Revolutionary War Battles Flashcards
The first battles of the Revolutionary War were skirmishes near Boston in the two towns of Lexington and Concord, as well as Cambridge, Lincoln, and Menotomy. British regulars under Francis Smith attempted to destroy the supplies of the colonial militia, but were stopped by Minutemen. Ralph Waldo Emerson described the first shot as the “shot heard round the world”
Lexington and Concord (April 19, 1775)
a small but symbolic victory for the American forces led by Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold. The Green Mountain Boys captured Fort Ticonderoga on Lake Champlain from the British and transported its cannons to Boston
Ticonderoga (May 10, 1775)
this British pyrrhic victory outside Boston resulted in the capture of the Charlestown Peninsula, but showed that colonial troops could stand up to British regulars. Most of the fighting actually occurred on Breed’s Hill, not Bunker Hill
Bunker Hill (June 17, 1775)
the culmination of a failed invasion of Canada by American colonists. In a blinding snowstorm, the American general Richard Montgomery was killed in battle, Benedict Arnold was wounded, and Daniel Morgan was captured
Quebec (December 31, 1775)
the largest battle of the entire war, which resulted in the British capture of New York. William Howe defeated George Washington
Long Island (August 27, 1776)
occurred early in the morning after George Washington’s crossing of the Delaware River on Christmas night. The Hessians, under the command of Johann Rall, were surprised and about two-thirds of them were captured.
Trenton (December 26, 1776)
Washington’s attack on Germantown was the Continental Army’s last major effort to retake Philadelphia before the winter of 1777-1778. After this defeat, Washington’s troops wintered at Valley Forge
Germantown (October 4, 1777)
the major turning point of the American Revolution because the American victory led France to join the war. Brit General John Burgoyne led an invasion into New York from Canada with hopes of meeting another British army and splitting the American colonies. The final surrender was preceded by battles at Freeman’s Farm and Bemis Heights. Horatio Gates led the American forces.
Saratoga (ended October 17, 1777)
the last major of the Northern theater of the war, and its outcome was inconclusive. American general Charles Lee was court-martialed for his actions at Monmouth. Molly Pitcher became famous for fighting in this battle in place of her husband.
Monmouth (June 28, 1778)
The American defeat at Camden was part of the British “southern strategy,” which included the earlier capture of Charleston and Savannah. Charles Cornwallis inflicted a humiliating defeat on the forces of Horatio Gates
Camden (August 16, 1780)
a turning point in the American recapture of South Carolina. Daniel Morgan commanded the Continentals and Banastre Tarleton led the British. The Battle was fought between the Pacolet and Broad Rivers
Cowpens (January 17, 1781)
essentially ended the Revolutionary War, although the Treaty of Paris wasn’t signed until two years later. George Washington, with help from the French navy under the Conte de Grasse, surrounded the forces of Cornwallis and forced the British to surrender. General Charles O’Hara presented Cornwallis’s sword of surrender.
Yorktown (ended October 19, 1781)
