The Battles of the American Revolution Presenter: Dr. Kevin Gannon Grand View University

War is the continuation of politics by other means. Carl von Clausewitz ( )

The Military Context Styles of Warfare: European and American – Myth of “Indian style” and the militia – Ideological fears of a “standing army” The Structure of the Army – “Regulars” and militia – The problems of recruitment and supply

The Balance Sheet British Advantages – largest army and navy in the western world – professional, trained, experienced forces – funding and logistics – the Loyalists American Advantages – ideological cohesion – motivating factors – home-field advantage – ability to play defense

Phase 1: Before Independence An improvised war Boston & the insurgent countryside, Lexington & Concord, April 19 Turning Point: Bunker (Breed’s) Hill, June 17, 1775

Phase 1: Before Independence Washington takes command – The difficulties of the army – Boston under siege – Henry Knox’s cannons The Evacuation of Boston On to New York – Howe’s logic

Phase 2: The British Dictate Terms Independence and the Importance of the Continental Army The New York Campaign, August- November 1776 Retreat and Survive Turning Point: Trenton and Princeton (Dec. 26 and Jan. 3)

Washington crossing the Delaware, Emanuel Leutze, 1851

Phase 2: The British Dictate Terms “Gentleman Johnny” Burgoyne and his strategy William Howe’s Freelancing Philadelphia Falls – Brandywine Creek, Sept. 11, 1777 – Germantown, Oct. 4, 1777

General John Burgoyne

General Horatio Gates

Phase 2: The British Dictate Terms The Saratoga Campaign – Burgoyne’s mistakes – Jane McCrea, the Colonists, and the Iroquois Turning Point: Surrender at Saratoga – “Granny” Horatio Gates and Benedict Arnold – Political and Diplomatic Ramifications

Benedict Arnold

Benedict Arnold at Bemis Heights [Saratoga Campaign]

The Northern Theater after Saratoga Shaking up the British Command: Sir Henry Clinton replaces Howe The Continentals at Valley Forge – Washington’s real accomplishment “To starve the army at pleasure” Nathanael Greene as Quartermaster General – Von Steuben’s professionalization campaign Monmouth Courthouse, June 28, 1778 Dancing around New York City

Phase 3: Britain Moves South The British Southern Strategy – Why the Carolinas? Early successes – Savannah captured, Dec The overseas interregnum

Phase 3: Britain Moves South American Nadir: The Siege and Fall of Charleston – Lincoln’s surrender, May 12, 1780 – Banastre “Bloody” Tarleton The Waxhaws massacre Cornwallis and the counterinsurgency: Civil War in Carolina The disastrous command of Horatio Gates – The debacle at Camden, August 16, 1780

Charles, Lord Cornwallis

Phase 3: Britain Moves South Partisan Warfare – Loyalist militia vs. Patriot militia and the “over-the-mountain-men” – Thomas Sumter, Francis Marion Nathanael Greene takes command Turning Point: King’s Mountain, October 17, 1780

General Nathanael Greene

Phase 3: Britain Moves South Cowpens, January 17, 1781 – Greene defies conventional wisdom – Daniel Morgan solves the militia problem The Race to the Dan – Thaddeus Kosciuszko – Cornwallis burns his chances

General Daniel Morgan

Phase 4: Endgame Guilford Court House, March 15, 1781 Cornwallis moves to Yorktown-and waits Washington moves South-reluctantly – Rochambeau and Lafayette Eutaw Springs (SC), September 8, 1781 – The final collapse of the southern strategy

Washington & Rochambeau

Phase 4: Endgame The siege and battle of Yorktown – Cornwallis surrenders, October 19, 1781 The last battles of the Revolutionary War – Would you believe Cuddalore?

Cuddalore The Revolution’s last battle

Conclusions The Revolutionary War as a civil war – Remembering the losers The importance of international assistance Britain’s Vietnam? – Assessing the tactical outcome The legacy of the battlefield: the Revolutionary War and the American Revolution