Saturday, July 27, 2019

A Quick Trip Through the Revolutionary War (Part 2)



Last month we ended our journey through the Revolution in December 1776 as George Washington was crossing the Delaware River on his way to defeat the
Washing crossing the Delaware
Hessians. So, let’s go backwards just a bit and quickly recap some important events leading to this moment.

September 5th thru October 26th, 1774, the First Continental Congress meets in Philadelphia, PA. Together they issue Declaration and Resolves; a precursor to the Declaration of Independence.

1775 begins with Patrick Henry’s “Give Me Liberty or Give me Death” speech on March 23rd, quickly followed by the rides of Paul Revere and William Dawes announcing the arrival of British troops on April 18th. The following day, the Minutemen and Redcoats battle at Lexington and Concord, resulting in the “shot heard around the world”. May 10th, the Second Continental Congress meet again in PA which leads to George Washington named Commander and Chief on June 15th. A little more than two weeks later, he assumes command of the Continental Army.
1776 is the year we most associate with America’s liberation from Britain. Usually due to the issuance of the Declaration of Independence. But there was more to the process than the events on July 4th. Beginning July 1st thru July 4th, Congress debates and revises the Declaration of Independence, finally adopting the declaration and sending it to be printed on the fourth. July 8th it’s read publicly. Imagine the feeling of those colonists hearing the Declaration of Independence read out loud. The delegates don’t actually sign the form until August 2nd. The year is fraught with battles many being won by the British Army.

The year ends with Washington’s crossing of the Delaware to capture Trenton from the Hessians on December 26th. In January 1777, Washington’s army is victorious at Princeton, then April 27th, at Ridgefield, Connecticut, Benedict Arnold forces the British to withdrawal. The Battle of Saratoga, Sep 19 to October 7, is a chief turning point, with nearly six thousand British soldiers surrendering. The year is full of skirmishes, and though there are many British wins, American’s are empowered by the victories they obtain.

The winter of 1777/78 is treacherous as George Washington winters his troops at Valley Forge. Freezing temperatures, illness, lack of warm housing, boots and
Valley Forge
clothing and repeated snow storms made living extremely difficult for the soldiers. I think the fact that American’s continued to fight on attests to the toughness of the Patriots.

January 1778 France officially aligns with America by signing the French Alliance. Though the French had been secretly sending supplies since 1775, the French Alliance made official the relationship between America and France. France really didn’t have an interest in America’s independence, but the king of France did have a vendetta against Great Britain. The cost to France for helping in the American Revolution was more than a billion livres tournois. A huge debt that would contribute to the civilian uprising of the French Revolution.

In June 1779, Spain affiliates with America and France against Britain. A huge benefit to the eventual independence of America.

Skipping ahead to September 28 thru October 19, 1781, the Battle of Yorktown was the concluding major battle of the Revolutionary War. George Washington’s army defeated the British army under Lord Cornwallis.

The American Revolutionary War lasted for eight years. It began April 1775 and 
lasted until September 1783 when the British finally leave New York. The 13 colonies were Virginia, South Carolina, New York, Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Massachusetts Bay, Maryland, Connecticut, New Hampshire, North Carolina, and Rhode Island. The birth of America came at a steep price to the entire world, but we know freedom is never free—not yesterday or today.

Many events have been left out of this summary of the Revolutionary War. Not because any happening is less important, but because I’ve tried to touch on the events I, personally, feel give an overall view of the times. For a more in-depth look at the Revolutionary War, please take a moment to do a quick internet search. I know you’ll enjoy the added information you learn.

Thank you for stopping by Heroes, Heroines and History.



Multi award-winning author, Michele K. Morris’s love for historical fiction began
when she first read Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House book series. She grew up riding horses and spending her free time in the woods of mid-Michigan. Married to her high school sweetheart, they are living happily-ever-after with their six children, three in-loves, and ten grandchildren in Florida, the sunshine state. Michele loves to hear from readers on Facebook, Twitter, and here through the group blog, Heroes, Heroines, and History at HHHistory.com.

Michele is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency.






1 comment:

  1. Thanks for the post. Our freedom came with a lot of birthing pains. Our forefathers fought a long and drawn-out battle to gain our independence.

    ReplyDelete