Major Battles of the Revolutionary War

Battle of Lexington and Concord:

April, 1775

The first military engagement of the war; marked the outbreak of armed conflict between the British and the Colonists.

British Army led by Lieutenant Colonel Smith were given orders to capture and destroy military supplies stored in Concord. Colonials heard of British plans and took precautions before the attack. The first shots were fired at Lexington, beginning the War of Independence.

Siege of Fort Ticonderoga:

May, 1775

Fort Ticonderoga quickly became an important objective for each side for its stores of munitions and the strategic position of control that it held over the waterways to Canada.

Out-numbered Continental Army under General Arthur St. Clair forced to withdraw from Ticonderoga after surrounded by British troops under Lieutenant General John Burgoyne. The uncontested surrender cause an uproar from the American public and Patriot generals St. Clair and General Philip Schuyler military careers faced negative effects.

Battle of Bunker Hill:

June, 1775

One of the most important victories in the war. Showed the war would not be quick, but a long, bloody engagement between both sides.

Leaders of the colonial forces besieging Boston learned that the British were planning to occupy the hills surrounding the city. Under William Prescott, colonial troops were stationed on Bunker Hill and Breed's Hill. British attacks against colonial positions were successfully repulsed but the colonials were overcome on the third attack and lost their hold. Both sides suffered significant losses and causalities.

Battle of Long Island:

August, 1776

The first major battle in the war following the Declaration of Independence as well as the largest battle in the conflict. After defeating the British in the Siege of Boston, Washington brought the troops to defend New York City. British recognized the strategic importance of New York for communications between the northern and southern colonies. Washington realized this and brought American troops from Boston to New York.

Battle of Princeton:

January, 1777

Washington's troops defeated British forces and forced them to withdraw to New Brunswick. Washington decides to cross the Delaware to pursue the retreated British troops. The victory boosted moral greatly and more men enlisted in the army.

Battle of Oriskany:

August, 1777

One of the bloodiest battles of the war. British and Native Americans ambushed an American relief force from Mohawk Valley under General Herkimer. The battle cost the Patriots about 450 casualties, and the British and Indian forces lost only about 150 dead or wounded. For the Iroquois nations, the battle marked the beginning of a civil war between those supporting the American cause or against them.

Battle of Brandywine:

Sept, 1777

After being defeated in New York, Washington saw this battle as crucial for moral and hope of his remaining soldiers. British soldiers forced Americans to withdraw toward the rebel capital of Philelphia. The two forces met near Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania.

Battle of Saratoga:

September and Octrober, 1777

Regarded as an important turning point of the war with the defeat of British General Burgoyne’s army. The colonial victory resulted in a formal Franco-American alliance resulted in France’s entrance into the war. The conflict reached the global stage.

Siege of Charleston:

March,1780

Very important battle; the British began to shift their strategy to focus on the southern colonies. Continental Army Major General Benjamin Lincoln surrendered forces to the British about six weeks after the siege began.

Battle of Yorktown:

October, 1781

Siege of Battle of Yorktown was a decisive victory for the Colonists. Combining American and French forces, the battle proved to be the last major battle of the war. The surrender of General Cornwallis’s army forced the British government to negotiate an end to the conflict.