Revolutionary War Battles

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Revolutionary War Battles

• By Mandy Holland
• Fourth Grade

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Fort TiconderogaMay 1775

• During the American Revolution, Fort Ticonderoga
  located on the western side of Lake Champlain in
  New York was an important post on the route from
  Canada to the colonies.
• Colonel Benedict Arnold and Ethan Allen with his
  Green Mountain Boys led a surprise attack on the
  British fort in May of 1775. The Americans took
  the fort without firing a shot.
• In mid-winter of January 1776, Colonel Henry Knox
  led an expedition to Fort Ticonderoga to bring
  back the cannons that Arnold and Allen had
  captured. The cannons were lined up to face the
  British ships that were blockading the port of
  Boston. The British were forced to evacuate
  Boston, leaving the city and port to the
  Americans.

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Battle of Bunker HillJune 1775

• Actually took place at Breeds Hill
• The colonists build earthworks to protect
  themselves in battle
• The British rush the hill 3 times
• The Colonists are forced to retreat due to lack
  of ammunition and supplies

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These are the times that try mens souls
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Valley ForgeSeptember 1777

• When General William Howe and his British troops
  took Philadelphia in September of 1777, General
  Washington was forced to make winter camp about
  20 miles from Philadelphia at Valley Forge.
• It was a miserable winter for the 10,000 soldiers
  of the Continental Army at Valley Forge. Many
  soldiers lacked shoes and warm clothing. Food was
  scarce. Diseases such as smallpox and typhoid
  fever swept through the camp. 2500 men died that
  winter from the cold, disease and malnutrition.
• During this winter, General Lafayette joined the
  Continental Army, without pay, and impressed the
  troops and Washington by living under the same
  conditions as the soldiers.
• Another important addition to the Continental
  Army was Baron Friedrich von Steuben. He knew how
  to train an army. Even under the hardships of the
  camp, he drilled the soldiers repeatedly during
  the winter so that by springtime the Continental
  Army had become a strong and disciplined fighting
  force.

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Who are these Hessians?

• Hessians are soldiers from Germany. King George
  hired these soldiers to fight the colonists.

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Surprising Them in their Undies!

• Battle of Trenton

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Battle of TrentonDecember 1776

• On the night of December 25, 1776, George
  Washington crossed the freezing Delaware River to
  attack Hessians.
• Washingtons troops Then they marched nine miles
  in the early morning hours to reach Trenton at
  eight o'clock.
• The American troops surprised the Hessian
  mercenary soldiers in an early morning raid and
  the Americans captured nearly 1000 men. There
  were no American casualties.
• This victory was the turning point in the war of
  independence for the Americans.

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Battle of SaratogaOctober 1777

• The American forces were led by General Horatio
  Gates, General Philip Schuyler and General
  Benedict Arnold.
• General Burgoyne led the British forces.
• Gates lost the first battle and after a
  disagreement with Arnold about battle tactics,
  Gates relieved Arnold of his command. The British
  forces were exhausted but were ordered to attack
  Bemis Heights. While Gates defensive moves were
  effective, it was General Arnold who saw an
  opening to turn the battle into an offensive
  move. Despite having been relieved of his
  command, Arnold joined the battle anyway. His
  efforts were so successful and the British troops
  so beaten down that General Burgoyne was forced
  to surrender a few days at Saratoga.

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Surrender!

• Burgoyne is forced to surrender.

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What do I Need to know about the Battle of
Saratoga?

• The British plan was to cut the colonies in two
  like a snake- when you cut off a snakes head it
  dies!

• This plan did not work because one army for the
  British didnt show up and another was late! The
  only army there was easily defeated.

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Outcomes of the Battle of Saratoga

• The colonial army WON!!!
• France decides to help out the colonists.

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Battle of SaratogaHope for the Colonies!
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Thank You, France!

• Upon hearing of the American victory at Saratoga,
  the French declared recognition of the United
  States of America and fully supported their war
  of independence.

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Battle of Yorktown
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Battle of YorktownAugust-October 1781

• The last major battle of the American Revolution
  was fought at Yorktown.
• Washington learned that the French Admiral de
  Grasse was sailing to Virginia to prevent the
  British army under the command of General
  Cornwallis from leaving Yorktown. He and the
  French General Rochambeau rushed their troops to
  Yorktown to trap the British and prevent them
  from escaping over land.
• Cornwallis was surrounded. The American and
  French troops gradually closed in on him.
• Cornwallis surrendered to Washington on Oct 19,
  1781.

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What do I need to know aboutThe Battle of
Yorktown?

• The British army set up camp on a peninsula
• Washingtons army blocks tem in to the west and
  the French Navy blocks them to the east.
• They are trapped and help can not arrive

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Outcomes of the Battle Of Yorktown

• The Colonial army wins the WAR!!!
• Colonists are free of British Rule! No more
  King!
• They are their own country

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The World Turned Upside Down

• The British band played this tune when the
  British surrendered at the Battle of Yorktown
• The Six and a half years of war was over.