continental Army, he volunteered for an Continental Army, he volunteered for an intelligence-gathering mission in New intelligence-gathering mission in New York City but was captured by the York City but was captured by the British. He is probably best remembered British. He is probably best remembered for his purported last words before being for his purported last words before being hanged: "I only regret that I have but hanged: "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country one life to lose for my country

Surprises for the BritishSurprises for the British

Thomas Paine’s “Crisis” to bring Thomas Paine’s “Crisis” to bring morale up he urged Americans to morale up he urged Americans to support the Armysupport the Army

These are the times that try men's These are the times that try men's soul's. The summer soldier and the soul's. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it but he that stands it nownow, deserves the , deserves the love and thanks of man and women" love and thanks of man and women"

Thomas PaineThomas Paine

Washington has the Crisis read to his troops as Washington has the Crisis read to his troops as inspirationinspiration

After being driven out of New York by the British After being driven out of New York by the British and forced to retreat to the West bank of the and forced to retreat to the West bank of the Delaware during the late summer of 1776, the Delaware during the late summer of 1776, the American cause was at a low ebb. In the harsh American cause was at a low ebb. In the harsh winter Washington was faced with the annual winter Washington was faced with the annual crisis of the expiry of the Continental Army’s crisis of the expiry of the Continental Army’s period of enlistment. He resolved to attack the period of enlistment. He resolved to attack the Hessian position at Trenton on the extreme Hessian position at Trenton on the extreme southern end of the over extended British line southern end of the over extended British line along the Delaware, before his army dispersed. along the Delaware, before his army dispersed.

TrentonTrenton

Washington’s plan was to cross the Delaware Washington’s plan was to cross the Delaware at three points with a force commanded by Lt at three points with a force commanded by Lt Col Cadwallader with a Rhode Island Col Cadwallader with a Rhode Island regiment, some Pennsylvanians, Delaware regiment, some Pennsylvanians, Delaware militia and two guns, a second force under militia and two guns, a second force under Brigadier Ewing of militia and the third Brigadier Ewing of militia and the third commanded by himself which would cross commanded by himself which would cross the river above Trenton and attack the the river above Trenton and attack the Hessian garrison in the town. Washington had Hessian garrison in the town. Washington had as his subordinates, Major Generals Nathaniel as his subordinates, Major Generals Nathaniel Greene and John Sullivan. Greene and John Sullivan.

It was a cold dark night and the river was It was a cold dark night and the river was running with flowing ice. At about 11pm a running with flowing ice. At about 11pm a heavy snow and sleet storm broke. heavy snow and sleet storm broke. Washington’s force did not reach the east Washington’s force did not reach the east bank until around 3am. His soldiers were bank until around 3am. His soldiers were badly clothed and many did not have badly clothed and many did not have shoes.shoes.

Washington’s men then marched to Washington’s men then marched to Trenton, some of the men leaving traces Trenton, some of the men leaving traces of blood on the snow. of blood on the snow.

Washington crossing the Washington crossing the DelawareDelaware

Hessian MistakeHessian Mistake

The Hessian commander Colonel Rahl The Hessian commander Colonel Rahl had been ordered to construct defence had been ordered to construct defence works around the town but had not works around the town but had not troubled to do so. On the night before troubled to do so. On the night before the attack Rahl was at dinner when he the attack Rahl was at dinner when he was brought information that the was brought information that the Americans were approaching. He Americans were approaching. He ignored the message which was found ignored the message which was found in his pocket after his death.  in his pocket after his death. 

Battle of Trenton

The main American force under The main American force under Washington entered Trenton from Washington entered Trenton from the North-West. Sullivan marched the North-West. Sullivan marched around the town and attacked from around the town and attacked from the South. The remainder took a the South. The remainder took a position to the North East cutting off position to the North East cutting off the Hessians’ retreat. the Hessians’ retreat.

The surrender to General The surrender to General George Washington of the George Washington of the dying Hessian commander dying Hessian commander

Battle in the streets of Battle in the streets of TrentonTrenton

Ewing and Cadwallader failed to Ewing and Cadwallader failed to make the river crossing and took no make the river crossing and took no part in the attack.part in the attack.Casualties: The Americans suffered 4 Casualties: The Americans suffered 4 wounded casualties. It is said that in wounded casualties. It is said that in addition two American soldiers froze addition two American soldiers froze to death. The Hessians suffered 20 to death. The Hessians suffered 20 killed and around 100 wounded. killed and around 100 wounded. 1,000 were captured. 1,000 were captured.

WASHINGTON LEADING WASHINGTON LEADING ATTACK AT TRENTONATTACK AT TRENTON

RESULTSRESULTS The effect of the battle of Trenton was out of all The effect of the battle of Trenton was out of all

proportion to the numbers involved and the proportion to the numbers involved and the casualties. The American effort across the casualties. The American effort across the colonies was galvanized and the psychological colonies was galvanized and the psychological dominance achieved by the British in the dominance achieved by the British in the preceding year overturned. Howe was stunned preceding year overturned. Howe was stunned that a strong German contingent could be that a strong German contingent could be surprised in such a manner and put up so little surprised in such a manner and put up so little resistance. Washington’s constant problem was resistance. Washington’s constant problem was to maintain the enthusiasm of his army for the to maintain the enthusiasm of his army for the war, particularly with the system of one year war, particularly with the system of one year recruitment and Trenton proved a much needed recruitment and Trenton proved a much needed encouragement. encouragement.

Washington’s escapeWashington’s escape

Washington’s escape involves Washington’s escape involves trickerytrickery

Fires were lit to make British think Fires were lit to make British think that they were encamped there as that they were encamped there as they packed up and escaped into the they packed up and escaped into the nightnight

SARATOGASARATOGA

British plan: Burgoyne- Split New British plan: Burgoyne- Split New England from the rest of the coloniesEngland from the rest of the colonies

Drive to Albany New York from 3 Drive to Albany New York from 3 directionsdirections

1. From Canada 8000 would drive 1. From Canada 8000 would drive south to capture forts on Lake south to capture forts on Lake Champlain, Lake George and the Champlain, Lake George and the upper Hudson Riverupper Hudson River

2. From the west another smaller 2. From the west another smaller force would drive towards Albany force would drive towards Albany through the Mohawk Valleythrough the Mohawk Valley

3. From New York General Howe 3. From New York General Howe would go up the Hudson with a large would go up the Hudson with a large armyarmy

General John BurgoyneGeneral John Burgoyne

British failuresBritish failures

Howe is ordered towards Philadelphia Howe is ordered towards Philadelphia instead and is not available until instead and is not available until NovemberNovember

American troops cut off the British American troops cut off the British and St Leger coming from the westand St Leger coming from the west

SaratogaSaratoga

Burgoyne leads the main force from Burgoyne leads the main force from Canada in JuneCanada in June

After capturing Ft Ticonderoga he trudges After capturing Ft Ticonderoga he trudges his way to Saratoga where he is his way to Saratoga where he is surrounded by the American forces led by surrounded by the American forces led by General Horatio Gates on October 17,1777General Horatio Gates on October 17,1777

The British force comprised some 5,000 The British force comprised some 5,000 British, Brunswickers, Canadians and British, Brunswickers, Canadians and Indians. By the time of the surrender the Indians. By the time of the surrender the American force was around 12,000 to American force was around 12,000 to 14,000 militia and troops. 14,000 militia and troops.

St Leger and Horatio GatesSt Leger and Horatio Gates

On 10th July 1777 Burgoyne’s force On 10th July 1777 Burgoyne’s force reached Skenesboro where it reached Skenesboro where it concentrated on clearing the road to concentrated on clearing the road to the North for supplies and to the the North for supplies and to the South for the advance. The forested South for the advance. The forested country, crossed by primitive tracks country, crossed by primitive tracks rather than roads, was difficult for an rather than roads, was difficult for an army wanting to move quantities of army wanting to move quantities of supplies and artillery. supplies and artillery.

Burgoyne was in a perilous position. The Burgoyne was in a perilous position. The presence of his army was arousing the local presence of his army was arousing the local militia in substantial numbers. He was militia in substantial numbers. He was perilously short of food. His imperative perilously short of food. His imperative orders to march south restrained him from orders to march south restrained him from remaining where he was, retreating remaining where he was, retreating northwards or diverting to the East. It took northwards or diverting to the East. It took until 13th September 1777 to assemble until 13th September 1777 to assemble sufficient supplies, dragged through the sufficient supplies, dragged through the forests down rudimentary roads, to forests down rudimentary roads, to continue the advance. continue the advance.

On 19th September Burgoyne approached the On 19th September Burgoyne approached the fortified American camp on the west bank of the fortified American camp on the west bank of the Hudson River at Bemis Heights. The British force Hudson River at Bemis Heights. The British force advanced on the American army, now advanced on the American army, now commanded by the ex-British officer, Major commanded by the ex-British officer, Major General Horatio Gates, in three columns, one by General Horatio Gates, in three columns, one by the river under the German Colonel Riedesel, the the river under the German Colonel Riedesel, the main force in the centre commanded by main force in the centre commanded by Burgoyne and the third, commanded by Brigadier Burgoyne and the third, commanded by Brigadier Fraser making a wide outflanking detour to the Fraser making a wide outflanking detour to the American left. The aim of the British was to take American left. The aim of the British was to take the unfortified hill to the West of the American the unfortified hill to the West of the American positions on Bemis Heights. positions on Bemis Heights.

The next day several of his senior The next day several of his senior offices urged Burgoyne to renew the offices urged Burgoyne to renew the attack on the American positions. It is attack on the American positions. It is suggested that if he had done so he suggested that if he had done so he would have taken advantage of the would have taken advantage of the disarray into which the previous day’s disarray into which the previous day’s hard fighting had thrown the Americans. hard fighting had thrown the Americans. Although initially tempted by the Although initially tempted by the proposal, Burgoyne finally rejected it proposal, Burgoyne finally rejected it and remained in his camp by the and remained in his camp by the Hudson River. Hudson River.

Burgoyne described the operation as a Burgoyne described the operation as a reconnaissance in strength, designed to see if he reconnaissance in strength, designed to see if he could occupy the hill to the West of the American could occupy the hill to the West of the American fortifications. fortifications.

The American picquets sent word that the British The American picquets sent word that the British had advanced and were forming up in a wheat had advanced and were forming up in a wheat field near the old Freeman’s Farm battlefield. field near the old Freeman’s Farm battlefield. Morgan’s riflemen were committed to the attack, Morgan’s riflemen were committed to the attack, quickly supported by the other regiments of quickly supported by the other regiments of Arnold’s division. The Americans far outnumbered Arnold’s division. The Americans far outnumbered the British “reconnaissance” party and the British the British “reconnaissance” party and the British Grenadiers and Light Companies were pressed Grenadiers and Light Companies were pressed back.back.

Arnold spurred the Americans to Arnold spurred the Americans to continue the attack and was himself continue the attack and was himself severely wounded. The British and severely wounded. The British and Hessian troops began to give way Hessian troops began to give way and after the redoubt held by Colonel and after the redoubt held by Colonel Breyman and his regiment was Breyman and his regiment was taken, Burgoyne withdrew his force taken, Burgoyne withdrew his force to his fortified camp above the to his fortified camp above the Hudson River Hudson River

The next day Burgoyne withdrew his army The next day Burgoyne withdrew his army up the river to the camp they had built at up the river to the camp they had built at Saratoga. The American army pursued Saratoga. The American army pursued Burgoyne and enveloped the British Burgoyne and enveloped the British positions. Burgoyne let the last positions. Burgoyne let the last opportunities to retreat north to opportunities to retreat north to Ticonderoga go by, hoping that Clinton’s Ticonderoga go by, hoping that Clinton’s army would come up the Hudson River from army would come up the Hudson River from the South to his relief. A major difficulty in the South to his relief. A major difficulty in the campaign was communications between the campaign was communications between the two British forces. Almost all the the two British forces. Almost all the messengers attempting to carry messages messengers attempting to carry messages were caught and hanged by the Americans. were caught and hanged by the Americans.

SurrenderSurrender

Burgoyne awaited news of Clinton’s Burgoyne awaited news of Clinton’s advance until 17th October 1777, advance until 17th October 1777, when he was forced to sign the when he was forced to sign the convention by which his troops convention by which his troops surrendered to Gates, who had by surrendered to Gates, who had by then between 18,000 and 20,000 then between 18,000 and 20,000 men. men.

Burgoyne surrenders to Burgoyne surrenders to GatesGates

CasualtiesCasualties: Of the 7,000 British and : Of the 7,000 British and Germans who marched from Canada Germans who marched from Canada only 3,500 were fit for duty at the only 3,500 were fit for duty at the surrender. surrender.

Follow-up: Follow-up: The consequences of The consequences of Burgoyne’s surrender were Burgoyne’s surrender were catastrophic. France and Spain catastrophic. France and Spain declared war on Britain and the declared war on Britain and the American effort was galvanized.American effort was galvanized.

France comes to American France comes to American aidaid

Feb 1778: France signs treaty with Feb 1778: France signs treaty with Americans Americans

Joined by its allies of Spain and the Joined by its allies of Spain and the NetherlandsNetherlands

England is now faced with multi-front England is now faced with multi-front fighting that would stretch it thinfighting that would stretch it thin

Foreign alliesForeign allies

Marquis de Lafayette – Aid to Marquis de Lafayette – Aid to WashingtonWashington

Thadeus Kosciusko – engineer that Thadeus Kosciusko – engineer that helped build fort at West Pointhelped build fort at West Point

Casimir Pulaski- trained and led Casimir Pulaski- trained and led cavalrycavalry

Baron Von Stueben- trained American Baron Von Stueben- trained American Army in use of weapons, marching and Army in use of weapons, marching and use of bayonetsuse of bayonets

Winter of 1777Winter of 1777

Valley Forge – Washington spends the Valley Forge – Washington spends the winter of 1777 at an encampment in winter of 1777 at an encampment in Pennsylvania -Little food and supplies Pennsylvania -Little food and supplies meant extremely harsh conditions meant extremely harsh conditions along with winter weatheralong with winter weather

The army prepares for fighting in the The army prepares for fighting in the springspring

Aid comes from all over the coloniesAid comes from all over the colonies