Revolutionary War Timeline

1775

19 April 1775 Lexington, MA	First shots fired in the Revolution. “The shot heard ’round the world.”
19 April 1775 Concord, MA	American militia defeated British regulars.
10 May 1775 Fort Ticonderoga, NY	Americans captured fort and its artillery.
17 June 1775 Bunker Hill, MA	British drove Americans from Bunker Hill.
3 July 1775	George Washington assumes command of Continental Army.
10-21 Nov. 1775 Ninety-Six, SC	Patriots sieged by Tories. Ended in truce.
11 Dec. 1775 Great Bridge, VA	Virginia and North Carolina patriots routed Loyalist troops and burned Norfolk
22 Dec. 1775 Great Canebrake, SC	Col.Thomson with 1500 rangers and militia captured a force of Loyalists.
23-30 Dec. 1775 Snow Campaign, SC	During campaign against Loyalists in the Upcountry Patriot militia impeded by 15" of snow.

1776

1 Jan. 1776 Quebec, PQ	Daniel Morgan involved in an attempt to take Quebec City. Morgan taken prisoner.
27 Feb. 1776 Moore’s Creek, NC	North Carolina militia defeated Loyalist Scots inflicting heavy casualties.
17 Mar. 1776 Boston Evacuated, MA	British Navy moved to Halifax, NS, Canada and Washington’s Army occupied Boston.
8 June 1776 Three Rivers, PQ	Patriot attempt to take British position failed.
28 June 1776 Sullivan’s Island, SC.	British naval attack failed when the palmetto logs held against the bombardment.
1 July 1776 Cherokee Attack	Incited by British royal agents, the Cherokee attacked along the entire southern frontier.
15 July 1776 Lyndley’s Fort, SC	Patriots defended against attack by Indians and Tories dressed as Indians.
1 Aug. 1776 Seneca, SC	Ambushed by Cherokees, Patriot forces saved by a mounted charge.
10 Aug. 1776 Tugaloo River, SC	Cherokees defeated by Andrew Pickens.
Aug. 1776 Ring Fight, SC ?	200 Cherokees attacked Andrew Pickens and 25 militia. From a circle, firing in turn, the patriots held off attackers until a rescue force arrived
12 Aug. 1776 Tamassy, SC	Col. Williamson and Andrew Pickens defeated large Cherokee war party and burned the Indian town, Tamassy.
27 Aug. 1776 Long Island, NY	George Washington’s army defeated but escaped by night in the fog.
16 Sept. 1776 Harlem Heights, NY	Nathanael Greene involved in engagement against British and Hessians. British driven back to their lines.
19 Sept. 1776 Coweecho River, NC	Col. Williamson’s patriots were attacked by Cherokees south of (now) Franklin, NC in a gorge known as the Black Hole. Americans eventually cleared the pass.
11 Oct. 1776 Valcour Island, NY	With makeshift boats on Lake Champlain, Benedict Arnold engaged a British squadron. Arnold was defeated but delayed the British until it was too close to winter to continue their campaign.
28 Oct. 1776 White Plains, NY	British and Hessians (4,000) attacked Americans (1,600) and defeated them but British casualties (300) exceeded the Americans (200).
16 Nov. 1776 Fort Washington, NY	American commander surrendered Fort Washington to the Hessians.
20 Nov. 1776 Fort Lee, NJ	Lord Cornwallis captured Fort Lee. Nathanael Greene abandoned the position.
26 Dec. 1776 Battle of Trenton, NJ	George Washington crossed the Delaware River and surprised Hessian brigade and defeated it.

1777

3 Jan. 1777 Princeton, NJ	Washington defeated British brigade.
20 May 1777 Treaty of DeWitt’s Corner, SC	Cherokees sued for peace and lost most of their land east of the mountains.
6 Aug. 1777 Oriskany, NY	British column with Iroquois warriors attack from Oswego. Rescue troops ambushed.
16 Aug. 1777 Battle of Bennington, VT	British General John Burgoyne detached Hessians, British regulars, Loyalists and Iroquois against Bennington. American militia attacked and defeated the British.
23 Aug. 1777 Fort Stanwix, NY	Benedict Arnold intended to siege the fort but the Indians and Loyalists deserted and the British retired.
11 Sept. 1777 Brandywine, PA	Americans under George Washington were defeated but retreated in good order.
19 Sept. – 17 Oct. 1777 Saratoga, NY	General John Burgoyne surrendered his British Army to American Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates.
21 Sept. 1777 Paoli, PA.	British troops attack with bayonets and surprised Americans. Americans called it the “Paoli Massacre.”
4 Oct. 1777 Germantown, PA.	4 Oct. 1777 American attack on British positions failed.
Winter 1777-78 Valley Forge, PA	Winter camp at Valley Forge under terrible conditions.

1778

6 February 1778	France signed a treaty with the Continental Congress which would provide troops, ships and supplies to America.
18 June 1778 Philadelphia, PA	British abandoned Philadelphia and moved to New York.
28 June 1778 Monmouth Court House, NJ	American troops held the field but it was not a clear-cut victory. Dr. Lumpkin writes that this “was the last major set battle between American and British regular forces in the northern theatre of the war.”
4 July 1778 Kaskaskia, IL	Town captured by Col. George Rogers Clark.
29 Dec. 1778 Savannah, GA.	The first event of the Southern Campaign.

1779

3 Feb. 1779 Port Royal Island, SC	Maj. Gen. Moultrie defeated British detachment.
14 Feb. 1779 Kettle Creek, GA	Andrew Pickens and Elijah Clarke and their Georgia and Carolina militia defeated North Carolina Loyalist militia who were travelling to Augusta to joint the British forces.
24 Feb. 1779 Vincennes, IN	Loyalists and Indians recaptured Vincennes, but George Rogers Clark forced them to retreat.
3 Mar. 1779 Brier Creek, GA	British Lt.Col. Prevost defeated Americans under Gen. John Ashe.
11-13 May 1779 Siege of Charleston, SC	Maj. Gen. A. Prevost had to break his siege when American forces under Maj.Gen.Lincoln approached.
20 June 1779 Stono River, SC	Maj. Gen. Lincoln engaged a British rear guard. Battle indecisive but many casualties.
16 July 1779 Stony Point, NY	16 July 1779 American attacked with bayonets only. Extensive British casualties.
29 Aug. 1779 Newtown, NY	29 Aug. 1779 After 2 terrible massacres, American forces moved into Indian territory and burned villages. Iroquois and Seneca power was diminished although they remained hostile.
July-Aug. 1779 Castine, ME	American attempt to dislodge British along the Penobscot River failed.
19 Aug. 1779 Paulus Hook, NJ	Successful American surprise attack on British outpost.
16 Sept.-19 Oct 1779 Savannah,GA	American Army under Maj. Gen. Lincoln failed to dislodge British from Savannah.

1780

29 Mar –12 May 1780 Siege of Charleston, SC	Maj. Gen. Lincoln surrendered the town and his entire army.
14 April 1780 Monck’s Corner, SC	Lt. Col. Banastre Tarleton scattered American militia.
6 May 1780 Lenud’s Ferry, SC	Lt. Col. Banastre Tarleton dispersed American cavalry.
29 May 1780 Waxhaws, SC	Lt. Col. Banastre Tarleton and his Loyalist Legion bayoneted 113 Continental soldiers of Col. Buford’s Virginia unit. Known as Buford’s Massacre.
5 June 1780	Lord Cornwallis assumes command of the British Army in the South.
20 June 1780 Ramsour’s Mill, NC	Patriot forces defeated Loyalist forces, ultimately resulting in loss of Loyalist support in North Carolina.
12 July 1780 Williamson’s Plantation, SC	Patriot forces of Thomas Sumter’s command defeated Loyalist Christian Huck and his forces. Huck was killed.
12 July 1780 Cedar Springs, SC	Spartan regiment of South Carolina Patriots ambushed Loyalist attacking party.
13 July 1780 Gowen’s Old Fort, SC	Georgia Patriots attacked Loyalist camp and defeated them.
25 July 1780	General Horatio Gates assumes command of Southern Continental Army.
30 July 1780 Rocky Mount, SC	Thomas Sumter’s troops attacked British post but were forced to withdraw.
30 July 1780 Hanging Rock I, SC	North Carolina Royalists were attacked by North Carolina Patriots who succeeded in capturing weapons and horses.
6 Aug. 1780 Hanging Rock II, SC	Thomas Sumter attacked British post and inflicted heavy casualties but was forced to retreat.
15 Aug 1780 Kershaw County, SC	Patriot militia attacked and captured Carey’s Fort and took a supply convoy from Ninety-Six.
16 Aug 1780 Battle of Camden, SC	Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates and the Continental Army were badly defeated by Lord Cornwallis and the British forces.
18 Aug.1780 Fishing Creek, SC	Lt. Col. Banastre Tarleton surprised Thomas Sumter’s command and defeated it.
18 Aug. 1780 Musgrove’s Mill, SC	Frontier riflemen and militiamen lured the British into an ambush and defeated them.
25 Aug. 1780 Nelson’s Ferry, SC	Francis Marion attacked British convoy and released 150 Americans who had been taken prisoner at the Battle of Camden.
4 Sept. 1780 Blue Savannah, SC	Francis Marion led British Loyalists into an ambush and defeated them.
14-18 Sept. 1780 McKay’s Trading Post, GA.	Elijah Clarke attacked the post but was driven off when British relief column arrived. American prisoners taken were hanged or turned over to the Cherokees to be tortured and killed.
21 Sept. 1780 Wahab’s Plantation, NC	Lt. Col. Davie attacked Banastre Tarleton and captured horses and equipment.
26 Sept. 1780 Charlotte, NC	Lt. Col. Davie and 150 American soldiers ambushed Tarleton’s Legion at Charlotte but were driven off by reinforcements.
28-29 Sept. 1780 Black Mingo, SC	Francis Marion attacked a Loyalist encampment and drove them into the swamp.
7 Oct. 1780 Kings Mountain, SC	Frontier militia from North Carolina, Virginia, Georgia and South Carolina surrounded Patrick Ferguson’s force at Kings Mountain and defeated them. This was a decisive victory for the Patriots and a turning point in the Revolutionary War.
25 Oct. 1780 Tearcoat Swamp, SC	Francis Marion routed a Loyalist force under Tynes.
9 Nov. 1780 Fish Dam Ford, SC	A search and destroy mission by the British was intended to murder Thomas Sumter. A night attack failed and the British retreated leaving their wounded.
20 Nov. 1780 Blackstocks, SC	Lt. Col. Banastre Tarleton pushed his cavalry in pursuit of Thomas Sumter and attacked. The British were beaten back with heavy casualties.
2 Dec. 1780	General Nathanael Greene assumes command of the Southern Army.
12 Dec. 1780 Long Cane, SC	Attack by Americans against a British force four times their number resulted in Georgia militia leader, Elijah Clarke, sustaining serious wounds.
12 Dec. 1780 Halfway Swamp& Singleton’s Mill SC	Francis Marion engaged large Loyalist group which retreated. An attempt to trap the Loyalists at Singleton’s Mill failed when it was discovered that the Singleton family had smallpox.
30 Dec. 1780 Hammond's Store, SC	Brig. Gen. Daniel Morgan sent Col. William Washington with Continental Dragons and mounted militia to attack Georgia Loyalists. The Loyalists suffered 150 casualties.

1781

17 Jan. 1781 The Battle of Cowpens	Brig. Gen. Daniel Morgan defeated Lt. Col. Banastre Tarleton and his army of British regulars. This is the turning point of the Revolution, as British troops never recovered from this defeat.
24-25 Jan. 1781 Georgetown, SC	Francis Marion and Light Horse Harry Lee captured Georgetown.
1 Feb. 1781 Cowan’s Ford, NC	North Carolina militia were defeated as they attempted to prevent Lord Cornwallis from crossing the Catawba River.
1 Feb. 1781 Tarrant’s Tavern, NC	Tarleton’s Legion charged a force of North Carolina militia with sabers inflicting heavy casualties.
25 Feb. 1781 Haw River, NC	North Carolina Loyalists were tricked into believing that they were being reviewed by Tarleton when they actually had encountered Lt. Col. Lee whose Continental Legion wore green jackets as did Tarleton’s men. Lee ordered a saber attack and butchered the Loyalists. This tended to intimidate the Loyalists in that area.
6 Mar. 1781 Wiboo Swamp, SC	Francis Marion began a retreating action which thwarted the British column led by Col. Watson.
March 1781 Mount Hope Swamp, SC	Col. Hugh Horry’s troop held the area while Marion withdrew.
Mar 1781 Lower Bridge of the Black River, SC	McCottrey’s Rifles, a unit of Marion’s Brigade, inflicted heavy casualties on Tynes with deadly accurate fire from long rifles.
March 1781 Snows Island, SC	While Marion was fighting Tynes, another British unit attacked his camp at Snows Island. Defenders destroyed all the supplies before they fled the position.
15 March 1781 Battle of Guilford Court House, NC	Maj. Gen. Nathanael Greene opposed Lord Cornwallis. Greene retreated in good order leaving the field to Cornwallis. Although the British technically won that battle, Cornwallis had lost 28% of his army in the encounter.
28 Mar. 1781 Sampit Bridge, SC	Marion’s Brigade, still pursued by Tynes, now forced Tynes to retreat. Marion followed and destroyed the rear guard as they attempted to cross the river.
15-23 April 1781 Fort Watson, SC	Lee and his Legion joined Marion in a siege of Fort Watson which was built on an Indian mound. A tall log tower was erected with a platform on top shielding riflemen who overlooked the fort. British surrendered.
25 April 1781 Hobkirk Hill, SC	Nathanael Greene and the Continental Army engaged the British forces under Lord Rawdon who won the field. Greene retreated
8-12 May 1781 Fort Motte, SC	Lee and Marion forced the British out of the post by setting it on fire.
10 May 1781 Camden, SC	Lord Rawdon evacuated Camden. It was leave or starve.
11 May 1781 Orangeburg, SC	Thomas Sumter took Orangeburg.
15 May 1781 Fort Granby, SC	Lee captured Fort Granby without resistance
19 May 1781 Fort Galphin, SC	Lee’s Legion captured the fort with all the Indian goods confiscated.
22 May-19 June 1781 Siege of Ninety-Six	Maj. Gen. Greene’s siege was terminated by the arrival of British reinforcements.
4 June 1781 Charlottesville, VA	A surprise raid by Tarleton captured seven members of the Virginia legislature. Governor Thomas Jefferson barely escaped
5 June 1781 Augusta, GA	Lt. Col. Lee, Patriot leaders Elijah Clarke and Andrew Pickens forced the British to surrender the fort.
26 June 1781 Williamsburg, VA	Engagement indecisive but American troops were commanded by French Marquis Lafayette. Green Springs Plantation, VA 6 July 1781 Marquis Lafayette attacked a superior British force and was defeated.
16 July 1781 Biggin Church, SC	British forces attacked Thomas Sumter but the attack was broken and the British retreated.
17 July 1781 Quinby Bridge, SC	Sumter, Marion and Lee engaged British but were unable to force a retreat.
2 Aug. 1781 Georgetown, SC	A British raiding party landed and burned several houses.
4 Aug. 1781 Execution of Isaac Hayne	The British hanged Col. Isaac Hayne in Charleston as a warning to patriots. It had the opposite effect.
19 Aug. 1781 Washington Marches South	Washington moves to combine American and French forces. French Naval Fleet engages British Fleet on the Chesapeake Bay. This leaves Cornwallis stranded at Yorktown.
6 Sept. 1781 New London, CT	British burn New London.
8 Sept. 1781 Eutaw Springs, SC	Greene’s Continental Army with the addition of militia fight a bloody battle. Although not victorious, the Americans inflicted and sustained heavy losses.
12 Sept. 1781 Hillsboro, NC	North Carolina Loyalists captured 200 American prisoners including NC Governor Thomas Burke. Loyalist leader, MacNeil, was killed in the raid.
28 Sept. –17 Oct. 1781 Yorktown , VA	Washington conducts a siege at Yorktown.
3 Oct.1781 Gloucester, VA	Tarleton's last action was protecting a British foraging party.
19 October 1781	Cornwallis surrenders his army.
17 Nov. 1781 Clouds Creek, SC	Bloody Bill Cunningham slaughters Patriot force of 30.
18 Nov. 1781 Wilmington, NC	British evacuate Wilmington.
19 Nov. 1781 Hayes's Station, SC	Cunningham kills a patriot force of 15.

1782

14 Feb. 1782 Wambaw Creek, SC	Marion’s Brigade defeated by Thomson.
25 Feb. 1782 Tydiman’s Plantation, SC	Marion’s Brigade again defeated by Thomson.
11 July 1782 Savannah, GA	British evacuate Savannah.
29 Aug. 1782 Fair Lawn Plantation, SC	Marion’s last engagement against South Carolina Royal Dragoons. Marion retreated.
27 Aug. 1782 Combahee River, SC	John Laurens was killed by an Ambush.
16 Sept. – 17 Oct. 1782 Last Cherokee Campaign	Andrew Pickens and Elijah Clarke with 414 men marched against raiding Cherokees. Chiefs made a temporary peace agreement which was ratified by Georgia.
14 Dec. 1782 Charleston, SC	Charleston evacuated by British. Leaving with them were 3,800 Loyalists and 5,000 slaves.

1783

25 Nov. 1783 New York, NY	The British forces evacuate New York and Brooklyn, the last British troops to leave the colonies.
15 April, 1783 Provisional Peace Treaty ratified	The Second Treaty of Paris

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