MIDDLE BATTLES !!!

“For an awful moment we were at a standstill. There in the early mists of the February morning in our cow pasture, where I’d been a hundred times, I faced the enemy. This was war then, I minded. Not all those battles we only heard about after they were over. But standing in your own front yard, defending your cow. This is what Trenton had been all about, and White Plains, Brooklyn Heights, Lexington, Brandywine, Saratoga, All so we could keep what was ours, what we’d earned, no matter how paltry.”

Long Island (Summer 1776) MIDDLE BATTLES !!!

Britain wants to split the colonies in half for these reasons: 1)Stop communication 2)Stop goods from moving 3)Stop troop movement

Ben Franklin – Pennsylvania Gazette Remember this cartoon… again… how can it relate to the British Plan?

Battle Details: Rebels (Patriots outnumbered; outmaneuvered) are beaten badly forced to retreat to PA and NJ Did you know? To make things more simple, soldiers were issued “common shoes” that fit either foot!

Impact: Britain has NYC! Colonists are short on supplies, weary as winter hits! (Deserters)

Interesting: Nathan Hale: “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my Country!”

Battle of Trenton (December 26, 1776)

- Soldier Terms end in a week Details -

Washington decides he has no choice but to use the troops while he has them. He plans an overnight crossing of the Delaware in frigid temperatures.

The British, meanwhile, are playing cards and having fun… it was Christmas you know!

Washington surprises partying British at Trenton the morning after Xmas !

(900 Hessians captured; Colonists hold onto the Middle Colonies; INSPIRING!)

As the British Army honed in on Trenton, Washington quickly left and drive away British troops at Princeton.

Many soldiers reenlist to fight, and others begin to join thinking their may still be hope for the rebel cause. European powers begin to think the rebels can compete with the British

Interesting: Washington crosses Delaware R. (Picture.) Washington Crossing the Delaware - Emanuel Leutze, 1851

(Oct 7, 1777) The Battle Of Saratoga

British Plan: ) John Burgoyne moves South  YES! 2) Forces from the West Help  NO! Arnold cuts off at Ft. Stanwix 3)Howe to help from Philly  NO! Howe heads back to Philly to fight Washington

Burgoyne’s forced to surrender to Gates at Saratoga (3 patriots -1 British; Green Mtn. Boys help)

Impact: 1) British attempt to cut colonies in half fails! (still move troops, info, supplies) 2) COLONISTS GAIN HELP FROM FRANCE!!

Interesting: Burgoyne toasts Washington (who is not present) as Patriots play “Yankee Doodle” at a dinner where British troops lay down their arms!

Britain will now move the war south.

On September 11, 1777, Washington was soundly defeated at Brandywine in Pennsylvania by Howe and the British. This placed doubt of George Washington’s abilities in many of the members of the Continental Congress minds. On the other hand, Horatio Gates was treated like a hero to the chagrin of Benedict Arnold who gained little credit for cutting the British off and limiting reinforcements at Saratoga. Gates was put in charge of the main forces headed south to continue to battle the British