Intro- The Continental Army was faced with too many challenges and yet they still succeeded in battle. It’s amazing how many challenges they were faced with, no training, not enough weapons, and not even enough food. Even though they had set backs, they also had leaps forward like General George Washington appointing Baron von Steuben to give these soldiers of the Continental Army some training. How and Why it was Formed- After the Continental Army was formed by the Second Continental Congress to fight the british for their independence. George Washington was brought onboard to serve as a General and was set back by the shocking lack of so many things for the Continental Army like training, weapons, and food. Also, the Continental …show more content…
The british stupidly fought in rows, but the American general told them “Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes. The Americans, fighting in an aggressive way threw off the british and caused them to flee. The Battle of Trenton- General George Washington orders his Continental Army to sail with him over the icy river known as the Delaware river to attack the Hessians on Christmas Day. The Hessians were extremely confused due to the invasion happening on Christmas Day. George Washington knew they wouldn’t be expecting them. This is a huge component in the over defeat of the british because now the Continental Army had a win under their belt and now had confidence in their battles from now on. The Winter at Valley Forge- George Washington thought he was doing the right thing when he picked a spot that could effectively be defended in the event of a british attack but in reality he picked a spot that his entire army was attacked… by the weather. The brutal winter at Valley Forge is a famous one because it tested the Continental Army so much. Many people died to disease. The remaining troop who weren’t dying were put into even more training by Baron von Steuben to keep them busy. At the end of the winter, the army left Valley Forge an even more experienced and strong
As the British advanced in columns against the Americans in an effort to save the Americans limited supply of ammunition, it is said he ordered his men, “Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes!” When the Redcoats were within several dozen yards, the Americans let loose with a lethal barrage of musket fire, throwing the British into
Lack of supplies, and a thrilling winter wasn't a good combination for the Patriots. Dying in the late winter storm, with diseases and death quickly spreading, they overcame something greater than a battle. General George Washington led eleven-thousand of his soldiers to Valley Forge to prepare them for their next campaign, but what they faced was unexpected. With everything they went through, over two-thousand Patriots died until
During the winter of 1777 to 1778, General Washington camped with his troops at Valley Forge. When people hear the words "Valley Forge," images of bloody footprints in the snow, soldiers huddled around lonely campfires, and General Washington on his knees praying that his army might survive often come to mind. However, truer images of the place would show General Washington using the time between December 1777 and June 1778 to train his men and to fight to maintain his position as the head of the Continental
The Battle at Trenton, probably one of the most significant battles of the American Revolutionary War, was a resounding victory for the Continental Army. General George Washington, commander of the Continental Army, was the victor more on the sheer complacency of British Commanding General James Grant and Colonel Johann Rall, Trenton Garrison Commander. December 25 and 26, 1776, will live in infamy for the British. Even though the battle was not a resounding crush to the British forces, General Lord Charles Cornwallis, General James Grant and General William Howe, had made a strategic mistake and now handed the upper hand to the Continental Army. It was a resounding victory for General George Washington, not only for morale but also because the gained strategic winter positioning. Yet all should have been for not. Had the British and their allied forces, the Hessians, used intelligence assets that were available at that time, General Washington would have lost the battle, and subsequently the war. Through
According to www.History.com The cause of the battle of Trenton was because George washington felt the contanental army was likly in danger from the Hessians. On Christmas day, He crossed the Delaware river And the next ten days he had one to crucial battles against other armies.
In this battle Washington’s army was defeated, however, Washington was able to escape to Manhattan, and then to New Jersey. When he retreated, Washington was able to regain strength in his army, and was able to formulate new strategies and in December of 1776 and January of 1777, he led his men into two battles that allowed him gain quick victories for the patriots. In the Battle of Trenton, Washington led his men across the Delaware river to surprise and capture 1000 sleeping Hessians. Then a week later, in the Battle of Princeton, he defeated a small British army at Princeton. This victory forced the British to retreat back to New York. These gambles by Washington allowed him to get fast results, that also gave his army new live. Yet, none of these victories would have happened if the British forces defeated Washington and his army when they had the
The Battle of Trenton was fought on 26 December 1776 in Trenton, New Jersey. General George Washington, concerned with the low morale among the Soldiers of the Continental Army and
From late 1777 to 1778, General George Washington led the Continental Army through Winter at Valley Forge. Once this season was over, the remaining men were faced with a tough decision: to reenlist or not to reenlist. Although there were many reasons to reenlist, I would not have reenlisted in the Continental Army due to the lack of supplies, bitter weather, and poor shelters at Valley Forge.
After winning the Battle of Trenton, Washington and his Continental Army were motivated to cross the frozen Delaware River again a few more times over the next ten days and went on to win another victory in Princeton, New Jersey on January 3, 1777. At a time when the Continental Army was freezing and feeling literally defeated, the Battle of Trenton victory pumped them up and pushed them to continue to fight for their
The American Army surrounded the British soldiers at Breed’s Hill, an area overlooking Boston. Americans were ordered not to fire “Until you see the whites of their eyes”.
After they had escaped from certain defeat, “many soldiers headed home” (TCI 91). Since the defeat had lost morale from the soldiers, which is why they left to tend to their farms. The lack of morale caused by the defeat made the soldiers feel as though they were unfit. Another lesson for Washington was in the plans he held for the war his original strategy was to win in one large battle, but after the loss at New York, Washington shifted his strategy to, “rather than defeating the British Washington hoped to tire them out” (TCI 93). This idea held itself true in the battle of Trenton where the Continental Army won a resounding victory. By avoiding fighting major battles and fighting a defensive war, Washington was able to tire the British out to recollect his forces and join up with the French to eventually win major battles such as the Battle of
Washington had a very good charisma that made people highly respect his orders towards them. Not only was well liked, but the men knew they were in the best hands that the army could offer. One of the most dreadful situations a general could face is a harsh winter during war. Snow made transportation of supplies almost impossible. Many soldiers had little to no clothing to protect themselves from the winter climate. These harsh living standards did not halt most of the troops loyalty to Washington. (Lengel) Problems Washington faced in battles was that the British had more advanced weaponry and supplies. With George’s skills in tactical moves in battle, the resistance began to gain ground on the British. Moral was one of the main keys going into battle. Having men that are scared to die are worthless to a brutal general wanting to win a war. With George’s presence, the troops felt almost invisible and fought with all their heart.
First and foremost, Washington chose to strike during the heart of winter at a time when most British forces were disengaged from the war effort due to harsh conditions and a perceived sense of inevitable victory. Additionally, the patriots utilized the element of surprise, by initiating the assault on Christmas night under the cover of darkness and during the middle of a fierce winter snow storm. Washington had purposely released information to British and Hessian forces through double agent operations, which solidified their beliefs that the Continental Army was incapable of launching a strike. The Hessian commander had even received notification from a British spy imbedded within the Continental Army, that an attack was imminent. The Hessian dismissed the importance of the spy’s written report and neglected to read it. Also, it was unknown at the time, but later suspected that the Hessian Army was in a state of inebriation, as a result of Christmas festivities. All of these factors in addition to a lack of consideration by the Hessians for intelligence information set the stage for an American victory.
On December 16th, 1776, George Washington crossed the Delaware River and attacked the Hessian troops located in Trenton, New Jersey. It started when a Philadelphian, General Thomas Mifflin, rallied the militia because they were shamed by The American Crisis. By Christmas, Washington still barely had 6,000 troops fit for duty, knowing that he started getting reinforcements after the rally. Timing was important because if he waited, the enlistments would expire and the Delaware River would freeze.Finally, on Christmas night of 1776, the layer of ice covering the Delaware river cracked, allowing Washington and his troops to cross the river. This included 2,400 veteran troops and 18 cannons into Durham Boats. Many troops had to walk in the freezing cold grounds with their bare feet, leaving bloody footprints all around.
You did a good job of discussing some of the crucial events of the Revolutionary War between the American Colonies and the mighty British. Since the British military were so mighty and powerful, they thought it would be just a matter of time before they had the American Colonies comporting themselves as usual. However, when freedom and liberty is at stake, one will resort to doing almost anything to win or survive. In my opinion, there were two essential reasons why the British lost the war and the American Colonies won. First is that the British gravely underestimated their opponent and second, they were not accustomed or prepared for the Americans use of guerrilla tactics. Seriously, how can anyone shoot something they cannot