-
- [Jeffrey] The following program
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covers the American Revolutionary War
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from the first actions at
Lexington, Massachusetts in 1775
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to the surrender at
Yorktown, Virginia in 1781.
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On the bottom right is the date.
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Beneath that in light red is
the monarch, King George III.
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Below him is the Prime
Minister of Great Britain,
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Lord North.
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In April 1775, British General Thomas Gage
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is stationed in Boston
with thousands of redcoats.
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Boston has been the center of discontent
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for several years now.
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A note about the city dot colors.
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This program will attempt to show
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how cities transferred from
British to Patriot control.
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It's of course an approximation,
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but places that are mixed
or contested will remain red
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until the Patriot side has
clearly controlled that location.
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We will zoom in to the Boston area.
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April 1775.
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In Boston, British General Thomas Gage
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is aware that rebel forces
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are gathering weapons and supplies
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at Concord, Massachusetts.
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Gage will have Lieutenant
Colonel Francis Smith
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advance from Boston to Concord
to secure the supplies.
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On April 18, 1775,
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Paul Revere and William Dawes
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ride from Boston toward Concord
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to warn of the imminent
British redcoat advance.
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About midnight on April 19th,
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the British begin to cross over
from Boston to Charlestown.
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Revere is captured between
Lexington and Concord
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and Dawes is forced to turn back.
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However, a third rider, Samuel Prescott,
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makes it to Concord,
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warning the Patriots there
of the approaching redcoats.
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In the wee hours of April 19th,
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the British have crossed
over the Charles River.
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They advance from Boston towards Concord.
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They disperse militia at
Lexington, Massachusetts,
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the famous shot heard round the world.
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The redcoats then advance onto Concord.
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At Concord, another firefight breaks out.
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The redcoats will turn
around at this point.
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However, Minutemen gather as
the redcoats return to Boston.
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The British sustain significant losses
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during their return to the city.
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We will zoom back out.
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The next day, April 20th,
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a similar action occurs
in Williamsburg, Virginia.
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Virginia's Loyalist
governor, Lord Dunmore,
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captures supplies and
weapons at Williamsburg.
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However, Virginia's Patriots
take notice and organize.
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May 10, 1775.
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Fort Ticonderoga on Lake
Champlain in New York,
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which had been the scene of major fighting
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during the French and Indian
War two decades before,
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is again the center of
strategic importance.
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The fort falls to Ethan Allen.
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On the same day in Philadelphia,
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the Second Continental
Congress is now in session.
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Congress is comprised of 12 colonies,
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from Massachusetts in the north
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to South Carolina in the south.
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The Canadian colonies,
Georgia, and Florida
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do not have delegates at Congress.
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It's important to remember
that Florida at this time
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is part of the British Empire,
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as that region was secured from Spain
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following Britain's victory
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in the French and Indian War.
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The delegates elect John Hancock
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as president of Congress.
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We now have a new governmental head.
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John Hancock, president of the
Second Continental Congress,
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is listed on the bottom right.
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Congress supports Artemis
Ward's militia in Boston
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and colonies are
requested to send supplies
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to Ward's militia there.
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May 25.
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In Boston, British reinforcements arrive
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to bolster Gage's
increasingly fragile position.
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The reinforcements include
British generals William Howe,
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Henry Clinton, and John Burgoyne.
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June 10, 1775.
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In Philadelphia, John Adams
advises the Continental Congress
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to form a Continental Army.
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The conflict has grown from a Boston
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and frontier fort issue
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to a concern of all the colonies
assembled in Philadelphia.
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June 12.
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Near Machias in modern Maine,
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then part of Massachusetts,
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Patriots capture the British
schooner the Margaretta.
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It is likely the first naval
engagement of the Revolution
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and the first American victory at sea.
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June 14.
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In Philadelphia, Congress authorizes
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the creation of the Continental Army.
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In general, the term Continentals
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refers to the Continental Army
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created by Congress in June 1775.
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The resistance forces
include a combination
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of Patriot state militias
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and this new national or Continental Army.
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Sometimes Patriot and Continental
are used interchangeably,
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but the Continental term
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is referring to the national
army created by Congress.
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June 15.
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Congress in Philadelphia
names George Washington
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commander of the Continental Army.
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We will zoom in to the Boston area.
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Boston today is obviously
much more robustly urbanized
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than it was in 1775.
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In addition, Boston has
undergone intensive reclamation.
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So previous eras, the Charles River here
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and the Boston Harbor area
here were much more extensive.
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The land area that is now Boston
Logan International Airport
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did not exist in 1775.
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I have added water to those areas.
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We can now see how Boston in 1775
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is really set into the harbor
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and connected to the mainland
by a narrow strip of land.
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Thomas Gage's British
troops are in Boston.
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The Patriot militia have not vanished
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since the previous month's
action at Lexington and Concord.
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They remain across the Charles River.
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June 16.
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Massachusetts militia at Boston
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secure Breed's Hill and Bunker Hill.
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The militia are under Artemis Ward.
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June 17.
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Thomas Gage, having been
held up in Boston for weeks,
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orders Lord Howe to attack
Bunker Hill and Breed's hill.
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The British cross the Charles River
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and strike the heights.
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The British dislodge the
rebels from the heights,
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but it's a pyrrhic victory,
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for the victory comes at a great cost.
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However, the rebels remain
in position around Boston.
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We will zoom out to the
northeastern colonies.
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This map is tilted northward
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to stretch the vantage point
from Philadelphia to Quebec.
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Also in June 1775,
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while Ward is facing off
against Gage in Boston,
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a second theater is opening
for the Continentals.
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Congress is hoping to add
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the Canadian colonies to the Revolution.
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General Philip Schuyler
is granted overall command
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of the invasion of Canada.
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Schuyler and General Montgomery
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will strike from Fort
Ticonderoga in upper New York
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against Montreal.
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From there, they plan to attack Quebec.
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We will zoom out to the wider colonies.
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Meanwhile in June,
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Patriots make gains in Virginia.
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The Royalist governor of
Virginia, Lord Dunmore,
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is forced from the land,
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taking refuge on a British ship.
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July 3rd, 1775.
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Near Boston at Cambridge, Massachusetts,
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Washington is now on the field,
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commanding the Continental forces there.
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July 5.
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In Philadelphia, there are still enough
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moderates in Congress yet
to hope for reconciliation.
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Congress adopts the Olive Branch Petition,
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which had been drafted by John Dickinson,
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who hailed from both
Delaware and Pennsylvania.
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The Olive Branch Petition
is directed to the attention
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of His Majesty King George in London.
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On July 6th, Congress approved a document
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titled Declaration of the Causes
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and Necessities for Taking Up Arms.
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This document is also to
be sent to His Majesty
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and is largely authored
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by Thomas Jefferson and John Dickinson.
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Also in July, Georgia sends delegates
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to the Continental
Congress in Philadelphia,
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raising the number of
rebellious colonies to 13.
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We will zoom out to get a
transatlantic perspective.
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At this time, there are
two important shipments
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en route to Britain in the summer of 1775.
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One shipment has left
Philadelphia for Britain.
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It contains the Olive Branch Petition
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and the Declaration of the Causes
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and Necessities for Taking Up Arms.
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Another shipment is en route
from Boston to Britain.
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It contains the dead and wounded redcoats
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from the Battle of Bunker
Hill and Breed's Hill,
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along with widows and families.
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By August 1775,
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the Boston shipment of
fallen redcoats and widows
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arrives before the Philadelphia shipment
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containing the Olive Branch Petition.
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King George III is furious.
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He declares the colonies
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to be in a state of open
rebellion and sedition.
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We will zoom in to the
northeastern colonies.
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In August 1775 in New York,
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Philip Schuyler's expedition
against Canada begins.
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Schuyler though has fallen ill
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and command passes to
General Richard Montgomery.
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The Continentals advance
from Fort Ticonderoga
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against Fort Saint-Jean near Montreal.
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Soon after, in September 1775,
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from Massachusetts,
General Benedict Arnold
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leads another Continental
force against Canada.
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Arnold will advance through
modern Maine toward Quebec.
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So the Continentals are
leading simultaneous fronts
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against Montreal and Quebec.
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September 25th.
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In Montreal, the British
capture Ethan Allen.
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October 1775.
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In Boston, Thomas Gage,
after serving 12 years
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as commander of British
forces in North America,
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returns to Britain.
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William Howe is now in command
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of British forces in North America.
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October 13.
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In Philadelphia, Congress
authorizes the creation of a navy.
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October 18.
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British ships bombard
Falmouth, Massachusetts,
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which is modern Portland, Maine.
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Let's zoom out to the transatlantic world.
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In London, King George tells Parliament
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he will put full effort
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into destroying the American rebellion,
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and he is open to finding
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international allies for this cause.
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We will zoom back in to
the northeastern colonies.
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November 1st, 1775.
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In Philadelphia, Congress learns
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that His Majesty King George
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has refused the Olive Branch Petition.
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Congress understands the
monarchy views the colonies
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as existing in a state of open rebellion.
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By November 3rd,
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Montgomery secures Fort
Saint-Jean near Montreal.
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Montreal is Montgomery's next target.
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Guy Carleton is the British
general defending Canada
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and he is at Montreal.
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Meanwhile, Benedict Arnold has advanced
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through much of modern-day
Maine and is nearing Quebec.
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The long treks sees large losses
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due to desertion and disease.
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November 13th.
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Montreal falls to General
Montgomery's Patriots.
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The local French Canadians, however,
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have no interest in joining the rebellion.
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British General Carleton
escapes to Quebec City.
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About this time, Arnold is at Quebec.
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We will zoom out to the wider colonies.
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This map is angled northward
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to better fit the colonies
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from Florida to Canada on a single map.
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On November 19th near
Greenwood, South Carolina,
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at a post called Ninety Six,
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Loyalists successfully
drive out Patriot defenders.
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Also in November in Virginia,
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Royalist governor Lord Dunmore
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states that the colony is in
a state of open rebellion.
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He declares that slaves
belonging to pro-Patriot owners
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can earn their emancipation
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by serving the Crown.
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Dunmore receives runaway
slaves into Loyalist outfits.
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One famous regiment will be
the Royal Ethiopian Regiment.
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December 1775.
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Up in Canada, the Patriot
forces under Montgomery
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unite with Arnold near Quebec.
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Quebec is now besieged
by the Continental forces
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under Montgomery and Arnold.
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On December 9th,
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back down south near Norfolk, Virginia,
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Patriots defeat Lord Dunmore's
Loyalists and redcoats
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at the Battle of Great Bridge.
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With the governor forced to sea
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and Virginia's Loyalists defeated,
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Virginia is now largely
free of British rule.
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Williamsburg is now set in blue.
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December 22nd.
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Patriots strike the Loyalists
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near Simpsonville, South Carolina
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at the Battle of Great Cane Brake.
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The Loyalist hold on South
Carolina backcountry is quelled.
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It's important to remember
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that the Loyalists in these battles
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are American colonists,
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so battles between Loyalists and Patriots
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are Americans versus Americans.
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We will zoom back in to
the northeastern colonies.
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December 31.
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Up in Canada,
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Arnold and Montgomery
launch an assault on Quebec.
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Montgomery is killed.
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Arnold is wounded.
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The British hold Quebec.
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General Arnold keeps
his forces around Quebec
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and the siege continues.
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Also in December at Fort
Ticonderoga in New York,
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Henry Knox has a bold plan.
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He will attempt to transport
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over 50 artillery guns from the fort
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down the Hudson Valley
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and then across the
mountains into Massachusetts
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in order to aid Washington's
siege at Boston,
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a distance of some 300 miles.
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1775 comes to an end.
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In January 1776,
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the British strategize for a new year.
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Lord Howe in Boston remains besieged.
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However, there are other
ports besides Boston
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from which to conduct operations.
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Britain's focus in 1776
will shift to New York City.
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From there, Howe might advance north
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from New York City along the Hudson River,
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while a force from Canada under Carleton
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could use the Saint Lawrence River
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to secure the Lake Champlain area.
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The hotbed of rebellion in New England
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would thus be isolated
from the other colonies.
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However, the Continentals
have their own plans.
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Henry Knox at Fort Ticonderoga in New York
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is en route to Boston with
over 50 artillery guns.
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We will zoom out to the wider colonies.
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New Year's Day, 1776.
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Lord Dunmore's fleet
bombards Norfolk, Virginia,
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firing on the rebels
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who have recently secured the port.
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On January 10th,
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North Carolina's Royal
governor, Josiah Martin,
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who like Lord Dunmore in Virginia
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had earlier been banished to sea,
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attempts to reassert
British rule in the colony.
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From his ship near
Wilmington, North Carolina,
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Governor Martin calls for Loyalists
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to gather near Wilmington.
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At this time up north,
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Henry Knox is underway with his cannons.
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January 25th.
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Outside Boston, Henry Knox arrives
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at Washington's siege lines.
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He has successfully brought
his artillery pieces
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from Fort Ticonderoga.
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The Patriots can now press
the siege against Howe.
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January sees a major
literary breakthrough.
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In Philadelphia, Thomas Paine
publishes "Common Sense."
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Thousands and thousands of
copies are sold in 1776 alone.
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It can be said that the
average American at this time
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is reading scripture,
"Poor Richard's Almanack,"
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and Thomas Paine's "Common Sense."
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We will zoom out to the
transatlantic world.
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February 1776.
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From Ireland, a large British convoy
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leaves for North Carolina
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in an effort to support the Loyalists
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who are gathering there in North Carolina.
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Let's zoom back to the colonies.
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February 27th.
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Near Wilmington, North Carolina,
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Patriots defeat Loyalist Highlanders
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at Moore's Creek Bridge.
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North Carolina. Patriots
capture numerous weapons
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from the defeated Loyalists.
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North Carolina's Loyalists are defeated
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before aid can arrive
from across the Atlantic.
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We will zoom in to the Boston area.
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Howe is bottled up by Washington's army.
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Knox's cannons from Fort Ticonderoga
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have been set on Dorchester Heights.
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March 2nd, 1776.
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Knox's cannons bombard Howe's redcoats.
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March 17th.
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Howe has no choice but to
evacuate the besieged city.
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We will zoom back out to the colonies.
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From Boston, Lord Howe's redcoats,
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along with local Loyalist citizens,
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withdrawn to Halifax in Nova Scotia.
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Boston and Massachusetts at large
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is now liberated from British rule.
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But Washington is not
gonna sit on his laurels.
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He anticipates the British
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will move on to New York City next.
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Thus, Washington moves his
Continental forces from Boston
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toward New York City.
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At this time, Wilmington, North Carolina
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proves just as sour for
the British as Boston.
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British ships arrive off Cape Fear,
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but find that the colony's Loyalists
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have already been largely defeated.
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General Henry Clinton is
with this British force.
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Clinton has command of
the southern theater
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and he realizes the plans
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to secure North Carolina
for Britain are off for now.
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Also in March,
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Abigail Adams wrote to
her husband John Adams,
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who was in Congress at Philadelphia.
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She asked him to "remember the ladies
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and be more generous and favorable to them
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than your ancestors."
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Across the Atlantic back in Britain,
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another revolution is underway.
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The Scotsman Adam Smith
publishes "Wealth of Nations"
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and the philosophical foundation
of capitalism is laid.
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April 1776.
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Hessian forces depart the British Isles
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for besieged Quebec.
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These German troops
received their name Hessians
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from the fact that many of them come from
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the German state of Hesse-Kassel,
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which was then centered
at Wiesbaden, Germany.
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We will zoom back to the
northeastern colonies.
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In April, Washington's army
is arriving in New York City.
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May 6th, 1776.
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At Quebec, Burgoyne
arrives with reinforcements
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for the British defense.
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Arnold's siege cannot continue.
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The Continentals withdraw
up the Saint Lawrence River.
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We will zoom out.
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Also in May, down south,
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Clinton's ships, unable
to unload at Wilmington
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due to the defeat of North
Carolina's Loyalists,
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sails towards Charleston, South Carolina.
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The conflict is spilling from
the coast to the backcountry.
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In May, the Cherokee joined the
Shawnee and Delaware peoples
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on the side of the British.
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In a strange repeat of the recent past,
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the British and Canada will
gather Native American allies,
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similar to the way the French in Canada
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had done during the French and Indian War
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just 20 years before.
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June 7th, 1776.
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Back in Philadelphia,
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the Virginian Richard Henry
Lee introduced a resolution
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to formally declare the
colonies free from Britain.
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John Dickinson, resident of
both Pennsylvania and Delaware,
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opposes independence.
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Congress postpones the vote
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on Richard Henry Lee's resolution,
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but the motion has been made
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and the idea is formally on the table.
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We will zoom in to the northeast.
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On June 8th in Canada,
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the retreating Patriots are
defeated again in Canada
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at Trois-Rivieres.
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Arnold withdraws the Patriot forces
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toward Fort Ticonderoga in New York.
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Montreal and Fort Saint-Jean
will return to British control.
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Canada has repulsed the rebel invasion
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and Canada's colonies
remain loyal to His Majesty.
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The British now have the opportunity
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to move down the Lake Champlain zone.
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Thus, Lake Champlain is the next feature
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for the British to secure.
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Arnold's Continentals prepare
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at the top of the lake
at Fort Ticonderoga.
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We will zoom back out.
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June 10.
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British forces under General Howe
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depart from Halifax, Nova
Scotia toward New York City.
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June 11th.
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In Philadelphia, the Continental Congress
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devises a committee
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to prepare a document on
American independence.
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Thomas Jefferson, John Adams,
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Benjamin Franklin, Robert Livingston,
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and Roger Sherman are on this committee.
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Meanwhile, John Dickinson begins drafting
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the Articles of Confederation,
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a national governmental document.
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It will include a name for
this confederation of colonies:
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the United States of America.
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On June 12th in Williamsburg,
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the Virginia Convention
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adopts George Mason's
Declaration of Rights.
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Mason's wording states
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that all men are by nature
equally free and independent
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and have certain inherent rights.
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At this time in June 1776,
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two large British forces are at sea
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and approaching their landing zones,
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one in the north under Howe
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and the other is in the
south under Clinton.
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Clinton's forces are nearing
Charleston, South Carolina.
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The governor of South
Carolina, Lord Campbell,
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is yet another governor
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restricted to governing from a ship,
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and he is with Clinton's forces at sea.
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June 28th.
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At Sullivan's Island near
Charleston, South Carolina,
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Clinton's forces attack Fort Sullivan,
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which is held by William
Moultrie and William Thompson.
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Lord Campbell, governor of South Carolina,
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receives a mortal wound.
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British ships are damaged
and the attack is repelled.
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Clinton's defeated forces
will remove to New York City,
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where Howe is also approaching.
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On the same day in Philadelphia,
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Jefferson submits his draft
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of the Declaration of Independence
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to John Adams and Benjamin
Franklin for revision.
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The next day, June 29th,
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Howe's forces arrive at New York City.
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We will zoom in to the
northeastern colonies.
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The British makes Staten
Island their landing zone.
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We'll take a closer look at New York City
-
to show these locations in more detail.
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The British are beginning to
arrive here on Staten Island.
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Washington's Continental
Army is in Manhattan
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and at Brooklyn on Long Island.
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We will zoom back out.
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In July 1776 at Lake Champlain,
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Horatio Gates reassembles the Continentals
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retreating from Canada
at Fort Ticonderoga.
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Benedict Arnold is determined
to hold Lake Champlain
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in order to halt the British advance
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into the Hudson River region.
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He will attempt to build a lake fleet
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to challenge the British.
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On the opposite side of Lake Champlain,
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Guy Carleton is at Saint-Jean.
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He is preparing his fleet.
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Lake Champlain will thus once again
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become the center of
operations between armies,
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just as it has been prior during
the French and Indian War.
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July 2nd, 1776.
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In Philadelphia, Congress votes
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in favor of independence from Britain.
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Philadelphia, now the
capital of a new nation,
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is set in blue.
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John Hancock is now
president of a Congress
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of a declared independent nation.
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The rebellion has officially moved
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from a resistance movement
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to a declared independent nation.
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July 3rd.
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Lord Howe's giant British
army is now arriving en masse
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and unloading at Staten Island.
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The next day, the 4th of July,
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the Continental Congress in Philadelphia
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approves the wording
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in Jefferson's Declaration
of Independence.
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"We hold these truths to be self-evident,
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that all men are created equal,
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that they are endowed by their Creator
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with certain unalienable Rights,
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that among these are Life, Liberty,
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and the pursuit of Happiness."
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The next day, July 5th,
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Howe's massive 30,000-man
British and Hessian army
-
is now established on Staten
Island in New York City.
-
We will zoom in to New York City.
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Howe's British and Hessian
forces are here at Staten Island.
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Washington's men are divided
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between the heights on
Brooklyn and Manhattan.
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July 9th.
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In Washington's camps in
Brooklyn and Manhattan,
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the Declaration of Independence is read.
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In Manhattan, a crowd,
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emboldened by the
Declaration of Independence,
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tears down a statue of King George
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and melts it into
thousands of musket balls.
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August 22nd, 1776.
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The British cross from Staten Island
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and land on Long Island
to oppose Washington.
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The British advance to
Flatbush in Brooklyn.
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On August 27th, Howe defeats Washington
-
at the Battle of Long Island.
-
Washington, as he has done
so many times in his life,
-
somehow escapes disaster.
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He retreats across the
East River to Manhattan.
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We will briefly zoom out
to the transatlantic world.
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In September 1776 in Philadelphia,
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the Continental Congress is
in communication with France.
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We will zoom back in to New York City.
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On September 11th at Staten Island.
-
Lord Howe's brother, Richard, an admiral,
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offers peace terms
-
to a delegation from
the Continental Congress
-
in exchange for reconciliation and pardon.
-
Congress members John Adams
-
and Benjamin Franklin, however,
-
are committed to independence.
-
The struggle will continue.
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September 15.
-
Howe crosses the East River to Manhattan.
-
The next day, September 16th,
-
the Continentals clash
with British Regulars
-
at Harlem Heights in Manhattan.
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On September 21st, as New York City
-
appears to be falling to the British,
-
a suspicious fire breaks out,
-
destroying hundreds of buildings.
-
On the same day, the Patriot
spy Nathan Hale is captured.
-
The following day, September 22nd,
-
Nathan Hale was brought to the gallows.
-
He says, "I only regret that I have
-
but one life to give for my country."
-
Washington pulls northward.
-
The British advance.
-
By now, in October 1776,
-
Washington has built new
forts above New York City
-
to protect against British ship movements
-
up the Hudson River.
-
These are highlighted here in blue.
-
Fort Washington is in Manhattan.
-
Across the Hudson River
from Fort Washington
-
is Fort Lee in New Jersey.
-
However, on October 9th, 1776,
-
British ships break through
these Hudson River defenses.
-
We will zoom out to the
northeastern colonies.
-
Guy Carleton will strike down
-
from Saint-Jean to Lake Champlain.
-
Benedict Arnold's fleet
is waiting in the lake.
-
October 11th, 1776.
-
On Lake Champlain, the
British under Carleton
-
defeat Arnold's gunboats
-
at the Battle of Valcour Island.
-
The British are in
control of Lake Champlain,
-
a successful beginning to their attempt
-
to isolate New England
from the other colonies.
-
October 14.
-
At Lake Champlain, with the
Patriot fleet destroyed,
-
General Arnold has no choice
-
but to retreat to Ticonderoga.
-
On the British side,
-
Carleton believes that winter
is too fast approaching
-
and he decides not to
gamble away his gains.
-
He winters at Saint-Jean.
-
We will zoom back in to New York City.
-
On October 18th,
-
Howe advances around
Washington's flank by water
-
to Pell's Point.
-
Washington realizes he is
in danger of being trapped.
-
He retreats to White Plains, New York.
-
October 28th.
-
Lord Howe strikes
Washington in White Plains.
-
The Patriots are beaten.
-
Washington retreats
across the Hudson River.
-
Let's zoom out to the transatlantic world.
-
Also in October,
-
Benjamin Franklin is en route to France.
-
The new nation is in the process
-
of gaining a European power for its cause.
-
We will zoom back in to New York City.
-
November 16th, 1776.
-
In Manhattan, the British
secure Fort Washington.
-
The Patriots surrender a large garrison
-
and lose a significant arsenal.
-
On November 20th, the
British secure Fort Lee.
-
We will zoom out to the northeast.
-
Washington retreats towards
Trenton, New Jersey,
-
pursued by the British.
-
Also in November,
-
in Iroquois country in upper New York,
-
the Mohawk warrior Joseph Brant
-
asks warriors to join with the British.
-
December 7th, 1776.
-
Washington crosses the Delaware
River into Pennsylvania.
-
Hessians hold Trenton, New Jersey.
-
December 8.
-
A large British force under Robert Pigot
-
arrives at Newport, Rhode Island.
-
Newport is strategically located
-
between Patriot-held Boston
and British-held New York.
-
In December 12th, 1776 in Philadelphia,
-
the Continental Congress is alarmed
-
at the proximity of the British.
-
The fighting is coming
too close for comfort.
-
Congress flees to Baltimore.
-
Christmas Day is a major holiday
-
for the German Hessians posted at Trenton.
-
Washington knows the Germans
are likely celebrating
-
and will be surprised.
-
In the night, Washington
crosses the Delaware River
-
into New Jersey.
-
December 26th.
-
The Hessians are completely
surprised at Trenton.
-
1,000 prisoners are taken.
-
This victory is an
important morale builder
-
for the Continental side.
-
We will zoom out to the
transatlantic world.
-
Also in December,
-
Benjamin Franklin has arrived in France
-
to find foreign aid for the rebellion.
-
1776 comes to an end.
-
We will zoom back in to
the northeastern colonies.
-
January 3rd, 1777.
-
Washington continues his counter-attack,
-
striking the British at
Princeton, New Jersey.
-
It's another morale
victory for the Patriots.
-
By January 7th,
-
Washington retires to
Morristown, New Jersey,
-
where the Continental Army will winter.
-
Howe remains close to
his base in New York City
-
for winter quarters,
-
including a station in
New Brunswick, New Jersey.
-
However, Washington will
remain on the offensive.
-
In the winter campaign,
-
Patriots skirmishers hit
British supply lines,
-
giving this winter conflict
the name the Forage War.
-
And in Springfield, Massachusetts,
-
Congress has established
a national arsenal.
-
Also in January, France
provides the equivalent
-
of over $30 million in modern currency
-
to the Patriot cause.
-
February 23rd, 1777.
-
At Rahway, New Jersey,
-
between the two winter camps,
-
Patriots gain another
victory over the British.
-
Also in February,
-
following Washington
successes in New Jersey,
-
the Continental Congress
-
returns to Philadelphia from Baltimore.
-
April 13, 1777.
-
At Bound Brook, New Jersey,
-
Howe launches a counter-attack
-
after a winter of defeat.
-
The Patriots vacate the area.
-
We will zoom out to the wider colonies.
-
May 20th, 1777.
-
South of modern
Greenville, South Carolina,
-
the Cherokee cede that
area to South Carolina
-
at the Treaty of Dewitt's Corner.
-
The Cherokee had sided
largely with the British,
-
and dozens of Cherokee villages
-
had been destroyed by Patriot militia.
-
The treaty promised an easing of tensions
-
between settlers and Natives
in exchange for land.
-
We will zoom in to the northeast.
-
In May at the Iroquois Village Onaquaga
-
near modern Windsor, New York,
-
Joseph Brant has assembled
warriors and Loyalists
-
for His Majesty's service.
-
On June 14th in Philadelphia,
-
Congress selects a design
for the United States flag,
-
which includes 13 stripes and stars
-
all set in red, white, and blue.
-
Also in June 1777,
-
General Burgoyne is in
motion at Lake Champlain
-
reinitiating the New York campaign.
-
A second British force
under Barry St. Leger
-
is also advancing up
the Saint Lawrence River
-
toward Lake Ontario.
-
Burgoyne has a plan.
-
He will move south over Lake
Champlain to Albany, New York.
-
Meanwhile, St. Leger will march his force
-
from Lake Ontario
through the Mohawk Valley
-
and rendezvous with Burgoyne at Albany
-
to complete the conquest
of the Hudson River Valley.
-
July 6th, 1777.
-
Burgoyne captures Fort Ticonderoga.
-
Lake Champlain is now
under British control.
-
The Americans have
pulled back near Albany.
-
July 25th.
-
St. Leger's British forces
-
arrive at Fort Oswego on Lake Ontario.
-
It is possible for Howe in New York City
-
to move north along the Hudson River
-
to link up with Burgoyne,
-
thereby isolating New England
from the other colonies,
-
but Howe believes that Burgoyne is capable
-
of securing Albany all by himself.
-
Instead of advancing up the Hudson River,
-
Howe changes his focus
-
to capturing the rebel
capital at Philadelphia.
-
July 27.
-
Lord Howe begins a massive
redeployment from New York City
-
to the capital of the
new independent nation
-
at Philadelphia.
-
He will ship the British
army from Philadelphia
-
down the eastern coastline
to the Chesapeake Bay
-
and then push up the Chesapeake
to land near Philadelphia.
-
Howe leaves Henry Clinton in New York City
-
with an occupying garrison.
-
With Howe embarking for Philadelphia,
-
the British strategy becomes disjointed.
-
Burgoyne is at Lake Champlain,
-
St. Leger is at Fort Oswego,
-
and Lord Howe is now off to Philadelphia.
-
Thus, Lord Howe's army is
no longer working in concert
-
with Burgoyne and St. Leger
-
to isolate New England
from the other colonies.
-
Burgoyne and St. Leger
-
are left to their own
devices in upper New York.
-
The Continentals also have
wheels turning in Philadelphia.
-
The professional French
officer, Marquis de Lafayette,
-
has arrived by now in Philadelphia,
-
ready to serve the Patriot cause.
-
Meanwhile, Burgoyne has
advanced down Lake Champlain.
-
We will zoom in to Saratoga, New York.
-
Lake George is here.
-
Lake Saratoga is here.
-
The Hudson River is here.
-
Here is a natural high
ground called Bemis Heights.
-
In July 1777,
-
Continental General Philip
Schuyler is at Fort Edward.
-
Burgoyne is approaching from the north.
-
On July 31st, Schuyler
abandons Fort Edward
-
and retreats south down the Hudson River.
-
Both Lake Champlain and Lake George
-
are now in British hands.
-
The Hudson River is now
in Burgoyne's reach.
-
August 1st, 1777.
-
Burgoyne advances southward
toward the Hudson River,
-
nearing Saratoga, New York.
-
We will zoom back out to
the northeastern colonies.
-
By August 3rd, St. Leger has
advanced to Fort Stanwix,
-
sometimes shown as Fort Schuyler,
-
which is at modern Rome, New York.
-
The siege begins.
-
This British force is
aided by Iroquois warriors,
-
including the Mohawk warrior Joseph Brant.
-
August 6th.
-
Near Fort Stanwix at Oriskany, New York,
-
a Patriot relief force under Herkimer
-
is intercepted by St. Leger
and his Iroquois allies.
-
August 8th.
-
St. Leger begins the
bombardment of Fort Stanwix.
-
We will zoom back to the Saratoga region.
-
Schuyler has reassembled
near Stillwater, New York.
-
Burgoyne is at Fort Edward.
-
In August, Burgoyne has detached
German Hessians under Baum
-
to seize supplies at
Bennington, now in Vermont.
-
August 16.
-
At Walloomsac, New York,
-
John Stark's Patriots strike the Hessians.
-
Burgoyne's force takes a significant loss.
-
We will zoom back out to
the northeastern colonies.
-
August 22nd.
-
Benedict Arnold, following
the Mohawk Valley from Albany,
-
rescues Fort Stanwix
from the British siege.
-
St. Leger retreats to Fort Oswego.
-
On August 25th,
-
Lord Howe's force arrived
near modern Elkton, Maryland.
-
Also in August,
-
Horatio Gates is the commander
of the northern theater.
-
Albany has been a center
of Patriot activity
-
in the northern theater.
-
It is now the object
of Burgoyne's capture,
-
and it will be fiercely
held by the Patriots.
-
Albany is now set in blue.
-
September 11, 1777.
-
Near Philadelphia,
-
Howe defeats Washington
at Brandywine Creek
-
near modern Kennett Square, Pennsylvania,
-
Brandywine is the
largest single-day battle
-
of the American Revolution.
-
Philadelphia is in danger
of British seizure.
-
We will zoom back to the Saratoga region.
-
On September 13th,
-
Burgoyne has advanced
down the Hudson River
-
toward the Saratoga region.
-
Facing Burgoyne is the
Continental General Horatio Gates
-
at Bemis Heights.
-
Gates stands in the way of
the British advance on Albany.
-
On September 19th near Saratoga, New York,
-
Burgoyne clashes with Horatio Gates
-
at the Battle of Freeman's Farm.
-
Benedict Arnold stops Burgoyne's advance.
-
This is often referred to as
the First Battle of Saratoga.
-
We will zoom back out to the northeast.
-
September 25th.
-
Howe captures Philadelphia.
-
The Continental Congress
has fled the city.
-
The capital of the new
republic is in British hands.
-
Congress leaves Philadelphia
for York, Pennsylvania.
-
The Continental Congress
will remain in York
-
during the British
occupation of Philadelphia.
-
Meanwhile, in New York City,
-
General Clinton is conflicted.
-
On the one hand, he wants to ensure
-
the city is well defended.
-
On the other hand, Burgoyne
needs to help secure Albany.
-
However, Clinton will advance men
-
against the Patriot
defenses on the Hudson River
-
on the condition that New
York is not threatened.
-
October 4, 1777.
-
Washington counter-attacks near
Philadelphia at Germantown,
-
but Howe repulses the Continentals.
-
On October 6th,
-
General Clinton has advanced
up the Hudson River.
-
Clinton secures both Fort Montgomery,
-
and ironically, as we can
see in a war between kinsmen,
-
the fort named after a
Patriot general, Fort Clinton.
-
Up the Hudson, Burgoyne is also trying
-
to crack through the Hudson defenses.
-
We will zoom in to the Saratoga region.
-
On October 7th, Burgoyne
will attempt again
-
to secure Bemis Heights
near Saratoga, New York.
-
However, Gates still stands his ground.
-
Benedict Arnold again
stops the British advance.
-
This is often referred to as
the Second Battle of Saratoga.
-
Burgoyne is stuck.
-
He cannot crack through Gates' defenses.
-
We will zoom back out to the northeast.
-
Clinton has made progress
up the Hudson River,
-
however, he is still about
100 miles from Albany.
-
Clinton is out of reach
to support Burgoyne.
-
Howe has requested
reinforcements in Philadelphia.
-
Clinton must now return to New York City
-
and fulfill Howe's requests.
-
Burgoyne is now alone at Saratoga.
-
On October 17th, Burgoyne
is out of options.
-
He surrenders to Horatio Gates.
-
It's the first time a British
army has surrendered en masse.
-
The British have lost their
northern expeditionary force.
-
However, the British
remain in a strong position
-
at the rebel capital in Philadelphia.
-
We will zoom in to Philadelphia.
-
Washington is near
Whitemarsh, Pennsylvania.
-
The British hold the city of Philadelphia.
-
However, the Continentals
control two forts below the city.
-
These forts are Fort
Mifflin in Pennsylvania
-
and Fort Mercer across the
Delaware River in New Jersey.
-
These forts threaten the British supply
-
coming up the Delaware River.
-
October 22nd.
-
The British attempt to
knock out Fort Mercer
-
near Red Bank, New Jersey,
-
but Patriots repel the Hessian attack.
-
It's a much needed morale
booster for Washington's army.
-
November 1st, 1777.
-
West of Philadelphia
in York, Pennsylvania,
-
Henry Laurens is now president
of the Continental Congress.
-
November 10, 1777.
-
British cannons fire on Fort Mifflin.
-
On November 15th, Fort Mifflin
can no longer withstand
-
the British bombardment.
-
The fort is abandoned.
-
We will zoom out.
-
On the same day in York, Pennsylvania,
-
the Continental Congress
-
adopts the Articles of Confederation.
-
The document is now sent to
the states for ratification.
-
Congress has thus taken the next step
-
in creating a new nation.
-
The infant national
government has a document
-
outlining and limiting national powers.
-
We will return to Philadelphia.
-
December 1777.
-
Washington winters his
army at Valley Forge
-
just about 20 miles from
the British in Philadelphia.
-
We will zoom out to the
transatlantic world.
-
Across the Atlantic,
-
news is arriving in Europe
-
of Burgoyne's disastrous
surrender at Saratoga,
-
and there is a realization
in both London and in Paris
-
that the Continentals might actually win.
-
1777 comes to a close.
-
We will zoom back in to
the northeastern colonies.
-
In February 1778, Henry
Clinton is in New York City,
-
replaces Howe as commander
-
of British forces in North America.
-
In New York City, Clinton is
developing a new strategy.
-
With Burgoyne's force
defeated at Saratoga,
-
Clinton essentially
foregoes another attempt
-
against rebellious New England.
-
Instead, he will shift south.
-
Even if the New England colonies are lost,
-
it might still be possible
-
to keep the cash crop
colonies within the empire.
-
The next day, February 6th,
-
France officially
recognizes the United States
-
as an independent nation.
-
France is now a public
ally of the United States.
-
In February at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania,
-
Washington reports that his
men are hungry and ill-clothed.
-
By this time in early 1778,
-
Congress is dealing with a
looming financial problem.
-
The American currency, the Continental,
-
is quickly depreciating in value.
-
Congress' paper notes have
little perceived value.
-
There is also political gossip.
-
Some important persons in
Congress and in the army
-
think Horatio Gates,
the victor of Saratoga,
-
not Washington,
-
who was beaten out of New
York and Philadelphia,
-
should be the head of the army.
-
March 17, 1778.
-
Britain declares war on France.
-
The American War of Independence
-
is now becoming a global conflict.
-
We will zoom back in to Philadelphia.
-
By April 1778,
-
the professional Prussian
officer Baron von Steuben
-
is training Washington's
army at Valley Forge.
-
The Continentals are shaping into
-
a veteran disciplined force.
-
At Valley Forge, there is
a Rhode Island Regiment
-
composed of African Americans.
-
The New England states
will fairly compensate
-
African American soldiers
for their service.
-
We will zoom out to the
transatlantic world.
-
In April, a French fleet
under Comte d'Estaing
-
embarks from Toulon, France to America.
-
The United States now has ships
-
to stand up to the British navy.
-
The entrance of France into the war
-
presents a real strategic
problem for Britain.
-
His Majesty's fleet,
-
though the largest in the world,
-
must now contend with the
rebellious North American coast
-
while also protecting loyal Canada,
-
her precious Caribbean islands,
-
and even the British
mainland from French attack.
-
This April, Britain sends
the Earl of Carlisle
-
on a peace commission.
-
Parliament realizes that the war
-
is expanding into an
international conflict,
-
and Parliament is willing to cancel
-
all laws the colonists find objectionable
-
to the imperial relationship.
-
The Continental Congress, however,
-
is determined on independence.
-
The struggle will continue.
-
In the wee hours of April 23rd,
-
John Paul Jones brings the war to Britain.
-
His ship, the Ranger,
raids Whitehaven, England.
-
May 20th, 1778.
-
Near Philadelphia,
Continentals under Lafayette
-
repulse an attack near
Valley Forge at Barren Hill.
-
Later in May,
-
General Clinton is now in Philadelphia,
-
replacing Lord Howe as British
commander in North America.
-
While the Philadelphia
theater has quieted,
-
the western frontier country
-
is a tinderbox between
settlers and Natives.
-
On May 30th in Cobleskill, New York,
-
that town is destroyed
-
by Iroquois warriors and
Loyalists under Joseph Brant.
-
While many Iroquois support the British,
-
the Iroquois Confederacy
-
is divided amongst
itself over the conflict.
-
Also in May, at York, Pennsylvania,
-
Congress learns that Ben Franklin
-
has made a formal alliance
-
with His Most Catholic Majesty Louis XVI.
-
The Continental Army soldiers,
-
on a mission to cast King
George out of North America,
-
now rejoice for the king of France.
-
June 18, 1778.
-
Clinton is redeploying his forces.
-
Command in Britain wishes
to secure New York City,
-
especially with the French
fleet in the Atlantic.
-
Thus, the British will leave
Philadelphia for New York City.
-
Thousands of Philadelphia Loyalists
-
follow on British ships for New York.
-
The army will move by land
-
from Philadelphia to New York.
-
The British army and
thousands of Loyalists
-
evacuate Philadelphia.
-
The next day, June 19th,
-
Washington's army leaves Valley Forge
-
in pursuit of the British.
-
Washington's men soon occupy Philadelphia.
-
The capital is restored
to the United States.
-
The Continental Congress can now return
-
from York, Pennsylvania to Philadelphia.
-
June 28th.
-
Washington strikes the British at Monmouth
-
at modern Freehold, New Jersey.
-
July 1778.
-
Clinton's army arrives in New York City.
-
On July 2nd, 1778,
-
the Continental Congress
-
is again in session in Philadelphia,
-
returned to the liberated capital
-
on the second anniversary of
its approval of independence.
-
The next day, July 3rd,
-
in the Wyoming Valley near
Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.
-
Patriots and their families
-
are killed by Iroquois
and Loyalist militia.
-
The Patriot side will remember
this Wyoming massacre.
-
We will zoom out.
-
On the 4th of July, George Rogers Clark,
-
working under Virginia's authority,
-
secures Kaskaskia near
modern Ellis Grove, Illinois.
-
The arm of the American Revolution
-
stretches into the Midwest
at the Mississippi River.
-
On July 8th, Comte
d'Estaing's French fleet
-
arrives near New York City.
-
There is now the threat
that the British army
-
can be pinned between the
Continental Army on land
-
and the French Navy at sea.
-
July 9.
-
In Philadelphia, the
Articles of Confederation
-
is on the table.
-
Delegates from New
Hampshire, Massachusetts,
-
Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York,
-
Pennsylvania, Virginia, and South Carolina
-
sign and ratify the
Articles of Confederation.
-
Eight of the 13 colonies have
adopted the new government.
-
Charleston, South Carolina,
-
following South Carolina's ratification
-
of the Articles of Confederation,
-
is now set in blue
-
with other unoccupied cities to the north.
-
July 11th.
-
Comte d'Estaing's French fleet
-
is now blockading New York City.
-
July 20th.
-
Washington has returned
to his previous position
-
above New York City at White Plains.
-
On July 21st in Philadelphia,
-
North Carolina delegates
-
sign and ratify the
Articles of Confederation.
-
Wilmington, North Carolina
is now set in blue.
-
Nine of the 13 colonies have
now adopted the new government.
-
Three days later on July
24th, again in Philadelphia,
-
Georgia delegates sign and ratify
-
the Articles of Confederation.
-
Savannah, Georgia is now set in blue.
-
10 of the 13 colonies have now
adopted the new government.
-
We will zoom out to a global view.
-
July 27, 1778.
-
Across the Atlantic, the
great sea powers clash
-
near the island of Ushant just off France.
-
Britain's powerful fleet
-
must now keep many ships
near the British Isles,
-
as the fight is coming to their doorsteps.
-
In August 1778,
-
the American Revolution
sparks off even farther away.
-
Across the globe in India,
-
Britain attacks a port
there in French Pondicherry.
-
We will zoom in to the
northeastern colonies.
-
The Franco-American forces
-
cannot dislodge Clinton in New York City.
-
They realize that the garrison
in Newport, Rhode Island
-
may be a more successful blockade
target than New York City.
-
By August, Comte d'Estaing's fleet
-
has redeployed to Newport.
-
John Sullivan has ground
troops near Newport.
-
On August 9th,
-
Comte d'Estaing coordinates
his ships and French troops
-
with John Sullivan's
Continental ground forces,
-
striking the British at Newport.
-
However, a storm damages the French fleet
-
and Sullivan's attack stalls.
-
On August 20th, Comte d'Estaing redeploys
-
the French battle group
to Boston for repairs.
-
August 29th.
-
At Newport, Rhode Island,
-
the British under General
Pigot strike the Patriots.
-
Sullivan withdraws.
-
Newport, Rhode Island
remains in British hands.
-
The first major French-American
coordination has failed.
-
Washington and Clinton are
deadlocked at New York City.
-
Thus, in the coming months,
-
much of the conflict will
shift to the backwoods country.
-
In the context of the
English-speaking world at this time,
-
the Appalachian Mountain area is the west.
-
In September 1778,
-
Joseph Brant's Iroquois
warriors and Loyalists
-
attack German Flatts,
-
modern Herkimer, New York.
-
However, on September 17th
at Patriot-held Fort Pitt,
-
modern Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,
-
the Patriots sign a treaty of
friendship with the Delaware,
-
helping to quell Native
resistance in that region.
-
So it's important to remember
-
that different Native tribes
are taking different positions
-
during the American Revolution.
-
Some are allied with the British,
-
while others are making
peace with the Patriots.
-
On October 8th, 1778,
-
Patriots under Colonel William Butler
-
attack Joseph Brant's base
at the town of Onaquaga
-
near modern Windsor, New York.
-
The town is destroyed.
-
November 11, 1778.
-
More Native and settler violence
occurs in upper New York.
-
Native Americans and Loyalists
-
attack the town of
Cherry Valley, New York.
-
About this time in November,
-
Comte d'Estaing's squadron
leaves the theater
-
for the Caribbean.
-
The Patriots are again
without serious sea power.
-
On November 26th in Philadelphia,
-
New Jersey delegates sign the
Articles of Confederation.
-
11 colonies have now
adopted the new government.
-
We will zoom out to the wider colonies.
-
Meanwhile, during this November,
-
General Clinton remains
deadlocked at New York City
-
against Washington.
-
However, he has dispatched British forces
-
under Archibald Campbell
-
from New York City toward the south.
-
Their target is Savannah, Georgia.
-
Clinton will hold the
major port city of New York
-
while initiating a
simultaneous southern strategy.
-
The British will focus on
securing major southern ports.
-
From there, they hope to
gain a footing in the south
-
by joining with what they hope
-
is a large Loyalist population.
-
On December 10th, 1778,
-
John Jay becomes president
of the Continental Congress.
-
December 17th.
-
The British under Hamilton
advance from Fort Detroit
-
and secure Fort Sackville at
Vincennes in modern Indiana.
-
Christmas Day, Campbell's
force nears Savannah, Georgia.
-
On December 29, Campbell secures Savannah,
-
capturing hundreds of Patriot militia.
-
The southern theater is now active.
-
Meanwhile, a western
theater is also developing
-
between Patriot Fort Pitt
and British Fort Detroit.
-
At Fort Pitt, General McIntosh
-
has built Fort Laurens at
modern Boulevard, Ohio,
-
a stepping stone toward Fort Detroit.
-
1778 comes to a close.
-
January 1779.
-
British General Augustine Prevost,
-
stationed at Saint Augustine,
arrives in Savannah.
-
We will zoom in to the Southern Colonies.
-
It's important to
remember that New Orleans
-
at this time is part
of the Spanish Empire.
-
January 9, 1779.
-
The British secure Fort
Morris near Savannah, Georgia.
-
The British will now push
up the Savannah River
-
against Augusta, Georgia.
-
January 29.
-
Loyalists and allied Native Americans
-
secure Augusta, Georgia.
-
Georgia has not yet fallen, however.
-
In February 1779 at nearby
Charleston, South Carolina,
-
General Benjamin Lincoln
-
has sent a force under John
Ashe to retake Augusta, Georgia.
-
We will zoom out to the wider colonies.
-
By February 1779, at Fort Detroit,
-
Hamilton is aware of Fort
Laurens in the Ohio Country.
-
He sees what the Patriots at
Fort Pitt are attempting to do.
-
Hamilton dispatches Henry
Bird against Fort Laurens.
-
On February 14th, northwest
of Augusta, Georgia,
-
near modern Washington, Georgia,
-
Patriots defeat Loyalists at Kettle Creek.
-
February 23rd.
-
George Rogers Clark's
Patriots attack Fort Sackville
-
at Vincennes at modern Indiana.
-
The western outpost is now
in the hands of the Patriots.
-
On the same day, Bird's
British and Native force
-
siege Fort Laurens in the Ohio Country.
-
Meanwhile, February sees
back and forth raids,
-
bombardments, and property destruction
-
in the region of New York City
-
near the large armies under
Washington and Clinton.
-
March 3rd, 1779.
-
Ashe's Continentals clash with
the British at Brier Creek
-
near Sylvania, Georgia.
-
the British repulse the Patriots
-
and Georgia remains contested.
-
On March 6th in Pennsylvania,
-
a Continental force under John Sullivan
-
will begin to advance
up the Susquehanna River
-
toward New York State
-
in order to prepare a
campaign against the Iroquois.
-
March 23rd.
-
In the Ohio Country,
-
Bird's siege at Fort
Laurens is called off.
-
However, on the rebel side,
-
with western fighting intensifying
-
in the Iroquois lands in
Pennsylvania and New York,
-
a push against Fort
Detroit is not practical.
-
Fort Laurens will be
abandoned by the Continentals.
-
We will zoom out to the
transatlantic world.
-
April 1779.
-
At Aranjuez, Spain,
-
Spain joins a secret alliance with France
-
against the British.
-
We will zoom back to the
northeastern colonies.
-
On April 18th,
-
a Patriot expedition under Van Schaick
-
from Fort Stanwix at modern Rome, New York
-
is moving in advance of
the Sullivan campaign
-
into Iroquois lands.
-
Van Schaick's Patriots
deploy to Lake Oneida.
-
They attack Onondaga villages there.
-
May 5th, 1779.
-
In Philadelphia, Delaware's delegates
-
sign and ratify the
Articles of Confederation.
-
12 of the 13 colonies have adopted
-
the Articles of Confederation.
-
We will slide down to
the southern theater.
-
On May 10th, Norfolk, Virginia
-
is hammered by the British fleet.
-
At this time, British General Prevost
-
is advancing from Savannah
towards Charleston.
-
However, Benjamin Lincoln
-
has a Continental force
to defend Charleston.
-
On May 13th, Prevost is
repulsed from Charleston
-
and he will return to Savannah.
-
We will slide up to the northern theater.
-
On May 23rd, from a
source in Philadelphia,
-
a British spy receives secret information
-
on the Continental Army.
-
The spy's informant is Continental
General Benedict Arnold.
-
Meanwhile, the British are
gonna reopen the offensive
-
against Washington's New York defenses
-
up the Hudson River.
-
We will zoom in to the New York City zone.
-
May 30.
-
General Clinton advances
-
up the Hudson River from New York City,
-
securing the rebel post at Stony Point.
-
Clinton is trying to bait
Washington into a fight,
-
but Washington will not bite.
-
In June 1779, near
Sleepy Hollow, New York,
-
General Clinton offers the
Philipsburg Proclamation,
-
emancipating slaves who side with Britain.
-
It is possible that some 20,000 slaves
-
will join the British side
during the whole conflict.
-
We will zoom out to the
transatlantic world.
-
On June 21st,
-
Spain officially declares war on Britain.
-
Britain is now contending
-
with multiple major powers in Europe.
-
A few days later on June 24th,
-
Spain besieges the British
-
at the critical post at Gibraltar,
-
the strategic entrance
to the Mediterranean.
-
In July 1779, Britain's problems grow.
-
In the Caribbean, Comte
d'Estaing's French fleet
-
secures British Grenada.
-
Britain's critical sugar
islands are endangered.
-
Then, following sustained fighting
-
against the British fleet,
-
Comte d'Estaing sails back
-
towards the North American continent
-
to directly aid the Continental Army.
-
We will zoom in to New York City.
-
July 15.
-
General Anthony Wayne
-
leads a late-night assault on Stony Point.
-
The British surrender the fort.
-
The British gains on the
Hudson River are lost.
-
However, the colony of New
York remains a tinderbox.
-
We will zoom out to the
northeastern colonies.
-
On July 22nd, the British-allied
Mohawk warrior Joseph Brant
-
defeats the Patriots at
Minisink in New York.
-
In August 1779,
-
Continentals retaliate
against the western Natives.
-
Patriots from Fort Pitt
advance up the Allegheny River
-
and destroy Seneca villages
in northwestern Pennsylvania
-
in the region of modern
Warren, Pennsylvania.
-
Meanwhile, near modern
Athens, Pennsylvania,
-
John Sullivan's
Continentals have assembled
-
for their campaign against the Iroquois.
-
Sullivan's force advances
towards Iroquois territory
-
in upstate New York.
-
August 29.
-
Sullivan defeats Joseph Brant
at the Battle of Newtown
-
near modern Elmira, New York.
-
With Brant defeated,
-
the Iroquois countryside
is open to invasion.
-
Sullivan advances into
the Iroquois heartland.
-
Over the coming months,
dozens of Native villages
-
in New York State's Finger Lakes region
-
are destroyed by Sullivan's forces,
-
a devastating era for
the Iroquois Confederacy.
-
We will now shift down
to the Southern Colonies.
-
September 9, 1779.
-
Comte d'Estaing's fleet
arrives off Savannah
-
with French warships and
thousands of French infantry.
-
The British under General Prevost
-
prepare to defend the city.
-
Meanwhile, Benjamin Lincoln
is descending from Charleston
-
to coordinate with the French at Savannah.
-
On September 16th,
-
a Franco-American force
sieges Savannah, Georgia.
-
The situation in the south
-
has grown more complicated for Britain.
-
With Spain now in a state of
declared war against Britain,
-
Spanish Louisiana,
-
the territory west of
the Mississippi River,
-
creates a new front.
-
Britain will be fighting
a two-front conflict.
-
New Orleans in 1779 is
part of the Spanish Empire.
-
September 21st.
-
The Spanish under Bernardo de Galvez
-
have advanced from New Orleans
against British West Florida.
-
De Galvez captures Fort Bute
-
in modern Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
-
We will zoom out to the
transatlantic world.
-
On September 23rd, across the Atlantic,
-
off the coast of Bridlington, England,
-
the American ship Bonhomme Richard
-
commanded by John Paul Jones
-
defeats the British ship Serapis.
-
September 28th.
-
In Philadelphia, Samuel Huntington
-
is now president of the
Continental Congress.
-
We will zoom back to
the Southern Colonies.
-
The Continentals have their units in order
-
at Savannah, Georgia.
-
The French under Comte d'Estaing
-
and Americans under Benjamin Lincoln
-
are ready to attack the British there.
-
On October 8th, 1779,
-
the Franco-American
forces attack Savannah.
-
The British throw back their attack.
-
Despite the setback,
-
Lincoln will try to keep
the siege at Savannah going.
-
October 18.
-
The Patriot siege at
Savannah cannot continue.
-
Savannah remains in British hands.
-
Lincoln's Continentals
return to Charleston.
-
Comte d'Estaing returns
French ships to the Caribbean.
-
We will slide up to the northern colonies.
-
Meanwhile, British General
Clinton in New York City
-
has planned a counter-attack in the south.
-
The increasing efforts in the south
-
will require significant numbers of men,
-
including the garrison
at Newport, Rhode Island.
-
On October 25th, the British
abandon Newport, Rhode Island,
-
which they had held
for nearly three years.
-
Rhode Island, like the
other northern lands
-
outside New York City,
-
is now essentially
liberated from British rule.
-
With the exception of New York,
-
which is locked in stalemate,
-
the northern colonies by
this time are liberated.
-
It makes sense at this time
-
that General Clinton will
readjust to the south,
-
where he hopes to find
a larger Loyalist base.
-
We will slide down to
the Southern Colonies.
-
Also in October in the southwest,
-
the Spanish General de
Galvez secures Fort Panmure
-
at modern Natchez, Mississippi.
-
Spain is making progress in
the reconquest of Florida,
-
which it had held for centuries
-
before losing it to Britain
-
after the recent Seven Years' War.
-
Britain now loses control over
the Lower Mississippi River.
-
Spain can send supplies
-
up the Mississippi and Ohio
Rivers to the Patriots.
-
We will zoom out to the wider colonies.
-
In December 1779,
-
in the northern theater
near New York City,
-
Washington returns to
Morristown, New Jersey
-
for winter quarters.
-
By December 26th,
-
General Clinton embarks from New York City
-
to join forces with Prevost
in Savannah, Georgia.
-
Clinton leaves New York City
-
under the German General
Wilhelm Baron von Knyphausen.
-
1779 comes to an end.
-
In January 1780,
-
at Washington's Continental
camp at Morristown, New Jersey,
-
the rebel soldiers are half starved.
-
It is a bitter winter in the north.
-
January 30th, 1780.
-
Clinton's forces arrive by
ship at Savannah, Georgia.
-
Clinton, now united with
Prevost at Savannah,
-
plans to advance with
British-held Savannah
-
against Patriot-held Charleston.
-
March 1780.
-
In Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania Assembly
-
passes the Act for the
Gradual Abolition of Slavery.
-
Pennsylvania is the first state
-
to legislatively abolish slavery.
-
We will zoom in to the Southern Colonies.
-
On March 14th, the Spanish
under Bernardo de Galvez
-
secure Mobile in British West Florida,
-
now in modern Alabama.
-
Meanwhile, on the Atlantic coast,
-
Clinton's forces are advancing
-
from Savannah to Charleston by ship,
-
and by April 1780,
-
Clinton's ground forces have disembarked.
-
The Siege of Charleston has begun.
-
The Siege of Charleston will
be by both land and sea.
-
May 9, 1780.
-
The British guns open up on Charleston.
-
May 12th.
-
Benjamin Lincoln has no options.
-
The Continentals surrender.
-
Clinton secures
Charleston, South Carolina.
-
The Continental Army in the south,
-
some 5,000 men, surrender to the British.
-
The surrender of Charleston
-
is as devastating for the Continentals
-
as Saratoga had been for the British.
-
Charleston is now held by the British.
-
With the southern Continental Army lost,
-
the Patriot efforts turn back to militia.
-
The Carolina backcountry will be engulfed
-
in a brutal
neighbor-against-neighbor conflict.
-
On the British side,
with Savannah, Georgia
-
and Charleston, South
Carolina now in their hands,
-
the British will advance northward.
-
A British force under Banastre Tarleton
-
advances into South Carolina backcountry
-
in the direction of
Charlotte, North Carolina.
-
May 29.
-
At Waxhaws, South Carolina
-
near Lancaster, South Carolina,
-
Tarleton ruthlessly
strikes the Continentals.
-
Tarleton will develop a
reputation for cruelty
-
raiding in the Carolina backcountry.
-
On June 3rd, 1780,
-
Clinton demands that South Carolinians
-
take an oath of loyalty.
-
This essentially backfires,
-
because now individuals
are forced to take sides.
-
Instead of pacifying the population,
-
Clinton has inflamed it.
-
We will zoom out to the wider colonies.
-
About this time, Clinton has learned
-
that the French officer
Comte de Rochambeau
-
is bringing a large French force
-
against the now undefended
Newport, Rhode Island.
-
Clinton will leave the south
and return to New York City.
-
Thus, on June 5th at Charleston,
-
Cornwallis is left in command
-
of the British troops in the south.
-
On June 7th up north,
Washington's Continentals
-
clash with British and Hessians
-
at the Battle of Connecticut
Farms near Newark, New Jersey.
-
Later in June, General
Clinton has returned
-
to New York City.
-
In July 1780, Comte de Rochambeau
-
arrives in Newport, Rhode Island.
-
Thousands of French
troops are now in a city
-
which previously had been
a British stronghold.
-
Also in July, in North Carolina,
-
General Horatio Gates
replaces Benjamin Lincoln
-
as commander of a reorganized
southern Continental force.
-
We will zoom in to the southern theater.
-
In August 1780, Cornwallis is advancing
-
from Charleston towards Charlotte.
-
At the same time,
-
Gates advances from North Carolina
-
toward Camden, South Carolina.
-
The Continentals are now moving
-
to Counter Cornwallis in South Carolina.
-
August 16.
-
Cornwallis engages Gates
near Camden, South Carolina.
-
Cornwallis crushes the Continentals.
-
A second Continental army
-
has been destroyed in South Carolina.
-
So far, the British southern
strategy is a success.
-
In September 1780, the
British seem to have control
-
of Georgia and South Carolina.
-
Cornwallis is advancing from Camden
-
toward Charlotte, North Carolina,
-
but the Patriots turn
to guerilla fighting.
-
On September 14, Francis
Marion, the Swamp Fox,
-
defeats Loyalists at Black Mingo Creek
-
near modern Hemingway, South Carolina.
-
We will slide up to the northern theater
-
and then zoom in to the New York sector.
-
Benedict Arnold has
recently assumed command
-
at West Point, New York
on the Hudson River.
-
On September 21st below West
Point in Haverstraw, New York,
-
Benedict Arnold meets with
the British spy John Andre.
-
Arnold agrees to hand over
-
the rebel fortifications at
West Point to the British
-
in exchange for cash and a
British officer commission.
-
September 24th.
-
Washington arrives at West Point.
-
Benedict Arnold is absent from his post.
-
Retrieved documents show that Arnold
-
has been supplying
information to the British.
-
Arnold has already fled
-
to the British lines at New York City.
-
However, Andre is captured.
-
October 2nd, 1780.
-
In Tappan on the New
York-New Jersey border,
-
John Andre is sent to the gallows.
-
We will zoom out
-
and slide back down to
the southern theater.
-
By now, Cornwallis is nearing
Charlotte, North Carolina,
-
On Cornwallis' left,
-
there is a force of Loyalists
on the western wing.
-
The Loyalists find good ground
-
at Kings Mountain in
northern South Carolina,
-
just west of Charlotte.
-
However, on October 7th, 1780,
-
backwoods Patriots, the Overmountain Men,
-
hit Kings Mountain.
-
The Loyalists are defeated.
-
Cornwall has lost a large Loyalist army.
-
Cornwallis is now spooked
by the backcountry.
-
The British cancel their advance
-
on Charlotte, North Carolina
-
and turn back into South Carolina.
-
Cornwallis, largely
invincible up to this point,
-
has been bested.
-
Patriot morale improves.
-
Also in October, Nathanael
Greene replaces Gates
-
as the Continental commander in the south.
-
The southern Continental
Army is reforming yet again.
-
We will zoom out to the
transatlantic world.
-
In December 1780,
-
Britain's list of formal
enemies grows further.
-
Upon discovering that the Netherlands
-
has been aiding and supplying the rebels,
-
His Majesty declares war on the Dutch.
-
We will zoom in to the Southern Colonies.
-
From here, we will zoom in
to the Carolina countryside.
-
In December 1780,
-
the Continentals under Greene
and Morgan are at Charlotte.
-
Greene moves the southern Continental Army
-
to Cheraw, South Carolina.
-
Daniel Morgan moves his Patriot force
-
West from Charlotte to Cowpens.
-
Meanwhile, Cornwallis
has retreated southward
-
to make winter camp at
Winnsboro, South Carolina.
-
1780 comes to an end.
-
In January 1781, up north,
-
Washington has Lafayette
redeploy to Virginia.
-
Back in South Carolina,
-
Cornwallis, with Tarleton
on his left wing,
-
is pursuing Morgan toward Cowpens.
-
On January 17th at Cowpens
near Chesnee, South Carolina,
-
Tarleton runs into a trap
-
set by Daniel Morgan.
-
The notorious Tarleton is smashed.
-
The Patriots now have two
solid victories in a row
-
west of Charlotte,
-
one at Kings Mountain the
previous year, shown here in blue,
-
and a second now at Cowpens.
-
The momentum in the south is turning.
-
However, Cornwallis continues
-
his pursuit of Greene and Morgan.
-
The army's now moving in the direction
-
of Guilford Courthouse, North Carolina.
-
We will zoom out to the wider colonies.
-
March 1st, 1781.
-
In Philadelphia, Maryland
delegates sign and ratify
-
the Articles of Confederation.
-
All 13 colonies have now adopted
-
the Articles of Confederation.
-
The colonies now have a
national government document.
-
The colonies are officially,
from their perspective,
-
a new nation, and are now called states.
-
The United States has a formal
-
national legislative document.
-
March 9, 1781.
-
General de Galvez's Spanish force
-
arrives at Pensacola, Florida.
-
The British there are now besieged.
-
We will zoom in to the
Carolina countryside.
-
On March 15th at Guilford Courthouse
-
at modern Greensboro, North Carolina,
-
Cornwallis and Greene clash.
-
Cornwallis throws Greene from the field
-
at a great cost to his ranks.
-
Greene will recover his forces
-
and move back toward
Camden, South Carolina.
-
Cornwallis, however,
-
will advance toward
Wilmington, North Carolina
-
in order to reconnect with supply ships.
-
In April 1781,
-
Cornwall is in Wilmington, North Carolina
-
and Greene has arrived at
Camden, South Carolina.
-
While the main armies are separated,
-
the region still has guerilla
fighting at this time.
-
April 15th.
-
Patriot forces under
Francis Marion and Henry Lee
-
are sieging Fort Watson near
Summerton, South Carolina.
-
On April 23rd,
-
Henry Lee and Francis
Marion secure Fort Watson.
-
April 25th.
-
The British counter-attack.
-
At Hobkirk's Hill at
Camden, South Carolina,
-
the British under Lord Rawdon
-
drive Greene's forces from high ground.
-
Rawdon pulls southward for supply,
-
while Greene redeploys westward
-
toward the British-held
post at Fort Ninety Six.
-
This May, General Cornwallis
-
advances from Wilmington, North Carolina
-
northward towards Virginia on foot.
-
He is hoping to solidify
a strong Virginia port
-
as a naval stronghold to
secure the Chesapeake.
-
From there, General Clinton
-
is hoping to redeploy Cornwallis
-
to a larger port like New
York City or Charleston.
-
We will zoom out to the
wider southern theater.
-
May 8, 1781.
-
De Galvez secures British Pensacola.
-
British West Florida has
lost another major port.
-
On May 20th, Cornwallis is
at Petersburg, Virginia.
-
However, the Continentals
are also in Virginia.
-
Coming from the north is
Lafayette to oppose Cornwallis.
-
We will zoom out to the
transatlantic world.
-
Also in May,
-
the French officer
Rochambeau in Rhode Island
-
requests support from Admiral
de Grasse in the West Indies.
-
Soon, de Grasse is moving
-
toward the continent with his fleet,
-
and Rochambeau will soon be advancing
-
from Newport, Rhode Island
-
to rendezvous with
Washington's army in New York.
-
We will zoom in to Virginia.
-
In June 1781, Virginia
becomes a battleground.
-
Cornwallis advances from Petersburg
-
around Lafayette and around Richmond.
-
Lafayette pulls back toward Culpeper
-
to meet with Anthony Wayne's
approaching reinforcements.
-
Cornwallis turns toward
Elk Head, Virginia.
-
Tarleton breaks off and moves
towards Charlottesville.
-
June 4th.
-
Tarleton's raiders hit
Jefferson's hometown
-
of Charlottesville, Virginia.
-
Jefferson flees Monticello.
-
We will zoom out to the
wider southern theater.
-
While much of the conflict is
now converging on Virginia,
-
the backcountry in the south
-
is still the scene of
back and forth action.
-
Greene's Continentals
are sieging Loyalists
-
at Fort Ninety Six near
Greenwood, South Carolina.
-
On June 5th,
-
Augusta, Georgia is
secured by the Patriots.
-
On June 6th, Anthony Wayne joins Lafayette
-
near Culpeper, Virginia.
-
They can now pursue Cornwallis.
-
On June 18, Loyalists have rebuffed
-
Nathaniel Greene's siege
of Fort Ninety Six.
-
Greene withdraws.
-
The conflict remains
stalemated in the south.
-
However, gears are turning in the north.
-
We will slide up to the northern colonies,
-
which will include Virginia on this map.
-
On June 19th, Rochambeau is
moving his 5,000 French troops
-
out of Rhode Island
-
to link with Washington in New York.
-
We will zoom in to the Virginia theater.
-
By June 20th in Virginia,
-
Lafayette has pursued Cornwallis
-
from Charlottesville
into the Richmond area.
-
June 25th.
-
Lafayette continues to pursue Cornwallis
-
down the peninsula toward Williamsburg.
-
July 6, 1781.
-
Near Williamsburg,
-
Lafayette and Anthony Wayne
are rebuffed by the British
-
at Green Spring, Virginia.
-
We will zoom back to
the northern colonies.
-
Also on July 6th,
-
Rochambeau has linked up
with Washington's army
-
at Dobbs Ferry, New York.
-
July 7.
-
In Philadelphia, Thomas
McKean is now president
-
of the Continental Congress.
-
Also in July, Cornwallis
is instructed by Clinton
-
to find a suitable place
along Virginia's coast
-
that can support naval operations.
-
The British army needs to coordinate
-
with His Majesty's fleet.
-
Cornwallis chooses Yorktown, Virginia.
-
August 1st, 1781.
-
Cornwallis has redeployed
to Yorktown, Virginia.
-
On August 14th, back at
Dobbs Ferry, New York,
-
Washington learns that the
French Admiral de Grasse's fleet
-
is en route to the Chesapeake Bay region.
-
Washington will plan to trap Cornwallis
-
between the Franco-American army
-
and the incoming French fleet.
-
Washington and Rochambeau
-
are now about to begin
a major redeployment,
-
moving from the New York City sector
-
southward toward the Chesapeake.
-
About this time, de Grasse's French fleet
-
is nearing the Chesapeake.
-
On August 30th, de Grasse's
fleet is in the Chesapeake.
-
September 1st, 1781.
-
Clinton is responding
-
to the French presence in the Chesapeake.
-
A British fleet under Admiral Graves
-
sets out from New York City
-
to engage de Grasse in the Chesapeake.
-
On September 3rd,
-
Washington and Rochambeau
are in Philadelphia.
-
On September 5th, guns
roar in the Chesapeake
-
between de Grasse's French ships
-
and Graves' British ships.
-
De Grasse throws back the British ships.
-
De Grasse maintains a
hold on the Chesapeake.
-
Cornwallis is without supply.
-
On September 6th,
-
Washington and Rochambeau
are embarking on ships
-
at Elkton, Maryland and at Baltimore.
-
The army will travel by
water down the Chesapeake,
-
which is protected by the French fleet.
-
By September 30th,
-
Washington and Rochambeau's forces
-
arrive at Williamsburg, Virginia.
-
Cornwallis is now sealed
in from all sides.
-
We will zoom in to the Yorktown region.
-
October 1781.
-
Cornwallis is now
besieged by land and sea.
-
Cornwall is at Yorktown here.
-
Washington's Franco-American
army is in position.
-
The American army is here
under Benjamin Lincoln
-
and the French army
under Rochambeau is here.
-
Further out, de Grasse
is blockading the sea.
-
October 6th.
-
The Franco-American siege
line is being fortified here.
-
October 9th.
-
The siege line is complete.
-
Washington and Rochambeau
-
now have cannons in range of Yorktown.
-
The bombardment begins.
-
On October 11th, the
Franco-American siege line
-
has advanced closer to Yorktown here,
-
near point-blank range.
-
October 14.
-
Alexander Hamilton leads men into action,
-
capturing Cornwallis' flank.
-
On October 17th,
-
Cornwallis offers Washington
a cessation of hostilities
-
to discuss the British surrender.
-
October 17th happens to
be the fourth anniversary
-
of Burgoyne's surrender at Saratoga.
-
October 19th.
-
Cornwallis officially
surrenders to George Washington.
-
Yorktown will be the last mass surrender
-
of a large British force
until World War II.
-
When word of the surrender
reaches Parliament,
-
the British government will
look to negotiate peace.
-
So the British colonial story
in the future United States
-
ends at Yorktown, Virginia,
-
just 15 miles from where
it all began at Jamestown,
-
174 years before Cornwallis' surrender.
-
(birds singing)
-
(birds singing)