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Battles of Lexington and Concord
British troops were sent to destroy weapons and other supplies stocked by the colonists and ran into colonists. Fighting broke out, but no one knows who fired the first shot. The militiamen dispersed and the British went on to Concord where colonists shot at the British from behind trees and fences. Colonists followed the British troops all the way back to Charlestown Neck. This was the first actual battle and it let to the American Revolution. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
Most of the fighting took place on Breed's Hill when British forces under William Howe attacked defeated American troops under William Prescott, taking the strategic Charlestown Peninsula. The American army lacked qualified soldiers and were up against the best armed forces in the world. Although the Americans lost, they did prove to the British, who did not think much of the American troops, that they would put up a fight, and boosted the morale of American soldiers. -
Battle of Princeton
After George Washington defeated the British at the Battle of Trenton, an abundance of British troops were sent to crush the American forces residing there. Washington snuck around the British camp and arrived in and took Princeton the next day. British leaders William and Richard Howe left almost all of New Jersey to Washington, turning over a great deal of land to the control of Patriots. -
Battle of Saratoga
Two battles, fought on Sept.19 and Oct. 7, are known as the Battle of Saratoga. British troops were led by John Burgoyne while American troops were led by Horatio Gates and Benedict Arnold. Colonists won the battle after Burgoyne was forced to surrender. France then recognized and joined the colonists's fight against the British, which became a turning point of the war. Also, in celebration, Continental Congress created a day for national Thanksgiving, the first official holiday with that name. -
Battle of Yorktown
George Washington led American and French troops in a siege of British forces at Yorktown under Charles Cornwallis. Marquis de Lafayette and American troops barred a British escape by land while the French fleet blocked their path by sea. After three weeks, Cornwallis surrendered. This was the last major battle of the American Revolution. Americans gained independence from Britain and went on to form the United States of America. -
Battle of Cowpens
The battle took place near Cowpens River, where Daniel Morgan instructed his American troops to leave the front line after firing two rounds. This confused the British troops led by Benastre Tarleton who then ran directly into heavy fire. The British forces suffered devastating casualties, and the battle proved that Americans could defeat British forces of equal ability without either side having an advantage, further boosting morale. It was the turning point for the war in the South.
