battle of the revolution (standards...

5.11. Standard 4.31 Lesson www.ck12.org

5.11 Standard 4.31 Lesson

4.31 Locate and identify the major battles, campaigns, and turning points of the American Revolution, including:

• Lexington and Concord• Bunker (Breed’s) Hill• Valley Forge• Princeton and Trenton• Saratoga• King’s Mountain• Yorktown

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www.ck12.org Chapter 5. The War for Independence (1760-1789)

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From www.mrnussbaum.com , much information about Revolutionary War battles can be learned. The link belowwill take you to an interactive map and other information regarding battles and turning points during the AmericanRevolution.

http://www.lessonpaths.com/learn/i/the-13-colonies-2/mrnussbaumcom-13-colonies-profiles-11

Lexington and Concord

Painting of Lexington and Concord

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Map of the Battles

Routes of the Redcoats, Minutemen, and Messengers

This is a great overview of the Battle of Lexington and Concord from Mr. Nussbaum.


On April 18, 1775, Paul Revere made his famous midnight ride to carry the word to the Boston countryside that theBritish army was on the move. Seven hundred British soldiers were on their way to Concord, a town about 20 milesnorthwest of Boston. It was known that the patriots had been collecting guns and ammunition and had been storingthem in a house in Concord. The British had been told about the weapons and they were determined to destroy thecolonist’s supplies. There was a concern that the British planned to arrest John Hancock and Samuel Adams also.Both men were staying in Lexington - a town between Boston and Concord.

The British army was determined for their military plans to be a secret. They wanted to surprise the local militiasso that the British plans would be successful. The British general even put extra guards on the roads leading out oftown so that no one could warn the militias that the British army was coming.

Paul Revere, a Boston silver merchant and patriot learned of the British plan. Instead of going by land, he hadtwo friends row him across the Charles River. He had a horse waiting on the other side and he rode through thecountryside letting the people know that the British were coming. William Dawes, a Boston shoemaker, also madea midnight ride spreading the warning.

Revere reached Lexington and warned John Hancock and Sam Adams. Dawes, and a young doctor named SamuelPrescott, joined Revere for the rest of the journey. The British did spot the night riders and Revere was arrested.Dawes escaped into the woods and Prescott got away and completed the ride into Concord in time to warn theConcord militia to get ready.

The British soldiers did reach Lexington and surrounded Captain John Parker’s house. Captain Parker told hismilitia: “Stand your ground. Don’t fire unless fired upon, but if they mean to have a war, let it begin here.”

A battle followed. Eight militia members were killed and nine more were wounded. Only one British soldier waswounded. The British were happy with their easy victory and they marched on toward Concord. That first shot atLexington became known as the “shot heard round the world.” The Revolutionary War had begun.

Meanwhile, militiamen from surrounding communities made their way into Concord. Suddenly the Patriots had alarger army than the British. Thousands of militiamen lined up to fire at the British army. One British account stated:“We were fired on from all sides.”

The British retreated and returned to Boston. The British had about 250 soldiers that were either wounded or killed.The Patriots had 50 men killed and about 40 others who were wounded.

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Bunker (Breed’s) Hill

On June 15, 1775, a Patriot colonel, William Prescott, let about 1200 men up the hills of Charlestown. Bunker HIlland Breed’s HIll are very close to Boston. The Patriots knew that if they could get control of these hills, that theycould place cannons on the hills and they could fire on the British in Boston.

The Patriots worked all night building an earth and log fort on Breed’s Hill. The British decided to take the hill back.They had more than 2000 soldiers who were ready to attack. The Patriots were tired because they had spent thenight building their fort. Colonel Prescott gave his soldier great advice - which is now a very famous quote! He said,“Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes.” The British made three tries to take the hill. The British won, but

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it was a costly win. More than 1000 British soldiers were either killed or wounded. Only 400 Patriots were killed orwounded. Although the Patriots lost the battle, it was now clear to both sides that the Patriots could stand up to themightiest army in the world.

Valley Forge

Watch the video from Valley Forge National Historic Park. It is called “Valley Forge - A Winter Encampment”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOOFhGFNT3M&feature=youtu.be

The Winter of 1777 and 1778 in Valley Forge, was a difficult time for the Continental Army. Mr. Nussbaum does agreat job with his explanation of this time and event in American History.


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Watch Liberty’s Kids at Valley Forge!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SM-e8KUOXU0

Valley Forge National Historic Park Website

http://www.nps.gov/vafo/index.htm

Washington at Valley Forge

Cold, hunger, and sickness marked the Continental Army’s stay at Valley Forge in Pennsylvania. Today, ValleyForge’s wide fields are dotted with revolutionary relics, reminders of the brutal winter endured by Washington’stroops.

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American spirits reached a low point during the harsh winter of 1777-78.

British troops had marched triumphantly into Philadelphia the previous autumn. Philadelphia was the largest city inthe Colonies and the seat of political power. After the British swept into Philadelphia, the Continental Congress hadfled to west, first to Lancaster then to York.

Valley Forge

Washington’s army had spent the summer of 1777 fighting a string of losing battles. The Americans harassed theBritish army in skirmishes and minor battles for much of the fighting season. In the fall, the Americans showedpluck at the Battle of Brandywine in September and the Battle of Germantown in October. Yet the Americans wereunable to keep the British out of Philadelphia.

In December, Washington marched his tired, beaten, hungry and sick army to Valley Forge, a location about 20 milesnorthwest of British-occupied Philadelphia. From Valley Forge, Washington could keep an eye on General Howe’sBritish army ensconced in Philadelphia.

At Valley Forge, there were shortages of everything from food to clothing to medicine. Washington’s men were sickfrom disease, hunger, and exposure. The Continental Army camped in crude log cabins and endured cold conditionswhile the Redcoats warmed themselves in colonial homes. The patriots went hungry while the British soldiers atewell.

Terms of enlistment were ending for many soldiers in Washington’s army. The General wondered if he would evenhave an army left when the spring thaw finally arrived.

These cabins may appear sturdy from the outside, but a closer look reveals their sparse and makeshift character.Imagine sleeping on one of those bunk beds.

Help came in the form of a Prussian (a region of Germany at that time) volunteer, Baron von Steuben. The militaryleader was aghast at the lack of American discipline. At Washington’s urging he trained the Continental Army,Prussian-style. The troops slowly became more professional. Among the soldiers who remained, confidence grew.

Over the course of the winter, the weather improved somewhat. Food trickled in from the surrounding countryside.Many wives of soldiers spent time at Valley Forge over the winter. Washington was able to quash those whoquestioned his leadership abilities.

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The Continental Army encamped at Valley Forge in the fall of 1777 with about 12,000 men in its ranks. Deathclaimed about a quarter of them before spring arrived. Another thousand didn’t reenlist or deserted. But the armythat remained was stronger. They were fewer, but more disciplined. They were weary, but firmly resolved.

The next year, 1778, brought greater fortune to the American cause. While Washington froze at Valley Forge,Benjamin Franklin was busy securing the French alliance. Now the war would be different indeed.

Princeton and Trenton

George Washington crossing the Delaware River the day before he and his forces seize the town of Trenton,New Jersey.

From www.history.org, a great summary of the Battles of Princeton and Trenton are discussed. Read this summaryof those two battles that were fought within two weeks of each other.

http://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/battles-of-trenton-and-princeton

Watch with Liberty’s Kids as the “Cross the Delaware.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CO0gJrZVUks

Defeat and then Victory

Washington’s army had suffered several defeats during the summer and fall of 1776. Washington decided to sent outspies into the British camps and see if any information about their plans could be found out. It was a very dangerousjob to be a spy, but Nathan Hale, a former teacher, volunteers to do the job. He went behind the enemy lines andstarting gathering information to help the Americans. He was captured, however, and put to death. Right before hewas hanged he told the British: “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.”

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This is a statue of Nathan Hale.

Washington’s army left New Jersey, crossed the Delaware River, and returned to camp in Pennsylvania duringDecember 1776. This was a very low point for General Washington’s army. They were short on supplies and manysoldiers were sick and hungry.

Although it was very cold, Washington’s army was on the move across New Jersey to the city of Trenton. Trentonwas controlled by the German Hessian soldiers who had been hired by the English. They were called mercenaries.That word means “hired soldier.” Washington’s army crossed the Delaware on Christmas Day and planned to attackthe Hessians on December 26, 1776.

The Americans did surprise the Hessians and Washington’s troops captured nearly 1000 Hessians. This gave newhope to General Washington and his troops.

(Taken from www.wikipedia.com)

The Battle of Princeton (January 3, 1777) was a battle in which General George Washington’s revolutionary forcesdefeated British forces near Princeton, New Jersey.

On the night of January 2, 1777 George Washington, Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, repulsed aBritish attack at the Battle of the Assunpink Creek in Trenton. That night, he evacuated his position, circledaround General Lord Cornwallis’ army, and went to attack the British garrison at Princeton. Brigadier GeneralHugh Mercer of the Continental Army, clashed with two regiments under the command of Lieutenant Colonel

Charles Mawhood of the British Army. Mercer and his troops were overrun and Washington sent some militia

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