Dobb's Ferry

On this day in 1776,

With Gen. Howe in Dobb's Ferry, Washington is forced to split his forces again sending one faction (with Gen. Lee and Maj. Gen. Heath) north toward Peekskill and the other (his) across the Hudson into New Jersey.
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Dobb's Ferry

On this day in 1776,

From White Plains, Gen. Howe advances west to Dobb's Ferry cutting Washington off from his two forts. Gen. Washington is faced with the decision of whether to head north towards West Point or west to New Jersey.
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The Battle of White Plains

On this day in 1776,

Cap. Alexander Hamilton's gun battery holds back the advancing British, allowing Washington's main body to continue northward into the West Chester area of New York during the Battle of White Plains.
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The Battle of White Plains

On this day in 1776,

Washington's flight north out of Manhattan is shattered into two factions by Gen. Howe at the Battle of White Plains.
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Growing concern

No major battles occurred on this date.

But in 1775, King George III speaks before both houses of Parliament to discuss his growing concern about the rebellion in America, and urges Parliament to move quickly to end the revolt and bring order to the colonies.
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The Battle of Tearcoat Swamp, SC

On this day in 1780,

Col. Francis Marion leads a successful raid on Tory militia at The Battle of Tearcoat Swamp, SC.
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The Battle of Norfolk

On this day in 1775,

Militia under the command of Col. William Woodford repels a second attempt by British gunboats to shell Norfolk. Riflemen accurately pick off sailors on the decks of the damaged ships forcing a hasty retreat which beaches two sloops at the Battle of Norfolk.
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Norfolk, Virginia

On this day in 1775,

Six armed British tenders enter Hampton Creek and begin the bombardment of Norfolk, Virginia. Landing parties sent ashore by Capt. Dunmore to burn the town are repelled by local militia.
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The Battle of Fort Mifflin, PA

On this day in 1777,

A British Royal Navy fleet of ships, trying to open up supply lines along the Delaware River to the occupying British army in Philadelphia, is bombarded by American cannon fire and artillery. Six British ships were severely damaged, including the 64-gun battleship HMS Augusta and the 20-gun sloop Merlin, which both suffered direct hits before they were run aground and subsequently destroyed at The Battle of Fort Mifflin, PA.
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Peyton Randolph

No major battles occurred on this date.

But in 1775, after years of poor health, Peyton Randolph, former president of the Continental Congress, dies at age 54.
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Henry Laurens

No major battles occurred on this date.

But in 1779, Congress elects former congressman Henry Laurens minister to Holland. Laurens negotiated an alliance with Holland in 1780.
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Continental Association

No major battles occurred on this date.

But in 1774, the First Continental Congress creates the Continental Association, which calls for a complete ban on all trade between America and Great Britain. This was done primarily in response to the Intolerable Acts Parliament instituted after the Boston Tea Party.
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The Battle of Yorktown

On this day in 1781,

More than 8,000 men lay down their arms in surrender, ending the last major battle in the war for American independence at The Battle of Yorktown.
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The Battle of Fort Chambly

On this day in 1775,

The tide begins to turn in favor of the Americans in Canada as General Montgomery's forces capture nearly 90 British, 80 civilians and much needed provisions during the Battle of Fort Chambly.
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The Battle of Saratoga

On this day in 1776,

Washington's escape off Manhattan continues as Col. John Golver holds back Gen. Howe's landing at Pell's Point.

And in 1777,

Gen. Burgoyne surrenders his army to Gen. Gates at The Battle of Saratoga.
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The Battle of New York

On this day in 1776,

Washington begins the evacuation of forces off Manhattan island in preparation for the winter and to avoid being over-run by advancing British forces. He leaves only a garrison of 2,800 men at Ft. Washington and 3,200 at Ft. Lee opposite it on the Hudson at the northern tip of Manhattan.

This marks the beginning of the end for the Battle of New York.
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The Battle of Kingston, NY

On this day in 1777,

Gen. John Vaughn, with 1,700 troops and a flotilla commanded by Capt. Sir James Wallace continuing up the Hudson in an effort to find and support Gen. John Burgoyne, anchors at Kingston. The next day the British set fire to most of the town and move on to Livingston's Manor after The Battle of Kingston, NY.
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The Battle of Mincock Island, NJ

On this day in 1778,

A British force surprises an advance post of infantrymen from Brig. Gen. Casimir Pulaski's Legion. Before the American can send reinforcements, the British kill about 40 men before withdrawing to their ships at The Battle of Mincock Island, NJ.
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The Battle of Saratoga

On this day in 1777,

Gen. Horatio Gates engages Gen. Burgoyne at the Battle of Saratoga.
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The Battle of Valcour Island

On this day in 1776,

Relentless in their pursuit, Arnold, after having been chased from Valcour Island, must scuttle the remains of his 15 ship fleet and escort the remaining survivors to Ft. Ticonderoga at the very southern tip of Lake Champlain.

The British are left to cool their heels for the winter having been frustrated at the Battle of Valcour Island.
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The Battle of Valcour Bay

On this day in 1776,

After the forcing the Americans from Quebec, Royal forces began to move southward along Lake Champlain, constantly harassing Brig. Gen Benedict Arnold as he fled toward Crown Point near the southern tip of the lake. Arnold must stop and engage British warships.

Again, grossly out-numbered and out-gunned, Arnold's delay tactics and subsequent nighttime escape, buys the Americans time.

The Battle of Valcour Bay is considered the first fleet action of the US.
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The Battle of Fort Mifflin

On this day in 1777,

British forces on Province Island on the Delaware river outside of Philadelphia, begin a bombardment against a weak, land side of a fort located opposite of Fort Mercer on Port Island, between Hog Island and Mud Island. The bombardment lasted for about 2 weeks at the Battle of Fort Mifflin.
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The Battle of Polk's Mill

On this day in 1780,

A detachment of 120 mounted riflemen, under Maj. Joseph Dickson, attack a group of Royal Welch Fusiliers, commanded by Lt. Stephen Guyon, at The Battle of Polk's Mill.
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A Battle a Day - The Colonial Years

On this day in 1777,

British forces under Gen. Sir Henry Clinton occupy then destroy Patriot fortifications along the Hudson river valley. The small group of American soldiers encamped on one island destroys as much as possible of the unfinished fort and flees. British troops occupy the island for twenty days after The Battle of Fort Constitution.

And in 1780,
Loyalist militia, commanded by Gideon and Hezekiah Wright, run off Whig residents in The Battle of Richmond Town, SC.
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The Battle of Bristol

On this day in 1775,

A small British naval fleet appeared off the coast of Bristol, RI. Not willing to immediately capitulate to Capt. Wallace's demand, the British opened fire on the town. The naval bombardment lasted for 1 1/2 hours. After a hastily assembled negotiation, Wallace settled for 40 sheep and ended the Battle of Bristol.
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The Battle of the Hudson River Forts

On this day in 1777,

Hoping to assist Burgoyne, Forts Clinton and Montgomery are both attacked by British forces. The Americans hold on for a short time and must then retreat from the Battle of the Hudson River Forts.
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The Battle of Tarrytown, NY

On this day in 1777,

Gen. Henry Clinton launches his convoy of flatboats, galleys, and bateaux with his full attack force and sets out for Verplank's Point. After he arrives, he quickly seizes when the American defenders withdrew without any resistance at The Battle of Tarrytown, NY.
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The Battle of Germantown

On this day in 1777,

In a pre-dawn attack on British positions, thick morning fog and smoke confound the Patriots who begin firing on themselves. A stone building is used by the British as a stronghold. Washington calls for a retreat from the Battle of Germantown.
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The Battle of in Gloucester

On this day in 1781,

British Lt. Col. Thomas Dundas of the 80th Foot, leading 1,000 British troops, encounters French Brig. Gen. Marquis de Choisy, leading French troops and a battalion of the Virginia militia totaling 800 men. The action takes place across the York River from British-occupied Yorktown, which was under Patriot siege, at The Battle of in Gloucester.
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British Major John Andre

No major battles occurred on this date.

But in 1780, British Major John Andre is hanged as a spy by U.S. military forces in Tappan, NY.
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The Battle of Savage Point

On this day in 1779,

Col. John White outwits an overwhelmingly superior force and prevents them from reaching Savannah by lighting several large fires around a camp to give the appearance of a large troop presence and by riding around the fictitious camps shouting orders to no one. The trick worked and Lt. James French's force of 111 surrendered at The Battle of Savage Point.
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