Battle of TrentonPrior to the battle, the colonists were having difficulty winning battles:

-Battle of Bunker Hill - loss

-Battle of Quebec - loss

-Battle of Cedars - loss

-Battle of Brooklyn - loss

-Battle of White Plains - loss

-Battle of Fort Washington - loss

Britain sent 30,000 more troops to America.

Due to desertion, death, and capture, George Washington’s troops were reduced to 5,000.

With troop terms near the end, he needed to get the soldiers to reenlist. He need to build some confidence.

Battle of TrentonWashington is informed that a group of 1400 Hessians under Colonel Rall are encamped in Trenton, New Jersey. Washington is stationed across the Delaware River in Pennsylvania. He plans a sneak attack.

Late night on December 25, 1776, Washington gathers his troops along the river upstream from the Hessians. By early morning on the 26th, he has 2400 troops across the Delaware and ready to attack.

Battle of TrentonThe American troops split into two groups, under Nathanael Greene and John Sullivan, and converged on the Hessians at Trenton.

Colonel Rall attempted to organize the Hessians for a counterattack, but it was to late. They were surrounded.

Battle of TrentonColonel Rall was mortally wounded during the battle. He surrendered his troops and died later that day.

Casualties:

- British - 23 dead, 92 wounded, 913 captured

- American – 2 dead, 2 wounded

Battle of TrentonSidenotes:

- The two wounded American soldiers were William Washington and James Monroe.

-Colonel Rall and the Hessians were probably sick from the previous evening.

-Colonel Rall was captured with a note in his pocket. What did the note say?

Battle of PrincetonBritish general Charles Cornwallis was assigned to capture Washington at Trenton.

Washington slipped away from Cornwallis and moved to Princeton, New Jersey, where they attacked a much smaller British force on January 3, 1777. (Colonists 4600, British 1200).

Cornwallis (at Trenton) heard the cannons at Princeton and moved his troops there, but Washington had already slipped away.

Battle of Trenton and PrincetonThese were crucial battles for the American cause. Why?

- Gave the colonists confidence and many soldiers reenlisted

Battle of SaratogaIn September of 1777, the British devised three-prong attack to capture the city of Albany:

- John Burgoyne would lead troops south from Canada.

- William Howe would lead troops north from New York up the Hudson River.

- Barry St. Leger would lead troops east from the Great Lakes along the Mohawk River.

Battle of SaratogaThing go awry for the British:

-St. Leger is attacked at Ft. Stanwix and forced to retreat.

-Howe decided to attack Philadelphia instead.

-Burgoyne is on his own.

Before reaching Albany, Burgoyne’s 7,800 troops run straight into 15,000 American troops, under Horatio Gates, at Saratoga Springs.

Battle of SaratogaTwo major battles occur on September 19 and October 7.

The British were outnumbered and attempted to retreat, but were surrounded by Gates’ troops.

Burgoyne refused an unconditional surrender, but agreed to a ‘treaty of convention’.

Battle of SaratogaCasualties:

- British - 1600 kwm, 6000 captured

- American - 800 kwm

Considered the turning point in the Revolution:

1. Proved Americans could defeat an entire British army in large-scale battle.

2. Americans gained foreign support, particularly from France.