Initial Battles For Independence
(Based on the original work by Arthur Cecil Perry and Gertrude A. Price, 1914)
The nascent stages of the American Revolution were marked by a complex interplay of hope, defiance, and military engagement. Even in the wake of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, a surprising sentiment persisted among the American colonists: the desire for reconciliation. Many still clung to the belief that King George III and the British Parliament would ultimately recognize their rights as Englishmen. The promise of fair treatment would have been enough to keep the colonists loyal subjects of the Crown. As a testament to this lingering hope, the Second Continental Congress dispatched yet another petition to King George III, pleading for equitable consideration. However, this plea fell on deaf ears. The King, viewing the colonists as rebels, responded by closing American ports and solidifying his stance against any compromise.
Even amidst these attempts at peaceful resolution, the Americans were pragmatic. They understood the necessity of preparing for a potential military conflict. During one of its early sessions, the Continental Congress authorized the capture of British military supplies and ammunition stored at Fort Ticonderoga in New York. This daring operation was led by Ethan Allen and his band of Green Mountain Boys, a group of rugged frontiersmen known for their tenacity. The assault was swift and decisive. Despite the fort’s arsenal of 200 cannons, the Green Mountain Boys, taking advantage of the element of surprise in the dead of night, easily overwhelmed the startled British garrison and took them prisoner. Just two days later, Fort Crown Point, situated nearby, also surrendered to the Americans, further bolstering their strategic position.
The ambitions of the Continental Congress extended beyond securing existing territory. The Americans harbored hopes of persuading Canada to join their cause, envisioning it as a fourteenth colony in their burgeoning union. Even if Canada declined to join, gaining control of the region would provide a strategic advantage in any conflict with Britain. To this end, two separate expeditions were launched with the aim of invading and securing Canadian territory.
The first expedition, commanded by Richard Montgomery, achieved a significant victory by capturing the city of Montreal. The second expedition, led by Benedict Arnold, faced a far more arduous journey. In the winter of 1775, Arnold and his men embarked on a grueling march through the unforgiving wilderness towards Quebec. The conditions were brutal. Food supplies dwindled rapidly, and the relentless cold caused immense suffering among the soldiers. Many succumbed to the elements, while others, burdened by illness, were forced to turn back. Despite these devastating losses, Arnold pressed onward with the remaining troops. By the time he reached Quebec, however, his forces had been so severely depleted that launching an attack was deemed impossible. Eventually, Montgomery arrived to reinforce Arnold’s command. With their combined forces, they launched an assault on the heavily fortified Quebec citadel. The attack, however, was unsuccessful. After six long months, the Americans were compelled to abandon their campaign and withdraw from Canada. The early stages of the war, including this failed invasion, highlight the difficult challenges faced by the nascent American forces. The narrative of the Initial Battles For Independence extends beyond tactical maneuvers, encompassing the resilience and determination of the soldiers who fought against formidable odds.
Following his appointment as Commander-in-Chief, George Washington was under intense scrutiny. The public eagerly watched his every move, and some grew impatient with what appeared to be a lack of action. In reality, Washington was far from idle. He was diligently engaged in drilling his troops and formulating a strategy to seize Dorchester Heights, a strategically vital location south of Boston, Massachusetts. The capture of Dorchester Heights would place the British in a precarious position, forcing them to either engage in a potentially costly battle or retreat from the city altogether. General William Howe, the commander of the British forces, made a critical error by neglecting to adequately defend this strategic hill. Taking advantage of this oversight, Washington successfully fortified Dorchester Heights, effectively sealing the fate of British control in Boston. The British, mindful of the heavy losses they had sustained at Bunker Hill, were reluctant to engage the Americans in another uphill battle. Consequently, on March 17, 1776, they boarded their ships and sailed out of Boston, relinquishing their hold on the city. The Initial Battles For Independence showcased Washington’s strategic brilliance and his ability to capitalize on the enemy’s weaknesses.
The conflict, however, was not confined to the northern colonies. In February, a significant engagement took place at Moore’s Creek, North Carolina. There, a contingent of Minutemen decisively defeated a larger force of colonists who remained loyal to the British Crown. This victory demonstrated the growing strength and resolve of the Patriot forces in the South. Subsequently, a British force under the command of General Henry Clinton and Lord Charles Cornwallis, accompanied by a substantial fleet, was dispatched to subdue the population of North Carolina. However, upon their arrival, they discovered that approximately 10,000 armed men were prepared to resist their advance. Faced with such formidable opposition, the British commanders opted to sail further south, setting their sights on capturing Charleston, South Carolina.
Upon reaching Charleston, the British forces encountered a well-fortified island in the harbor. This island was defended by Fort Moultrie, a formidable structure constructed from sand and logs and armed with heavy cannons. The British fleet commenced a bombardment of the fort, while the army attempted to approach the island from the rear. However, both the naval and land assaults were met with fierce resistance and ultimately repulsed. The British, suffering heavy casualties and significant damage to their ships, were forced to abandon their attempt to capture Charleston and sailed away towards the north. The Initial Battles For Independence underscore the widespread resistance that the British encountered throughout the colonies, challenging their assumptions of easy victory.
Despite the escalating conflict, England, like the colonists, initially had reservations about engaging in a full-scale war. The British treasury was strained, and the nation needed all its resources to defend itself against the growing power of European rivals, particularly France. However, King George III was determined to assert his authority over the American colonies. In an effort to bolster his forces, he hired approximately 17,000 German soldiers, known as Hessians, to assist in suppressing the colonial rebellion. This decision proved to be a major turning point. The employment of foreign mercenaries deeply angered the American colonists and fueled the growing sentiment for independence. The Initial Battles For Independence were now taking on a new meaning.
Individual colonies began to take matters into their own hands, driving out their royal governors and establishing their own systems of governance. In May 1776, the Continental Congress formally declared that the colonies should no longer consider themselves subject to the British Crown but should instead govern themselves. Richard Henry Lee of Virginia drafted a resolution articulating this sentiment, famously stating: "Resolved: That these united colonies are, and of right ought to be free and independent states."
On July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress formally adopted this resolution, paving the way for a formal declaration of independence. Thomas Jefferson was tasked with drafting the document, resulting in the Declaration of Independence, one of the most significant documents in world history. This was adopted on July 4, 1776, and forever transformed the thirteen dependent colonies into free and independent states. The Declaration was met with widespread jubilation throughout the colonies. In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a large crowd gathered to hear the document read aloud in front of the statehouse. As the final words echoed through the air, the Liberty Bell, which hung in the statehouse tower, rang out, proclaiming "liberty throughout the land unto all the inhabitants thereof."
Throughout the newly formed nation, the Declaration of Independence was read to enthusiastic crowds, often by local magistrates in public squares or by ministers from their pulpits. The document served as a rallying cry for the revolution, uniting the colonists in their pursuit of freedom and self-determination. With the formal declaration of war for independence, England recognized the need to revise its strategy. The plan was to subdue the colonies. One approach was to start in the South and gradually conquer the states northward until all acknowledged British rule. The other, considered more advantageous, was to seize New York and control the Hudson Valley. This strategy was based on the control of the seas, the availability of Canada as a base, and the expectation of support from the Six Nations in the Mohawk Valley.
General George Washington anticipated this strategy and moved his army from Boston to New York. He fortified Brooklyn Heights to protect the city. On August 22, 1776, General William Howe landed on Long Island with 20,000 men and forced the American troops to withdraw to Brooklyn Heights. Had Howe followed up quickly, he could have captured the American army, but he hesitated. Washington, realizing the danger, organized a night evacuation across the river, saving his army. Howe pursued Washington, who retreated to Harlem Heights and then New Jersey. The British pushed him hard, but Washington skillfully hindered their progress. Despite the hardships, Washington planned a surprise attack on the Hessians at Trenton on Christmas night in 1776. The Americans crossed the icy Delaware River and marched nine miles to Trenton. The attack was successful, capturing 1,000 Hessians and a large store of supplies. This victory boosted American morale and revived their hopes.
General Charles Cornwallis responded quickly, advancing to Trenton with an army. Washington, however, outmaneuvered him, marching around his army and attacking near Princeton. This victory further disrupted British plans and forced them to retreat. Washington then established a strong position at Morristown, New Jersey, controlling most of the colony and threatening the Hudson Valley. This campaign was a major success for Washington, undoing much of what the British had accomplished in the previous six months. The American victory over Burgoyne was a pivotal moment in the war, securing crucial support from France.
These Initial Battles For Independence, though fraught with challenges and setbacks, laid the foundation for the eventual triumph of the American Revolution.