CHAPTER 4 SECTION 3
One American’s Story
• 2.5 Million Americans faced the British
• Waldo worked as a surgeon
• Valley Forge was the Continental Army’s site
• Right outside Philadelphia
• Horrible conditions
War Moves to Middle States &
Defeat in New York
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British retreat from Boston in March 1776
Want to isolate New England
They seize New York
General William Howe and Admiral Richard Howe sailed into
New York Harbor in summer 1776
• Largest British force ever- 32,000 soldiers
• Called “Hessians” because many came from Hesse, Germany
• Washington brings 23,000 men to NY with him, but they’re still
outnumbered
• Soldiers are inexperienced and have bad weapons
• End of August, Americans retreat
• British forced Washington into Pennsylvania
• Many American soldiers either deserted the army, were captured, or
killed
• Less than 8,000 remained
Battle of Trenton &
Fight for Philadelphia
• Washington risked everything – 12/25/1776
• Marched 9 miles through snow to Trenton, New Jersey
• Americans killed 30 Hessians, captured 918, & destroyed
6 enemy canons
• Americans won against 1,200 British troops stationed at
Princeton
• General Howe and his troops sailed from NY to
Chesapeake Bay
• British captured Philly
Victory at Saratoga
• British General John Burgoyne- lead Army on route from
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Canada to Albany
4,000 redcoats, 3,000 mercenaries, 1,000 Mohawk
(Natives)
Continental Congress- General Horatio Gates to lead
Northern Department of Continental Army
Used militiamen and soldiers from NY and New England
Americans surrounded Burgoyne at Saratoga and forced
him to surrender on October 17, 1777
• Huge turning point for Americans
A Turning Point &
Winter at Valley Forge
• French sent weapons to Patriots since 1776
• Saratoga helped France trust and agree to support Americans
• British still bitter
• French acknowledge American independence
• France – no peace with Britain until they recognize America’s
independence
• Takes months for French aid to arrive at Valley Forge
• British controlled NY and parts of NE
• Troops stayed in Philadelphia
• Washington and his army struggled to stay alive
• Suffered from frostbite and some had to have limbs amputated
• Washington’s letters to congress had reports of his men’s suffering
• 2,000 out of 10,000 of his men died that winter
Financing the War
• Borrowed money by selling bonds to investors and other
governments – Especially France
• Congress printed more and more money
• Caused rising prices and inflation
• Printed money was called “Continentals”
• Corrupt merchants held onto goods, or sold defective ones
such as meat, shoes or weapons
• 1781- Robert Morris (rich merchant) appointed as
superintendent of finance
• Haym Salomon was his associate
• Tried to raise money to provide salaries for continental army
• Got most money from Philly’s Quakers and Jews
• September 8, 1781 – troops were paid in gold coins
Civilians at War
• Men fought – wives managed farms, shops, and businesses as well as
households and families
• Sarah Franklin Bache (Ben Franklin’s daughter) – organized volunteers
to fix clothing for soldiers
• Women also made ammunition from household silver
• Washed, mended, and cooked for the troops
• Fort Washington, NY- Margaret Corbin replaced a gunner who was shot
• Battle of Monmouth- Ludwig Hays McCauly took her husband’s place at
a cannon when he was wounded
• Nicknamed “Molly Pitcher” – carried water to troops
• George Washington named her a noncommissioned officer for her bravery
• Thousands of slaves escaped
• Went to cities and passed as free people
• Joined Native American tribes
• 5,000 served in Continental Army
• White officers were impressed with loyalty, courage, and talent of
Africans
• Some fought for British and others stayed out of it altogether