The History of~The American Revolution (Part 3: Desperately hanging on)

It was a rebellion like no other, not only did the American Revolution bring about a brand new nation that is not run by a Monarchy, but also to bring a new age in our world where Monarchs would begin to lose their luster.

This is Part 3 of this 6-part wiki page series about the American Revolution. In this part, we will talk about how the American Continental Army was lackluster in comparison to the British Army, and how their defeats meant that their hopes and the future of their newly created country hung in the balance.

## Desperately Hanging On

Before we go on to the battles that took place after the Declaration of Independence was ratified by the Continental Congress. We have to talk about the 2 armies that faced each other in this war.

By the 18th Century, Great Britain arguably had the best trained and most disciplined military in the world, let alone the Western Hemisphere. That is because they marched in a square formation, lowered their weapons, and waited until the platoon Sargent shouted "fire" before they open fired on the enemy force.

In contrast, the American Continental Army barely had a sizeable force and because of this, had to rely on State Militias and they were not as disciplined as the British forces, whether they win or lose, once the battle is done, these militias can just hang up their uniforms and rifles, and call it the day.

But that's not to say that the ACA didn't have any advantages, because they did. For one thing, they had "home field advantage" and because of it they knew the terrain and can use gorilla tactics against the Brits. They also had (slightly) easier access to supplies since they were on their home turf, whereas the Brits were fighting 4,000 Miles from their home.

### Going downhill

After the USA was born, the Americans and the Brits fought against each other on July 8 in Virginia where the ACA were victorious at the Battle of Gwynn's Island. But that victory was short lived as Washington's forces faced a British force led by William Howe on Long Island (the one by New York City) on August 27 where Washington's outnumbered force was easily defeated. But this is just the beginning.

Throughout the rest of the Summer of 1776 and into the Fall, Washington's force faced one defeat after another in more battles in New York State, the Landing at Kip's Bay, the Battle of Valcour Island, the Battle of Mamaroneck, the Battle of White Plains, and the Battles of Forts Cumberland, Washington, and Lee, though they did catch a break at the Battle of Harlem Heights on September 16, and the Ambush of Geary on November 14.

In total, the ACA suffered over 1,000 casualties from all of these battles. This may not sound much now, but this was very significant in the American Revolution, especially on the side of the Americans since they didn't have a "real army". With these defeats, the war wasn't looking good for America, and some even doubted that the USA could exist as a nation since the ACA which hardly had a standing army was going up against one of the best trained armies in the world.

Yeah, it's like a "Tank VS. A Dixie Cup".

### A Christmas Miracle

Despite their losses, Washington refuses to give up as he needs to win a major battle. Lucky for him, one was about to come, and the time was Christmas (a time for miracles).

It was Christmas Eve in 1776, and what Washington was best known for is taking the suggestions of his fellow soldiers and Militiamen, with a snowstorm outside one soldier suggested to attack the occupied town of Trenton (in my native New Jersey) where a group of Mercenaries calling themselves as the "Hesse-Cassel" were staying for the winter. Washington wanting to take on his fellow soldier's suggestion and knowing that an attack in the winter wasn't expected.

Soldiers fighting in the winter may not seem like a problem today thanks to better equipment that allows soldiers to survive in extreme conditions (and in some cases, their training). But fighting in extreme cold or heat back then was a problem, and that is why up until after World War 2, a lot of fighting during a war would stop for the winter (due to the cold weather and sometimes, ice and snow, as well as disease, shortage of supplies and weapons not working).

On Christmas Day, Washington's forces (according to legend) crossed the frozen Delaware River to reach Trenton and take the Hesse-Cassel forces by surprise. The next day (December 26) entered the occupied Trenton and (as said before) took the Mercs by surprise as they killed 22 of them and captured around 900.

The Battle of Trenton was Washington's first major victory of this Revolution, and a clear message to not just the Brits, but to the rest of the world that the Americans are \*not\* fighting a hopeless war.

After the battle, Washington and his forces set up their own winter quarters in a ton in New Jersey called "Morristown". As 1777 came around, the ACA were continuing to win battles in New Jersey as again they won in Trenton, they would also win at Princeton, Millstone, Punk Hill, and the Forage War (which lasted until March.

### Hopeless again

Though, when March of 1777 came is when the ACA's luck would run out. They began to lose more battles all over the states. Washington's rival, William Howe decides to come up with his own plan to take the American capital of Philadelphia (although this was against his orders).

Howe came into Pennsylvania in September, and Washington made his move to defend the city, but as Washington's forces met Howe's at Brandywine Creek on September 11, Washington's forces were soundly defeated, the results were the same when the 2 armies met again at Paoli on September 21, Fort Mifflin on September 26, and Germantown on October 4. This opened the way for Howe's forces to take Philadelphia, luckily the Continental Congress fled to the Pennsylvanian town of York before the Brits arrived.

These defeats forced Washington and his forces to take up winter quarters in a remote area in Pennsylvania called "Valley Forge".

During the winter of 1777-1778, Washington and his forces have witnessed and forced to brave extremely harsh conditions, and without necessary provisions such as food, drinkable water, suitable clothes including new footwear as there's records that exist about Washington's forces had to walk the snow covered ground barefoot, and in some cases the feet of some of these men actually bled. Not to mention that disease also struck Washington's forces such as Smallpox. Though Washington himself contracted the disease earlier in his life and was able to escape this outbreak.

Uh oh, it seems that the war is looking hopeless for America again with the Americans in harsh conditions while the Brits were in the comforts of the major cities. But don't count the good ol' US of A out just yet. As not only they had better luck in upstate New York, but help was arriving in the form of France helping out the US to defeat the Brits. That is what we'll talk about in the next part (click here) we will talk about the better battles in Upstate New York, as well as France coming to the rescue. Until next time, this is JohnnyOTGS signing out.