# data[].attributes.headline
British Viewpoints and Other Primary Sources

# data[].attributes.subject
British Viewpoints and Other Primary Sources

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
DK Find Out! | Fun Facts for Kids on Animals, Earth, History and more!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Visit DK Find Out! to learn about dinosaurs, space, animals, nature & more. Fun learning activities for kids with videos, quizzes & galleries at DKFindOut.com

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
This is an article all about the Continental Army.

Militias

For its first 160 years of existence, the colonies that made up England's North American empire acted more as individual nations than as united colonies. Hence, when tensions with England increased, and the onset of war seemed more and more likely, there was hardly a "national" army to fight the British. At the time, individual colonies relied on their local militias for defense. These militias consisted of citizens, farmers, and laborers who doubled as "soldiers" with weapons. Such militias had little formal military training.

Creation of a Permanent Army

Following the Battles of Lexington and Concord in 1775, a colonial army consisting of 26 regiments was formed on orders from the Massachusetts Provincial Congress. Smaller forces were raised throughout New England and New York. The Continental Congress authorized the creation of the Continental Army with these regiments on June 14, 1775. The next day, Congress appointed George Washington as Commander-in-Chief of the army. Although many disliked the idea of a permanent national army, it was deemed necessary in the wake of the British threat.

Lacking Supplies and Shelter

Throughout the war the Continental Army experienced major problems. Not only were the soldiers in the army inexperienced, but they lacked adequate weaponry, clothes, shoes, and food. Not surprisingly, desertions were frequent and morale was extremely low. Disease, starvation, and hypothermia plagued the Continental Army at its winter quarters at Morristown in early 1777, and at Valley Forge during the winter of 1777-1778. Nearly one in six soldiers wintering at Valley Forge died of typhoid, dysentery, and pneumonia because of the unsanitary conditions and contaminated food. Nutrition was non-existent and the only food that many soldiers ate for months at a time was known as firecake - a simple mixture of flour and water cooked over a fire until it became solid.

Misery at Valley Forge

Becoming a Military Force

Despite the dreadful conditions and desertions, the Continental Army remained relatively intact under the leadership of George Washington. With the arrival of Baron Steuben at Valley Forge in 1778, the army learned military tactics, formations, training, and discipline, and gradually became a military force that could effectively fight the British in combat. In its first action after Valley Forge, the vastly improved army fought the British to a draw at the Battle of Monmouth Courthouse. Combined with French forces, the Continental Army would stage a successful siege of the British at Yorktown in 1781, which would prove the last major battle of the war.

Continental Soldiers in 1781

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Following the Battles of Lexington and Concord in 1775, a colonial army consisting of 26 regiments was formed on orders from the Massachusetts Provincial Congress. Smaller forces were raised throughout New England and New York.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Learn about the Soldiers Uniforms and Gear during the Revolutionary War. The British wore red coats while many Americans wore their own clothes.

# data[].attributes.headline
Ducksters: Life as a Revolutionary War Soldier

# data[].attributes.subject
Ducksters: Life as a Revolutionary War Soldier

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Learn about the daily life of a Revolutionary War Soldier including the Continental army, the militia, how much they were paid, how old they were, and more.

# data[].attributes.headline
African-Americans in the Revolutionary War

# data[].attributes.subject
African-Americans in the Revolutionary War

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Learn about the women from the American Revolution including roles such as spies, nurses, camp followers, and soldiers. Also, famous women who played an important part in the war.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Learn about Patriots and Loyalists during the Revolutionary War. One side wanted independence while the other wanted to remain part of Britain.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Kids learn about the biography of Abigail Adams, First Lady with John Adams and human rights activist. Mother of John Quincy.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
This is a full description of the fabled heroine of Connecticut, Sybil Ludington.

Introduction

Sybil Ludington was a prominent figure and heroine during the Revolutionary War, although many believe her story is more myth than fact. She was born on April 5, 1761, in Fredericksburg, New York. Today, the area where she grew up has been renamed Ludingtonville. Ludington was the daughter of Henry Ludington, an officer in the militia and a future aide to General George Washington. Ludington was supporting the Patriot cause, which fought for independence from England.

Attack on Danbury

On April 25, 1777, Governor William Tryon arrived near Connecticut with a 2,000-man British military force. His plan was to attack the city of Danbury, where the supplies for the Continental Army were being stored. That day, Tryon and his army moved south, searching for the army's weapons and foodstuffs; they left chalk marks on the houses of British supporters and informers, setting any house that was unmarked for destruction. Since the Continental Army had recently moved its supplies to Danbury, the area was not well-guarded; all of their food stores, including flour, beef, pork, and wheat, were left vulnerable.

Hero at Age Sixteen

On the night of April 26, 1777, a messenger arrived at the Ludington house who explained the imminent British attack. Henry Ludington tried to pull together his forces, but all of his men had traveled home for spring planting and were spread out across the area. The messenger didn't know the area well enough to find each of them and warn them - but Sybil Ludington did. At only sixteen years old, she embarked on a 40-mile journey atop her horse, Star, traveling south to Mahopac and north to Stormville to warn the men of the impending attack. She rode more than twice the distance of Paul Revere, another prominent Revolution hero, calling out: "The British are burning Danbury. Muster at Ludington's at daybreak!"

Her Story was Lost in History Until 1907

The next day, most of the 400 soldiers in the area were ready to fight, thanks to Sybil Ludington's brave and heroic efforts. Although Danbury was partially burned down, her famous ride helped protect a Continental Army storehouse. Her journey was not fully recognized until 1907, when her great nephew, Louis S. Patrick, revealed it to the world in an article. Today, statues of Sybil Ludington on her horse can be found on the shore of Lake Gleneida in New York, in Danbury, and in Washington D.C., at the headquarters of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Sybil Ludington was a prominent figure and heroine during the Revolutionary War, although many believe her story is more myth than fact. She was born on April 5, 1761, in Fredericksburg, New York.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Learn about Valley Forge. The place where George Washington and the Continental Army spent the winter during the Revolutionary War.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Instantly access over 40,000 of the best books & videos for kids on Epic

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Get unlimited access to 40,000 of the best books, audiobooks, videos, & more for kids 12 and under. Try it free.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Learn about the generals and military leaders of the American Revolution including George Washington, Nathanael Greene, Horatio Gates, John Paul Jones, William Howe, and Thomas Gage.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Kids learn about the Declaration of Independence major event in the American Revolutionary War.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Instantly access over 40,000 of the best books & videos for kids on Epic

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Get unlimited access to 40,000 of the best books, audiobooks, videos, & more for kids 12 and under. Try it free.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Women's roles during the Revolutionary War in America between 1776 and 1783. Americans declared independence from Britain in 1776, and the British sent troops to the colonies to quell the revolt. Patriots (Americans who supported the Revolution) fought against the British and colonial loyalists (Americas who did not want independence from Britain). During the war, some women helped the patriots, and others sided with the loyalists. Some women, although not loyalists themselves, were affected by their husbands' loyalty to Britain, which jeopardized their safety during the war. The same was true for women whose husbands were patriots.

Throughout the war, many women maintained the household economy (i.e., they tended to farm work and family businesses) and protected their property while husbands and male relatives were at war. The wartime role of these women was to maintain such activities until the men returned home. In addition, both the British and American armies had women camp followers, who lived in the camps, helping out with chores. Some women even enlisted in the American Continental Army disguised as men, although this was illegal. The army's medical units included women who served as nurses. Women further supported the effort by feeding and providing clothing for the soldiers. Some loyalist women passed information about American troops to the British, and women could be accused of being spies or sympathizers simply by giving sanctuary to British soldiers in their homes. Married women faced property confiscation if their husbands were loyalists. Rape was another reality women faced during wartime when either army occupied an area. In Connecticut and New Jersey, rape and gang rape occurred. It became a symbol of power for the victorious side, with women the victims of this practice.

On January 1, 1776, the Continental Army began recruiting to build up its infantry, rifle, and artillery regiments, which included more than 20,000 men. If a woman wanted to enlist, she did so illegally by disguising herself as a man. For example, Deborah Sampson used the name Robert Shurtleff to enlist. It was not until she was wounded in battle and consequently undressed by a doctor that her true identity was discovered. However, her brave and patriotic behavior received compliments rather than punishment. A few women went onto the battlefield with their husbands or took their husbands' places after they were killed on the battlefield. For instance, Mary Hays fired artillery cannons against the British and stayed with her husband, a gunner, during the war. Margaret Corbin took over her husband's cannon when her husband was killed by enemy fire. The army allowed women to stay with their husbands, fathers, or sons mainly because some men might not have joined the regiments if their women were not allowed to go with them. Some women brought their children with them as well.

Women intelligence riders from South Carolina during the Revolutionary War intercepting dispatches.

At first women camp followers were seen as a burden for the troops, but later even George Washington, commander in chief of the Continental Army, would see the value of women in the camps.They could also serve as nurses, although their status was low among the hospital staff, and their main duties were custodial. Nurses were also paid poorly because their work was not seen as skilled employment. Female nurses could, however, free up men from taking care of the wounded, allowing more men to fight for the army. In 1777, a Continental Army Medical Corp requirement indicated that every one hundred wounded needed one matron and ten female nurses. The nurses took nonmedical direction from the matron, who supervised the hospital and distributed medicine under the supervision of a surgeon. Women were involved in other activities at camps and battle sites as well; they molded bullets, carried water and gunpowder, and assisted at the cannons, for example.

Although women were seen as nonofficial auxiliaries, they did draw rations from the army; children who accompanied them received a half ration. When food supplies were tight, women and children used up part of the rations, which the soldiers desperately needed. Nonetheless, women did have their function in the army, and their tasks were valuable, especially because men were not adept at chores such as cleaning and mending and washing clothes.

At the start of the Revolution, the British army limited the number of women accompanying its troops to one woman for every ten men, but this ratio later increased. The Continental Army did not set a quota for the ratio of men to women in the regiments because this would force some refugee women to leave the camps when the army needed them to take care of various tasks.

In general, women's participation in combat depended on whether men were available to fight the enemy. As men left home to join the army, few, if any, were left to defend the towns and villages. Thus, many women defended their communities from the British by joining local militia groups or serving as guards. They dressed in men's clothing and armed themselves with muskets or pitchforks.

Other women were left behind after their husbands left for Britain or joined the British loyalists, and the wives of loyalists were regarded as enemies. Because married women were not considered independent from their husbands and did not have property rights, the leaders of the American Revolution seized the property and personal belongings of women married to loyalists; this included items such as carriages, jewels, clothes, and furniture. Loyalists' wives were eventually allowed to leave or were expelled by the patriots. When a woman's husband sided and served with the British, she automatically fell under suspicion of treason. If she wrote to her husband at all, she was considered a traitor. Mobs threatened women who were suspected of helping the British. Women who actually did so certainly risked their lives. In New Jersey, the penalty for treason was death. Nevertheless, the first time a woman was convicted, she only had to pay a fine of three hundred pounds and serve one year in prison. If convicted a second time, she would receive the death penalty, and no reprieve would be granted.

In Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, and Virginia, some women helped to raise funds for the Continental Army. General Washington worried that giving money to soldiers directly was not a good idea and suggested that the women instead give the funds to the government. The women refused, and Washington then suggested they provide shirts to the soldiers instead of cash. The women agreed and used the money to buy linen to make clothing for the troops.

During the war, approximately 20,000 women served in various capacities with the Continental Army. A few hundred more were enlisted in various local and state units (Gunderson 1996, 164).

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
American Revolution, Role of Women in the (Wars)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Women's roles during the Revolutionary War in America between 1776 and 1783. Americans declared independence from Britain in 1776, and the British sent troops to the colonies to quell the revolt. Patriots (Americans who supported the Revolution) fought against the [...]

# data[].attributes.headline
Ducksters: Washington Crossing the Delaware

# data[].attributes.subject
Ducksters: Washington Crossing the Delaware

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Learn about the Crossing the Delaware major event in the American Revolutionary War.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Learn about the weapons and battle tactics from the American Revolution including muskets, cannons, Brown Bess, bayonets, lines of soldiers, and interesting facts.

# data[].attributes.headline
The Signing of the Declaration of Independence

# data[].attributes.subject
The Signing of the Declaration of Independence

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Deborah Sampson Gannett (December 17, 1760-April 29, 1827) was one of the only women to serve in the army during the Revolutionary War. After disguising herself as a man and enlisting under the name Robert Shurtliff, she served for 18 months. Sampson was severely wounded in battle and received an honorable discharge after her gender was discovered. She later successfully fought for her rights to a military pension.

Fast Facts: Deborah Sampson

Deborah Sampson's parents were descended from Mayflower passengers and Puritan luminaries, but they did not prosper like many of their ancestors. When Deborah was about five years old, her father vanished. The family believed that he was lost at sea during a fishing trip, but it later emerged that he had abandoned his wife and six young children to build a new life and family in Maine.

Deborah's mother, unable to provide for her children, placed them with other relatives and families, as was common for destitute parents of the time. Deborah ended up with the widow of a former minister, Mary Prince Thatcher, who likely taught the child to read. From that point on, Deborah displayed a desire for education unusual in a girl of that era.

When Mrs. Thatcher died around 1770, 10-year-old Deborah became an indentured servant in the household of Jeremiah Thomas of Middleborough, Massachusetts. "Mr. Thomas, as an earnest patriot, did much towards shaping the political opinions of the young woman in his charge." At the same time, Thomas did not believe in women's education, so Deborah borrowed books from the Thomas sons.

After her indenture ended in 1778, Deborah supported herself by teaching school in the summers and working as a weaver in the winter. She also used her skills at light woodworking to peddle goods like spools, pie crimpers, milking stools, and other items door-to-door.

Enlisting in the Army

The Revolution was in its final months when Deborah decided to disguise herself and attempt to enlist sometime in late 1781. She purchased some cloth and made herself a suit of men's clothing. At 22, Deborah had reached a height of around five feet, eight inches, tall even for men of the period. With a wide waist and a small chest, it was easy enough for her to pass as a young man.

She first enlisted under the pseudonym "Timothy Thayer" in Middleborough in early 1782, but her identity was discovered before she made it into service. On Sept. 3, 1782, the First Baptist Church of Middleborough expelled her, writing that she: "Last spring was accused of dressing in men's clothes and enlisting as a Soldier in the Army [...] and for some time before had behaved very loose and unchristian like, and at last left our parts in a suden maner, and it is not known where she has gone."

She ended up walking from Middleborough to the port of New Bedford, where she considered signing on to an American cruiser, then passed through Boston and its suburbs, where she finally mustered in as "Robert Shurtliff" in Uxbridge in May 1782. Private Shurtliff was one of 50 new members of the Light Infantry Company of the 4th Massachusetts Infantry.

Identity Uncovered

Deborah soon saw combat. On July 3, 1782, just a few weeks into her service, she took part in a battle outside Tarrytown, New York. During the fight, she was struck by two musket balls in the leg and a gash to her forehead. Fearing exposure, "Shurtliff" begged comrades to leave her to die in the field, but they took her to the surgeon anyway. She quickly slipped out of the field hospital and removed the bullets with a penknife.

More or less permanently disabled, Private Shurtliff was reassigned as a waiter to General John Patterson. The war was essentially over, but American troops remained in the field. By June 1783, Deborah's unit was sent to Philadelphia to put down a brewing mutiny among American soldiers over delays in back pay and discharge.

Fevers and illness were common in Philadelphia, and not long after she arrived, Deborah fell seriously ill. She was put under the care of Dr. Barnabas Binney, who discovered her true gender as she lay delirious in his hospital. Rather than alert her commander, he took her to his home and put her under the care of his wife and daughters.

After months in Binney's care, it was time for her to rejoin General Patterson. As she prepared to leave, Binney gave her a note to give to the General, which she correctly assumed revealed her gender. Following her return, she was called to Patterson's quarters. "She says, 'A re-entrance was harder than facing a cannonade," in her biography. She nearly fainted from the tension.

To her surprise, Patterson decided not to punish her. He and his staff seemed almost impressed she had carried off her ruse for so long. With no sign she had ever acted inappropriately with her male comrades, Private Shurtliff was given an honorable discharge on Oct. 25, 1783.

Becoming Mrs. Gannett

Deborah returned to Massachusetts, where she married Benjamin Gannett and settled down on their small farm in Sharon. She was soon the mother of four: Earl, Mary, Patience, and an adopted daughter named Susanna. Like many families in the young Republic, the Gannetts struggled financially.

Starting in 1792, Deborah began what would become a decades-long battle to receive back pay and pension relief from her time in service. Unlike many of her male peers, Deborah didn't rely just on petitions and letters to Congress. To raise her profile and strengthen her case, she also allowed a local writer named Herman Mann to write a romanticized version of her life story, and in 1802 embarked on a lengthy lecture tour of Massachusetts and New York.

National Tour

Reluctantly leaving her children in Sharon, Gannett was on the road from June 1802 to April 1803. Her tour covered over 1,000 miles and stopped in every major town in Massachusetts and the Hudson River Valley, ending in New York City. In most towns, she lectured simply on her wartime experiences.

In bigger venues like Boston, the "American Heroine" was a spectacle. Gannett would give her lecture in female dress, then exit the stage as a chorus sang patriotic tunes. Finally, she would reappear in her military uniform and perform a complex, 27-step military drill with her musket.

Her tour was met with widespread acclaim until she got to New York City, where she lasted only a single performance. "Her talents do not appear calculated for theatrical exhibitions," one reviewer sniffed. She returned home to Sharon soon after. Because of the high cost of travel, she ended up making a profit of around $110.

Petition for Benefits

In her long fight for benefits, Gannett had the support of some powerful allies like Revolutionary War hero Paul Revere, Massachusetts Congressman William Eustis, and her old commander, General Patterson. All would press her claims with the Government, and Revere, in particular, would frequently lend her money. Revere wrote to Eustis after meeting Gannett in 1804, describing her as "much out of health," in part because of her military service, and despite the Gannett's obvious efforts, "they are really poor." He added:

We commonly form our Idea of the person whom we hear spoken off, whom we have never seen; according as their actions are described, when I heard her spoken off as a Soldier, I formed the Idea of a tall, Masculine female, who had a small share of understandg, without education, & one of the meanest of her Sex-When I saw and discoursed with I was agreeably surprised to find a small, effeminate, and converseable Woman, whose education entitled her to a better situation in life.

In 1792, Gannett successfully petitioned the Massachusetts Legislature for back pay of £34, plus interest. Following her lecture tour in 1803, she began to petition the Congress for disability pay. In 1805, she received a lump sum of $104 plus $48 a year thereafter. In 1818, she gave up disability pay for a general pension of $96 a year. The fight for retroactive payments went on until the end of her life.

Deborah died at the age of 68, after a long period of ill health. The family was too poor to pay for a headstone, so her gravesite in Sharon's Rock Ridge Cemetery was unmarked until the 1850s or 1860s. At first, she was noted only as "Deborah, Wife of Benjamin Gannett." It wasn't until years after that someone memorialized her service by carving into the headstone, "Deborah Sampson Gannett/Robert Shurtliff/The Female Soldier."

Resources and Further Reading

Abbatt, William. The Magazine of History with Notes and Queries: Extra Numbers. 45-48, XII, 1916.

"Letter from Paul Revere to William Eustis, 20 February 1804." Massachusetts Historical Society Collections Online, Mass Cultural Council, 2019.

Mann, Herman. Female Review: Life of Deborah Sampson, the Female Soldier in the War of the Revolution. Forgotten, 2016.

Rothman, Ellen K., et al. "Deborah Sampson Performs in Boston." Mass Moments, Mass Humanities.

Young, Alfred Fabian. Masquerade: The Life and Times of Deborah Sampson, Continental Soldier. Vintage, 2005.

Weston, Thomas. History of the Town of Middleboro, Massachusetts. Vol. 1, Houghton Mifflin, 1906.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Deborah Sampson: Hidden Heroine of the American Revolution

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Deborah Sampson Gannett, one of the only women to serve in the Revolutionary War, disguised herself as a man in order to enlist in the army.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
children kids podcast ios apps education science discovery sharing

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Smalltalk.fm helps you discover, listen to, and share great podcasts for kids

# data[].attributes.headline
Ducksters: Battle of Guilford Courthouse

# data[].attributes.subject
Ducksters: Battle of Guilford Courthouse

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Learn about the Battle of Guilford Courthouse during the Revolutionary War including the commanders, where it was fought, before the battle, results, and interesting facts.

# data[].attributes.headline
Military Tactics of the British and a Patriot Troops

# data[].attributes.subject
Military Tactics of the British and a Patriot Troops

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
Revolutionary War in the North and South

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
During the American Revolution, both the Continental army and British army used specific strategies and tactics against each other. These played a large role in the outcome of that war. Brilliant planning and strategical attacks on the British led to the victory of the U.S. Introduction to the Strategies and Tactics of the Revolutionary War strategies and tactics
Strategies and Tactics of the British
The British didn't use nearly as many techniques as the U.S army but they did have efficient ways of taking on the Continental army. They also had a key ally- the Native Americans. They helped them navigate the land efficiently. This was a large advantage for the British over the U.S. They also were able to use the Native's battle strategies against the Continental army. The British were also able to charge with bayonets against the defenseless U.S towards the beginning of the war. The British could have destroyed the U.S in the first year in the war but they got far too cocky and slacked off in their tactics and attacks.

Strategies and Tactics of the U.S Army
The U.S army were far more ambitious with their strategies. With the help of Baron Von Steuben the Continental army got back on its feet and were trained into a fighting machine equipped with bayonets, sharpshooters, and spies behind enemy lines. All of these play a large part in the victory over the British. The British may have had the numbers, but the U.S had the heart and the potential to defeat the most powerful army and navy of the time. After Von Stueben joined the U.S, Spain and France, longtime enemies of the British, joined up with the U.S and supplied them with much needed supplies, ammunition, weapons, and soldiers. The French also supplied them with a strong naval force to counter the British.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Introduction to the Strategies and Tactics of the Revolutionary War During the American Revolution, both the Continental army and British army used specific strategies and tactics...

# data[].attributes.headline
The Declaration of Independence and its Legacy

# data[].attributes.subject
The Declaration of Independence and its Legacy

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.authors[].name
2023 MrNussbaum.com is a copyright of the Nussbaum Education Network,LLC.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Mr. Nussbaum - Battles of the Revolutionary War Interactive Map

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
This awesome map allows students to click on the points of the map to learn more about each battle.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
This is a description of what happened before, after, and during, the Battles of Lexington and Concord.

Battles of Lexington and Concord Stamp

The Redcoats March to Concord to Seize Weapons

Following resolutions made by the Continental Congress, armed conflict seemed imminent. King George, who declared the colonies in a state of rebellion, had authorized the deliverance of British soldiers to reinforce those who had occupied Boston since 1768. General Thomas Gage was sent to Boston to disarm the colonists and arrest the leaders of the rebellion, namely John Hancock and Samuel Adams. After learning of the existence of a large colonial arsenal in Concord, about 20 miles northwest of Boston, General Gage sent a detachment of 700 troops under Colonel Francis Smith to march to Concord for the purposes of seizing and destroying artillery and ammunition. The Colonists, however, already knew their weapons were in jeopardy and had moved most of them to secret locations before the arrival of the Redcoats.

Paul Revere's Midnight Ride

As British troops mobilized in Boston, Dr. Joseph Warren alerted members of the Sons of Liberty - Paul Revere and William Dawes. Dawes promptly rode to Concord to warn Hancock and Adams and Revere rode through the countryside yelling "The Regulars are Coming" or "The Regulars are Out." By dawn, about 70 armed minutemen (Massachusetts militia) had gathered in the Lexington town common awaiting the arrival of the Redcoats. Gage's own wife, Margaret Kemble Gage, is thought to have given Warren information about her husband's planned raid in sympathy to the Revolution.

"One if by Land, Two if By Sea" referred to lanterns hung in the Old North Church

At Lexington - The Shot Heard Round the World

When the British arrived on the scene, someone fired a shot that would become known as "The Shot Heard Round' the World." To this day, historians disagree on which side fired first, or, if the shot came from a spectator. Nevertheless, the Redcoats subsequently unleashed devastating volleys before charging the minutemen with their bayonets. As the Redcoats marched on to Concord, eight minutemen were killed and ten wounded. Nevertheless, the numbers of Minutemen arriving from surrounding towns swelled and the substantial militia retreated to a ridge about a mile from Concord across the North Bridge.

Shots Fired at Lexington

The Devastating March from Concord to Boston

Meanwhile, British troops had occupied Concord, destroyed several cannons, and burned leftover ammunition. A gun battle erupted as the two sides crossed at the North Bridge. In a stunning turn of events, the Minutemen held the bridge, forcing the Redcoats to retreat. As the Redcoats exited Concord on their way back to Boston, hundreds or even thousands of farmers and other colonial workers had positioned themselves behind trees, rocks, in pastures, under bridges, and in places they could not be seen by the Redcoats, firing at them as they marched on. Desperate Redcoats, frustrated by an enemy they could not see, and in revenge for the brutal scalping of one of their dead, sometimes pillaged houses and communities along the way, killing dozens of colonists. Colonial militias, however, continued to snipe away the lines of Redcoats. By the time they finally had made it back to Boston, 73 Redcoats were killed and 174 were wounded. The American Revolution had officially begun.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Following resolutions made by the Continental Congress, armed conflict seemed imminent. King George, who declared the colonies in a state of rebellion, had authorized the deliverance of British soldiers

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Women supported the American Revolution by making homespun cloth, working to produce goods and services to help the army, and even serving as spies.

Women performed crucial tasks in the American Revolution, organizing fundraising drives, supplying the troops, working in the military camps, and tending to the wounded soldiers.

One of the most common ways that women supported the war effort was by making homespun, home-made cloth that took on revolutionary symbolism after the colonies imposed boycotts on British goods, including textiles.

Some women even acted as spies, and there is at least one documented case of a woman disguising herself as a man to fight in the war.

The American Revolution

By the time the British imposed the Coercive Acts, or the Intolerable Acts, as they became known in the North American colonies, revolutionary sentiment and activism had been on the rise.

The Coercive Acts, passed in 1774 as punishment for the Boston Tea Party, during which Boston radicals dumped over 300 crates of British tea into the harbor, was the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back of continued loyalty to the mother country. These acts convinced many colonists that they could no longer afford to live under the increasingly tyrannical rule of the British and contributed to uniting the colonies in opposition to continued colonial control.

The Daughters of Liberty and homespun

After the British Parliament passed the Stamp Act, the Daughters of Liberty was formed. Established in 1765, the organization was comprised solely of women who sought to demonstrate their loyalty to the revolutionary cause by boycotting British goods and making their own. Martha Washington, wife of George Washington, was one of the most prominent Daughters of Liberty.

Not only were women at the forefront of efforts to impose boycotts on British goods, they also spearheaded domestic production efforts. Because most textiles in the colonies were imported from Britain, weaving homespun cloth became an act of political rebellion. The Daughters of Liberty made public demonstrations of their spinning, such as the one at Newport, Rhode Island, where 92 women gathered in a meeting-house and produced 170 skeins of yarn.

What do you think?

What was so subversive about homespun?

In your opinion, what was the most important way that women contributed to the American Revolution?

How do you think women's wartime service might have affected their view of gender roles in the post-revolutionary period?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Women in the American Revolution (article) | Khan Academy

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Learn for free about math, art, computer programming, economics, physics, chemistry, biology, medicine, finance, history, and more. Khan Academy is a nonprofit with the mission of providing a free, world-class education for anyone, anywhere.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Kids learn about the Constitution of the United States government. The framework and supreme law of the land.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Learn about the Battle of Cowpens during the Revolutionary War including the commanders, where it was fought, before the battle, results, and interesting facts.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
VIDEO | Join Park Ranger David Lawrence as he gives the ins and outs of what it was like to serve as a soldier in the Continental Army during the American Revolution. People from different races, ages, genders and social classes all fought and worked together under George Washington to form the country that we have today. Watch now to discover what life was like for the common soldier fighting against the British in the Revolutionary War.

View or download this video on Vimeo

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
VIDEO | Watch now to discover what life was like for the common soldier fighting against the British in the Revolutionary War.

# data[].attributes.headline
The First Shots are fired, but the war is not official yet!

# data[].attributes.subject
The First Shots are fired, but the war is not official yet!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
This is a full biography on Paul Revere.

Paul Revere was born on January 1, 1735, in Boston, Massachusetts. Revere was a prosperous Boston silversmith, engraver and an American Patriot during the American Revolution. Paul Revere is best known for his "Midnight Ride," to warn the Colonial militia and Sons of Liberty of the arrival of the British soldiers before the battles of Lexington and Concord.

Iconic Propaganda engraved by Paul Revere following the 1770 Boston Massacre

Revere's Warning

On April 7, 1775, British soldiers began moving towards the city of Concord where a large supply of Patriot arms was being stored. Joseph Warren sent Paul Revere, a messenger, to warn the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts of the British troop movements towards Concord. Soon after Revere's warning was received, the citizens of Concord began quickly moving the Patriot militia supplies to a safer location.

Midnight Ride

On April 18, 1775, Joseph Warren once again sent Paul Revere to deliver a secret message to the Patriot militia. The British troops had plans to capture two of the two leaders of the Sons of Liberty, John Hancock and Samuel Adams. Revere set out on horseback that fateful night to deliver a warning message to all who he passed. In popular culture, his message has evolved into the timeless words, "The British are coming, The British are coming." In reality, however, Revere likely never actually shouted such words because his mission was a secret. He more likely shouted "The Regulars are Coming Out" according to his own recollection. Revere's "Midnight Ride" was successful because he was able alert Adams and Hancock of their potential capture. Revere's message also alerted the Patriot militia of the British troop's movements towards Lexington and Concord. Revere and other patriots were soon captured by the British. Revere told the British militia of the Patriot troops movements and plans. Once the British heard the bells ringing and the plans of the Patriot defense they set Revere and the other captured Patriots free and retreated to warn their commanders of the Patriot defenses.

Back to Silversmithing

Paul Revere remained an active American Patriot for most of his adult life and settled back into his life as a silversmith after the Revolution. He died on May 8, 1818.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Paul Revere was born on January 1, 1735, in Boston, Massachusetts. Revere was a prosperous Boston silversmith, engraver and an American Patriot during the American Revolution.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Learn about the biography of Molly Pitcher including her real name, folklore, where the name came from, Mary Ludwig Hays, Margaret Corbin, and interesting facts.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Learn about the Crossing the Delaware major event in the American Revolutionary War.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
This is a description of what happened before, after, and during, the Battle of Cowpens.

British Success in the Southern Theater

Despite the success of the combined American and French forces in the Middle Colonies, the southern colonies remained under British control. The British had recently captured the port cities of Savannah, Georgia and Charleston, South Carolina in 1778 and 1779. The siege at Charleston was particularly costly for Patriot forces. 5,000 Patriot soldiers were surrendered, making it the single largest loss of soldiers for the Patriot cause during the Revolutionary War.

Daniel Morgan's Assignment

On October 14, 1780, General George Washington chose Nathanael Greene to lead Patriot forces in the South against the British. Because Greene's small army of 2,300 soldiers would be no match for the British armies in the area, he decided to split it into two parts, giving command of the detachment he sent to the west of the Catawba River to Brigadier General Daniel Morgan. Morgan was to join another militia in the area and was assigned to protect the locals living in between the Broad and Pacolet Rivers.

Morgan Decides the Location of the Coming Battle

British General Charles Cornwallis, in charge of British forces in the South, ordered Banastre (Benny) Tarleton to engage Morgan's forces, and to protect a fort he mistakenly believed Morgan would attack. By disposing of Morgan's army, Cornwallis would have a clear path to invade North Carolina. When Tarelton realized Morgan's army had no intention of taking the fort, he called for reinforcements and began following Morgan, who decided to engage Tarelton at an area in between the Broad and Pacolet Rivers where cows often grazed. Morgan was said to have positioned his army in between the two rivers, so that his soldiers could not desert the army when attacked.

Morgan Defeats Tarleton's Redcoats

At 6:45 in the morning on January 17, 1781, Tarelton's exhausted and possibly malnourished army engaged Morgan's at what came to be known as Cowpens. Before Tarleton's arrival, however, Morgan had positioned his troops in formations that ultimately confused the charging British soldiers and officers. After the initial British charge, the first two lines of Patriot fighters withdrew. Tarelton believed the Patriots to be in full retreat and ordered his soldiers to charge. What Tarelton failed to account for, however, was a third line of Patriot fighters waiting for the British charge. In an attempt to chase the lines of Patriots who seemed to be in retreat, British forces charged directly into the third line of Patriots who immediately halted the British advance with a bayonet charge of their own. Many exhausted British soldiers surrendered on the spot and others turn and ran. Soon, the British army was outflanked and Patriot forces began attacking the British from behind. British forces began a disorderly retreat, despite the desperate urgings of Tarelton to continue fighting.

The Beginning of the End for the British

As the battle ended, Morgan captured 712 British soldiers. 110 British soldiers were killed in the battle. 128 Patriot soldiers were killed or wounded. The surprising Patriot victory at Cowpens served as a turning point in the Southern campaign of the Revolutionary War. Cowpens would ultimately prove to be the first step in the eventual end of the war as it caused Cornwallis to abandon South Carolina, engage General Nathanael Greene at Guilford's Courthouse in North Carolina, and eventually withdraw his battered army to Yorktown, Virginia - where his army would eventually come under siege and surrender.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
British General Charles Cornwallis, in charge of British forces in the South, ordered Banastre (Benny) Tarleton to engage Morgan's forces, and to protect a fort he mistakenly believed Morgan would attack.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Chris Kolakowski explains British strategy during the Revolutionary War, putting the American conflict in context along with the other major conflicts that were shaking the world in the late 1700s.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
British Strategy in the Revolutionary War

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
VIDEO | Chris Kolakowski explains British strategy during the Revolutionary War, putting the American conflict in context along with the other major conflicts...

# data[].attributes.headline
Schoolhouse Rock: Declaration of Independence

# data[].attributes.subject
Schoolhouse Rock: Declaration of Independence

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
About Lauren Tarshis

Lauren Tarshis's acclaimed and bestselling I Survived series, which has more than 25 million copies in print and digital formats since its launch in 2010, tells stories of young people and their resilience and strength in the midst of unimaginable disasters. For each book in the series that has captivated kids and educators alike, Tarshis has conducted extensive research on topics such as the sinking of the Titanic, the destruction of Pompeii, Hurricane Katrina, the bombing of Pearl Harbor, and now on the war that brought the United States its independence in I Survived the American Revolution, 1776. In addition to being an author, Lauren oversees the ELA magazines for Scholastic Classroom Magazines, and is the editor of Storyworks. She lives in Connecticut, and can be found online at laurentarshis.com.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
I Survived the American Revolution Webcast | Scholastic.com

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Lauren Tarshis's acclaimed and bestselling I Survived series, which has more than 25 million copies in print and digital formats since its launch in 2010, tells stories of young people and their resilience and strength in the midst of unimaginable disasters.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Learn about the biography of Martha Washington including her early life, first marriage, children, George Washington, Valley Forge, fun facts, and as the first First Lady.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The American Revolution for Kids - Winter 1776, Battle of Trenton - American Revolution for Kids

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
For Kids: The British and the German soldiers (called Hessians) did not expect George Washington to cross the Delaware River. It was the winter of 1776. It was freezing. And the river was full of big chunks of ice and wild currents of water. On the British side, no one was patrolling the rive…

# data[].attributes.headline
The Constitution for Kids- Who makes the rules?

# data[].attributes.subject
The Constitution for Kids- Who makes the rules?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Learn about Valley Forge. The place where George Washington and the Continental Army spent the winter during the Revolutionary War.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
VIDEO | Join David Lawrence of the Valley Forge National Historical Park for an overview of the fighting styles for both the Continental and British armies during the Revolutionary War.

View or download this video from Vimeo.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Combat Strategy in the Revolutionary War

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
VIDEO | David Lawrence describes the combat styles of the Continental and British Armies in the Revolutionary War.

# data[].attributes.headline
Khan Academy: Second Continental Congress

# data[].attributes.subject
Khan Academy: Second Continental Congress

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The Second Continental Congress (article) | Khan Academy

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Learn for free about math, art, computer programming, economics, physics, chemistry, biology, medicine, finance, history, and more. Khan Academy is a nonprofit with the mission of providing a free, world-class education for anyone, anywhere.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Learn about the battles at Fort Ticonderoga during the Revolutionary War including the Green Mountain Boys and General John Burgoyne.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Kids learn about the Battle of Yorktown major event ending the American Revolutionary War.

# data[].attributes.headline
Liberty Kids: The Shot Heard 'Round The World

# data[].attributes.subject
Liberty Kids: The Shot Heard 'Round The World

# data[].attributes.headline
Ducksters: African Americans Revolutionary War

# data[].attributes.subject
Ducksters: African Americans Revolutionary War

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Learn about African Americans during the Civil War including soldiers and regiments. Famous patriots such as Crispus Attucks, James Armistead, William Lee, and Peter Salem.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
American Revolutionary War Facts

Battle of Cowpens Monument

Introduction
Why is Catherine Moore Barry, also known as Kate Barry, a true heroine of the American Revolutionary War? She is best known for her role in successfully warning the American militia when the British were about to invade, before the decisive Continental Army victory at the Battle of Cowpens. She was instrumental in helping General Daniel Morgan, commander of the American forces, not only fend off British forces but ultimately set the stage for the turning point in the war. To find out more about this brave and heroic woman, read the interesting information and facts on her life below. Although not much is known about her later years, it covers her early life, such as where she was born and how many kids were in her family as well as interesting facts about her life.

Click here for a great selection ofAmazon.com books about the American Revolution.

Catherine Moore Barry Early Years

Catherine Moore Barry was born to Charles and Mary Moore in 1752 near Spartanburg, South Carolina.

She was the eldest of ten children.

One of the first families to migrate to the Piedmont area of South Carolina was the Moore family.

In 1767, at the young age of 15, Catherine married Andrew Barry. They lived about two miles from her childhood home.

Catherine and Andrew Barry had three children together.

Catherine Moore Barry Interesting Information

When Catherine's husband, Andrew, became a captain and commanding officer in the war, she proudly helped him acting as a spy and messenger and even fought in some battles with him.

Although there is no historical proof, it is said that Catherine Barry Moore tied her newborn baby to her bedpost and, using her extensive knowledge of the woods, rode on her horse through Indian trails to warn her neighbors that the British were approaching.

Barry not only rounded up enough Patriots to fight the British at the Battle of Cowpens, but also aided General Morgan in setting a trap to ambush the British which forced British troops to retreat from South Carolina into Virginia.

Winning the Battle of Cowpens was a turning point in the American War for Independence. Shortly thereafter it led to the Battle of Yorktown where the British troops, led by General Cornwallis, surrendered to General Washington and the colonies won their independence.

Catherine Moore Barry received several medals for her brave work and her intelligence as both a messenger and a spy during the American Revolution.

She died in September of 1823 and was buried next to her husband Andrew in a family cemetery.

Walnut Grove Plantation, the house where Catherine Moore Barry was raised, has become a popular tourist attraction on the outskirts of Spartanburg, South Carolina in a town called Roebuck.

MENU
American Revolutionary War Women Facts Abigail Adams Facts Betsy Ross Facts Catherine Moore Barry Facts Martha Washington Facts Mercy Otis Warren Facts Sybil Ludington Facts

American Revolutionary War Women Facts

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Click here for a list of interesting facts about Catherine Moore Barry which includes all the important information you need to know about this important woman of the American Revolution.

# data[].attributes.headline
Native Americans and the American Revolution

# data[].attributes.subject
Native Americans and the American Revolution

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Liberty's Kids   Season 01 Episode 21   Sybil Ludington

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Learn about the Battle of Long Island, New York during the Revolutionary War including the commanders, where it was fought, before the battle, results, and interesting facts.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
This is a description of what happened before, after, and during, the Battle of Trenton.

Silver Lining

For the most part, and with the exception of the publication of the Declaration of Independence, 1776 had been a brutal year for Patriot morale. The Continental Army, under the command of George Washington, had been more or less routed in and around New York City, suffering tremendous casualties. Morale was low and the ragtag Continental army was forced to retreat through New Jersey to the west side of the Delaware River into Pennsylvania. On the other side of the river, in Trenton, N.J., were three regiments of Hessian soldiers (German soldiers) numbering about 1,400.

A Nine-mile Path of Blood

General Washington planned an attack on the Hessians from three directions to be executed on December 26, 1776, the day after Christmas. As the Continental Army prepared to cross the Delaware River on their way to Trenton, sleet and snow had begun to fall, delaying the crossing. With great effort and difficulty, the army eventually crossed the river in Durham boats, and the horses and artillery were ferried across. Two men fell overboard during the crossing, but both survived. Two other generals who were to assist Washington were delayed by the adverse weather. By 4:00 in the morning, however, the crossing was completed and the Continental Army began the nine mile march toward Trenton. During the march, Washington continually encouraged his troops, many of whom lacked shoes and were bleeding from their feet.

Surprising the Hessians

The first shots of the battle happened about a mile north of Trenton at a Hessian outpost, where the Hessians stationed there began a desperate retreat. Once in Trenton, Washington instructed the escape route to Princeton cut off. Washington's army was soon joined by armies under the command of Generals Nathaniel Greene and John Sullivan. Cannons and artillery were set up at the heads of King and Queen Streets, the two main streets running through the city, which did tremendous damage to the Hessian ranks. Hessian soldiers advancing up the streets were quickly repulsed. Elsewhere in the city, Hessian forces were being overrun. Eventually, the majority of Hessian forces would become surrounded by American forces in an orchard. They were forced to surrender. Others surrendered when their escape routes had been cut off.

Capture of the Hessians at Trenton on December 26, 1776 by John Trumbull

A Key Victory for Patriot Morale

In the battle, only two American soldiers were killed and five were injured, though many more suffered from hypothermia and disease. The Hessians suffered 83 casualties, 22 of which were fatalities. 896 Hessians were captured, though several hundred did manage to escape. All four Hessian colonels, however, were killed. Although the battle was not important tactically, it inspired the American war effort and raised the morale of the army, which seemed to be threatened with dissolution.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
General Washington planned an attack on the Hessians from three directions to be executed on December 26, 1776, the day after Christmas. As the Continental Army prepared to cross the Delaware River on their way to Trenton

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
History >> American Revolution

The Battle of Bunker Hill took place on June 17, 1775, just a few months after the start of the American Revolutionary War.

Battle of Bunker Hill by Pyle

Boston was being besieged by thousands of American militia. The British were trying to keep control of the city and control its valuable seaport. The British decided to take two hills, Bunker Hill and Breed's Hill, in order to gain a tactical advantage. The American forces heard about it and went to defend the hills.

Where did the battle take place?

This seems like the easiest question ever, doesn't it? Well, not really. There were two hills that the British wanted to take in order to be able to bombard the Americans from a distance. These were Breed's Hill and Bunker Hill. The Battle of Bunker Hill actually took place mostly on Breed's Hill. It's only called the Battle of Bunker Hill because the army thought they were on Bunker Hill. Sort of a funny mistake and it makes for a good trick question.

Bunker Hill Monument by Ducksters
You can visit Bunker Hill and climb to the top of
the monument for a view of the city of Boston

The Leaders

The British were led up the hill by General William Howe. The Americans were led by Colonel William Prescott. Maybe this should have been called the Battle of the Williams! Major John Pitcairn was also one of the British leaders. He was in command of the troops that started the fighting at Lexington that began the Revolutionary War. From the American side, Israel Putnam was the General in charge. Also, leading patriot Dr. Joseph Warren was part of the battle. He was killed during the fighting.

What happened at the battle?

The American forces learned that the British were planning on taking over the hills around Boston in order to gain a tactical advantage. As a result of this information, the Americans secretly moved their troops onto Bunker and Breed's Hill, two unoccupied hills just outside of Boston in Charlestown, Massachusetts. They built up fortifications during the night and prepared for battle.

The next day, when the British realized what had happened, the British attacked. Their commander William Howe led three charges up Breed's Hill. The Americans fought back the first two charges, but started to run out of ammunition and had to retreat at the third charge. The British gained the hill, but their costs were great. Around 226 British were killed and 800 wounded while the Americans did not suffer nearly as many casualties.

Battle Map - Click to see larger picture

Result of the Battle

Although the British won the battle and gained control of the hills, they paid a heavy price. They lost hundreds of soldiers including several officers. This gave the Americans the courage and confidence that they could stand up to the British in battle. Many more colonists joined the army after this battle and the revolution continued to grow in strength.

Bunker Hill Cannon Ball by Ducksters
A cannon ball dug up from Bunker Hill

Interesting Facts about The Battle of Bunker Hill

Because the Americans were low on ammunition, they were told "Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes."

The American troops worked hard during the night building up the defenses. Much of the wall they built, called a redoubt, was nearly 6 feet high.

Future President of the United States, John Quincy Adams, watched the battle from a nearby hill with his mother Abigail Adams. He was seven years old at the time.

The British suffered the most casualties of any single fight during the American Revolutionary War.

Activities

Take a ten question quiz about this page.

Listen to a recorded reading of this page:

Your browser does not support the audio element.
Learn more about the Revolutionary War:

Works Cited

History >> American Revolution

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Kids learn about the Battle of Bunker Hill major event in the American Revolutionary War.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
American Revolution: Articles of Confederation

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Learn about the Articles of Confederation during the Revolutionary War including authors, summary of the thirteen articles, ratification, results, and interesting facts.

# data[].attributes.headline
The Battle of Saratoga and the case of Benedict Arnold

# data[].attributes.subject
The Battle of Saratoga and the case of Benedict Arnold

# data[].attributes.headline
How Kids Helped During the Revolutionary War

# data[].attributes.subject
How Kids Helped During the Revolutionary War

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How kids helped during the Revolutionary War

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
By the original Independence Day in 1776, life was already changing for people in the United States. The Revolutionary War …

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
Revolutionary War in the North and South

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
During the American Revolution, both the Continental army and British army used specific strategies and tactics against each other. These played a large role in the outcome of that war. Brilliant planning and strategical attacks on the British led to the victory of the U.S. Introduction to the Strategies and Tactics of the Revolutionary War strategies and tactics
Strategies and Tactics of the British
The British didn't use nearly as many techniques as the U.S army but they did have efficient ways of taking on the Continental army. They also had a key ally- the Native Americans. They helped them navigate the land efficiently. This was a large advantage for the British over the U.S. They also were able to use the Native's battle strategies against the Continental army. The British were also able to charge with bayonets against the defenseless U.S towards the beginning of the war. The British could have destroyed the U.S in the first year in the war but they got far too cocky and slacked off in their tactics and attacks.

Strategies and Tactics of the U.S Army
The U.S army were far more ambitious with their strategies. With the help of Baron Von Steuben the Continental army got back on its feet and were trained into a fighting machine equipped with bayonets, sharpshooters, and spies behind enemy lines. All of these play a large part in the victory over the British. The British may have had the numbers, but the U.S had the heart and the potential to defeat the most powerful army and navy of the time. After Von Stueben joined the U.S, Spain and France, longtime enemies of the British, joined up with the U.S and supplied them with much needed supplies, ammunition, weapons, and soldiers. The French also supplied them with a strong naval force to counter the British.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Introduction to the Strategies and Tactics of the Revolutionary War During the American Revolution, both the Continental army and British army used specific strategies and tactics...

# data[].attributes.headline
Khan Academy: Declaration of Independence

# data[].attributes.subject
Khan Academy: Declaration of Independence

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The Declaration of Independence (video) | Khan Academy

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Learn for free about math, art, computer programming, economics, physics, chemistry, biology, medicine, finance, history, and more. Khan Academy is a nonprofit with the mission of providing a free, world-class education for anyone, anywhere.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
This is a description of what happened before, after, and during, the Storming of Fort Ticonderoga.

What was Fort Ticonderoga?

Fort Ticonderoga was a small, dilapidated British fort maintained by the British at the southern tip of Lake Champlain in upstate New York. It was a strategically important fort in the French and Indian War, and was known then as Fort Carillon.

Why was it important?

Although it was manned by only 48 British soldiers, American forces recognized its geographic importance and its cache of cannon, guns, and other weapons. Fort Ticonderoga was located in a strategically important route between the colonies and England's Northern provinces (today Canada). The Massachusetts Committee of Safety authorized a secret mission that would be led by Colonel Benedict Arnold to seize the fort. Arnold helped in the effort to recruit 400 soldiers.

A Bloodless Seizure

As Arnold's mission traveled north, he learned that Connecticut had also planned a mission to seize the fort that was led by Ethan Allen and his Green Mountain Boys from Vermont. When Arnold finally reached Allen, the two worked out an agreement to share command of the mission. On May 10th, 1775, Allen, Arnold and 83 soldiers raided Fort Ticonderoga. The British soldiers, sleeping inside the fort, offered no resistance. No one was killed in the raid. After the surrender, as many as four hundred additional American soldiers arrived at the fort, promptly destroying it in search of liquor. Arnold was infuriated by the lack of discipline and regard by the Green Mountain Boys. Several of them became so sick of Arnold that they apparently drew their swords. Ethan Allen would take credit for the entire operation.

Arnold is Relieved of his Command

On May 11, Arnold led the seizure of nearby Fort Crown Point , which yielded more weapons and cannons. The first of Arnold's many perceived snubs occurred when he was relieved of command of the fort by Benjamin Hinman, who had come with 1,000 troops to help rebuild it.

Weapons Hauled 300 Miles to Boston

Despite Arnold's disappointment, the weapons obtained from the seizures of Forts Ticonderoga and Crown Point would prove extremely useful to the American cause. Commander-in-Chief of Continental forces, George Washington, put Colonel Henry Knox in charge of transporting the weapons for the defense of Boston. Knox and his men dragged 59 cannons on ox-drawn sleds over 300 miles from Fort Ticonderoga, through Albany, N.Y. and the mountains of Massachusetts, to Boston. The trip took 56 days. The entire load weighed more than 60 tons. When the cannons arrived in Boston, Washington ordered them positioned atop Dorchester Heights, overlooking the British fleet in the harbor below. On the night of March 4, 1776, Dorchester Heights would be fortified by 1,200 soldiers and the cannons were moved into place - all of which went unnoticed by the British. The British, astonished by the enormity of the work completed by the Patriots, were eventually forced to leave Boston and sail back to British territory in Halifax, Nova Scotia (Canada).

Henry Knox Hauls the Artillery Taken from Fort Ticonderoga

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Fort Ticonderoga was a small, dilapidated British fort maintained by the British at the southern tip of Lake Champlain in upstate New York. It was a strategically important fort in the French and Indian War, and was known then as Fort Carillon.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Table of Contents

1. Before the Battles of Trenton and Princeton

2. Washington Crosses the Delaware

3. The Battle of Trenton

4. Between Trenton and Princeton

5. The Battle of Princeton

6. Importance of the Battles of Trenton and Princeton

General George Washington's army crossed the icy Delaware on Christmas Day 1776 and, over the course of the next 10 days, won two crucial battles of the American Revolution. In the Battle of Trenton (December 26), Washington defeated a formidable garrison of Hessian mercenaries before withdrawing. A week later he returned to Trenton to lure British forces south, then executed a daring night march to capture Princeton on January 3. The victories reasserted American control of much of New Jersey and greatly improved the morale and unity of the colonial army and militias.

Before the Battles of Trenton and Princeton

Since August 1776, British forces under General William Howe had been driving the Continental Army south out of New York. On November 16 the British overran Fort Washington in Manhattan, taking 2,000 Americans prisoner.

Did you know? During the Battle of Princeton, Alexander Hamilton, the first secretary of the U.S. Treasury, fired cannons at British troops blockaded in Nassau Hall, the main building of the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University). Three years earlier, Hamilton had applied to the college but been rejected when he asked for permission to take courses at his own pace.

The British then pursued the Americans across New Jersey. In mid-December Washington led his army south across the Delaware River. They camped on the Pennsylvania side, short of food, ammunition and supplies.

Washington Crosses the Delaware

Washington realized that without a decisive action, the Continental Army was likely doomed, so he planned a daring assault on the Hessian garrison at Trenton. He envisioned a three-pronged attack, with his army of 2,400 flanked by a 1,900-man diversionary force under Colonel John Cadwalader and a blocking move by General James Ewing's 700 men.

Washington's men and cannons crossed the icy river in boats and began the 19-mile march towards Trenton in a freezing storm. In the end, neither Cadwalader nor Ewing were able to carry out their parts of the plan.

The Battle of Trenton

The Hessian force at Trenton numbered 1,400 under the leadership of Colonel Johann Rall. Although Rall had received warnings of colonial movements, his men were exhausted and unprepared for Washington's attack-though rumors that they were drunk from Christmas celebrations are unfounded.

As he approached the town, Washington divided his men, sending flanking columns under General Nathaniel Greene and General John Sullivan. Meanwhile, Colonel Henry Knox's cannons fired on the garrison. Rall attempted to rally his troops but was never able to establish a defensive perimeter, and was shot from his horse and fatally wounded. The Hessians quickly surrendered. All told, 22 were killed, 92 wounded, 918 captured and 400 escaped in the Battle of Trenton. The Americans suffered two frozen to death and five wounded.

Between Trenton and Princeton

Realizing his men could not hold Trenton against British reinforcements, Washington withdrew across the Delaware. However, on December 30 he crossed back into New Jersey with an army of 2,000. Informed that 8,000 British troops under Generals Charles Cornwallis and James Grant were marching south from Princeton, Washington worked quickly to supplement his numbers, urging militiamen whose terms had expired to stay on for six weeks.

On New Year's Day, Washington's force of 5,000 poorly trained men massed in Trenton. The next day Cornwallis arrived with an army 5,500. After skirmishes at the American lines and three attempts to cross the bridge at Assunpink Creek, Cornwallis relented for the day, assuming he had Washington trapped.

That night, Washington deployed 500 men to keep the campfires going while the rest of his troops made a nighttime march north to Princeton. To keep their movement secret, torches were extinguished and wagon wheels muffled in heavy cloth.

Battles of Trenton and Princeton

The Battle of Princeton

At dawn on January 3, 1777, Cornwallis woke to find that his opponent had disappeared, while Washington's men were nearing the end of their 12-mile march to Princeton.

Washington sent a small force under General Hugh Mercer to destroy a bridge. Mercer's men encountered Redcoats under Lt. Col. Charles Mawhood and Mercer was killed in the fighting. Arriving militiamen under Col. Cadwalader had little effect. Then Washington arrived, riding between the firing lines until his terrified horse refused to go on. The Americans rallied and broke through Mawhood's lines.

Importance of the Battles of Trenton and Princeton

As at Trenton, the Americans took prisoners, arms and supplies but quickly withdrew after winning the Battle of Princeton. Washington had wanted to advance to New Brunswick, but was fortuitously overruled by his officers (at the time, Cornwallis' men were en route to New Brunswick).

Washington's men marched to Morristown, in northern New Jersey, where they established winter quarters, safe from British incursions. The Continental Army basked in its achievements-at Princeton they had defeated a regular British army in the field. Moreover, Washington had shown that he could unite soldiers from all the colonies into an effective national force.

HISTORY Vault: The American Revolution

Stream American Revolution documentaries and your favorite HISTORY series, commercial-free.

Fact Check

We strive for accuracy and fairness. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! HISTORY reviews and updates its content regularly to ensure it is complete and accurate.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Battles of Trenton and Princeton - Facts, Location & Importance | HISTORY

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Revolutionary War battles of Trenton and Princeton turned the tide for the colonies and sealed George Washington's fate as an American hero.

# data[].attributes.headline
African-Americans in the Revolutionary War

# data[].attributes.subject
African-Americans in the Revolutionary War

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
American Revolutionary War Facts

Betsy Ross's House

Introduction
Of all of the famous American Revolutionary women in history, the woman who shall forever stand out as an icon to so many is Betsy Ross. Although there is no actual historical evidence she is widely regarded as the person who sewed the very first American Flag. A patriotic symbol, such as a flag, was just what the American colonist needed as a symbol to help unite them during the war for independence. As the eighth of seventeen kids, her love of sewing flourished during her childhood where, as a Quaker, she was taught many crafts. Not only is her life interesting because of the flag, but the facts and information below highlight her struggles as a widowed business owner, which are just as impressive.

Click here for a great selection ofAmazon.com books about Betsy Ross.

Betsy Ross Interesting Facts

Betsy Ross was born as Elizabeth Griscom on January 1, 1752.

Her first marriage was to John Ross in 1772, for whom she went outside of the Quaker religion to marry. This action caused her Quaker place of worship to expel her and her own family to disown her.

Together, she and John Ross began their own upholstery business with the knowledge and skills she had gained as an apprentice to John Webster.

Sadly, Betsy Ross's first husband, John Ross, was killed while on militia duty. She became a widow who worked night and day to keep her company going on her own.

Joseph Ashburn became her next husband and he too tragically died young. In 1780 his boat was captured by the British upon which he was charged with treason. He was sent to prison where he died the following year.

Betsy Ross was married for a third time in 1783 to a man named John Claypoole. They went on to have five children together and continued to run an upholstery shop together. In 1817, she was widowed for the last time when John passed away.

It is widely believed that in June of 1776, President George Washington, George Ross and Robert Morris paid a visit to Betsy Ross at which point they asked her to design and sew the very first flag.

The tourist attraction, the Betsy Ross House, is said to be the place where the first flag was created. There is no definitive proof, however, that she even lived there.

After the first flag was sewn, the Pennsylvania State Navy paid her to manufacture flags.

A truss bridge, which crosses the Delaware River, was named after Betsy Ross. It has the distinction of being the first automotive bridge to be named after a woman.

Betsy Ross Later Years Facts

Betsy had made a point of teaching her daughters to sew and before she died, she turned over her upholstery business to them.

Betsy Ross was 84 when she died in 1836 in Philadelphia.

Betsy Ross had an unusual amount of burials. First she was buried at the Free Quaker burial ground in Philadelphia. Twenty years later her remains were brought to Mt. Moriah Cemetery in Philadelphia. Her remains were moved again in 1975 when the city of Philadelphia had the remains moved to the courtyard by the Betsy Ross House.

MENU
American Revolutionary War Women Facts Abigail Adams Facts Betsy Ross Facts Catherine Moore Barry Facts Martha Washington Facts Mercy Otis Warren Facts Sybil Ludington Facts

American Revolutionary War Women Facts

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Click here for a list of interesting facts about Betsy Ross which includes all the important information you need to know about this important woman of the American Revolution.

# data[].attributes.headline
Choosing Sides: Native Americans in the Revolutionary War

# data[].attributes.subject
Choosing Sides: Native Americans in the Revolutionary War

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
American Revolutionary War Facts

Statue of Sybil Ludington

Introduction
Sybil Ludington was an American Revolutionary War Woman who became famous for her horseback ride through upstate New York to warn militia that British troops were raiding and burning Danbury, Connecticut. What makes her ride even more impressive than that of Paul Revere's ride is that she was just a kid of sixteen when she heroically rode a treacherous forty miles during the middle of the night. To find out where her route took her, how she fended off outlaws during her ride and why there was such confusion over the spelling of her name, read the interesting facts and information on the life of Sybil Ludington below.

Click here for a great selection ofAmazon.com books about Sybil Ludington.

Sybil Ludington Early Years

Sybil Ludington was born on April 5, 1761 to Henry and Abigail Ludington.

Sybil was the eldest of twelve children.

Colonel Henry Ludington, Sybil's father, was a volunteer militia officer and community leader who went on to become an aide to General George Washington.

Sybil Ludington's Ride

When Sybil's father got word that the British were attacking Danbury, she volunteered to ride through the countryside and alert the militia, knowing they needed to muster as many troops as possible.

Sybil's ride on the night of April 26, 1777 took her through the towns of Kent, Mahopac and Stormville bringing her through both Putnam and Dutchess Counties in New York.

During her late-night ride through the rain, which began at 9 PM, she managed to fend off British soldiers and loyalists as well as outlaws that didn't side with either the British or the Americans. She traveled with a stick and used it as necessary to defend herself against attacks.

Some historians believe that along Ludington's journey, a man offered to ride with her but she instead sent him east to warn the town of Brewster.

When she arrived back home about 400 troops had gathered at the Ludington residence to fight the British.

Although the militia was not able to defend Danbury against attack, they were able to force the British to retreat in what became known as the Battle of Ridgefield.

Sybil Ludington Interesting Facts

Ludington's hometown, once named Fredericksburg, was renamed Ludingtonville to honor Sybil's heroic acts.

Interestingly, Sybil Ludington's name is not found on any official documents spelled as Sybil. The spelling on her tombstone says Sibbell, while her sister went by the spelling Sebil. To make things even more confusing, some documents suggests she spelled her own name as Sebal, yet she is also appears on historic records as Sibel and Cybil.

At the age of twenty-three, Ludington married Edmond Ogden, a famer and innkeeper. They had only one son named Henry.

Sybil Ludington died on February 26, 1839, at the age of 77. She was buried in Patterson, New York, at the same cemetery as her father.

MENU
American Revolutionary War Women Facts Abigail Adams Facts Betsy Ross Facts Catherine Moore Barry Facts Martha Washington Facts Mercy Otis Warren Facts Sybil Ludington Facts

American Revolutionary War Women Facts

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Click here for a list of interesting facts about Sybil Ludington which includes all the important information you need to know about this important woman of the American Revolution.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The Battle of Trenton was a small but crucial American Revolutionary War battle that took place on the morning of December 26, 1776, in Trenton, New Jersey. After General George Washington crossed the Delaware River north of Trenton the previous night, he led the main body of the Continental Army against Hessian soldiers stationed at Trenton. After a short battle, almost two-thirds of the Hessian force was captured with few losses to the Americans.

Before the Battle of Trenton, the Continental Army had suffered several defeats in New York and had been forced to retreat through New Jersey to Pennsylvania. Morale (confidence during hard times) in the army was low. To end the year on a positive note, George Washington-Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army-designed a plan to cross the Delaware River on the night of December 25-26 and surround the Hessians' garrison.

Because the river was icy and the weather was severe, the crossing was dangerous. Two groups of soldiers were unable to cross the river, leaving Washington with only 2,400 men under his command in the attack. This was 3,000 fewer than he had planned to have. The army marched 9 miles (14.5 km) south to Trenton. The Hessians, thinking they were safe from the Americans' army, had lowered their guard and had no long-distance outposts or patrols. Washington's forces caught them off guard. After a short but fierce resistance, most of the Hessians surrendered and were captured. About one-third escaped across Assunpink Creek.

Even though the battle did not involve a large number of soldiers, the victory inspired patriots and sympathizers of the newly formed United States. Because so many were questioning whether or not the revolution would be successful just a week earlier, the army had seemed like it was about to collapse. The dramatic victory inspired soldiers to serve longer and attracted new recruits to the ranks.

Background

In the 1760s, the American colonies started a revolution because they wanted to become independent from English rule. The English wanted to remain in control of the American colonies. This is what had begun the Revolutionary War in 1775. By 1776, American soldiers had been fighting the British for over a year, and the morale was extremely low. The Americans had been pushed out of New York by the British and their hired Hessian auxiliaries (a group of soldiers who are serving a nation at war but are not part of the regular army). The Continental Army had been forced to retreat across New Jersey. Ninety percent of the Continental Army soldiers who had served at Long Island were gone. Soldiers had deserted, feeling that independence from England was no longer possible. Even Washington, Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, had expressed some doubts, writing to his cousin in Virginia, "I think the game is pretty near up."

At the time, a small town in New Jersey called Trenton was occupied by four regiments of Hessian soldiers (numbering about 1,500 men). The Hessian soldiers were commanded by Colonel Johann Rall.

On December 20, 1776, about 2,000 troops led by General Sullivan arrived in Washington's camp. They had been under the command of Charles Lee and had been moving slowly through northern New Jersey when Lee was captured. That same day, an additional 800 troops arrived from Fort Ticonderoga under the command of Horatio Gates. Washington's army now contained 2,400 men. The infantry divisions were commanded by Major Generals Nathanael Greene and John Sullivan. The artillery division was under the direction of Brigadier General Henry Knox.

Intelligence

George Washington had placed a spy named John Honeyman, posing as a Tory, in Trenton. Honeyman had served with Major General James Wolfe in Quebec at the Battle of the Plains of Abraham on September 13, 1759, and had no trouble being able to pose as a Tory. Honeyman was a butcher and bartender who traded with the British and Hessians. This helped him to gather intelligence (collect facts about an opposing army) and to convince the Hessians that the Continental Army was in such a low state of morale that they would not attack Trenton. Shortly before Christmas, Honeyman arranged to be captured by the Continental Army. They, of course, had orders to bring him to Washington unharmed. After being questioned by Washington, he was imprisoned in a hut to be tried as a Tory in the morning, but a small fire broke out nearby, enabling him to "escape." This plan allowed Honeyman to give Washington any news he had without the Hessians suspecting anything.

During the week before the battle, the U.S. sent small groups of soldiers to ambush enemy cavalry patrols. The U.S. soldiers captured despatch riders and attacked Hessian guards.

The U.S. plan depended on being able to attack at the same time from three different directions.

General John Cadwalader would cross at Dunk's Ferry and start an attack against the British garrison at Bordentown, New Jersey, to block off British reinforcements from the south and to create a diversion.

Washington's main-attack force of 2,400 men would cross the river 9 mi (14 km) north of Trenton and split into two groups. Generals Greene and Sullivan would begin attacking before dawn. Sullivan would attack the town from the south and Greene from the north. Depending on the success of the operation, the Americans would possibly follow up with separate attacks on Princeton and New Brunswick.

General James Ewing would take 700 militia across the river further south at Trenton Ferry, seize the bridge over the Assunpink Creek, and prevent enemy troops from escaping.

Washington ordered Ewing and his Pennsylvania militia to try to get information on Hessian movements and technology. Ewing instead made three successful raids across the river. On December 17 and 18, 1776, they attacked an outpost of jägers, and on the 21st, they set fire to several houses. Washington had soldiers constantly watching all possible crossings near the Continental Army encampment on the Delaware River because he believed William Howe would attack from the north if the river froze over.

Hessian moves

On December 14, 1776, the Hessians arrived in Trenton to set up their winter quarters. At the time, Trenton was a small town with about 100 houses and two main streets: King (now Warren) Street and Queen (now Broad) Street. Carl von Donop, the Hessian Colonel Johann Rall's superior, had marched south to Mount Holly on December 22 to fight with some New Jersey militia there on December 23.

Donop despised Rall and did not want to give command of Trenton to Rall while he was in Mount Holly. Rall was known to be loud and unfamiliar with the English language, but he was also a 36-year soldier with a great deal of battle experience. His request for reinforcements had been turned down by British commander General James Grant, who thought the American rebels were poor soldiers. Despite Rall's experience, the Hessians at Trenton did not admire their commander.

Trenton did not have city walls or fortifications, which was normal for U.S. settlements. Some Hessian officers had suggested to Rall that it would be wise to fortify the town, and two of his engineers had advised that a redoubt be built at the upper end of town and fortifications be built along the river. The engineers even drew up the plans, but Rall disagreed with them. When Rall was again urged to fortify the town, he replied, "Let them come...We will go at them with the bayonet."

As Christmas Day approached, Loyalists and deserters told the Hessians that the Americans were planning to come across the river and that they were preparing rations for the soldiers. This news worried Rall. He acted like a confident leader, but he secretly wrote letters to his superiors to tell them that he felt as if the Americans could attack at any moment. He asked that British troops come to help by establishing a garrison in Maidenhead (now Lawrenceville). He felt that because Trenton was "indefensible," a nearby garrison would help defend the roads from Americans. The British denied his request.

The main Hessian force of 1,500 men was divided into three regiments led by Knyphausen, Lossberg, and Rall. That night, they did not send out any patrols because of the severe weather.

Crossing and march

At approximately 11:00 p.m. on Christmas Day, Washington and his soldiers began to cross the Delaware River. Each soldier carried 60 rounds of ammunition (bullets) and three days of rations for the battle. The soldiers, with John Glover in command, began to cross the river in Durham boats. The horses and artillery crossed on large ferries. Though several men fell overboard during the crossing, no one died, and all the artillery pieces made it over in good condition.

The rain had changed to sleet and then to snow as temperatures dropped. This put the entire mission behind schedule. The crossing into New Jersey, which was supposed to be completed by midnight, was not completed until 3:00 a.m. Washington realized that it was too late to be able to attack Trenton before dawn.

At 4:00 am, Washington's soldiers began to march toward Trenton. Along the way, several civilians joined as volunteers and led as guides (such as John Mott) because of their knowledge of the land. The soldiers marched to Birmingham (now West Trenton) together and then split forces. Greene's force headed east to approach Trenton by the Scotch and Pennington Roads. Sullivan headed southwest to approach by way of River Road.

Many of the troops did not have boots, so they were forced to wear rags around their feet. Some of the men's feet bled, turning the snow to a dark red. Two men died on the march. As they marched, Washington rode up and down the line, encouraging the men to continue. General Sullivan sent a courier to tell Washington that the weather was wetting his men's gunpowder. Washington replied, "Tell General Sullivan to use the bayonet. I am resolved to take Trenton."

About 2 miles (3 km) outside the town, the main companies were startled by the sudden appearance of armed men, but they were American. The men, led by Adam Stephen, had not known about the plan to attack Trenton and had attacked a Hessian outpost. Washington feared that his element of surprise was taken and shouted at Steven, "You, sir! You, sir, may have ruined all my plans by having them put on their guard!" The attack on the Hessian outpost ended up working in Washington's favor. In the event, Rall thought the first raid led by Adam Stephen was the attack which Grant had warned him about, and that there would be no more action that day.

At 8:00 a.m., Washington led an assault on a Hession outpost at a copper shop on Pennington Road, about one mile northwest of Trenton. As the Hessian commander of the outpost, Lieutenant Andreas Wiederholdt, left the shop, an American fired at him but missed. Wiederholdt immediately shouted, "Der Feind!" (The Enemy!) and other Hessians came out. The Americans and the Hessians exchanged fire and the Hessians began to retreat from the outpost. The Americans were able to drive the Hessians, who were joined by other companies of Hessians and using houses as cover, to the outskirts of town. One of the companies that joined Wiederholdt's men was posted near the Delaware River. This left River Road into Trenton open. Washington ordered the escape route to Princeton to be cut off, sending infantry in battle formation to block it, while artillery formed at the head of King and Queen Streets.

Leading the southern U.S. column, General Sullivan entered Trenton by the abandoned River Road and blocked the only crossing over the Assunpink Creek to cut off the Hessian escape. Sullivan briefly paused his advance to make sure Greene's division had time to drive the Hessians from their outposts in the north. Soon after, Sullivan's men continued their advance. Lieutenant von Grothausen was stationed, with jägers, at the home of Philemon Dickinson. The Hessians were driven back and the 20 British dragoons also fled. Some tried to swim across the creek, while others escaped over the bridge which had not yet been cut off. As Greene and Sullivan's columns pushed into the town, Washington moved to the high ground north of King and Queen Streets so that he could see the action and direct his troops. By this time, U.S. artillery from the other side of the Delaware River had come into action, destroying the Hessian positions.

When the alarm sounded, the three Hessian regiments who were stationed at Trenton began to prepare for battle. Rall awoke to find that the rebels had taken the "V" of the main streets of the town. This is where the engineers had recommended building a redoubt. Rall ordered his regiment to form up at the lower end of King Street, the Lossberg regiment to prepare for an advance up Queen Street, and the Knyphausen regiment to stand by as a reserve for Rall's advance up King Street. On both sides of town, the U.S. cannons and soldiers fired too much for the Hessian soldiers to be able to fight back. The Hessian soldiers fell back and fled to a field. Many were lost to grapeshot and musket fire. Sullivan led a column of men to block off the escape of the troops across the creek.

Hessian resistance collapses

The Hessians in the field attempted to reorganize and make one last attempt to retake the town so they could make a breakout. Rall decided to attack the U.S. flank (the sides or back of the formation of soldiers) on the heights north of the town. Rall yelled "Forward! Advance! Advance!" and the Hessians began to move, with the brigade's band playing fifes, bugles, and drums to help the Hessians' spirit.

Washington, still on high ground, saw the Hessians approaching the U.S. flank. He moved his troops to assume battle formation against the enemy. The two Hessian regiments began marching toward King Street but were caught in U.S. fire that came at them from three directions. Some Americans had taken up positions inside houses where civilians joined the fight against the Hessians. The Hessians' formations broke, and they began to scatter. Washington led his troops down from high ground while yelling, "March on, my brave fellows, after me!" Most of the Hessians retreated into an orchard with the Americans in close pursuit. Quickly surrounded, the Hessians were offered terms of surrender, to which they agreed.

Although ordered to join Rall, the remains of the Knyphausen regiment mistakenly marched in the opposite direction. They tried to escape across the bridge but found it had been taken. The Americans quickly swept in, defeating a Hessian attempt to break through their lines. Surrounded by Sullivan's men, the regiment surrendered, just minutes after the rest of the brigade.

Casualties and capture

The Hessian forces lost 22 who were killed in action; 83 were wounded and 896 were captured - including the wounded. The Americans suffered only two deaths during the march and five wounded from battle. Two important U.S. officers were wounded while leading the charge down King Street: William Washington, cousin of General Washington, and Lieutenant James Monroe, the future President of the United States. Monroe was carried from the field bleeding badly after he was struck in the left shoulder by a musket ball, which severed an artery. Doctor John Riker clamped the artery, preventing him from bleeding to death. Other losses experienced by the Patriots from exhaustion, exposure, and illness in the following days, however, may have raised their losses above those of the Hessians.

Rall was mortally wounded in the battle and died later that night at his headquarters. All four Hessian colonels in Trenton were killed in the battle. The Lossberg regiment was effectively removed from the British forces. Parts of the Knyphausen regiment escaped to the south, but Sullivan captured about 200 additional men, along with the regiment's cannon, supplies, approximately 1,000 arms, and much-needed ammunition. The Americans also captured the Hessians' entire store of provisions-tons of flour, dried and salted meats, ale, and other liquors, as well as shoes, boots, clothing, and bedding-things that were as much needed by the ragtag Continental forces as weapons and horses. The captured Hessians were sent to Philadelphia and later Lancaster. In 1777, they were moved to Virginia.

On December 28, after the Hessians' surrender, General Washington interviewed Lieutenant (later Colonel) Andreas Wiederhold, who detailed the failures of Rall's preparation. Washington soon learned, however, that Cadwalader and Ewing had been unable to complete their crossing, leaving his worn-out army of 2,400 men isolated. Washington realized he did not yet have the forces to attack Princeton and New Brunswick.

By noon, Washington's force had moved back across the Delaware into Pennsylvania, taking their prisoners and captured supplies with them. Washington would follow up his success a week later in the Battle of the Assunpink Creek and the Battle of Princeton.

This small but crucial battle, as with the later Battle of Cowpens, had an effect that was much greater than its size. The Patriot victory at Trenton gave the Continental Congress new confidence, as it proved that colonial forces could defeat regulars. Soldiers re-enlisted in the Continental Army, and fear of the Hessians decreased. The writings of Thomas Paine and more successful actions by the New Jersey Militia also helped gain colonial support for the rebellion.

The Trenton Battle Monument, standing at "Five Points" in Trenton, endures as a tribute to this U.S. victory. The crossing of the Delaware River and the battle are reenacted by local enthusiasts every year (unless the weather is too severe on the river).

Eight current Army National Guard units (101st Engineer Batallion, 103rd Engineer Batallion, A/1-104th Cavalry Regiment, 111th Infantry Regiment, 125th Quartermaster Company, 175th Infantry Regiment, 181st Infantry Regiment, and 198th Signal Batallion) and one currently-active Regular Army Artillery battalion (1st Batallion, 5th Field Artillery) originated with U.S. units that participated in the Battle of Trenton. There are thirty current units of the U.S. Army with colonial roots.

In 1851, German-American artist Emanuel Leutze painted the second of three paintings depicting Washington crossing the Delaware. At the time of its first exhibition, it gained much attention in Europe and the United States. Leutze hoped it would bring revolutionary feelings in Germany. After six months in Germany, the painting was shipped to New York City where the New York Mirror newspaper praised it with the words, "the grandest, most majestic, and most effective painting ever exhibited in America." It is currently in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and is "one of the most famous American paintings." The painting is the centerpiece of the collections in the American Wing. It is still one of the most recognizable paintings at the Metropolitan. It is central to the canon of American historical art images, remaining just as popular now as when it was first exhibited.

Images for kids

In Spanish: Batalla de Trenton para niños

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Kids learn about The Treaty of Paris; the final end to the American Revolutionary War.