After British officials declared that Boston was in a state of rebellion, 700 British regulars were sent on a mission to destroy or capture rebel arms that were known to be in this area. Upon reaching Lexington, however, they found a small force of rebel militia blocking their path. It is not clear which side fired first, and the small force of militia immediately broke ranks and fled, but the symbolic act of resistance inspired surrounding colonists to attack the British soldiers after they reached nearby Concord. At the North Bridge, rebel militia forced three companies of British Regulars to retreat. News of this small victory spread quickly and local militia pursued the British troops as they marched back to Boston. The militia inflicted significant casualties until the British found safety at the Charlestown Peninsula. The next morning, however, area militia surrounded Boston and began what became known as the Siege of Boston. The Battles of Lexington and Concord marked the start of the Revolutionary War and gave hope to many of the American colonists who supported independence. Not only did the British fail to capture rebel arms, their&nbsp;panicked retreat to Boston demonstrated the potential for the colonists to thwart one of the most powerful armies in the world by avoiding a pitched battle. This strategy of irregular warfare would be crucial to the American victory in 1783, but the war was won as a result of the Continental Army led by George Washington together with aid from France.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Local guides offer free interpretive tours of Lexington Green in the summer and fall. 

Video

More information from the Lexington Historical Society 

More Info

Lexington and Concord: The Battle Heard Round the World

Book

Lexington Common was established by local residents in 1711 as a public space and training ground for the local militia. Decades later, militia members at Lexington Common blocked British troops as they attempted to capture rebel supplies and leaders on April 9, 1775. After a tense standoff, the first exchange of gunfire between British soldiers and colonial militia occurred at this location and signaled the start of the American Revolution. The commons area is now a National Historic Landmark and public park that is home to a handful of statues and monuments as well as a visitors center operated by the city of Lexington. These guides offer free tours from spring to early fall. In addition to the Green itself, highlights of the park include a statue of Captain John Parker, leader of the Lexington militia, a bronze plaque marking the location of Old Belfry, and the Revolutionary Monument, marking the grave of seven of the eight militiamen killed in the battle. 

Lexington Common National Historic Site

Admin

This sprawling driving tour of many of the Revolution's pivotal battlefields starts at Lexington and Concord and winds east before heading south. The itinerary is geographical and meant to support a physical drive from the site of each major battle rather than chronological with additional sites to be added soon.

The Battle of Bennington occurred on August 16, 1777, near the village of Walloomsac in New York, just a few miles west of Bennington. It has been considered a key turning point in the war for independence from the British. In the summer of 1777, the war was in favor of the British. Several thousand British soldiers under the command of General John Burgoyne were headed south from Montreal, Canada. Burgoyne’s plan was to meet up with two other Generals at Albany and cut off the New England colonies from New York.  Two events may have saved the revolution at this critical juncture. The first was the initial meeting in Albany never occurred due to outside facts that the generals did not account for, and the second was the Battle of Bennington. Through this battle, the Americans proved that they are a force that will fight and win no matter the cost. Burgoyne's troops, unaware of any forces, had heard they would be able to capture the horses, food, and other supplies they needed there, and they believed the people there would help them. Little did they know that quite the opposite was in store for them. Messengers brought news of the Burgoyne’s movements to Bennington which allowed the people to prepare for their arrival. Before the British arrived at Bennington, 2,000 American soldiers launched a vicious attack on their adversaries. The skirmish lasted nearly three hours. After the smoke cleared the Americans emerged victoriously. Without the last-minute arrival of the Green Mountain Boys, commanded by Seth Warner, there might not have been such a result.  Nearly 200 British soldiers were killed or wounded in the battle, and 700 soldiers taken prisoner. The Americans loses numbers just around 40 men. The Battle of Bennington was a great setback for the British and ultimately set the scale for an even greater American victory known as the Battle of Saratoga, where General Burgoyne surrendered. These victories caught the eye of one of Britain’s greatest adversaries at the time, France, to come into the war alongside the Americans. The war did not end until 1781, but these two battles help shift the tide of the war in favor of independence. Nearly 100 years later, in 1875, the citizens of Bennington decided that create a memorial in honor of the battle. Although there was conflict on what it should look like and where it should be, but finally agreed on Hiland Hall, whom was a former governor of Vermont. Hall said that it should be "massive and lofty." Hall died before the completion of the monument by it was massive nonetheless. The structure reaches a whopping 306 feet above the ground and is made of double layers of dolomite. In order to obtain this material, it took special railroad lines to bring the stones in from New York State and steam driven derricks and elevators to put them in place. When the monument was finished, a photograph of the town and countryside was taken from the very top. Public interest waned in the 1950s, and after some talk of demolishing the aging monument, the state of Vermont took it over and refurbished it. With the addition of an elevator, a gift shop, and staff that consists of groundskeepers and guides, the monument is a pleasant place to visit any time of year. Now nearly 50,000 people visit the monument annually.

The tallest structure in Vermont, this monument commemorates the Battle of Bennington. The battle occurred here on August 16, 1777, and represents a turning point in the Revolutionary War. Today, visitors may ride an elevator to the top of the Bennington Monument for panoramic views of the valleys and rolling hills of Vermont, Massachusetts, and New York. The monument was completed in 1891 and features from blue-grey magnesian limestone.



Battle of Bennington Monument, Vermont 

During the British campaign to separate New England from the rest of the colonies, General John Burgoyne successfully regained Crown Point and Ticonderoga, at the cost of nearly 1000 men. Afterwards, in the fall of 1777, a British strategy called for the conversion of three armies in Albany, New York. Recognizing a potential threat posed by Burgoyne's army, Continental army General Horatio Gates constructed Northern Department defenses on the crest of Bemis Heights to slow the British approach. On September 19, Burgoyne divided his army into three columns with the intent of breaking American defenses, to which Colonel Daniel Morgan engaged the center column near the farm of John Freeman, leading to the first Battle of Saratoga, Freeman’s Farm. Although the first battle was relatively evenly-matched, the Americans began to gain slight control, and upon asking for advice, Burgoyne’s senior officers suggested that he retreat toward Canada.Burgoyne, however, decided to attack again, with hopes that he would have reinforcements from General Sir Henry Clinton’s forces in New York City. His plan was to attack the left wing and march rapidly to Albany, but Clinton’s attack from New York never reached Albany, coming to a halt after it captured the Highlands upriver. The British army made the decision to fortify their position behind the Balcarres Redoubt, which was better-defended, and the Breymann Redoubt, which was weaker and defended by only 200 German soldiers. While they waited, however, the American army grew substantially to at least 11,000 soldiers, but possibly up to 13,000. The British sent a reconnaissance of just 1,500 men and 10 artillery pieces to scout for American movement to no success. The American forces, however, had stronger intelligence, and on October 7, 1777, received word of Burgoyne’s movements, beginning the Battle of Bemis Heights.That same day, American forces attacked, pushing British soldiers back. The battle was close and when British General Simon Fraser rallied the British troops, the Americans almost lost the battle. A marksman from one of Morgan’s riflemen hit Fraser, mortally wounding him, and with that shot, the British resolve to fight collapsed. The British attempted to flee back to Freeman’s Farm, but by evening, American General Benedict Arnold took the Breymann Redoubt on the far right flank of British lines, giving them a tactical advantage. The British were only given some relief when Arnold sustained a serious leg wound after, according to one of his fellow officers, “behaving like a madman” when rallying the troops.On the morning of October 8, after the Battle of Bemis Heights, the Americans stormed the British redoubts in Saratoga. Burgoyne had attempted to retreat, but harsh weather brought his forces to a halt. Gates surrounded the British before they could flee. Left with no other option, and after a week’s negotiation, Burgoyne was forced to surrender on October 17, 1777. The two battles of Saratoga resulted in a much-needed victory for the Continental army. The stunning American victory also had the secondary benefit of securing an alliance with France. The battles caused 1,465 casualties, with 6,222 missing or captured British forces. The historical marker for Bemis Heights is in Stillwater, New York, in Saratoga County, where there are also nearby markers for the American encampment and Gates’s headquarters.

The Battle of Saratoga consisted of two major battles between American and British forces during the American Revolution. After a generally unsuccessful year, the Continental army needed a meaningful victory. It was here at Bemis Heights that American forces captured an entire British army on October 7, 1777. The victory boosted morale and led to an alliance with France.

Battle of Bemis Heights, (Second Battle of Saratoga)

In 1777, the Colonial Army under General George Washington suffered a series of defeats but continued to evade surrender or capture. As a result, British forces formed a new plan. General John Burgoyne, nicknamed "Gentleman Johnny," led a force of soldiers south out of Quebec in June 1777 with the goal of controlling the Hudson River and cutting off the New England colonies from the rest of the colonies. Burgoyne's force marched down the Hudson River and recaptured Fort Ticonderoga, but soon after, they suffered losses to the American army at the Battle of Bennington. This defeat led many of Burgoyne's Native American Allies to abandon the fight.General Burgoyne's situation became more dire when he learned that the commanders of the other two British forces that were ordered to rendezvous with him at Albany were delayed. The British force moving down the Mohawk River was repulsed, while General William Howe abandoned the plan and marched on Philadelphia instead of marching north to link up with Burgoyne. Furthermore, as winter drew closer, General Burgoyne needed a place for his army to settle. Rather than fall back to Fort Ticonderoga, Burgoyne elected to advance on Albany.Despite the Colonial army relying on the Fabian tactic of retreating when faced with a superior force, their commanders were aggressive when they held the advantage. The replacement of American General Philip Schuyler with Horatio Gates gave rebel forces an aggressive and competent leader. Washington also sent Major Generals Benjamin Lincoln and Benedict Arnold, along with reinforcements sent from Israel Putnam's army. The rebels also had the services of Daniel Morgan's professional rifle corps, and they would demonstrate the value of expertly trained marksmen.On September 7th, Gates marched to intercept Burgoyne. His army entrenched themselves just south of Saratoga, creating a deadly barrier between "Gentleman Johnny" and Albany. General Lincoln was detached to harass the British forces' supply lines while rivals Gates and Arnold formulated a plan. At Arnold's suggestion, Morgan's Riflemen scouted the British positions and found an advanced company. The riflemen set up and began sniping the British officers, forcing the advance company to retreat in a panic.As the main battle began, the British launched a direct assault on the American right flank, forcing the Americans to retreat. While Burgoyne controlled the battlefield initially, the Americans inflicted serious casualties that weakened the British just as more American forces were coming to the area. Burgoyne encamped his forces hoping General Clinton would come to his aid. However, by October it was clear this would not be the case. On October 7th, running low on resources, Burgoyne faced a much larger American Army that swelled in size thanks to the arrival of more volunteers and the desertion of some British troops. Seeing his position deteriorate, Burgoyne dedicated his forces and tried to break through the Colonial lines. This attempt failed and many of the grenadiers under Burgoyne's command were killed and much of his force was surrounded and captured. At the same time, General Arnold rode out to the front lines to take charge and beat back the British. The British army was surrounded and General Burgoyne surrendered.General Benedict Arnold received a leg wound during the battle, and was bedridden for several months. While his command was restored, and he was made military governor of Philadelphia, he was still bitter over his treatment during Saratoga by General Gates. As a result, he would later enter correspondence with the British to hand over the key American Fort of West Point, going from a famed War hero to the most famous traitor in American History. General Gates would attempt to replace General Washington as Commander-in-chief of the Army, before becoming Commander of the Southern Armies where he suffered a loss at the Battle of Camden, he would never command a force again, nor would General Burgoyne. The Battle of Saratoga convinced the French that even if the Americans were defeated, they represented a serious threat. Supporting the Americans could weaken the British, the French decided, leading to the commitment of material support.The National Park Service preserves the Saratoga Battlefield and offers a museum and visitor's center. The Park Service helps to coordinate a battlefield reenactment every year on the anniversary of the battle. The park is also home to the Boot Monument, dedicated to Benedict Arnold while not specifically mentioning him, and to the north is the Saratoga National Monument.

This National Historical Park preserves the battlefield and offers tours that interpret the Battle of Saratoga, a major turning point in the American Revolution. British General John Burgoyne led an army south from in a campaign that attempted to divide New England from the rest of the rebellious colonies. However, Burgoyne underestimated the strength of American forces led by General Horatio Gates. Gate's army inflicted heavy casualties in the Battle of Freeman's Farm and was overwhelmed after the Battle of Bemis Heights. The surrender of the British forces convinced the French Empire that the American rebels has a chance, leading to French assistance. With supplies and naval support from France, American forces were able to continue the war and eventually force a large British force at Yorktown to surrender. The National Park Service preserves the Saratoga Battlefield and offers a museum and visitor's center.

Saratoga National Historical Park

&nbsp; &nbsp;Near the end of the American Revolution the British Army was weakening. They began to retreat to Saratoga.&nbsp;General John Burgoyne of the British surrendered to American General Horatio Gates on October 17, 1777 ending the battles of Saratoga and giving the Americans a key victory. This was a critical turning point in the war; often times considered the biggest turning point in the war beyond the eventual British surrender at Yorktown.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;The Saratoga battle monument is located&nbsp;in the small town of Victory, New York. The monument stands&nbsp;154 ½
feet tall and looks out&nbsp;over the Hudson Valley. The monument was constructed in 1877 after&nbsp;a group of citizens obtained a&nbsp;piece of property suitable for the project. The movement to create the monument started in 1856 by the Saratoga Monument Association. The Civil War halted the building of the monument but it began once more in 1872. They intended to celebrate the centennial of Burgoyne's surrender that occurred in 1777. The lead architect for the monument was&nbsp;Jared C. Markham. His builders were the Booth Brothers of New York City.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; On October 17, 1877 the cornerstones were laid for the monument. In 1882 the capstone was places. in 1877 the bronze statues of&nbsp;General Philip Schuyler,&nbsp;Colonel Daniel Morgan,&nbsp;General Horatio Gates, and General Benedict Arnold were finished covering guarding each side of the structure. General Benedict Arnold's statue was later removed due to his later treachery. In 1912, the monument became officially dedicated on the 135th anniversary of Burgoyne's surrender. Finally, in 1980 the monument became a part of the National Park Service.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;The Saratoga Monument Association faced funding difficulties throughout the construction of the monument. Donations only accounted for 2.300 dollars. 95,000 dollars came from the Federal government and 10,000 dollars from the state of New York. Following the monuments relocation to New York State a debt of 4,500 dollars still existed.&nbsp;The group intended for the monument to celebrate the victory of the colonists as well as to serve as a reminder to Americans of future generations the importance of the battles and military leaders.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

The Saratoga Monument commemorates the victory of the American rebels over the British at Saratoga in 1777. The first major American victory, the battle convinced Britain's European rivals that the rebellion could provide an opportunity to wrest control of British possessions in the "New World" which allowed the rebels to secure foreign recognition and assistance. Construction of the Saratoga Monument began in 1877 thanks to local residents who wanted to commemorate the centennial of the British surrender. They formed the Saratoga Monument Association over the next five years, they raised funds and constructed the monument in phases. The monument contains sculptures of some of the most known leaders in American history to commemorate the freedom the unveiled after the war. 

Saratoga Monument 

Early morning of July 7, 1777 the Battle of Hubbardton would be fought as the only battle on Vermont soil.&nbsp; The battle was&nbsp;lost but was successful in keeping the British forces from moving forward.&nbsp; During the battle American General Arthur St. Clair&nbsp;formed &nbsp;a rear guard with approximately 1000 guards.&nbsp; These guards&nbsp;were able to reach their destination&nbsp;to Castleton, Vermont&nbsp;with the help of&nbsp;the Green Mountain Boys&nbsp;under Colonel Ebenezer Francis and Colonel Nathan Hale by holding off the British troops. The battle lasted about an hour resulting in&nbsp;each troop losing about half of their troops during this battle.The road that the battle was fought on can still clearly be seen on the hillside across the valley form Monument Hill.&nbsp; The monument was erected in 1859.&nbsp; The monument marks the believed burial sight of Colonel&nbsp;Ebenezer Francis.Stages of the Battle of Hubbardton are displayed throughout the museum.&nbsp; A three-dimensional fiber-optic map displays phases of the battle. Guided Military car tours starting at the Hubbardton Battlefied site are given during the summer.

Hubbardton Battlefield and Museum is located in Castleton, Vermont off of U.S. Route 4.  Hubbardton was the only battlefield in Vermont during the Revolutionary War.  The battlefield has a half-a-mile walking trail surrounding it.  The museum has an exhibit with artifacts from the Revolutionary War.  Phases of the battle are shown by a three dimensional map.  Reenactments are done around July 7th each summer.

Hubbardton Battlefield and Museum

Fort Ticonderoga was created from 1755-1759 by Michel Chartier de Lotbiniere to cover portage between Lake George and Lake Champlain and protect them from British Fort St. Frederic. &nbsp;During the French and Indian War this fort became a key strategic location because of its location on the Lakes. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; During the Revolutionary war this was a strategic location because of the munitions that the British had stored there. &nbsp;The location was right across Lake Champlain from Vermont where the militia group called the Green Mountain Boys were located. &nbsp;On May 10th, 1775 the militia group led by Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold crossed Lake Champlain and took the British by surprise and still sleeping. &nbsp;This turned out to be a huge morale booster for the Revolutionary forces because it provided artillery taken from the British and was considered the first American victory of the Revolutionary War. (1)&nbsp; After the Fort was taken by the Americans the munitions were then moved to Boston to assist in the Siege of Boston and the placements of the cannons helped to force the British out of Boston in 1776. &nbsp;In 1776 the fort was also used to help outfit the first American Navy, which was created to help prevent British invasion from Canada. &nbsp;Even though British won the Battle against the Navy the fort was deemed too strong and they didn't attempt to take it. (1)&nbsp;In 1777 the fort was taken by John Burgoyne a British General who placed cannons on Mount Defiance and forced the American Troops at Fort Ticonderoga and Mount Independence to evacuate and surrender the fort. &nbsp;(2)

Fort Ticonderoga was created by the French between 1755 and 1759 and originally named For Carillon.  It was created to cover the portage between Lake George and Lake Champlain making it a very strategic position in the French and Indian war.  It was also used during the American Revolution and is considered the location of "America's first victory" after Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold captured the fort.  The munitions that were taken from the fort were moved to Dorchester Heights which helped to lead to the British evacuating Boston in 1776.  The Fort Switched hands again in 1777 after British General Burgoyne placed cannons on Mount Defiance overlooking Fort Ticonderoga and Mount Independence forcing an American retreat off the hill.

Fort Ticonderoga

Located alongside an ancient trail that connected Native peoples between the Atlantic Ocean and Lake Ontario for centuries, Fort Stanwix is known as “the fort that never surrendered” owing to the tenacity of colonial rebels who occupied the fort during the American Revolution&nbsp;and withstood a siege by the British army. &nbsp;Fort Stanwix utilized a star-shape that made it difficult to destroy with artillery by making it difficult to hit the fort squarely with artillery. The British built Fort Stanwix between 1758 and 1762 to protect the British from the French during the French and Indian War. The fort was also the site of several treaties, including the 1767 Treaty of Fort Stanwix between the Iroquois and the British colonists that established boundary lines. The treaty was signed by both parties, although it is important to note that the Native leaders who signed the treaty did so under duress and did not represent all of the Six Nations of the Iroquois. &nbsp;The fort was abandoned after the French and Indian War and later rebuilt by colonial rebels in 1776 and at some point, it was renamed in honor of General Philip Schuyler. Colonial rebels at Fort Schuyler withstood a 21-day siege in the fall of 1777 as British, German, and Native American soldiers attempted to force the colonists to abandon the fort and surrender their small army. Although the fort withstood the siege, it was later destroyed by a fire in 1781.

After the Revolution, the State of New York decided to build a blockhouse on the grounds of the fort in 1794 to store military items. This blockhouse was abandoned&nbsp;in 1815 and the land was later used as a railroad route. In 1935, Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Wagner-Sission Bill to make Fort Stanwix a National Monument. The National Park Service decided to build a replica of Fort Stanwix in the 1970s. Along with the Visitor's Center which was completed in 2005, Fort Stanwix National Monument offers a variety of programs and events in addition to exhibits and tours.&nbsp;

First erected by British General John Stanwix between 1758 and 1762, Fort Stanwix is best known as the location where colonial rebels withstood a British offensive in 1777. The fort was later used as the base for several battles in the area and was destroyed by a fire in 1781. The National Park Service built the current fort as a historic site in the 1970s and offers a variety of programs as well as exhibits in the visitor's center. 

Fort Stanwix National Monument 

<div>&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;After losing New York City to the British in 1776 Washington was forced to retreat inland to avoid a major confrontation. His retreat took him into New Jersey and then into Pennsylvania. It was from here he was able to harass the British position. In an attempt to draw Washington into open battle the British started to position themselves strategically along the Hudson River. The British believed that this would strain Washington's supplies forcing him to fight them on the open field where they had an advantage. Wanting to counter this action Washington planed to attack multiple outposts along the Hudson river including Stony Point.</div><div> </div><div>&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;His plan was to attack at night so that they could get closer to the fortifications without being spotted. It also prevented the British ships nearby from offering any kind of naval support. Washington was aware that the outpost was lightly defended so he selected 1,500 of his best light infantry and placed them under the command of Anthony Wayne for the attack. The night of the attack could not have been more perfect for Wayne. Heavy cloud cover kept the moonlight from revealing the Americans as they crossed the shallow swamp between the point and the mainland. In just under thirty minutes Wayne's force was able to dismantle the defenses and break into the outpost. This night attack was an outstanding success for the Patriots allowing them to capture 546 of the forts 750 defenders and only sustaining 15 deaths on their own side. Although this victory did not have a major strategic impact on the war it was a well needed morale boost for the struggling Continental Army.</div>

    This is the site of the Battle of Stony Point which took place during the American War of Independence. Taking place July 16th, 1779 an American force lead by Anthony Wayne launched a surprise night assault on a British outpost north of New York City. This was a decisive victory for the Americans allowing them to gain control of a major river crossing along the Hudson.

Battle of Stony Point

The forces of British
Commander-in-Chief William Howe and American Commander-in-Chief George
Washington were in a sort of stalemate in New York City, after meeting in
numerous engagements, including the Battle of Harlem Heights. After planning
for 26 days, Howe decided the best course of action would not be a frontal
assault, but a flanking maneuver. Howe gathered a force of 4,000 men, the
majority of which were Hessians, and sailed in ships up the East River, landing
at Throg’s Neck, hoping to flank the Americans and pin them to the Hudson River.
But Washington caught wind of the attack, and soon moved his army to White
Plains, leaving a meager force to garrison Fort Washington.

The British force
would arrive in two waves, the first of which would land at Throg’s neck on
October 12. As they had landed on a marshy peninsula off the mainland, Howe’s
troops would march westward toward King’s Bridge. About 25 American soldiers
would meet Howe’s troops along the way at a bridge near Westchester Square,
allowing the Patriots to move more troops into position. 
 
At the
dawn of October 18, Howe decided to transport his forces around Throg’s Neck to
Pell’s Point. Another group, arranged in a columnn formation, would march overland from Westchester Square, from there ferrying across to Eastchester Baya.&nbsp;The only force opposing them was a 750 man garrison led by John
Glover. Glover had already seen the British make their approach and set an
ambush, setting his troops in staggered units, he&nbsp;instructed his men to
hold their positions for as long as they could, and when they fall back the
next unit in line would resume fighting. The ambush worked, with the British
sustaining heavy casualties in the resulting skirmish, and had to fall back.
Thirty minutes later, the British attacked full force with all they had,
pounding the American positions with cannon fire while the British infantry
advanced. but surprisingly, the cannons had little effect on the Americans, who
were able to stop the British infantry advance with a volley of musket fire. 
 
This
back-and-forth battle took several hours, but the sheer number of the British
forces began to overwhelm the Americans, and Glover finally gave the order to
retreat across a bridge over the Hutchinson Stream. Howe and his forces did not
pursue.&nbsp;Glover and his forces retreated to Yonkers, the Americans
astoundingly only lost 8 men in the battle, and only 13 were wounded. Though
the battle was a defeat for the Americans, many believe that their intent was
never victory to begin with. The battle gave General Washington (who controlled
the main body of the army) the time he need to escape Manhattan and move to
White Plains. This battle sets an example of how the greatest militaristic
triumphs need not come from sheer numbers and victories, but rather from the
greatest strategies in picking which battles to give up.

Also known as the Battle of Pelham, the Battle of Pell's Point was fought on October 18th, 1776 between American and British/Hessian forces in what is now The Bronx in New York City. The battle was important as it led to George Washington's retreat from New Jersey into Pennsylvania.

Battle of Pell's Point

Following the Americans' loss at the Battle of Long Island, General George Washington's men struggled to hold their ground against General William Howe's army. On September 15, 1776, the British arrived at Kipp's Bay, prompting Washington to relocate his men to Harlem Heights. The next day, Captain Thomas Knowlton and his group of rangers descend into a lower plateau known as Hollow Way on Washington's orders. There, the group encounter British forces, leading Knowlton to evacuate his men away from the scene while Washington pushed forward.Washington ordered his men to continue forward in an effort to bait the British onto the northern plateau. His plan was successful, allowing a second force to sever potential British reinforcements from reaching the southern plateau. Upon realizing their now-tenuous situation, the isolated British began to withdraw as American reinforcements arrived. Washington's men engaged the British, and Knowlton was killed during that fight. After about two hours of battle, British forces were running low on ammunition and isolated from their supply lines, forcing them to withdraw. Eventually, the British received reinforcements, negating Washington's temporary advantage and forcing him to withdraw his men. Allthough unable to fully press his advantage, this event marked the first American victory in the New York Campaign-a series of battles and skirmishes that saw the British quickly take control of North America's leading port city.  The victory at Harlem Heights bought time for the rest of Washington's army to make a more orderly withdrawal from New York so they could fortify Fort Washington and Fort Lee. As a result, Washington's army was able to offer a stronger defense when the two armies met again at the Battle of White Plains.

The Battle of Harlem Heights was a minor engagement that took place during the early phases of the Revolutionary War. Following their rapid defeat and panicked retreat from Long Island, this successful rearguard action helped slow the British advance and offered a critical morale boost to American troops. On September 16, 1776, General George Washington led the outnumbered Americans against the advancing British forces under General Sir William Howe. The battle was the first American victory of the New York Campaign. The victory was only temporary, as Washington's troops were still vastly outnumbered and forced to continue their retreat. The battle also resulted in the death of one of Washington's most competent officers, Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Knowlton. Despite these setbacks, the battle served as a boon to American morale and allowed the bulk of Washington's army to evade capture so they could continue their war for independence. 

Battle of Harlem Heights Plaque at Columbia University

The Paulus Hook garrison was built in the spring of 1776 by the orders of General William Alexander.&nbsp;Following the Americans' loss at Long Island in August, American troops abandoned the garrison, which was occupied by the British shortly after. By 1779,&nbsp;Colonel Abraham Van Buskirk commanded around 400 men at the outpost, in addition to reinforcements that could be signaled from New York.&nbsp;In July, hoping to reclaim the garrison, General George Washington issued General Anthony Wayne&nbsp;plans to attack Stony Point. On July 16, the attack on Stony Point was carried out, resulting in a victory for the Americans.&nbsp;The success inspired Major Henry Lee to propose to General Washington the idea to attack Paulus Hook. Originally hesitant, Washington eventually agreed to the plan, and Lee assembled a group of 400 men to carry out the attack.&nbsp;On August 18, the Americans began traveling towards Paulus Hook hoping to attack at midnight. After enduring minor&nbsp;setbacks during their travels, the Americans reached Paulus Hook around 3:00 am.&nbsp;Navigating through a marsh, the Americans reached and swarmed into the garrison, overwhelming British forces.&nbsp;Major William Sutherland retreated from the garrison while the Americans finished securing the outpost, capturing 159 enemies&nbsp;in their attack. The battle resulted in two&nbsp;killed, three wounded, and seven captured on the American side, while the British endured 30 killed and injured, and 159 captured. This victory, in addition to the Stony Point victory, convinced General Henry Clinton that the region wouldn't be easily captured, prompting him to plan a campaign for the southern colonies to be carried out&nbsp;the following year.

This park was part of the original plan for the city and appears in the 1804 Mangin Map of Paulus Hook. Today it is home to a large obelisk that commemorates the Battle of Paulus Hook. After achieving victory at Stony Point, Major Henry Lee convinced General George Washington to attack Paulus Hook. The Battle of Paulus Hook took place during the American Revolution on August 19, 1779, and ended in an American victory. The American victories at Stony Point and Paulus Hook played a role in changing Sir Henry Clinton's plans in the New York region as he began to look towards the southern campaign the following year. The battle resulted in 2 killed, three wounded, and seven captured on the American side, while the British endured 30 killed and injured, and 159 captured.

Paulus Hook Park and the Battle of Paulus Hook

The fighting season of 1777 had been a disaster for the Continental Army including the loss of&nbsp; New York and Philadelphia. The famous winter sufferings that the Army took during their encampment at Valley Forge followed. However during these horrible winter conditions, Washington knew he needed to train his army in order to stand a chance against the British. So Washington turned to Baron von Steuben to accomplish this task with his relentless training and discipline, Washington knew that this was an entire different army heading into 1778 and he wanted to prove it. The Battle that would present Washington his opportunity to try out his newly trained army, would be Monmouth in New Jersey. Ironically after the harsh winter his troops faced this battle would be fought in extreme heat that would cause many cause many troops on both side to collapse from heat strokes. Washington gave orders to General Lee to lead the attack against the British rear units that were under the command of General Cornwallis.General Lee made tactical errors during the course of the battle and Cornwallis quickly realized the situation and was moving in to destroy the American Army leaving Lee to retreat without really even putting up a fight. However when Washington saw this he rode forward himself and took command of the battle. Washington was riding forward with the main segment when he saw the retreating troops, he was forced to rally the retreating part of the army into a new line to hold off the advancing British army. The battle then ragged on for several hours into the late afternoon, the new training the Continentals had received during the winter had paid off fighting the British to a stalemate. General Clinton ordered his troops to retreat and Washington wanted to chase the British, but due to the extreme heat the Continentals were exhausted and was in no positions to chase the British before they reached safety. The story that comes out after the battle is the story of Molly Pitcher a women that was said to have ran water back and forth to the artillery men to cool off both the artillery and the men that were firing them in one of the accounts she has been said to taken over for her husband as he fell during the battle. The women that is credited with these actions is Mary Ludwig Hayes.

After the bitter winter that the Continental Army suffered at Valley Forge, they faced the British army that was retreating from Philadelphia back to New York near Monmouth Courthouse in New Jersey. The battle was fought in extreme heat that caused many combatants on both size to fall due to the extreme heat. General Lee was sent in first by Washington to begin the attack, however Lee failed in the attack and was forced to retreat. Upon General Washington seeing his attack failing he rode forward himself and led the troops in a counter attack.

Battle of Monmouth

The monument was unveiled in 1922 after being designed by
Frederick MacMonnies with Thomas Hastings assisting with the architecture. In
2007, a new addition was added to the monument, a light that illuminates the
monument at night, although the illumination effect was in the original plan 85
years prior it did not get completed until 2007.&nbsp; The Monument is a focal point of the park and
is visited by many.

&nbsp;

As noted, the Monument shows General George Washington on
horseback, leading the defeat over the British troops while also commemorating
the death of General Hugh Mercer. On the back of the Monument, an inscription
written by Andrew Fleming West reads: “Here memory lingers to recall the
guiding mind whose daring plan outflanked the foe and turned dismay to hope
when Washington with swift resolve marched through the night to fight at dawn
and venture all in one victorious battle for our freedom.” Warren G. Harding
was present when the Monument was unveiled on June 9, 1922.

Located in the Princeton Battlefield State Park in Princeton, New Jersey, the Princeton Battle Monument commemorates the January 3, 1777, Battle of Princeton that took place during the American Revolutionary War. The monument shows General George Washington representing his defeat over the British forces during this battle. The monument also commemorates the death of General Hugh Mercer, a close friend of Washington’s who lost his life as a result of lethal wounds received during the Battle of Princeton.

Princeton Battle Monument

The&nbsp;Battle of Princeton was a Revolutionary War battle which took place on January 2, 1777 in Princeton, New Jersey1. &nbsp;It was the second of a short series of battles that took place in central New Jersey during the Revolutionary War. &nbsp;The first, more renown battle was the Battle of Trenton, where George Washington famously crossed the Delaware River on the midnight of Christmas Day&nbsp;and launched a surprise attack&nbsp;upon the Hessian mercenaries hired by&nbsp;the British2. &nbsp;However, the Battle of Princeton was of equal importance to the revolution. &nbsp;Following the Battle of Trenton, Washington and his exhausted force desperately needed to escape the British General Cornwallis and his larger host of soldiers sent in to crush the colonials. However, Washington used superior tactics to outwit Cornwallis. &nbsp;By leaving the campfires burning and muffling the noise of his Wagons, Washington and his men were able to evade Cornwallis's army, and instead launch a surprise attack on the British rear guard, whom they vastly outnumbered. &nbsp;275 British soldiers were killed in comparison to 40 colonials3, so the Battle of Princeton was a massive victory for the Revolutionaries which would help turn the tide of the war.&nbsp; As previously noted, The Battle of Princeton was an immensely important event in American history because it helped to turn the tide of the Revolutionary War. &nbsp;Not all colonists fully supported the Revolution,&nbsp;and the early stages of the war did not bode well for the revolutionary cause4. &nbsp;Suffering defeats to the vastly superior British army did not do patriot moral any favors. &nbsp;It was not until the stunning victories of the Battles of Trenton and Princeton that it seemed&nbsp;like the colonials had any chance of winning at all. &nbsp;The victories here offered great boosts to colonial morale, and helped to galvanize the colonies into greater efforts which led to great, war winning victories such as at Saratoga and Yorktown.5 Today, the battle site of the Battle of Princeton has been turned into a beautiful state park. &nbsp;The centerpiece of the state park is a stunning monument to those who fell during the battle. &nbsp;Behind great columnns is a large stone monument dedicated to the Battle of Princeton. &nbsp;However, there is an expansive tract of land surrounding the monument that is used for a variety of purposes. &nbsp;Being a state park, people from across the Mercer County area come to the Princeton Battlefield State Park to enjoy beautiful New Jersey spring and summer weather with all sorts of activities. &nbsp;It is not uncommon to find families having picnics on the grounds or a variety of youth sports organizations using the expansive green fields for soccer, football, or frisbee. &nbsp;One can also be sure to find Revolutionary War buffs coming from across the country to this important site to take in the stunning monument to one of the most important battles of the Revolutionary War.

The Princeton Battlefield State Park is a tract of land in Princeton, NJ where the Revolutionary War Battle of Princeton took place.  The Battlefield memorial is the centerpiece of the site.  It consists of the facade of an impressive mansion that used to dominate the landscape.  The Greek-style columnns are quite mesmerizing.  Behind the facade in a wooded clearing, the actual memorial to the battle lies.  It is a massive stone circle inscribed with a dedication to the soldiers who lost their lives in the battle.  Surrounding the memorial is a beautiful set of fields that are always used by the locals.

Princeton Battlefield State Park

The Trenton Battle Monument, completed in 1893, commemorates one of the most pivotal moments in American history. On December 26, 1776, General George Washington led his force of 2,400 Continental troops across the Delaware River into Trenton, New Jersey to conduct a surprise attack on Hessian (Germans enlisted by the British) troops. German troops had occupied Trenton since December 14, 1776. Washington was tracking their movements across New Jersey beginning at Fort Lee since November 20. The Continental army had suffered a long string of losses at the hand of the British army and was reeling at the end of 1776, with many of the men’s enlistments due to expire at the end of that year. Washington caught a break when the British chose not to pursue him further and made the decision to set up camp for the winter with belief the harsh weather or renewed fighting in spring would finally end the rebellion. Knowing that he needed to create some positive momentum for the war and capture supplies, Washington asked his men to embark on a final effort for victory. Washington created a three-pronged attack to strike at night on Christmas that required crossing the Delaware River, believing that Colonel Johann Gottlieb Rall would not expect an attack in the harsh weather. Yet, Rall was warned repeatedly of the attack. The day before American troops embarked on their nine-mile journey, two American deserters crossed the river with word that the American army was ready to move. In addition, a never-identified British spy was in Washington’s headquarters, and sent word to British General James Grant of the attack. He eventually had the message passed along to Rall, but, while telling him to remain vigilant, stated that he did not believe an attack would actually occur. A series of prior false alarms in addition to the growing storm caused Rall to brush off the accusations. During the crossing of the Delaware River, the thick ice caused two of Washington’s three columns to turn back. The only column to make it across arrived late, on the morning of December 26, 1776. Washington then split this force into two columns commanded by Major General Nathaneal Greene and General John Sullivan, who attacked from different sides and blocked a retreat. Although the American troops had engaged in skirmishes on the outskirts of town, Washington still maintained the element of surprise. With 2,400 American troops against 1,500 Hessians, a majority of the British army, approximately 900 men, were captured, including mortally wounded Rall. Only five Americans had been wounded, with 22 British killed and 83 wounded. Washington then made his way back across the river with his troops and the captured Hessians to McConkey’s Ferry Inn, where their crossing began. The Hessians, despite their own cruel treatment of American prisoners, were treated well. The 26 Hessian officers were held at the inn that night while the soldiers were brought to Newtown and divided between a prison and Newtown Presbyterian Church. The following day, the Hessian officers were also marched to Newtown, where they were housed in private homes due to their status. Four of the officers met with Washington to provide crucial intel with the mistakes they had made during the battle. Their information assisted Washington in the following Battle of Assunpink Creek to defend Trenton, or the “Second Battle of Trenton,” which occurred just several days later on January 2, 1777 and was again an American victory. Both the Hessian officers and soldiers were then marched to Philadelphia, paraded through the streets, and settled into barracks. Washington published a proclamation stating that the Hessians were forced into war and were not enemies. Soon, people brought food to the barracks and treated the Hessians kindly. Eventually, the Hessian officers signed a “parole,” which stated they would not interfere with any of Washington’s plans against the British, and were essentially granted free rein (6). The soldiers were taken to Lancaster County to work on the farms, where 23-40 percent remained, with a significant number of them returning to the U.S. with their families at the end of the war. A movement to erect a monument in honor of the Battle of Trenton began in 1843, and in 1886, property for the monument was purchased by the Trenton Monument Association. To build it, the New Jersey Legislature appropriated $15,000, Congress $30,000, and citizens contributed another $15,000. On December 26, 1891, on the 115th anniversary of the battle, the cornerstone was laid. Two years later, on October 19, 1893, the monument was finally completed and a dedication ceremony was held, attended by eight governors of the original 13 states. The monument stands at the exact location where Washington's canon was located, which prevented a British escape. Designed by John H. Duncan, architect of Grant’s tomb, the monument stands at 150 feet tall, and atop rests a 13-foot bronze statue of George Washington with his arm extended, pointing in the direction the canon faced (down Warren Street). The monument is hallowed and there is an elevator inside enabling visitors to go to the top platform to view the surrounding landscape (it is not clear if this is still possible today). The monument is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Dedicated in 1893, this monument commemorates the American victory in the Battle of Trenton on December 26, 1776. The battle served as a critical turning point in the Revolutionary War. The British defeated the Continental army in previous engagements and many of the Continental enlistments were scheduled to end at the beginning of the new year. General George Washington was desperate for a victory that would encourage new enlistments and keep the army alive. On Christmas night, Washington decided to attack a Hessian encampment across the Delaware River in Trenton, New Jersey. The American force surprised the experienced Hessian mercenaries providing a critical victory that allowed soldiers and political leaders alike to continue supporting the revolution.


Trenton Battle Monument 

The Battle of Paoli took place on September 20-21, 1777 in the dead of the night. General Wayne was the commanding officer for the colonial troops as General Howe led the British. Wayne, fresh off two battles near Philadelphia was withdrawn from the major squad under orders from General Washington to cut off supplies behind enemy lines. Wayne made it to the well known landmark of the Paoli Tavern, just miles from the British camp. Wayne believed that he was unknown to the British army as he sent letters to Washington awaiting orders to advance on the British. However, the British had been intercepting the messages and planned a counter attack of their own.&nbsp; Allowing the Colonials to rest and believe they were safe, the British tried to advance. The Colonials were warned and escaped but only later when they tried to move did a rainstorm hit and forced them to seek shelter. Under this shelter the British would attack in the night, marauding the temporary village and setting fire to many of the huts. The colonials would escape but many were injured or captured. The fight was very bloody because of the use of mostly bayonets. Some sources believe that Wayne knew of the incoming British attack but did little to prevent it.&nbsp; The historical park remembers those that were lost in one of the Revolutionary War's ugliest of battles. The park is also home to second oldest war monument in the United States. The monument was established in 1817. As many as 53 lives were lost and the namesake of the battle is due to the atrocities that the British committed, taking no mercy.&nbsp;

The Paoli Battlefield Historical Park is home to the Battle of Paoli Monument. The Battle of Paoli took place in September of 1777 after the Battles of the Clouds and Brandywine. The battle happened as the Colonial troops tried to get behind the British supply lines but were severely counterattacked. In one of the bloodiest battles of the Revolutionary War, the Paoli Massacre killed at least 53 Colonial Soldiers. The Historical Park is in remembrance of the battle.

Paoli Battlefield Historical Park or site of the Paoli Massacre

The goal of British General Howe was to take Philadelphia, the location of the rebel government. In General Howe's mind, the success of this strategy would effectively put an end to the war. Howe approached from the Chesapeake, landing at Elk, Maryland, and marched his army toward Philadelphia.&nbsp;General George Washington anticipated this move and was determined and confident that he and his troops could stop the British. General Washington chose the high ground of Chadd's Ford which also allowed men arriving from Baltimore and Philadelphia to cross the Brandywine River safely. As a result, Washington was able to choose his staging point and the place where his army would engage the British.On the morning of September 9, 1777, Washington placed his troops strategically along the Brandywine River at all possible crossings. By placing his troops at the northernmost and southernmost fords of the river, Washington was hoping to force a battle at Chadd's Ford. A battle here would be strategically&nbsp;advantageous because they his men held the high ground.&nbsp; The closest unguarded ford was twelve miles upriver, so General Washington felt well prepared.The British anticipated Washington's move and met at Kennett's Square to prepare a counter maneuver. A portion of the British army marched forth from Kennett's Square in order to trick Washington into thinking that they intended on meeting Washington at Chadd's Ford. In actuality, the majority&nbsp;of the British army had marched north and crossed a ford that General Washington had no knowledge of. They would then turn south and attack the flank of Patriot forces.On September 11, 1777, the morning broke with a heavy, dense fog. The fog was so thick, that the movements of the approaching British forces were completely hidden. Washington began receiving reports that morning warning that General Howe had split his forces. However, other reports began trickling in that negated the previous reports. General Washington came to the mistaken conclusion that the entire British force was converging on Chadd's Ford, just as he had planned.However, the reality of the situation was quite different. The British had crossed the river, marched south, and had taken up the position of their choosing near Birmingham Friends Meeting House.&nbsp; Washington was shocked when the British appeared on his right flank and ordered his troops to take and control the high ground around Birmingham Friends Meeting House. The Continentals were unable to carry out Washington's order despite a valiant effort in a battle that ended when it became too dark to continue. The Americans pulled back and the British were too exhausted to give chase. As a result, the British controlled the field and had a route to take Philadelphia and other cities, but the American rebel army had not been defeated and would continue the war despite the loss of Philadelphia to the British on September&nbsp;26th.&nbsp;&nbsp;

A National Historic Landmark, Brandywine Battlefield Park is the site of the largest land battle of the Revolutionary War. The battle took place for eleven hours on September 11, 1777-the longest single-day battle in the war. In the days leading up to the battle Howe's men had advanced through the Chesapeake and landed at Elk, Maryland with his sight set upon the new nation's capital of Philadelphia. General George Washington anticipated this move and was determined to stop Howe from reaching Philadelphia. However, the British anticipated Washington's plan and were able to overwhelm his flank and force the Americans from the field. Fortunately for the Americans, the valiant fight at Brandywine left the British army unable to pursue Washington's army and the British settled for Philadelphia as their prize. Despite the loss of their capital, the American army was still in the field and Washington and his fellow officers and men continued the war.  

The 52 acres that have been preserved are the location where Washington's Continental Army camped and prepared for the British offensive. The park offers many programs and tours, including Washington's Headquarters, a tour through the park museum, and a film about the battle and its significance within the larger war. The park also offers driving tours that highlight how the battle unfolded.

Brandywine Battlefield Park

During August 1777, the war was not looking promising for&nbsp;the Continentals. The north was being attacked by an entire British army. General Howe's plan to capture&nbsp;Philadelphia would likely have ended the war since&nbsp;with the Continental Congress was there. Howe's army landed in the Chesapeake area on August 25, 1777 to begin their march to Philadelphia. Washington, knowing that he needed to stop the British advancement, prepared a defense in an area called Chadds Ford. Washington was confident that he would be able to stop the British advancement. However Howe had a different idea and the commanders strategies would come into play. When Howe realized the defense that Washington was using he came up with a plan of his own. Howe was going to flank Washington and avoid a head on confrontation that could have resulted in&nbsp;more deaths. The plan was set to send a small force to engage Washington in front while Howe lead the main force on a march to go around behind Washington and flank him. On September 11 the battle of Brandywine took place throughout the day Washington received reports of Howe attempting to flank his position, however one report convinced him otherwise, which proved fatal. The day long battle appeared to be a stalemate which would work for the Americans because that would mean that the British wouldn't be able to advance. However that all changed when Howe's forces appeared on the flank. &nbsp; Late in the afternoon Howes main force began to attack Washington, who quickly realized that the battle was now hopeless and would soon need to begin a retreat. Greene and his men was sent in to the battle by Washington to engage the British, however the main objective now was to cover the American army while it retreated to safety. Small skirmishes took place while they retreated allowing them to cover other Americans as they fell back until the action died down in early evening. The battle was a loss for Washington and it opened the road up to Philadelphia for the British, however the British failed in their objective of destroying Washington's army.

The Battle of Brandywine, which took place on September 11, 1777, was a major engagement during the American Revolutionary War. The Continental Army, under General George Washington, attempted to stop the British advance on Philadelphia. The Continental Congress was stationed there, which made it a prime target and the British thought they could end the war by capturing it. The British were marching from the Chesapeake under the command of General William Howe. Washington's main force was stationed at Chad's Forde halfway to Philadelphia. As the battle unfolded, the American's were flanked by Howe which broke the stalemate that appeared be taking place. The British won the battle and the road to Philadelphia was wide open. However, it was not a total victory as the majority of Washington's forces were able to escape.

Battle of Brandywine

In 1780, over five-thousand French soldiers arrived in Rhode Island on a mission to help their American allies fight the British troops who had control over New York City. The arrival of the French soldiers also brought support from the French West Indies fleet of Comte de Grasse. Washington asked de Grasse for assistance in taking back New York, or in military operations against a British army out of Virginia. Following this, General Cornwallis was ordered to build a deep-water port, which he started in Yorktown. Cornwallis' movements in Virginia were watched closely by a Continental Army force led by Marquis de Lafayette. The French and American armies met just north of New York City in 1781. When word of de Grasse's decision arrived, both of the armies moved south toward Virginia, tricking the British into believing a take-back of New York was planned. De Grasse sailed from the West Indies and arrived at the Chesapeake Bay in 1781, and brought additional troops and created a naval blockade of Yorktown.A month later, Washington and Rochambeau arrived, and the army and naval forces completely surrounded General Cornwallis. After much planning, the Americans and French built their first parallel and began to bombard. In October of 1781, the British became weak and Washington sent troops to attack the remaining British defenses. The American artillery got closer and its bombardment was intense. Because of this, the British position began to get worse. Cornwallis asked for an agreement shortly after the British got worse. After two days of negotiation, a surrender ceremony took place and Cornwallis was not there. The United States captured over 7,000 British soldiers and negotiations between the United States and Great Britain began, resulting in the Treaty of Paris of 1783.

Operated by the National Park Service, this visitor's center and battlefield commemorate the last major battle in the American Revolution. The park includes a small museum-like visitor center that offers maps and guided visits of the battlefield. Visitors can also tour the Moore House which hosted the surrender negotiations between the United States and representatives of the English Crown. 

Yorktown Battlefield and Visitor's Center

PROLOGUE In early 1775, as the tensions were mounting in New England that would lead to shots being fired in Massachusetts, strain was also growing between Patriot factions in VIrginia and representatives of the British Crown. Indeed, Virginia militias had begun recruiting troops in March 1775, a mere month before the battles of Lexington and Concord brought open revolution to the colonies. Fearing that Patriot forces would seize gunpowder stores, the Royal Governor of Virginia, Lord Dunmore, commanded his troops to remove powder from an armory in Williamsburg and place it on board a British ship, provoking the local Patriot militias to outright defiance--though violence did not yet break out. &nbsp; The town of Norfolk itself, a prosperous port, had strong Loyalist sympathies, but Dunmore proceeded cautiously until he received reinforcements from General Gage in Boston. &nbsp;These new troops were directed to begin raiding the countryside around Norfolk in October 1775, looking for Patriot weapons and supplies. The outraged rebels responded by capturing a British ship that had&nbsp;run aground in Hampton, Virginia, and killing several sailors in the ensuing gunfight. DUNMORE'S PROCLAMATION In response to the actions of these freshly-emboldened Patriots, Dunmore issued a proclamation on November 7, 1775: <blockquote>"I do, in Virtue of the Power and Authority to ME given, by his&nbsp;Majesty, determine to execute Martial Law, and cause the same to be executed throughout this Colony"</blockquote>Dunmore's declaration of martial law also went on to promise freedom to "indentured Servants, Negroes, or others, (appertaining to Rebels,)" who joined British military service. This measure, intended to cow the colonial populace and deprive them of their&nbsp;means of insurrection, backfired. Virginia's economy&nbsp;was largely dependent on slave labor, and many colonists who had remained neutral were incensed by what they perceived as an attempt by Dunmore to incite a slave rebellion. Virginians responded by proclaiming in kind: <blockquote>"by an act of the General Assembly now in force in this colony, it is enacted, that all negro or other slaves, conspiring to rebel or make insurrection, shall suffer death, and be excluded all benefit of clergy."</blockquote>Despite the anger of the general populace, Dunmore successfully recruited among Virginia Loyalists. Between his new proclamation and local Tories, he formed the Queen's Own Loyal Virginia Regiment and Lord Dunmore's Ethiopian Regiment (comprised of roughly 200 former slaves and commanded by white officers). By November 30, he felt his forces were strong enough to "reduce this colony to a proper sense of their duty." THE BATTLE OF GREAT BRIDGE By early December 1775, substantial Patriot forces under Colonel William Woodford were in a stand-off with Dunmore's troops at Great Bridge, outside Norfolk. Impatient to sweep them away, and concerned about new reports that the Patriots had received some artillery, Dunmore ordered an attack on Woodford's fortified encampment. Dunmore had been misinformed as to the Patriots' strength, and believed their numbers to be only half of the 900 troops Woodford held in a strong position on the opposite bank. A frontal attack by British Grenadiers across the bridge cost them dearly--perhaps as many as 100 dead, with only one Patriot wounded. Furious, Dunmore retreated his forces back to Norfolk and then evacuated his troops from the city, placing them on board the ships of a British fleet at anchor in the harbor. THE BURNING OF NORFOLK On December 14, only a few days after Dunmore had withdrawn to his ships, Patriot troops moved into the city. Woodford's men had received reinforcements from North Carolina and now the combined force of 1,200 men was under the command of Colonel Robert Howe. In examining the town, Howe and Woodford recommended to Congress that Norfolk be destroyed, as there was little hope for even a large Patriot force to successfully defend against a mobile British contingent capable of flanking the city&nbsp;by sea. Luckily, Dunmore would soon give them the excuse they needed to carry out Norfolk's destruction. Dunmore's fleet was joined shortly by the&nbsp;HMS Liverpool, bearing fresh supplies and munitions. &nbsp;He positioned his four warships in a threatening line along the Norfolk waterfront, broadsides turned toward the city. &nbsp;Citizens began to evacuate--as most of the Loyalist population had fled to the ships with Dunmore, there was little to prevent the Governor from firing on the city. &nbsp;In the meantime, Patriot sharpshooters hidden around Norfolk boldly picked off British officers and sailors who came above decks on the crowded ships, driving the frustration of the British commanders to new heights. On Christmas Eve, 1775, an ultimatum was delivered to the Patriots entrenched in Norfolk: allow British forces to land and&nbsp;purchase food and supplies, or the goods would be taken by force. The resources of the British fleet were being seriously overstrained by the many civilians who had fled on board and Dunmore could hold out little longer. Colonel Howe refused. FInally on New Year's Day, 1776, the British ships opened fire. &nbsp;From 3:15pm until 2am the following morning, over a hundred British cannon rained destruction on the city of Norfolk. &nbsp;Under cover of shot and shell, landing parties of marines launched from the British ships and attempted to recover supplies amid the bedlam. &nbsp;Battles broke out among the warehouses along the wharves, and British troops set fire to buildings. Though most of the British assaults were repulsed by Howe's men, the destruction was not complete. Patriot troops, given license by the chaos, looted and burned the city as well, often feeling justified knowing that many of the houses had belonged to Loyalists. Soon much of the settlement was ablaze, of which Howe wrote, "the whole town will I doubt not be consum’d in a day or two.” His attacks repulsed, Dunmore pulled his ships out of the harbor and retreated, leaving Virginia entirely by August of the following year. &nbsp;Howe and Woodford stayed on in Norfolk until February, systematically destroying the remnants of the town until only&nbsp;a burnt-out skeleton remained. &nbsp;His letters to Congress omitted the role of Patriot forces in the town's destruction, allowing public outrage to foment about its wanton destruction at the hands&nbsp;of the cruel British. &nbsp;By the time a true picture emerged to the colonists in 1777, the war was in full swing.

St, Paul's Church was built in 1739 and is the only structure in Norfolk remaining that predates the destruction of the city during the American Revolution. During the British bombardment on New Year's Day in 1776, a cannonball fired by the British Fleet struck the church and is still  lodged in the southeastern wall. After British attacks were repulsed, Patriot forces destroyed the rest of the city rather than allow it to fall in enemy hands.

St. Paul's Episcopal Church and the Burning of Norfolk

While the French fleet was seemingly inconsequential, the Battle of the&nbsp;Chesapeake was the strategic move that allowed for the Battle of Yorktown. Washington was able to lay siege on the land, but the Revolutionaries had little to no naval influence. When Washington was given the naval backing of the French fleet, he was able to strategize a way to hold Rear Admiral Comte de Grasse away from the harbor of New York. This gave the Revolutionaries the necessary strategic advantage to trap Cornwallis. The French fleet arrived in the Chesapeake first with the British going to New York for reinforcements first. Grasse stationed a few ships to blockade Cornwallis in. On September 5 the British fleet arrived in the bay, however the battle didn't start right away the delay allowed the French fleet to properly prepare for battle outside of the bay. The battle was a difficult one to fight as the winds never allowed either fleet to get in the right range for the battle.Late in the afternoon the firing stopped and the British withdrew with both fleets just watching for a few days then on September 9th Grasse pulled back into the bay and realized that he had reinforcements With Grasse reinforcements that arrived his number of ships of the line climbed to 34 leaving the Chesapeake in full French control and left the British navy of no help of coming to Cornwallis aid. The sea was now blocked by the French navy and commenced a siege of Cornwallis while his escape by land was blocked by all the combined French and American troops under Washington. Which led to the British surrender of Yorktown on October 17th which effectively ended the Revolution. The battle of the Chesapeake wasn't so much a huge lopsided victory tactically but it left the French in full control of the bay and the battle it self won American Independence.

The Battle of Chesapeake occurred on September 5th, 1781 between the British led Rear Admiral Thomas Graves and the French led Read Admiral Francois Joseph Paul. While the Battle seemed to end in a stalemate, it was an incredible strategic victory for the Americans. By holding the British fleets in Chesapeake they were unable to reinforce Lieutenant General Lord Cornwallis in Yorktown. Cornwallis was taken in Yorktown and the Revolutionary War was ended soon after. 

Battle of the Chesapeake

On March 15th, the Battle of Guilford Courthouse was fought where the Guilford Courthouse National Military Park now stands. One of the most contested battles in the Revolutionary War, this specific battle was said to facilitate the eventual American victory that ended the war against the British. Seven months after this battle the British would surrender at Yorktown, as a direct result of the loss they experienced at Guilford Courthouse.On the date of March 15th, 1781 Major General Nathanael Greene led an army of almost 4,500 American militia and Continentals as they attempted to defend the ground at Guilford Courthouse against imposing British forces. However, the American troops would endure a tactical defeat by Lord Cornwallis and his British troops. General Greene pulled his Continental troops out to save them from a large number of casualties and to keep the army intake for later serves. However, Lord Cornwallis’s victory came at a significant price, as one in four of his men were killed or wounded during that battle. The Continental casualties were very light in comparison. Even though Greene and his Patriot troops had retreated, Cornwallis was also forced to abandon the Carolinas as a result of his weakened military powers. General Greene reentered the Carolinas and was able to drive the rest of the British forces out. Just seven months later Cornwallis would be forced to surrender to American and French forces under General George Washington. Twenty-eight monuments within the park honor Revolutionary soldiers, statesmen, heroes, and heroines. William Hooper and John Penn, two of North Carolina's three signers of the Declaration of Independence, are buried under the Signers' Monument. A large equestrian statue of General Nathanael Greene dominates the monument honoring the soldiers of the Southern Army and its leader.The park also features the Nathanael Greene Library which is open to the public by appointment only and subject to the availability of staff. Today the park is open to visitors who are able to view the preserved battle site. The visitor center provides educational and interactive opportunities to learn about the figures who fought in the battle and the ongoing controversy about the specifics of that day. Also discussed are the long-term ramifications of the battle, including the impact it had on both armies, and the United States’ eventual victory over the British forces.

The Guilford Courthouse National Military Park commemorates and memorializes the Battle of Guilford Courthouse, which took place on the site in March of 1781. Twenty-eight monuments within the park honor Revolutionary soldiers, statesmen, heroes, and heroines. The National Park Service now maintains the battlefield, preserving it as a national military park. Visitors can tour the site and visit the educational center which provides interpretive literature on the battle, figures involves, and repercussions of that day. 


Guilford Courthouse National Military Park

Nathanael Greene, a Quaker, was born in 1742.&nbsp; After being expelled from the Society of Friends in 1773 due to his interest in military affairs, he followed his dream of becoming a soldier.&nbsp; Greene earned a rapid series of promotion and was eventually was appointed by President George Washington to lead troops in the South during the American Revolutionary War.&nbsp; Greene led troops through many battles, including the Battle at Guilford Courthouse. &nbsp;Although outnumbered and forced to abandon the field, Greene's army avoided capture and weakened the British military. &nbsp;Greene and his man remained in the field and were instrumental in the events and battles leading up to the British to surrender in Yorktown.&nbsp;

The monument was originally approved in 1857, but construction was put on hold due to the start of the Civil War. After a campaign was launched by the Guilford Battle Ground Company to secure funding by the United States Congress, federal funds were approved in 1911. With $30,000 for the monument from Congress, leaders of the effort commissioned sculptor Francis H. Packer to build the monument.&nbsp;&nbsp;The base of the monument is made out of granite while the lettering and two statues of Nathanael Greene are made out of bronze. The west facing monument features two bronze statues, one of Green on his stallion and the other of a classically-garbed Athena with a shield and laurels.&nbsp;The monument was dedicated on July 3, 1915 with a ceremony that included a parade led by the thirteen young ladies on horseback, regimental bands, marshals of the day, and speakers and guests of honor. Military companies and artillery corps that consisted of up to 700 soldiers attended the event along with hundred of families and the help of local boy scout troops. Governors from different states including Maryland, Delaware, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina spoke during the ceremonies.

The monument contains the following inscriptions:

Below Athena:&nbsp;

MARCH XV MDCCLXXXI / IN THE MANOEVERING THAT PRECEDED IT, IN THE STRATEGY THAT SIGNALIZED IT, AND IN THE RESULTS THAT FLOWED FORM IT, THE BATTLE OF GUILFORD COURTHOUSE IS SECOND TO NO BATTLE FOUGHT ON AMERICAN SOIL. OVER THE BRAVE MEN WHO FELL HERE THEIR COMRADES MARCHED TO ULTIMATE VICTORY AT YORKTOWN, AND THE CAUSE OF CONSTITUTIONAL SELF GOVERNMENT TO ASSURED TRIUMPH AT PHILADELPHIA. TO OFFICER AND PRIVATE, TO CONTINENTAL SOLDIER AND VOLUNTEER MILITIAMAN, HONOR AND AWARD ARE ALIKE DUE. THEY NEITHER NEED DEFENSE NOR EULOGY BUT ONLY JUST RECOGNITION. A GRATEFUL NATION ERECTS THIS MONUMENT, THEREFORE, AS AN EXPRESSION OF ITS SOLEMN PRIDE IN THE MEN WHO FOUGHT HERE, OF ITS IMPERISHABLE DEVOTION TO THEIR MEMORY, AND OF ITS UNALTERABLE CONFIDENCE IN THE PERMANENCE OF THE PRINCIPLES WHICH THEIR EXAMPLE VINDICATED AND THEIR BLOOD CONSECRATED.

Below Greene:

NATHANAEL GREENE / APPOINTED MAJOR GENERAL IN / COMMAND OF THE SOUTHERN ARMY / OCTOBER 14, 1780 / BORN IN RHODE ISLAND AUGUST 7, 1742 / DIED IN GEORGIA JUNE 19, 1786 /

On pedestal to Greene's left:

HARLEM HEIGHTS / TRENTON / PRINCETON / BRANDYWINE / GERMANTOWN / MONMOUTH

On pedestal to Greene's right:

GUILFORD / COURT HOUSE / HOBKIRK'S HILL / NINETY-SIX / EUTAW SPRINGS

On base to Greene's left:

GREENE IS AS DANGEROUS AS WASHINGTON I NEVER FEEL SECURE WHEN ENCAMPED IN HIS NEIGHBORHOOD. /&nbsp;-CORNWALLIS

On base to Greene's right:

IT IS WITH A PLEASURE WHICH FRIENDSHIP ALONE IS SUSCEPTIBLE OF THAT I CONGRATULATE YOU ON THE GLORIOUS END YOU HAVE PUT TO HOSTILITIES IN THE SOUTHERN STATES. /&nbsp;-WASHINGTON

Dedicated on July 3, 1915, this 27-foott tall monument honors Nathanael Green, a Major General in the American Revolution. The monument consists of two statues, one with Nathanael Greene on a stallion and a second statue of Athena with a shield and laurels. The monument originally contained cannons on either side, however, those have been removed. 

Nathanael Greene Monument, Guilford Courthouse National Military Park

Cowpens National Battlefield or Cowpens National Battlefield Park is a unit of the National Park Service just east of Chesnee, South Carolina, and near the state line with North Carolina. It preserves a major battlefield of the American Revolutionary War. The Battle of Cowpens was such an important battle because together with the King's Mountain, they caused Lord Cornwallis to pull troops from South Carolina and move them farther north, that decision lead to Yorktown and eventually the end of the Revolutionary war. January 17, 1781. Of the more than two thousand men who fought this battle, the National Park Service can document fifteen Black males who fought with the Americans. The war was at a stalemate between 1779-1780 in the northern colonies, so the British turned their attention to the south, where many loyalists lived. The British wanted to help them regain control of local governments and then move northwards. They were initially successful capturing Savannah, Camden and Charleston. They hoped the victories would rally support but residents the countryside continued to resist.  George Washington appointed Nathaniel Greene to command the Southern Army. Greene decided to take an unorthodox move by splitting his army in two. One force was led by Daniel Morgan, who was tasked with cutting off British supply lines and resisting British efforts in the countryside. Morgan's force eventually encountered the British force led by Tarleton. Tarleton pursued Morgan until they reached Cowpens, which was an important crossroads and cattle pasturing land (hence the name). Since cows grazed this property it was devoid of trees or brush, so movement was easy. The terrain was mostly flat except for small hills tall enough to conceal people behind them, a feature that Morgan used to his advantage. Here General Morgan placed his troops in layers and was able to efficiently place his militia. Tarleton commenced a frontal attack which played into Morgan’s plan. As General Tarleton proceeded his attack Morgan pulled off each layer of his defense after they fired upon the British forces. Finally, the wearier British soldiers came upon the veteran Continental line. This was an overwhelming defeat for the British for all of their forces were captured except for Tarleton and his cavalry. The lost cost the British their elite light infantry units which included the much-feared highlander units. The lost at Cowpens would eventually lead to Cornwallis’s retreat into Yorktown, Virginia.

The Battle of Cowpens (January 17, 1781) was a decisive victory by a Continental Army force, led by Brigadier General Daniel Morgan, over a British force commanded by Colonel Banastre Tarleton. It was the culmination of a series of battles in the Southern campaign of the American Revolutionary War. The victory emboldened those supporting the patriot cause and forced the British to abandoned the Carolinas; the British then turned their attention to Virginia. The war would ultimately end at the Battle of Yorktown in October of 1781. Minorities played a part in the history  of the Battle of Cowpens as they fought bravely for their own freedom from the oppression of England.

Cowpens National Battlefield

In 1780, the Revolutionary War raged in the Carolinas between those who favored independence and British Loyalists. In some ways the conflict represented a civil war as colonist fought against colonist. Leading up to the Battle of Kings Mountain, British commander, Major Patrick Ferguson attempted to gain support for the crown during the summer, as he traveled through South Carolina and North Carolina. In September, General Lord Charles Cornwallis led British troops to invade North Carolina. Cornwallis then ordered Ferguson to North Carolina to help safeguard his troops from rebel militia attacks. Patriot leaders including Colonels Charles McDowell, Isaac Shelby, John Sevier and William Campbell gathered on September 25 along the Watauga River at Sycamore Shoals in what later became Tennessee. Their troops then marched toward Gilbert Town and British Major Ferguson, gaining additional frontiersmen along the way. On October 6, Major Ferguson, now camping at Kings Mountains, received news the Patriots were close behind him. He sent a message to General Cornwallis requesting additional troops. Ferguson tried to prepare for the enemy and establish a defense. Patriot troops now at Cowpens in South Carolina learned Ferguson was camped nearby at Kings Mountain. Additional men from South Carolina joined the Patriot troops and they marched all night toward Kings Mountain. Colonel William Campbell led the Patriot troops of 900 men. Around 3 pm on October 7, 1780, the fighting began at the Battle of Kings Mountains. Colonels Campbell and Shelby marched troops up the mountain as other patriot troops provided support until they reach the summit. The fighting lasted nearly an hour when Major Ferguson was killed. The Loyalist’s second in command ordered his troops to surrender and hoist the white flag. This brief battle resulted in 225 Loyalist casualties and 28 Patriot causalities. The Kings Mountain Centennial Association purchased land around the Kings Mountain battlefield site and raised funds to construct the Centennial Monument. Construction began on June 23, 1880 with the laying of the cornerstone. The Masons placed a copper box inside the stone that included documents about the Kings Mountain celebrations of the past and present. The Kings Mountain Centennial Monument stands twenty-eight foot tall and is constructed of granite and marble. Each of four sides of the pylon have inscriptions. On the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Kings Mountain, President Herbert Hoover addressed at large crowd at the battlefield site stating, “It was a little army and a little battle, but it was of mighty portent. History has done scant justice to its significance, which rightly should place it beside Lexington and Bunker Hill, Trenton and Yorktown, as one of the crucial engagements in our long struggle for independence.”3

This monument was dedicated on October 7, 1880, to commemorate the centennial of the Battle of Kings Mountain. The battle occurred on October 7, 1780, and is often referred to as “the turning point in the South" in the American Revolution. The twenty-eight-foot tall pylon is constructed of granite and marble with inscriptions on all four sides.

Kings Mountain Centennial Monument

The first battle took place on July 30. American commander Major William Richmond Davie led a force of dragoons and cavalry and attacked a house near the outpost, taking horses and arms. Another commander, Thomas Sumter, led a force that attacked another British outpost 15 miles away but failed to overtake it and retreated and&nbsp;encountered a British contingent of reinforcements. Sumter's men managed to kill 60 British soldiers and only lost 20 men. On the morning of August 5, Sumter's force of 300 combined with Davie's force of 500 men and attacked the British outpost at Hanging Rock. The British had 1,400 soldiers, including Loyalists,&nbsp;who were encamped in three locations. The Americans attacked and overran the Loyalist camp and drove further towards the other British lines. Running out of supplies and ammunition forced the Americans to halt the attack and withdraw. In the end, the British lost 160 men versus 20 Americans killed and 40 wounded.&nbsp;

Named after a large boulder, the Battle of Hanging Rock Historic Site is the site a battle between British and American forces during the Revolutionary War in July and August 1780. The site was once a British outpost, one of many the British established to try to maintain control of South Carolina. This outpost was strategically important as it was situated between the towns of Camden and Charlotte. A historical marker commemorates the battle and the site was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. During the Civil War, General Sherman's men camped here for two days.

Battle of Hanging Rock Historic Site

Following his victory at the Battle of Guilford Court House in March 1781[1],&nbsp;Lieutenant General Lord Charles Cornwallis elected to rest his men as opposed to chasing the fleeing Americans. Low on provisions, Cornwallis moved his soldiers&nbsp;towards Wilmington, North Carolina with hopes of resupplying.&nbsp;Major General Nathanael Greene chose to follow Cornwallis's army until April 8th[1], where he drove his forces into South Carolina in an attempt to reclaim territory by attacking British outposts. Cornwallis allowed the Americans to continue on, lacking the food to nourish his troops in the event of another battle. Instead, Cornwallis placed his trust in comrade&nbsp;Lord Francis Rawdon. Rawdon commanded a mix of British soldiers and Loyalists based in Camden, South Carolina. On April 20, Nathanael Greene arrived near Camden to find Rawdon's men actively on defense, foiling his plans of taking their garrison by surprise.[1] Greene opted to retreat in hopes of drawing Rawdon into the battlefield. Greene ordered&nbsp;Colonel Edward Carrington to take most of armies artillery and defend against incoming British troops.&nbsp;Rawdon was soon misinformed by an American deserter that Greene lacked artillery[2], prompting Rawdon to plan an attack on the Americans. Though outnumbered, Rawdon systematically overwhelmed portions of Greene's men, aided by the death of&nbsp;Captain William Beatty and the injuring of Benjamin Ford. Following combat, Greene retreated his men to the old Camden battlefield in defeat, and shortly contemplated abandoning the South Carolina campaign. Rawdon returned to his garrsion, and in the following weeks, devised a plan to relocate his troops to Charleston and Savannah in August.[1]

The Battle of Hobkirk Hill was fought on April 25, 1781. This battle was fought during the American Revolution, with Major General Nathanael Greene and Lord Rawdon commanding the Americans and the British, respectively. Although outnumbered 1,551 to 900, Rawdon led the British to victory, contributing to the death of Captain William Beatty and the wounding of Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Ford. The Americans' defeated resulted in 19 killed, 113 wounded, 89 captured, and 50 missing, while the British suffered 39 killed, 210 wounded, and 12 missing.

Battle of Hobkirk Hill Historical Marker 

The Battle of Camden involved a total of nearly six thousand troops, with approximately 3,700 militia and American troops and 2,230 British regulars. The result was a devastating American defeat. In 1780, control of South Carolina and vital supplies in the region were at stake as General Cornwallis moved his British forces into the area in hopes of rallying pro-British colonists. Cornwallis first secured Charleston before establishing a supply depot and garrison at Camden and moved to secure the back country. Horatio Gates's victory in Saratoga led the Continental Congress to promote Gates over German-born Major General Johann de Kalb. Upon taking command, Gates opened a letter from Thomas Sumter addressed to de Kalb detailing British postings in Camden. The letter mentioned only 700 men in the British garrison, and Gates made the decision move his army. In July of 1780, Gates marched into South Carolina. Cornwallis received news of Gates’s invasion and moved his army and vacated his headquarters in Charleston to meet Gates’s army in Camden, where they collided on August 16, 1780. Gates's force outnumbered Cornwallis’s forces, but most of these troops were untrained militia and Gates was not strategic in his movements nor in his battlefield decisions. Instead of moving his troops in a defensive semi-circle, as his senior officers recommended, Gates moved straight through hostile territory for a head-on assault. In 18th Century warfare, the most experienced units were commonly placed to the right of the line. Gates followed suit, positioning veterans from Maryland and Delaware on the right, while his more inexperienced Virginia militia led by Brigadier General Edward Stevens were on the left and the North Carolina militia were lined up in the center. Cornwallis took the same approach, with one of his best line officers, Lieutenant Colonel James Webster, leading the experienced 23rd and 33rd Regiments of Foot on the right. By Gates placing his militia where he did, the most inexperienced of his soldiers would face the more seasoned British regulars. Another one of the mistakes Gates made was the decision to put his command group far in the rear where he could hardly see the action on front line. Cornwallis, however, placed himself nearer the front. As the British advanced with bayonets on the left side of the Americans, the Virginia militia turned and fled, running through the North Carolina’s center, who quickly dispersed with the Virginians, ultimately collapsing the Americans’ position. On the right side of the line, the Continental Regulars from Maryland and Delaware, under the command of de Kalb, were left to fend for themselves as Gates and the rest of the army fled. Surrounded and overwhelmed, many joined the retreat. 700 American Continentals reformed at Hillsborough, North Carolina. At the end of battle, Americans had 1,900 casualties, with 1,000 of missing or captured. The British result was 68 dead, 245 wounded, and 11 missing or captured, resulting in a total of 2,224 casualties between both sides. De Kalb was severely wounded and died three days later in Camden. Captured Patriots were held, with General Griffith Rutherford being among those captured, and some were executed. Two months after the Battle of Camden, Major General Nathanael Greene accepted command of the Southern Department, eventually leading to British surrender at Yorktown in Virginia. Over 450 acres of Battlefield are now owned and managed by Historic Camden. A historical marker was erected in 1954 by Kershaw County Historical Society.

This National Historic Landmark is maintained by the Historic Camden Foundation and includes a variety of markers as well as interpreters and programs that share the history of the pivotal battle that occurred here during the American Revolution. On August 16, 1780, American forces suffered a significant defeat at the Battle of Camden. Following a victory at Saratoga, Horatio Gates was selected to lead an untrained army that failed to stop British regulars. Many of the militia fled in defense leading to the capture of other soldiers. The victory confirmed Britain's control of the Carolinas and vital military supplies in the area and marked a demoralizing low-point for American forces in the South.

Battle of Camden Historic Site

Following a hard-fought victory over American troops at the Battle of Guilford Court House in March of 1781, Lieutenant General Lord Charles Cornwallis retreated east toward Wilmington, NC to replenish supplies.1 Cornwallis then marched north toward Virginia after deciding that the Carolinas could only be defeated after defeating Virginia and other colonies. Major General Nathanael Greene pursued Cornwallis partially before turning south in April 1781 and heading back into South Carolina.2 Cornwallis decided not to pursue Greene’s forces because he assumed that the British army in South Carolina and Georgia could contain Greene’s troops. Following the Battle of the Chesapeake in early September, Steward led a company of 2,000 troops to a camp at Eutaw Springs which is around 50 miles northwest of the city.&nbsp;3
	On September 8, 1781, the battle began when around 40 British troops on a foraging mission were ambushed by the American Lieutenant Colonel “Light-Horse” Harry Lee.4 As Greene advanced on Stewart’s camp, the British commander began a formation west of the camp. Greene placed his North and South Carolina militias in the front of the line and placed the North Carolina Continental Army in the rear. The North Carolina Continental Army was supported by units from Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware.5 As the American army advanced, Stewart ordered his troops to advance and attack. Greene’s army stood their ground and fired upon the Stewart’s troops before succumbing to a bayonet charge.&nbsp;
	As the American militia began to retreat, Greene ordered the North Carolina Continental Army to advance forward toward the British troops. Greene was able to halt the advancing British after ordering the Maryland and Virginia Militia to also advance.6 The American army drove the British back to their camp near Eutaw Springs; however, they paused to pillage the British tents rather than pursue the British. British Major John Marjoribanks moved his troops to a nearby brick mansion to be protected and fire on the Americans.7 Greene ordered his troops to assault the mansion; however, his troops were too distracted to carry out the plan. Stewart counterattacked and Greene retreated his forces to the west. Weather prevented Greene from attacking the following day and Stewart withdrew to Charleston with the Americans pursuing them.8 The Americans had 138 killed, 375 wounded, and 41 missing. The British lost 85, had 351 wounded, and 275 were captured or missing. 9&nbsp;Following the battle, the British surrendered the interior territory and maintained forts along the coast. The majority of fighting shifted back to Virginia, where the British eventually surrendered at Yorktown.&nbsp;
	Today, visitors can see the battlefield and cemetery at Eutaw Springs Park, which is three miles east of Eutawville, SC. Take I-95 to exit 98 and head east on SC 6 for 12 miles.10 Signs will indicate that the park is to the left. Visitors can see the grave of Major John Marjoribanks and the battlefield.&nbsp;

The battle of Eutaw Springs in South Carolina was the last major American Revolution engagement in South Carolina. The battle occurred on September 8, 1781 when British troops under Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Stewart met American troops under General Nathanael Greene on the battlefield. During the battle, the American forces decimated the British ranks which forced the British to retreat to Charleston. The battle happened one month before Commander Cornwallis surrendered to the American army at Yorktown, VA. Today, the battleground is maintained by the Santee-Cooper Authority as a park. Major John Marjoribanks, a well-known British leader from the battle, is buried in a cemetery at the park, which is accessible to visitors. 


Battle of Eutaw Springs 

In June 1776,&nbsp;Lieutenant General Sir Henry Clinton attempted to capture Charleston, South Carolina.[1] His mission failed at Fort Sullivan where&nbsp;Colonel William Moultrie's men defended against&nbsp;Admiral Sir Peter Parker's naval forces.&nbsp;Following this event, the British shifted their attention to Savannah, Georgia, which was captured in December 1778.[1]&nbsp;Three years had passed&nbsp;since the initial attack of Charleston&nbsp;before Clinton attempted to plan&nbsp;another siege upon the city. In 1779, Clinton began to plan an attack on the Southern colonies&nbsp;after taking notice of&nbsp;the possibility of a high number of Loyalist in the area.[2] After enduring rough seas, Clinton had landed a diversionary group of men in Georgia before setting sail to Edisto Inlet with the rest of his forces.[1] From there, he ordered his forces to begin landing on Simmons Island on February 11.[1]&nbsp;Clinton's forces began their approach of the city on foot, where they spent the rest of the month capturing James Island and Fort Johnson. On April 2, the British began constructing siege lines, and entered the harbor on April 8.&nbsp;Lieutenant Colonel Banastre Tarleton was put in charge of conquering&nbsp;Brigadier General Isaac Huger's men at Monck's Corner to ensure that Charleston would be trapped.&nbsp;Taking notice of his situation,&nbsp;Major General Benjamin Lincoln offered to retreat from the city under the condition that his men would be allowed to flee. Clinton denied Lincoln's request and began to fire artillery upon the city and Lincoln's forces.[1] On May 11, Lincoln surrendered to Clinton.[2]

Three years after a failed attempt to capture Charleston, South Carolina in 1776, Lieutenant General Sir Henry Clinton began making plans to invade the Southern colonies. In February of 1780, Clinton managed to land a small diversionary force in Georgia before sailing with the bulk of his forces to Edisto Inlet, approximately 30 miles south of Charleston. With the help of Lieutenant Colonel Banastre Tarleton's attack on Brigadier General Isaac Huger's men on April 14, Clinton's forces had trapped the Americans. On April 21, Major General Benjamin Lincoln met with Clinton and offered to evacuate the city under the agreement that his men were allowed to depart. Clinton refused Lincoln's request and began firing artillery until Lincoln's surrender on May 11.

Siege of Charleston Historical Marker

In September of 1779, Major General Benjamin Lincoln intended to retake the city of Savannah from the British, who had claimed it as their own the previous year under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Archibald Campbell.&nbsp;Campbell remained in Savannah, joined by Brigadier General Augustine Prevost. &nbsp;At this time, Lincoln was in Charleston, South Carolina, and knew that his only hope in retaking the city was in persuading the French Navy to&nbsp;join his cause. French Vice-Admiral Comte d'Estaing, who had been fighting in the Caribbean, agreed to bring his fleet north to meet Lincoln and his men.On September 11, 1779, Campbell departed Charleston and headed toward Savannah with 2,000 men. Also moving towards Savannah was the French Comte d'Estaing with his fleet, surprising Prevost who was not expecting them, and hurriedly ordered British Captain James Moncrief to further build up Savannah's fortifications. The following day, the French fleet landed at Beaulieu's Plantation, and from there marched toward the city, where he was joined four days later by&nbsp;Lincoln and his men. Quickly, a demand was made to Campbell to surrender the city. Campbell stalled, as he was awaiting reinforcements from Beaufort, South Carolina; Colonel John Maitland's troops were on their way. Due to a misunderstanding between the French and the Americans, neither side blocked the arrival of the extra British troops. With more men behind him, Prevost declined to surrender the city.On September 23, 1779, the French and the American forces began landing their artillery and preparing for the siege. On October 3 bombardment began but is largely ineffective against British fortifications and actually&nbsp;caused more damage to the city itself. D'Estaing, who is growing impatient due to disease among his fleet and the threat of hurricanes refuses to practice standard siege procedures, which most likely would have ultimately been effective, and instead suggests an assault on the British lines. Lincoln, who knew he could not win without the French, agrees to d'Estaing's wishes.The French-American assault on the British began the morning of October 9. The battle, which should have gotten underway before dawn, was delayed due to thick fog and men getting lost in the swamps. The objective was to focus on the Spring Hill Redoubt, or fortification. It was believed the redoubt was manned by loyalist militia&nbsp;and easy to capture. However, a deserter tipped Prevost who decided to move his veteran forces into the area. Early on, a diversion planned by d'Estaing failed, followed by an incident where an entire line got stuck in the swamp near the redoubt was forced to turn back. Upon reaching the Spring Hill Redoubt, the first wave of men met with heavy fire. They suffered heavy losses; d'Estaing himself was hit twice. While the second wave found more success, with some French and Americans reaching the top of the wall, they were still unsuccessful in breaking through the British lines and were eventually driven back. Lincoln desired to mount one last attack but Comte d'Estaing quickly overruled his wishes.The&nbsp;French and American forces suffered losses far greater than those of the British. Of the Allies, 244 were killed, 584 were wounded, and 120 were captured. Of Prevost's men, 40 were killed, 63 were wounded, and 52 were missing. On October 18, the Siege of Savannah was abandoned, and Lincoln and his army retreated back to Charleston. This battle, as one of the bloodiest of the war, was also demoralizing for the new French-American alliance.Today, those who fought and died in the Siege of Savannah are memorialized at Battlefield Park in Savannah. In 2003, the city of Savannah purchased the land where the battle took place. Two years later, in 2005, archaeologists found what was left of the Spring Hill Redoubt, and the fortification itself has been rebuilt to show what it would have been like at the time of the siege. Visitors today can visit the park and see the 800 granite stones placed there to remember those who died or were wounded in the Siege of Savannah.&nbsp;

This memorial park consists of reconstructed earthworks and numerous signs and programs that allow visitors to experience the history of the American Revolution in the South. On December 29, 1778, British forces, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Archibald Campbell, captured Savannah as part of a strategy to regain control of Georgia with the support of the loyalists who lived there. The following year in 1779, French and American forces combined to attempt to take back the city in a battle called the Siege of Savannah, which is also known as the Second Battle of Savannah. Due to poor planning, miscommunication, and a lack of patience, the siege failed, leaving Savannah in British control until July of 1782. An interesting feature of the battle was the contingent of 500 men from what was once a French colony and now the country of Haiti. Some of these soldiers were men of color and some were former slaves. The contingent was one of the largest foreign forces to participate in the war.

Battlefield Park and the Siege of Savannah

Following the Treaty of Alliance&nbsp;between&nbsp;the Continental Congress and France, British General Sir Henry Clinton withdrew his presence from&nbsp;Philadelphia&nbsp;to push forces towards New York. As the war for the North slowed into a stalemate, Clinton began preparations to push his forces south, believing there would be more support for the British cause.&nbsp;In the fall of 1778, Clinton directed forces to move against Savannah, Georgia, which lead to a successful&nbsp;attack and capture of the city&nbsp;by&nbsp;Lieutenant Colonel Archibald Campbell on December 29. The following month,&nbsp;Brigadier General Augustine Prevost took command of Savannah, directing Campbell to take about 1,000 men to secure Augusta.&nbsp; Campbell began recruiting Loyalists with the help of&nbsp;Colonel John Boyd, who was ordered to raise&nbsp;Loyalists in the Carolinas. On January 30,&nbsp;Brigadier General John Ashe led&nbsp;1,100 North Carolina militia men&nbsp;to assist&nbsp;Major General Benjamin Lincoln's forces. A battle between Georgia's militia and British Loyalists ensued along the Savannah River near Augusta. The assistance of South Carolina militia men prompted&nbsp;Colonel John Dooly to carry out offensive operations in Georgia, leading to an attack on a British camp, which was found to be empty upon arrival on February 10th. The Americans pursued the camp's men, eventually discovering them camping in Kettle Creek. Colonel Andrew Pickens approached the camp with his men grouped to the left, right, and center in an attempt to engulf their opponent. Pickens' advance guard violated orders, firing upon the Loyalists and alerting Boyd to the American threat. Boyd rallied around&nbsp;100 men to retaliate, but was slowed by the swampy terrain, and was wounded in the process.&nbsp;Major William Spurgen attempted to continue commanding the Loyalist, but extreme pressure forced them to retreat. The battle saw the killing of 9 Americans and the injuring of 23, while the Loyalists lost an estimated 40-70 men, with an additional 75 captured.

The Battle of Kettle Creek was fought on February 14, 1779. Near this historical marker, American forces led by Colonel Andrew Pickens assaulted British Loyalists that had been camping along Kettle Creek. British Colonel John Boyd attempted to rally his men and retaliate against the Americans after repulsing the initial attack. Plagued by swampy terrain, however, these efforts were stymied. Boyd was mortally wounded as the American force eventually drove the Loyalists out of the area. The American rebels lost only 9 men in addition to 23 men who sustained injuries. The Loyalists lost an estimated 40-70 men in addition to seventy-five of their soldiers who were captured by the Americans. 

Major Battles of the American Revolution

Lexington Common National Historic Site

Introduction

Images

Backstory and Context

Sources

Additional Information