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In 1776, [King George III]? assembled the largest army seen in Western Europe since Roman times and sent 75,000 troops to North America. The colonists met in Philadelphia in June of 1776 and declared independence from England on July 4, 1776. See United States Declaration of Independence. The colonial army proved no match for the well armed British and suffered an embarassing series of defeats in the [Battle of Brooklyn Heights]?. By the end of 1776, Quebec, New York City and much of New Jersey were in British hands. However, during Christmas week, General George Washington, who had retreated into Pennsylvania, crossed the [Delaware River]? back into New Jersey and rolled up outlying British garrisons at Trenton and Princeton. This established a pattern that held for the rest of the war. The British controlled the territory they occupied with major forces -- primarily New York City and Philadelphia. The colonists controlled everything else. |
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In 1776, the British sent 75,000 troops to North America to quell the rebellion. The colonists met in Philadelphia in June of 1776 and declared independence from England on July 4, 1776. See United States Declaration of Independence. The colonial army proved no match for the well-armed British and suffered an embarassing series of defeats in the [Battle of Brooklyn Heights]?. By the end of 1776, Quebec, New York City and much of New Jersey were in British hands. However, during Christmas week, General George Washington, who had retreated into Pennsylvania, crossed the [Delaware River]? back into New Jersey and rolled up outlying British garrisons at Trenton and Princeton. This established a pattern that held for the rest of the war. The British controlled the territory they occupied with major forces -- primarily New York City and Philadelphia. The colonists controlled everything else. In 1777, a force of 10,000 troops started down from Quebec to cut the colonies in half. Simultaneously the much larger army in New Jersey moved across the [Delaware River]? and took Philadelphia -- the colonial capitol and the largest city in North America. However, after retaking Ticonderoga with little trouble, the Northern army suffered a series of serious defeats at Bennington?, [Fort Stanwix]? and in two battles near Saratoga?. By October the 5,700 survivors found themselves surrounded, outnumbered and short of supplies in the wilderness 130 miles south of Montreal with winter approaching. |
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In 1777, a force of 10,000 troops started down from Quebec to cut the colonies in half. Simultaneously the much larger army in New Jersey moved across the Delaware and took Philadelphia -- the colonial capitol and the second largest city in the British Empire. However, after retaking Ticonderoga with little trouble, the Northern army suffered a series of serious defeats at Bennington?, [Fort Stanwix]? and in two battles near Saratoga?. By October the 5,700 survivors found themselves surrounded, outnumbered and short of supplies in the wilderness 130 miles south of Montreal with winter approaching. |
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Accounts of what happened next are remarkably diverse -- possibly due to a desire by some American authors to minimize the French role in the events. All sources agree that French naval forces defeated the British Royal Navy on September 5th at the [Battle of the Virginia Capes]?, cutting off Cornwallis' supplies and transport. Washington moved his troops from New York and a combined Colonial-French force of 16,000 or 17,000 troops was assembled and commenced the [Battle of Yorktown]? on October 6, 1781. Cornwallis' position quickly became untenable. On October 19th a substantial British Army once again surrendered to the Colonials. |
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Accounts of what happened next are remarkably diverse -- possibly due to a desire by some American authors to minimize the French role in the events. All sources agree that French naval forces defeated the British Royal Navy on September 5th at the [Battle of the Virginia Capes]?, cutting off Cornwallis' supplies and transport. Washington moved his troops from New York and a combined Colonial-French force of 16,000 or 17,000 troops was assembled and commenced the [Battle of Yorktown]? on October 6, 1781. Cornwallis' position quickly became untenable. On October 19th a substantial British Army once again surrendered to the Colonials; as they marched out and turned their weapons over, the British regimental band was instructed to play a popular song of the day entitled "The World Turned Upside Down". |
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