4-3 The War Expands and The Path to Victory Only write what is in black and blue, you don’t have to copy what’s in purple

In 1776 Ben Franklin went to France as a diplomat to ask for help After Saratoga, France recognized America as an independent nation France and Spain became allies with the Americans which caused the British to spread their military over many fronts

The Marquis de Lafayette, a French nobleman helped train American troops. He also fought in battles and persuaded the French king to send troops to help

A Prussian Baron Von Steuben helped drill and train troops as well. This included bayonet practice. His entire name is Baron Frederick William Augustus Henry Ferdinand von Steuben

Help came just in time. In the winter of Washington and his army camped at Valley Forge in Pennsylvania. On the march to the encampment, the army was so short on supplies that many of the soldiers only had blankets to cover themselves. Many lack shoes and left bloody footprints. They didn’t have enough food.

Why Valley Forge? Source: Creating America by McDougal- Littell

Roughly a quarter died from malnutrition, exposure or disease. Marquis de Lafayette said, “The unfortunate soldiers were in want of everything; they had no coats, nor hats, nor shirts; their feet and legs froze til they grew black and it was often necessary to amputate them…The army frequently passed whole days without food.”

Washington and his men endured the harsh winter at Valley Forge. This was considered the “darkest hour” for the Continental Army. Lets look at some pictures of camp life at Valley Forge

Usually 12 men to a hut: They slept in shifts, so they could take turns using blankets.

braziers Iron kettles Often soldiers didn’t have food for days. When they did, it was often hardtack (a mixture of flour and water).

Washington’s Headquarters at Valley Forge

The war continued to spread to the sea and to the frontier. The British then decide to move the war into the south because they thought most southerners were loyalist. The war was now in its 6 th year The fighting was often brutal

The War in the South 4-4

Battle of Charleston in South Carolina General Clinton Continental Army Major General Benjamin Lincoln surrendered forces numbering about 5,000 to the British. It was the biggest loss of troops suffered by the Continental Army in the war.

Battle of Camden in South Carolina- British victory General Gates General Cornwallis

Francis Marion- The “Swamp Fox” Known for his guerrilla tactics Unlike the Continental troops, Marion's Men, as they were known, served without pay, supplied their own horses, arms and often their food.

Banastre Tarleton nickname "Bloody Ban" and The Butcher He was sent to capture or kill Francis Marion

By 1781, most of the fighting was occurring in Virginia where General Cornwallis had set up a base at Yorktown. It was located on a peninsula. Washington and the French were able to surround Cornwallis causing him to formally surrender. This was the last major battle of the war.

Rochambeau Washington

Lord Cornwallis