revolutionary war

•The British found out the colonists were stockpiling weapons and ammo. Their orders were to secure them. They marched from Boston, but ahead of them Paul Revere and William Dawes rode to warn the colonists. The battles were short with few British but several American casualties. The Americans removed the weapons before the British could find them. The British returned to Boston, but along the way they were ambushed by the militia (Minutemen) where almost 200 were killed or wounded. The Shot Heard ‘Round the World. great britian had 1500 people, 73 died, 174 wounded, and 53 captured. colonists had 3800 people, 49 killed, 39 wounded, and 0 captured.

Gen. Prescott held control of the hill overlooking Boston. From there he could maintain control of Boston Harbor. The British could not allow that, so they charged the hill. They were repelled twice, but on the third charge they took the hill because the Americans were low on bullets. Many British casualties, but the British woedn. This battle showed how serious both sides were. “Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes”. the british had 3000 people, 226 died, 828 wounded. 0 captured, 305 wounded, 30 wounded, 0 capturedthe colonists had 2400 people, 115 killed, 305 wounded, 30 captured.

The Americans were led by Arnold and Morgan. They wanted to break British control of the land and get help from French Canadians in the war. Arnold’s tactics failed and he was wounded. Morgan was captured along with 400 Americans. This was America’s first defeat of the war. the british had 1800 people, 5 died, 14 wounded, 0 captured. the colonists had 1200 people, 48 died, 34 wounded, 431 captured.

Col. Moore led a Patriot force against Col. McLeod’s Loyalist force. The British were counting on using loyalist forces to help them fight the war. NC was known for its large number of loyalists, so the British hoped to establish a base here. Moore’s utter defeat of the loyalists caused the British to change their plans and stay away from NC for almost 4 years.

The Americans were led by Arnold and Morgan. They wanted to break British control of the land and get help from French Canadians in the war. Arnold’s tactics failed and he was wounded. Morgan was captured along with 400 Americans. This was America’s first defeat of the war. the british had 1520 people, 22 died, 86 wounded, 906 captured. the colonists had 2400 people, 2 died, 5 wounded, 0 captured.

This battle followed the victory of the Battle of Trenton (Washington crossing the Delaware). Washington tricked Cornwallis into thinking he was attacking his full army. Washington sent Gen. Mercer with some troops to attack Cornwallis at Princeton. Cornwallis defeated this group and captured Mercer. The British thought this was Washington and brutally executed him. The real Washington showed up in time to rally the troops and push the British out of NJ. A great morale victory for America. the british had 1200 people, 100 died, 70 wounded, 280 captured. the colonists had 4500 people, 25 died, 40 wounded, 0 captured.

This was an American defeat, although not an exceptional one. The Howe missed his chance to obliterate the Washington’s Army, but the Americans did have to give up Philadelphia. Washington needed to win this one for morale.the british had 15500 people, 89 died, 488 wounded, 6 captured. the colonists had 14600 people, 300 died, 600 wounded, 400 captured.

Clinton and Burgoyne had a plan to divide the American forces. Clinton would go north from NYC and Burgoyne would come south from Canada. They would meet in Albany and cut off New England from the rest of the colonies. Burgoyne was a vain man. He had many wagon loads of his own personal clothes, food, wine, etc. It took him weeks to travel through the wilderness with so many wagons giving the Americans time to prepare for his arrival. Burgoyne was defeated and many British soldiers and supplies were captured. This victory convinced the French to openly support American Independence. the british had 7200 people, 140 died, 370 were wounded, and 390 were captured. the colonists had 9000 people, 60 died, 260 were wounded, and 0 captured.

Gen. Howe (from NC) was greatly outnumbered. He was unable to defend his position and was forced to retreat to SC. The British commanded by Campbell lost very few soldiers, but captured almost 500 Americans. the British had 3100 people, 7 killed, 17 wounded, and 0 captured. the colonists had 850 people, 83 killed 11 wounded, 453 captured.

Clinton took personal command of British forces. He positioned troops and ships around the city and cut off all supplies and information. The American Southern Army eventually surrendered. This was the WORST defeat for the Americans of the entire war. the british had 13500 people, 76 died, 182 wounded, and 0 captured. the colonists has 5466 people, 92 died, 148 wounded, and 4650 captured.