6 The Road to the Revolution Colonies vs

#6 - The Road to the Revolution

Colonies vs. Great Britain Continental Army Redcoats (British) • Home field Advantage • • – Know the land – Easy to resupply • Leadership • Purpose – fighting for a cause (independence) • Frontiersman – Horse Riding – Hunting / firearms More fighting experience Better military training Well supplied Greater number of soldiers • More money

The War Begins • General Howe • New British General • August 1776 – The British sail from Nova Scotia to New York • The Battle of Brooklyn Heights • British Army – 32, 000 men including paid soldiers (German Mercenaries called Hessians)

Nathan Hale • 1 st American Spy – Hale was caught by the British in Manhattan and executed (present day 66 th Street and 3 rd Avenue) • “I only regret that I have only one life to lose for my country”

Washington Retreats • General Washington escapes the British and retreats through Manhattan, Fort Lee, White Plains, Hackensack, Princeton, and settles in Pennsylvania.

Washington’s Retreat

Continental Army Needs a Boost • Supplies are low • Men are hungry • Army is on the run – escaping from New York thru New Jersey and into Pennsylvania • Enlistments are almost expired

Battle of Trenton December 25, 1776 • George Washington and 2, 400 men secretly cross the Delaware River into NJ at night • A surprise attack of Hessian (German) soldiers on Christmas • “Victory or Death” • Weather: – Cold – Sleet – Snow

Battle of Trenton

Battle of Trenton

Battle of Trenton

Results • Continental Army WINS! • 918 Hessians are captured • 6 cannons and much needed supplies are taken • Men begin to re-enlist in the Continental Army

Cold Winter at Morristown

Soldiers At Morristown