Though the tactics utilized during the Revolutionary War may seem rather archaic today, the unreliability of the smoothbore muskets, usually only accurate out to about 50 yards or so, necessitated close range and proximity to the enemy. As a result, discipline and shock were the hallmarks of this style of combat, with concentrated fire and bayonet charges deciding the outcome of a battle. Though shrouded in myth, Valley Forge was indeed a turning point of sorts for the Continental Army under Washington.
Though the winter of at Valley Forge was nowhere near as severe as the one soldiers suffered through in Morristown, N. Despite their agony, the men at Valley Forge were transformed from a rag-tag group of undisciplined and largely ineffective soldiers to a trained and orderly army, capable of winning victories over the British.
The rapid improvement seen at Valley Forge can be largely credited to the Prussian officer turned American patriot, Baron von Steuben. By the spring, confidence and morale had improved dramatically and Washington led a superior army out of Valley Forge ready to face the British anew. When the Revolution started, the Royal Navy had ships at its disposal. The Royal Navy gave the British the immense advantage of being able to move and supply troops at will almost anywhere in North America and the world.
The Continental Navy started out small in with only a handful of ships patrolling the waters of the North American shoreline. However, thanks to ships on loan from France and new vessels constructed in the colonies, the Continental Navy peaked in numbers in with 31 vessels to its name.
Though the Continental Navy could hardly defeat the mighty British Navy outright, they interrupted British commerce on the high seas, won victories against superior ships, and even made successful raids around the British Isles. Privateers were the most successful American warships of the war, capturing more than British vessels. Common types of field artillery were 3, 6, and pounder guns, named for the weight of shot that the guns fired.
Larger cannons and mortars — which lobbed large-caliber projectiles in high arcs onto their targets — were often used in sieges given their destructive capabilities. Howitzers, with shorter barrels and larger calibers compared to cannons, were also utilized by both sides. While both the British and the American forces fielded a plethora of cannons, howitzers, and mortars, they largely played a supporting role on the battlefield, and rarely carried the same amount of destructive power as artillery of the Civil War era.
The use of cavalry varied by region, but, on the whole, cavalry forces were small and used for scouting, hit and run raids, or to support units in battle. Cavalrymen carried an array of weapons, including several pistols, a saber, and a carbine musket. Unique to the cavalry, troopers often wore leather helmets and modified uniforms conducive to mounted warfare. Both sides also used Legions, which consisted of infantry and cavalry combined into a single unit.
Legions could move quickly and were quite versatile. Spies were used extensively by both sides throughout the course of the war.
Men and women risked their lives to gather intelligence and pass information. Nathan Hale , captured and hanged by the British, is one of the most famous American spies. As a result, Armistead accomplished what few spies could: direct access to the center of the British War Department. Many women worked as spies, using their freedom of movement to gather information and pass through the lines. While some of the larger battle sites and camp sites are preserved as either national or state parks, a surprising number are not, or are only partially preserved.
There is still great potential to save key areas at many engagement sites. Learn how to Take Action to save Revolutionary War battlefields and ways to get involved. Rev War Article. American Revolution Facts.
What are patriots? What are loyalists? What were British soldiers called? Where were the battles fought? Were there any sieges in the war? Were there any battles overseas? How many soldiers served in the war? How many were killed or wounded? Who were the Hessians? How were the armies organized? What did the armies wear? Was Valley Forge a turning point?
What role did navies play? What kind of artillery was used? What role did cavalry play? What role did spies play? Where can I learn more? Those who lived in the colonies and remained faithful to the Crown were known as loyalists, Royalists, King's Men, or Tories What were British soldiers called? August 27, — The Battle of Brooklyn , N. December 26, — The Battle of Trenton , N. January 3, — The Battle of Princeton , N.
September 11, — The Battle of Brandywine , Pa. October 4, — The Battle of Germantown , Pa. October 7, — The Battle of Saratoga , N. June 28, — The Battle of Monmouth , N. December 29, — The Capture of Savannah , Ga.
March 29, — The Siege of Charleston , S. August 16, — The Battle of Camden , S. Learn the history during this informative walk. April — The last weekend in April is usually a living history weekend where reenactors portray a s encampment not the battle. September October 7 — the Overmountain Victory Trail Association recreates the march to Kings Mountain each year on the historical dates of the march, ending on October 7 at Kings Mountain.
The volunteers, all dressed like mountain frontiersmen, hold special programs along the trail, including dramatic storytelling and displays about the Battle of Kings Mountain on the anniversary date of October 7. Hosted activities from butter churning to cannon demonstrations, bracelet-making to quill writing, and more are included with the price of admission.
October — Time travel back to , the first full weekend in October when the plantation hosts a reenactment of the realities of farming the backcountry in that era. The two-day event typically includes. Over historians fully immerse in roles to bring the Revolution-era to life. The event, set for October , will include some drive-through aspects. Check the Walnut Grove Plantation events calendar for details.
April 18 — Revere and Dawes Ride. June 15 — George Washington appointed commander-in-chief. June 17 — Battle of Bunker Hill. July 3 — George Washington assumes command of the Army outside Boston.
January 10 — Thomas Paine publishes Common Sense. April 12 — Halifax Resolves, NC—The first colony to authorize its delegates to vote for independence. July 4 — Congress adopts the Declaration of Independence. July 5 — British capture Fort Ticonderoga. December 19 — Washington and his army winter in Valley Forge. December 29 — British capture Savannah , GA. May 12 — British capture Charleston , SC. May 29 — Battle of Waxhaws , SC.
August 16 — Battle of Camden , SC. October 14 — Gen. Nathanael Greene named commander of the southern Continental Army. January 17 — Battle of Cowpens , SC. November 30 — British and Americans sign preliminary Articles of Peace. April 19 — Congress ratifies a preliminary peace treaty. December 4 — Washington bids farewell to his officers in New York City.
December 23 — Washington resigns as commander in Annapolis, MD. Source: American Battlefields Trust. You can unsubscribe anytime. GO UP. By Hope S. Philbrick Americans can thank South Carolina for freedom. Cowpens National Battlefield On January 17, , the battle of Cowpens was a turning point in the Revolution: Colonial forces won a major victory over regular British Army troops not Loyalist volunteers. Some perennial favorites include… Cowpens National Battlefield January — Anniversary events are typically held the weekend nearest January Activities include cannon drills 18th-century weapons firing demonstrations a wreath-laying ceremony a living history encampment where visitors can interact with reenactors ranger-led battlefield walks including lantern walks at night ranger talks fife and drum corps author lectures and even a mile, two-day march to the battlefield.
Musgrove Mill State Historic Site Saturdays — Typically, on the first Saturday of each month, a ranger-guided battlefield hike is offered that lasts approximately two hours. The two-day event typically includes music food toys games demonstrations of dozens of colonial-era crafts and trades from artillery to weaving, blacksmithing to soap-making, and much more.
Bike Tours Offer Close-up View. By Joe Mullinax. By Trey Bargar. Stay in touch! Sign up to get UpcountrySC news in your Inbox. Thrill to our latest exploits! Learn about what we have available for all our patrons! It looks like you're using Internet Explorer 11 or older. This website works best with modern browsers such as the latest versions of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. If you continue with this browser, you may see unexpected results. Follow Us on Instagram Want to see whats going on in the Library but don't have the time to stop by?
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