Major Battles of the Revolutionary War by BELL SHARP

Lexington & Concord

bsharp27_1 — 2024-10-10 17:57:57 UTC

British troops enter Lexington and meet a small force of American soldiers. After a standoff, a shot is fired from an unknown side, causing the British soldiers to fire at the Americans and continue marching to Concord, where they hoped to find stores of weapons. The British don't find the weapons; instead, they find a large force of American Minute Men who ambush and defeat them. This battle is well known as the "shot heard around the world" and the beginning of the American Revolution.

Bunker Hill

bsharp27_1 — 2024-10-10 17:58:16 UTC

The British begin by marching up Breed's Hill towards the American fort there. Once they get close to the fort, they're surprised by an intense volley of shots. The British retreat and attempt to mount the hill again, but are met with more shots. By the third try, the patriots have run out of gunpowder and the British break through their walls. The British win, but are forced to face devastating losses compared with the Americans, who lost less than half of them.

Trenton

bsharp27_1 — 2024-10-10 17:58:24 UTC

George Washington leads his men across the Delaware and 10 miles into Trenton on Christmas night, surprising British troops there. The patriots completely overtake them and the British quickly surrender to Washington. The Americans take needed supplies and cause major losses among the British. Washington also proves his ability to form a national force for the colonies with this win.

Saratoga

bsharp27_1 — 2024-10-10 17:58:31 UTC

On September 19th, American and British forces meet outside of the small town of Saratoga, NY, and engage in a heated battle. The British forces dwindle and soon they are effectively trapped. Over the next few weeks, the British stores deplete while American supplies and troops grow. On October 7th, a small British attack is staged but is no match for the Americans, the British are surrounded again and surrender to the Continental Army. This battle was a large turning point in the war. The defeat of British forces showed France their resistance and they sign a treaty, tipping the war in American favor. The win also boosted American morale and strengthened the push for independence.

Cowpens

bsharp27_1 — 2024-10-10 17:58:40 UTC

The Americans begin the morning by positioning themselves between two rivers and with open flanks to ensure a head-on attack while also trapping the British. The men are ordered to shoot officers first to disorganize the British forces. The men who fire then move to the back of the militia to give the illusion of fleeing while hiding the rest of the more trained soldiers. This invites the British into the trap and begins a series of attacks leaving the British devastated extremely fast. This battle occurred after a series of losses in the south and proved the Continental Army's strength in depleting British forces in the south greatly.

Yorktown

bsharp27_1 — 2024-10-10 17:59:15 UTC

French and American forces march to Yorktown where British troops are stationed. They dig trenches and lay siege on the troops for nearly a week. After endless rounds of artillery, the French and Americans attack the troops closer to the town and overwhelm them easily. Three days later, a British officer is brought to the Americans to secure the terms of surrender. The British surrender to the American and French forces and are forced to march out of the town without honorable terms of surrender. This battle marks the end of the British military effort in the war and leads directly to the bill and treaty that later on declare peace and freedom for the new country of America.

Citations

bsharp27_1 — 2024-10-10 17:59:24 UTC