The Battle of Lexington and Concord (Apr. 18/19, 1775)
The Battles of Lexington and Concord, fought on April 19, 1775, started off the American Revolutionary War. Tensions had been building for many years between residents of the 13 American colonies and the British authorities, particularly in Massachusetts. On the night of April 18, 1775, hundreds of British troops marched from Boston to nearby Concord in order to seize an arms cache. Paul Revere and other riders sounded the alarm, and colonial militiamen began mobilizing to intercept the Redcoat column. Soon the British were hastily retreating under intense fire. (Patriot Victory)
The Patriots followed the Unity of Effort Principle and the Security principle, as they worked together and reacted quickly to the Redcoat's attack. As for Security, they were protecting themselves from the Lobsterbacks seizing their arms.
The Redcoats failed to Persevere in this battle, as they fled quickly.
The Patriots followed the Unity of Effort Principle and the Security principle, as they worked together and reacted quickly to the Redcoat's attack. As for Security, they were protecting themselves from the Lobsterbacks seizing their arms.
The Redcoats failed to Persevere in this battle, as they fled quickly.
The Battle Of Bunker Hill (June 17, 1775)
On June 17, 1775, early in the Revolutionary War, The British planned to march onto the hills surrounding Boston, and near the Charleston Peninsula. The Americans found out, and were ordered to fortify Bunker Hill to defend. Instead, the Americans fortified Breed's Hill, and soon the British marched on it.
Colonel Prescott gave a very famous line here, saying "Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes." This was to make sure that the Patriots conserved ammunition. When the time came, the Patriots decimated the British troops' lines. They quickly retreated, then tried again, with the same result. When the British marched a third time, the Patriots were low on ammunition and were forced to retreat. (Redcoat Victory)
Despite their loss, the inexperienced colonial forces inflicted significant casualties against the enemy, and the battle provided them with an important confidence boost. Interestingly, most of the fighting occurred on Breed's Hill, not Bunker Hill. The Patriots once again followed Unity of Effort here, as they easily mowed down British troops. They also Persevered as long as they could, cutting down up to 800 Redcoats. Once again, the Patriots were protecting themselves.
Colonel Prescott gave a very famous line here, saying "Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes." This was to make sure that the Patriots conserved ammunition. When the time came, the Patriots decimated the British troops' lines. They quickly retreated, then tried again, with the same result. When the British marched a third time, the Patriots were low on ammunition and were forced to retreat. (Redcoat Victory)
Despite their loss, the inexperienced colonial forces inflicted significant casualties against the enemy, and the battle provided them with an important confidence boost. Interestingly, most of the fighting occurred on Breed's Hill, not Bunker Hill. The Patriots once again followed Unity of Effort here, as they easily mowed down British troops. They also Persevered as long as they could, cutting down up to 800 Redcoats. Once again, the Patriots were protecting themselves.
The Battles of Trenton and Princeton
Trenton (Dec. 25, 1776)
The Hessian force at Trenton numbered 1,400 under the leadership of Colonel Johann Rall. Although Rall had received warnings of colonial movements, his men were exhausted and unprepared for Washington's attack—with rumors that they were drunk from Christmas celebrations.
Washington divided his troops to flank the enemy forces. Meanwhile, Colonel Henry Knox's cannons fired on the garrison. Rall attempted to rally his troops but was shot from his horse and fatally wounded. The Hessians quickly surrendered. 22 were killed, 92 wounded, 918 captured and 400 escaped.
The Patriots only suffered 2 casualties and 5 wounds. (Patriot Victory)
Princeton (Jan. 3, 1777)
At dawn on January 3, 1777, the Redcoats found that the Patriots they were holding back had disappeared. Washington sent a small force under General Hugh Mercer to destroy a bridge. Mercer's men encountered Redcoats under Lt. Col. Charles Mawhood and Mercer was killed in the fighting. Then Washington arrived, riding between the firing lines until his terrified horse refused to go on. The Americans rallied and broke through the lines. Washington had defeated the Redcoats once again.
They followed the principles of war well. They used surprise on the Hessians. They also used their mass to overwhelm them, and the objective was obviously clear. As for Unity of Command, Washington was able to rally everyone together so they could win. (Patriot Victory)
The Hessian force at Trenton numbered 1,400 under the leadership of Colonel Johann Rall. Although Rall had received warnings of colonial movements, his men were exhausted and unprepared for Washington's attack—with rumors that they were drunk from Christmas celebrations.
Washington divided his troops to flank the enemy forces. Meanwhile, Colonel Henry Knox's cannons fired on the garrison. Rall attempted to rally his troops but was shot from his horse and fatally wounded. The Hessians quickly surrendered. 22 were killed, 92 wounded, 918 captured and 400 escaped.
The Patriots only suffered 2 casualties and 5 wounds. (Patriot Victory)
Princeton (Jan. 3, 1777)
At dawn on January 3, 1777, the Redcoats found that the Patriots they were holding back had disappeared. Washington sent a small force under General Hugh Mercer to destroy a bridge. Mercer's men encountered Redcoats under Lt. Col. Charles Mawhood and Mercer was killed in the fighting. Then Washington arrived, riding between the firing lines until his terrified horse refused to go on. The Americans rallied and broke through the lines. Washington had defeated the Redcoats once again.
They followed the principles of war well. They used surprise on the Hessians. They also used their mass to overwhelm them, and the objective was obviously clear. As for Unity of Command, Washington was able to rally everyone together so they could win. (Patriot Victory)
Valley Forge (Dec. 1777-June 1778)
What's most interesting about Valley Forge is that no actual battle was fought there, yet it was still the turning point of the Revolutionary War.
By this time, the Continental Army was knocked against the ropes with half the match still left. Everyone was ready to quit. Even General Washington was recorded saying, "If the army does not get help soon, in all likelihood it will disband." Hunger, disease, and despair ravaged the continental army. The weather was the worst it had ever been. Many went long without food. At this rate, the future promised only more desperation and starvation. Many entirely gave up. There were dozens of desertions. Death and diseases descended like toxic blankets.
But suddenly in the next few months, many good things started happening. In February, the weather eased a bit. In March, General Nathanael Greene was appointed head of the Commissary Department and magically food and supplies started to trickle in. In April, Baron von Steuben, a mercenary who actually wasn't a baron, began to magically transform worn commissioned citizens into seasoned soldiers. In April, the Conway Cabal, a plot to remove George Washington from power, was defeated for good. In May they received news of the French Alliance, and with it the military and financial support of France.
By the time they Continental Army left, they were a new group of well-trained soldiers, raring to fight the British with everything they had.
By this time, the Continental Army was knocked against the ropes with half the match still left. Everyone was ready to quit. Even General Washington was recorded saying, "If the army does not get help soon, in all likelihood it will disband." Hunger, disease, and despair ravaged the continental army. The weather was the worst it had ever been. Many went long without food. At this rate, the future promised only more desperation and starvation. Many entirely gave up. There were dozens of desertions. Death and diseases descended like toxic blankets.
But suddenly in the next few months, many good things started happening. In February, the weather eased a bit. In March, General Nathanael Greene was appointed head of the Commissary Department and magically food and supplies started to trickle in. In April, Baron von Steuben, a mercenary who actually wasn't a baron, began to magically transform worn commissioned citizens into seasoned soldiers. In April, the Conway Cabal, a plot to remove George Washington from power, was defeated for good. In May they received news of the French Alliance, and with it the military and financial support of France.
By the time they Continental Army left, they were a new group of well-trained soldiers, raring to fight the British with everything they had.
Battle of Yorktown (Sep. 28, 1781-Oct. 17, 1781)
This was the most important battle in the American Revolution. When the Patriots received the news that they would be assisted by the French, the French Fleet Commander, Count de Grasse, departed St. Dominigue (Now Haiti), moving towards Chesapeake Bay, just as The British General Cornwallis had made it his base.
Washington saw the possibilities, and sent Marquis de Lafayette and an American Army of 5,000 troops to block in Cornwallis in Yorktown by land. Meanwhile, the French naval fleet blocked them by sea. By the time September 28 came, Washington had completely closed in Cornwallis and Yorktown with the Continental and French troops. After three weeks of non-stop bombardment on Yorktown, day and night, from cannon to artillery, by 17,000 troops, Cornwallis surrendered on October 17, 1781, effectively ending the Revolutionary War.
Pleading that he was ill, Cornwallis didn't attend the surrender ceremony on October 19, and instead sent his second in command, General Charles O'Hara. The war was over. (Patriot MASSIVE Victory)
The Patriots followed ALL of the principles of war in this battle. They used mass, offensive, and Unity of Command (under Washington) to overwhelm the redcoats. They used surprise, maneuver, and security to surround Yorktown and never leave an opening. They used simplicity, objective, and economy of force to do just one thing- seize Yorktown and overwhelm the Redcoats. Every troop was sent in to help by land and sea, all following the same mission.
Washington saw the possibilities, and sent Marquis de Lafayette and an American Army of 5,000 troops to block in Cornwallis in Yorktown by land. Meanwhile, the French naval fleet blocked them by sea. By the time September 28 came, Washington had completely closed in Cornwallis and Yorktown with the Continental and French troops. After three weeks of non-stop bombardment on Yorktown, day and night, from cannon to artillery, by 17,000 troops, Cornwallis surrendered on October 17, 1781, effectively ending the Revolutionary War.
Pleading that he was ill, Cornwallis didn't attend the surrender ceremony on October 19, and instead sent his second in command, General Charles O'Hara. The war was over. (Patriot MASSIVE Victory)
The Patriots followed ALL of the principles of war in this battle. They used mass, offensive, and Unity of Command (under Washington) to overwhelm the redcoats. They used surprise, maneuver, and security to surround Yorktown and never leave an opening. They used simplicity, objective, and economy of force to do just one thing- seize Yorktown and overwhelm the Redcoats. Every troop was sent in to help by land and sea, all following the same mission.