Washington_in_the_Revolutionary_War

=**George Washington - Commander-in-Chief of the Revolutionary War**=

Washington appeared at the Second Continental Congress in military uniform. He reluctantly accepted the nomination saying "with the utmost sincerity, I do not think myself equal to the Command I [am] honored with." He took command July 3, 1775 during the siege of Boston. Washington knew supplies were inadequate. He sent Henry Knox on an expedition to retrieve cannons that were captured. The British evacuated Boston and sailed to Nova Scotia, but Washington knew they would come back and most likely attack New York City.
 * Initial Command:**

The British gained control of the coastline and were able to move soldiers anywhere along the coastline quicker than the Continental Army could build defenses or move in reinforcements. Washington realized the problem of the lack of control of the water routes.
 * Defeated in New York City:**

On Christmas night of 1776, Washington crossed the Delaware River and launched a surprise attack on the Hessians (German soldiers hired by King George III). He would go on to defeat British regulars at Princeton, which forced the British back to New York City.

In 1777, the British were able to capture Philadelphia under British General William Howe. Washington was also unsuccessful in his attack on the British at Germantown. On the other hand, Continental General Horatio Gates won a colonial victory over the British under General John Burgoyne in the Battle of Saratoga in New York, which proved to be a turning point because the French would form an alliance with the colonies against the British. Furthermore, there were some in the Contintental Congress who favored removing Washington and replacing him with Gates in what would become known as the Conway Cabal. Supporters of Washington would rally behind him and he would stay in command of the Continental Army.
 * Loss of Philadelphia:**

While the British were in Philadelphia, the Continental Army under Washington would spend a very harsh winter at Valley Forge, PA. Thousands died due to disease. However, the army came out of the winter much better trained due to Baron Friedrich von Steuben from Prussia. Washington showed that his army was improved in the Battle of Monmouth, which would be a draw. The British moved into New York with Washington outside of New York.
 * Valley Forge:**

By 1781, the French navy under Comte Donatien de Rochambeau had come to America in the alliance and blocked the British from escaping from Yorktown, Virginia by sea while Washington slipped south from New York undetected and forced the surrender of British General Charles Cornwallis.
 * Battle of Yorktown:**

The Treaty of Paris of 1783 recognized American independence and George Washington resigned his commission as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army. However, not everyone was happy because Continental Army soldiers hadn't been paid and were ready to overthrow the Congress in what became known as the Newburgh Conspiracy. George Washington found about a secret meeting and showed up. The soldiers realized the sacrifice of Washington and decided not to go through with the conspiracy.

Back to George Washington information page