1. The American Revolution Part 4 Other Battlefronts

2. During the Revolution, settlers continued to move west. Settlers in Kentucky named a settlement Lexington after the first battle of the Revolution. They also named another settlement Louisville after the French king who was now America’s ally. The settlers continued to clash with Native Americans over the land.

3. Native Americans Choose Sides When the Revolution began, most tribes tried to stay NEUTRAL. Some said that it was, “a family affair”, and that they would, “sit still and see you fight it out.” However, as the war spread, Indians did start taking sides. The majority sided with the British to hopefully stop the spread of American settlers onto their lands.

4. Victory at Vincennes American George Rogers Clark led successful attacks on British frontier forts. One time he led troops through heavy rains, swamps, and icy rivers to the British fort at Vincennes. He had his troops spread way out to make it look like his numbers were greater. The trick worked, and the British had to surrender.

5. Vincennes was a key battle in the interior of the country during the Revolution.

6. Sea Victories Because of the British blockade, American ships couldn’t do too much in the war. However, occasionally a victory would take place that cheered Americans. John Paul Jones was America’s most daring sea captain. In one battle he cried out, “I have not yet begun to fight!” when the British asked for his surrender. He came back and won the battle.

7. John Paul Jones is famous for having uttered the words: “I have not yet begun to fight!”

8. John Paul Jones successfully took the British ship Serapis after his own ship was destroyed.

9. Blacks in the Revolution There were half a million blacks in the U.S. when the war started. At first, our country would not allow blacks, free or slave, to enlist in the army. Britain offered to give freedom to any slaves who offered to fight for the king. The U.S. decides to let free blacks enlist in the army.

10. 5,000 Black Americans fought against the British. At least 9 of them were at Lexington and Concord. Some served in all black regiments, or did jobs in white regiments. Black patriots and some white leaders were hoping the Revolution would end slavery. By the 1770’s, slavery had already declined in the North, and several states had banned it.

11. Women in the War Women often filled in for the men who went off to war. They planted and harvested crops to feed the Continental Army. They made guns and other weapons. Women made shoes and wove cloth for blankets and uniforms. Betsy Ross sewed flags for Washington’s army.

12. Legend says that Betsy Ross made the first American flag, but there is no solid proof to back the claim.

13. Legend even says that Washington asked Betsy Ross to make the first American flag with stars and stripes on it. Some women went to the battlefield where they washed clothes, cooked, and cared for the wounded. Some women even took to the battlefield. Mary Ludwig Hays carried water to her husband and other soldiers. She got the nickname “Molly Pitcher”.

14. Mary Ludwig Hays, who was pregnant, not only brought water to the soldiers at the Battle of Monmouth in New Jersey, but actually picked up weapons to fight.