Struggling Toward Struggling Toward SaratogaSaratoga

Chapter 4 Section 3Chapter 4 Section 3

After the colonists had declared independence, few people thought After the colonists had declared independence, few people thought that the rebellion would last. A divided colonial population of about that the rebellion would last. A divided colonial population of about two and a half million people faced a nation of about 10 million two and a half million people faced a nation of about 10 million that was backed by a world wide empire.that was backed by a world wide empire.

The War The War Moves to the Moves to the

Middle Middle StatesStates

The British had The British had previously retreated previously retreated from Boston in March from Boston in March 1776, moving the 1776, moving the theatre of war to the theatre of war to the Middle states.Middle states.

As part of a grand plan As part of a grand plan to stop the rebellion by to stop the rebellion by isolating New England, isolating New England, the British decided to the British decided to seize New York City.seize New York City.

Two brothers, General William Howe and Admiral Richard Howe, Two brothers, General William Howe and Admiral Richard Howe, joined forces on Staten Island and sailed into New York harbor in joined forces on Staten Island and sailed into New York harbor in the summer of 1776 with the largest British expeditionary force the summer of 1776 with the largest British expeditionary force ever assembled – 32,000 soldiers.ever assembled – 32,000 soldiers.

GenerGeneral al WilliWilliam am HoweHowe

Admiral Admiral Richard Richard HoweHowe

Thousands of these soldiers were Thousands of these soldiers were German mercenaries,German mercenaries, or soldiers or soldiers who fought solely for money. The Americans called these troops who fought solely for money. The Americans called these troops HessiansHessians, because many of them came from the German region of , because many of them came from the German region of Hesse.Hesse.

HHeessssiiaannss

HessiaHessiansns

On August 22, the British landed on the western end of On August 22, the British landed on the western end of Long Island. After five days of waiting, the British Long Island. After five days of waiting, the British attacked American defenses.attacked American defenses.

Unknown to the Americans, however, Howe had brought his main Unknown to the Americans, however, Howe had brought his main army around their rear and attacked their flank soon after. The army around their rear and attacked their flank soon after. The Americans panicked, although a stand by 400 Maryland troops Americans panicked, although a stand by 400 Maryland troops prevented most of the army from being captured. The remainder prevented most of the army from being captured. The remainder of the army fled to the main defenses on Brooklyn Heights.of the army fled to the main defenses on Brooklyn Heights.

The British dug in for a siege but, on the night of August 29–30, The British dug in for a siege but, on the night of August 29–30, Washington evacuated the entire army to Manhattan without the loss Washington evacuated the entire army to Manhattan without the loss of material or a single life. Washington and the Continental Army of material or a single life. Washington and the Continental Army were driven out of New York entirely after several more defeats and were driven out of New York entirely after several more defeats and forced to retreat through New Jersey and into Pennsylvania.forced to retreat through New Jersey and into Pennsylvania.

The The Battle for New YorkBattle for New York ended in late ended in late August with an American retreat August with an American retreat following following heavy losses. heavy losses.

By late fall, the British had pushed Washington's Army across the By late fall, the British had pushed Washington's Army across the Delaware River into Pennsylvania. The vast majority of Delaware River into Pennsylvania. The vast majority of Washington’s men had been killed or captured.Washington’s men had been killed or captured.

Fewer than 8000 men remained under Washington’s Fewer than 8000 men remained under Washington’s command, and the terms of their enlistment were due command, and the terms of their enlistment were due to end on December 31to end on December 31stst..

Washington Washington desperately desperately needed some needed some kind of victory kind of victory for his men to for his men to keep them keep them from going from going home.home.

Washington resolved to risk everything on one Washington resolved to risk everything on one bold stroke set for bold stroke set for Christmas night, 1776Christmas night, 1776. This . This would be known as would be known as the Battle of Trentonthe Battle of Trenton. .

In the face of a fierce storm, he led In the face of a fierce storm, he led 2,400 men 2,400 men in in small rowboats across the small rowboats across the ice-choked Delaware ice-choked Delaware riverriver..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTUsDukkGro&list=PLAA106546A1572724

By 8 o’clock the next morning, the men had marched By 8 o’clock the next morning, the men had marched nine miles through sleet and snow to the objective – nine miles through sleet and snow to the objective – Trenton, New Jersey – held by a garrison of Hessians.Trenton, New Jersey – held by a garrison of Hessians.

Lulled into confidence by the storm, most of Lulled into confidence by the storm, most of the the Hessians had drunk too much rumHessians had drunk too much rum the night before and the night before and were still sleeping it off.were still sleeping it off.

In a In a surprise attacksurprise attack, the , the Americans killed 30 Americans killed 30 of of the enemy and the enemy and took 918 captives took 918 captives and 6 Hessian and 6 Hessian cannons.cannons.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJdu_ortw0k&list=PLAA106546A1572724

The Americans were rallied by another astonishing victory 8 days The Americans were rallied by another astonishing victory 8 days later against 1,200 British stationed at Princeton. later against 1,200 British stationed at Princeton.

Encouraged by these victories, Washington marched his army into Encouraged by these victories, Washington marched his army into winter camp near Morristown, in Northern New Jersey.winter camp near Morristown, in Northern New Jersey.

The Fight for The Fight for PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia

As the muddy fields As the muddy fields dried out in the spring dried out in the spring of 1777, General Howe of 1777, General Howe began his campaign to began his campaign to seize the American seize the American capital at Philadelphia.capital at Philadelphia.

His troops sailed from His troops sailed from New York to the head New York to the head of the Chesapeake of the Chesapeake Bay, and landed near Bay, and landed near the capital in late the capital in late August.August.

The Continental Congress fled the city while The Continental Congress fled the city while Washington’s troops Washington’s troops unsuccessfully tried to block the redcoatsunsuccessfully tried to block the redcoats at nearby Brandywine at nearby Brandywine Creek. The British captured Philadelphia, and the pleasure loving Creek. The British captured Philadelphia, and the pleasure loving General Howe settled in to enjoy the hospitality of the city’s settled in to enjoy the hospitality of the city’s grateful Loyalists.grateful Loyalists.

The The Battle at Brandywine Creek Battle at Brandywine Creek is is said to be where the first said to be where the first American flag (Old Glory) was carried in battleAmerican flag (Old Glory) was carried in battle..

Meanwhile, one of Howe’s fellow British generals, Meanwhile, one of Howe’s fellow British generals, General John General John “Gentleman Johnny” Burgoyne“Gentleman Johnny” Burgoyne, convinced the London high , convinced the London high command to allow him to pursue a complex scheme. Burgoyne’s command to allow him to pursue a complex scheme. Burgoyne’s plan was to lead an army down a route from lakes from Canada to plan was to lead an army down a route from lakes from Canada to AlbanyAlbany, , where he could meet Howe’s troops as they arrived from where he could meet Howe’s troops as they arrived from New York CityNew York City..

According to According to Burgoyne’s Burgoyne’s plan, the two plan, the two generals would generals would then join forces then join forces to isolate New to isolate New England from England from the rest of the the rest of the coloniescolonies. . Burgoyne set Burgoyne set out with 4000 out with 4000 redcoats, 3000 redcoats, 3000 mercenaries, mercenaries, and 1000 and 1000 Mohawk under Mohawk under his command.his command.

His army had to haul 30 wagons containing 138 pieces of artillery His army had to haul 30 wagons containing 138 pieces of artillery along with extra personal items, such as fine clothes and champagne. along with extra personal items, such as fine clothes and champagne. South of Lake Champlain, swamps and gullies, as well as thick South of Lake Champlain, swamps and gullies, as well as thick underbrush, bogged down Burgoyne’s army. Food supplies ran low.underbrush, bogged down Burgoyne’s army. Food supplies ran low.

The The Continental Continental Congress Congress had had appointedappointed General General Horatio Gates Horatio Gates to to command the command the Northern Northern Department of the Department of the Continental Army. Continental Army. Gates, a popular Gates, a popular commander, commander, gathered gathered militiamen and militiamen and soldiers from all soldiers from all over New York and over New York and New EnglandNew England..

Burgoyne lost several hundred men every time his forces clashed Burgoyne lost several hundred men every time his forces clashed with the Americans, such as when with the Americans, such as when Ethan Allen and his and his Green Green Mountain Boys attacked Burgoyne Mountain Boys attacked Burgoyne at Bennington, in what is now at Bennington, in what is now Vermont. Even worse, Burgoyne didn’t realize that Howe was Vermont. Even worse, Burgoyne didn’t realize that Howe was preoccupied with conquering and occupying Philadelphia and preoccupied with conquering and occupying Philadelphia and wasn’t coming to meet him.wasn’t coming to meet him.

Massed Massed American troops American troops finally finally surrounded Burgoyne surrounded Burgoyne at the at the Battle of Battle of SaratogaSaratoga, where , where he surrendered his battered army to General Gates he surrendered his battered army to General Gates on October 17, 1777on October 17, 1777. The surrender at Saratoga dramatically . The surrender at Saratoga dramatically changed Britain’s war strategy. changed Britain’s war strategy. From that time on, the British From that time on, the British generally kept their troops along the coast, close to the big guns and generally kept their troops along the coast, close to the big guns and the supply bases of the British Fleet.the supply bases of the British Fleet.

Still bitter from their defeat by the British in the French and Indian Still bitter from their defeat by the British in the French and Indian War, the French had secretly sent weapons to the Patriots since War, the French had secretly sent weapons to the Patriots since early 1776. The early 1776. The SaratogaSaratoga victory victory bolstered French trust in the bolstered French trust in the American Army, and France American Army, and France nownow agreed to support the Revolution. agreed to support the Revolution. This is why it became known as the This is why it became known as the turning point of the war.turning point of the war.

The French The French recognized American recognized American independence and independence and signed an alliancesigned an alliance, or , or treaty of treaty of cooperation, with the cooperation, with the Americans in Americans in February 1778.February 1778.

According to the According to the terms, France agreed terms, France agreed not to make peace not to make peace with Britain unless with Britain unless Britain also Britain also recognized American recognized American independence.independence.

Winter at Valley ForgeWinter at Valley Forge

It would take It would take months for French months for French aid to arrive.aid to arrive.

In the meantime, In the meantime, the British the British controlled New controlled New York and parts of York and parts of New England.New England.

While British troops wintered comfortably in Philadelphia, While British troops wintered comfortably in Philadelphia, Washington and his meager Washington and his meager Continental Army struggled to stay Continental Army struggled to stay alive amidst bitter cold alive amidst bitter cold and primitive conditions and primitive conditions at winter camp at winter camp in in Valley ForgeValley Forge, Pennsylvania. , Pennsylvania.

Soldiers suffered from exposure and frostbite, and surgeons Soldiers suffered from exposure and frostbite, and surgeons like Albigense Waldo worked constantly but often like Albigense Waldo worked constantly but often unsuccessfully to save arms and limbs from amputation.unsuccessfully to save arms and limbs from amputation.

Washington’s letters to the Congress and his friends Washington’s letters to the Congress and his friends were filled with the reports of the suffering and were filled with the reports of the suffering and endurance of his men. endurance of his men.

““To see men without clothes to cover their nakedness, without To see men without clothes to cover their nakedness, without blankets to lay on, without shoes, by which their marches might be blankets to lay on, without shoes, by which their marches might be traced by the blood of their feet, and almost as often without traced by the blood of their feet, and almost as often without provision… is a mark of patience and obedience in which my provision… is a mark of patience and obedience in which my opinion can scarcely be paralleled.”opinion can scarcely be paralleled.”

Of the 10,000 soldiers who braved wind, snow, Of the 10,000 soldiers who braved wind, snow, and hunger, at Valley Forge and hunger, at Valley Forge that winterthat winter, more , more than than 2,000 died2,000 died. Yet those who survived . Yet those who survived remained at their posts.remained at their posts.

Albigense Waldo worked as a surgeon at Valley Forge Albigense Waldo worked as a surgeon at Valley Forge outside Philadelphia, which served as the site of the outside Philadelphia, which served as the site of the Continental Army’s camp during the winter of 1777-1778Continental Army’s camp during the winter of 1777-1778. . While British troops occupied Philadelphia and found While British troops occupied Philadelphia and found quarters inside warm homes, the under clothed and quarters inside warm homes, the under clothed and underfed Patriots huddled in makeshift huts in the freezing, underfed Patriots huddled in makeshift huts in the freezing, snow covered Pennsylvania woods.snow covered Pennsylvania woods.

The ordeal at Valley Forge marked a low point for The ordeal at Valley Forge marked a low point for General Washington’s troops, but even as it occurred, General Washington’s troops, but even as it occurred, the Americans’ hope of winning began to improve.the Americans’ hope of winning began to improve.

Colonial Life During the Colonial Life During the RevolutionRevolution

The The Revolutionary Revolutionary War touched War touched the life of the life of every every American, not American, not just the men just the men on the on the battlefield.battlefield.

Financing the WarFinancing the War

When the Congress When the Congress ran out of hard ran out of hard currency – silver and currency – silver and gold – it borrowed gold – it borrowed money by selling money by selling bonds to bonds to AmericanAmerican investors and foreign investors and foreign governments, governments, especially France.especially France.

It also It also printed paper printed paper moneymoney called called ContinentalsContinentals..

As As congress printed more congress printed more and more money, its value and more money, its value plunged, causing rising plunged, causing rising pricesprices, or , or inflationinflation. The . The Congress also struggled to Congress also struggled to equip the beleaguered army. equip the beleaguered army. With few munitions With few munitions factories and the British factories and the British Navy blockading the coast, Navy blockading the coast, the Americans had to the Americans had to smuggle arms from Europe.smuggle arms from Europe.

In 1781, the In 1781, the Congress appointed Congress appointed a rich Philadelphia a rich Philadelphia merchant named merchant named Robert Morris as Robert Morris as superintendent of superintendent of finance.finance.

His associate was His associate was Haym Salomon, a Haym Salomon, a Jewish political Jewish political refugee from Poland.refugee from Poland.

Morris and Salomon begged and borrowed on their Morris and Salomon begged and borrowed on their personal credit to personal credit to raise money to provide salaries for raise money to provide salaries for the Continental Army. the Continental Army. They raised funds from many They raised funds from many sources, including Philadelphia’s Quakers and Jews. sources, including Philadelphia’s Quakers and Jews. Due Due to the efforts to the efforts of of Morris and Salomon, on September 8, , on September 8, 1781, 1781, the troops were finally paid in specie, or gold the troops were finally paid in specie, or gold coincoin..