US History

U.S. History Study Guide

Battles of Trenton and Princeton After about six months of running away, Washington needed to have a victory to keep the cause alive. During this time period it was customary to take the winter off and restart in the spring. Washington had thought he could surprise the Hessians located at Trenton, New Jersey. The Hessian were Prussian (German) mercenaries hired by the British to fight during the war. It was bitter cold and Washington moved his army across the ice filled Delaware River on Christmas Eve 1776. They surprised the Hessian brigade in Trenton, New Jersey, and won the skirmish easily. The result was that Washington captured more than 900 Hessian troops and 1,200 weapons without losing a single man. Washington then had a victory over the British a few days later at Princeton, New Jersey. Although these two battles were relatively small from a military perspective, it was a tremendous morale booster for the army, as well as the colonies. American soldiers re-upped on their contracts, new enlistments arrived and people once again felt they could stand against the British army. In early December 1777, Washington and his men would regroup and march through the snow to spend the winter at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, where they would really find themselves as soldiers and survive conditions that would truly embody the tone of Thomas Pain's American Crisis . 6.7 Battle of Saratoga In 1777, British General “Gentleman Johnny” Burgoyne proposed to lead a British army into New York and New England from Canada, while the British army already in New York City sailed down to capture Philadelphia. It turned out to be a disaster for the British. Burgoyne had no concept of a march through enemy-infested wilderness and took along officers’ wives and children and many unnecessary comforts. The Continental commander in charge of stopping Burgoyne, while Washington was at Valley Forge would be General Horatio Gates. At first Burgoyne traveled quickly with his vast army made up of British, Prussian, and Iroquois Natives. The local colonists made it difficult for Burgoyne by cutting down trees on their march. The terrain, which was muddy and marshy, made pushing the wagons nearly impossible. Then the British started getting malaria and their armymade very little progress. This allowed for the growing colonial forces to be prepared and ready for Burgoyne's weakened forces. Even worst for Burgoyne, his Iroquois natives who acted as scouts deserted him, making him blind to what was in front of him. The Battle of Saratoga was the turning point of the war. An unlikely hero would emerge out of this victory, Benedict Arnold would shine on the field and lead major attacks and counter attacks inspiring the Continental Army to push forward. He captured the field and the Americans won, but in the process, he severely injured his leg. Approximately three years later, he would betray his country and join the British side almost giving upWest Point, a very important American strong hold. Running low on food and supplies, and without reinforcements, Burgoyne was left with no option but to surrender. On October 17, 1777, the British army of nearly 6,000 men surrendered at Saratoga. The American

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