THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR 1779 TO 1781 By Mr. Argall and Mr. Forbes

1779 The war was dragging on for both sides and on many fronts Northern theatre Southern theatre Frontier Constant skirmishing between Colonial Forces and Loyalist/Native forces. Indians sided with British (better treatment and odds to keep land) Kept many colonists near home to fight, and not with the Colonial Army

1779 Battles Elmira (Newtown), NY Small Indian town in Southern NY John Sullivan (US) Culminating Battle in a year long campaign (only one in the north) to break the power of the Iroquois Nation, and to deprive Britain of a possible ally. Sullivan continued to raid and burn indian villiages throughout the frontier in 1779.

Savannah Things were picking up in the south US sends General Laclan McIntosh to Georgia to meet with French Admiral Valerie D'estaing to take Savannah. He lands on shore with no opposition Could have taken the city easily, but they stop outside and ask for surrender British respond by making fortifications The Colonial attack is repelled, and they lose 800 of 5000 men in the fight, forcing them to retreat.

War at Sea US naval exploits are rare during this war John Paul Jones Spent much of the war in France Was given the Bonhomme Richard Fought and won against the Serapis “I have not yet begun to fight!”

A New Strategy General Howe decides, in December of 1779, that the South was the best place to fight. He thought there was more Loyalists in the South He thought the Colonial Army was weaker there

Washington winters in Morristown, NJ Why? Easy to defend (Hills and swamps surround it) Near the iron furnaces Here he and his men face bad conditions and a mutiny.

1780 General Clinton Sailed south in 1779, and arrives near Charleston on February 11th, 1780. It takes a month for the British to get to Charleston, and they surround it when they do. General Lincoln surrenders on May 12th, 1780. 5400 Colonials captured (the ENTIRE southern Colonial Army) Worst defeat suffered by the Colonials the whole war.

We Need an Army…. QUICK! Winner of the Battle of Saratoga Takes over in the spring of 1780 His army is very rag tag, consisting of mainly militia

The Battle of Camden Takes place near Camden August 16th, 1780 Swamps hem in both armies Gates green troops break and run 1000 casualties 1000 captured Gates had 3000 troops total!

The Battle of Springfield North is generally quiet British attempt to gain control of NJ by attacking Washington’s headquarters at Morristown. Nathaniel Greene defends Springfield, defeating the British, and ending most of the fighting in the North.

Greene goes South After Gates’ horrible defeat, Nathanael Greene is sent south to command the Colonial Troops. He faces off against General Cornwallis He reorganizes the army and uses its advantages… for the next 6 months.

Greene’s six month campaign He wants to draw Cornwallis away from his supply and power bases Goads Cornwallis to follow him inland, where his soldiers have the advantages of knowing the land and having support from the locals Cornwallis unwittingly follows with 9000 men to try and destroy Greene’s army…

Battle of the Cowpens January 17th, 1781 Near the Border of N and S Carolina Daniel Morgan (US) Banastre Tarleton (UK) Morgan uses a strategy based on the defeat at Camden to rout the British forces

Battle of Guilford Courthouse March 15, 1781 North Carolina Cornwallis vs. Greene For months, Greene had been leading Cornwallis on a chase throughout Virginia He chooses to make a stand at Guilford Courthouse Cornwallis wins, but only because Greene chooses to retreat. Cornwallis does not follow Greene, instead he chooses to go on towards Virginia, and the ocean…

YORKTOWN Corwallis decides on Yorktown as the place for him to rest and resupply. Washington and the French hurriedly march south to meet him. The French fight at sea for the Americans, ans succeed in blockading Cornwallis on Sept 5-8. The siege began on September 28th, and ended on October 17th. Cornwallis and his army are captured, ending the war.

The Aftermath 1782 Parliament gives King George III permission to seek peace with the colonies Lord North resigns as Prime Minister 1783 February 4th is the official end of hostilities Britian recognizes the USA as a country September 3rd the Treaty of Paris is signed