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Military tactics in revolutionary war
American revolutionary war strategies
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The Road to Valley Forge The book that I choose to review was The Road to Valley Forge, How Washington Built the Army that Won the Revolutionary War, written by John Buchanan. This is a book that covers the beginning of the revolutionary war in America from the time that George Washington is selected as commander-in-chief of the army, until his army enters winter quarters at Valley Forge. It encompasses the weather conditions that Washington and his army had to endure as well as the scrutiny that Washington always seemed to be under. The scrutiny came from people in congress who believed that the war was going to be quick and wanted a large, decisive battle fought. George Washington took control of the revolutionary army on 2 July 1775. He took over at outside of Boston, before this his experience was limited to wilderness travel and soldiering. His soldiering experiences had been mainly for his home state of Virginia. The first battle that was of significance in this book was the Battle of Long Island. At this battle Washington and the rebel army are soundly defeated by General Sir William Howe and the British army. After this battle was fought Howe did not follow-up the victory with quick action as the Americans retreated. It could be said that if Howe and the British would continued the attack this rebellion could have been put down right away. This will not be the first time that Howe fails to do this, and it will lead to him being replaced later in the war Sir Henry Clinton. Even though his army was thoroughly defeated Washington is able to get his troops off of Long Island back to Manhattan in the middle of the night, this will also not be the last time that Washington is able to get his 2 army out of harms way. The author briefly discusses the troubles at Kip’s Bay and Fort Washington. The next subject that Buchanan goes into is Washington’s retreat through the state of New Jersey. The key part of this retreat is when Washington crosses the Potomac River he collects all boats from both shores of the river. He later uses them to cross the icy Potomac to win the very important Battle of Trenton. The importance of this battle is that raised the morale of the soldiers. After this Howe decides to go into winter quarters.
Point 2: What this area was like before the encampment, why was this area so important during the Revolutionary War: (Location to Philadelphia, supply lines, and topography of the land.)
“Although Howe might logically be expected to resume his overland offensive through the Jerseys, he had already decided to move against Philadelphia by water; Washington had no way of knowing what Howe’s objective would be, but he did have reason to believe that the British would move by water. These points are mentioned because many accounts of the maneuvers about to be discussed are written from the viewpoint that Washington expected Howe to march toward Philadelphia in a continuation of his 1776 campaign (chesco.org).”
Throughout the book, Gary B. Nash narrates the war in chronological order to recount the war as it happened and emphasize the events that allowed for people of different class, gender, and/or race to stand up and call for American Independence or to turn on their country and join the British forces. In short, Nash emphasizes that the revolution was a “people’s revolution” [Page XV] and as such divided each chapter with
Although unknown to the Congress when they appointed Washington to lead the colonies, he would prove to be a great military genius. Washington was simply selected because he was a rich Virginian with everything to lose. In 1776 at the Battle of Long Island, Washington proved that he was a great military leader. Washington narrowly escaped to Manhattan Island, crossed the Hudson and finally reached the Delaware Rive with the British on his tale. Washington was known as a " sly fox" because of his tricky maneuvers to get his troops out of dangerous situations. A few weeks later Washington showed his sly ways once again when he captured a thousand Hessians the day after Christmas. Without Washington's amazing military mind, and his sly maneuvers the Americans never would have defeated the British.
George Washington Classical Sun Tzu Strategist and Master in the Art of War. The American defeat of the British during the Revolutionary War was a direct result of George Washington's incredible leadership and generalship, which epitomized the greatness of Sun Tzu's "Art of War." Introduction The key to the success of the American Revolution was the George Washington himself. Faced with a near impossible task of defeating a tremendously powerful enemy, Washington was required to defy the odds.
By presenting the Revolutionary War as a tale of a novel instead of just stating boring facts and military terms, Shaara captivates his reader. Once the book captivates the reader, the information flows through the novel allowing a large understanding behind the Revolutionary War that consist of more than just who won what battle. Then by telling the story through multiple viewpoints, the reader can make his own opinions of each person, rather than relying on an author’s opinion. Shaara does all of this while still maintaining great historical accuracy, which makes the novel superior to any other historical fiction novel about the American Revolution. As a highly entertaining and educational read, Jeff Shaara does an excellent job in insuring that inquisitive readers will enjoy reading, The Glorious Cause, for many years to
These times are not the best, but the spirit within us troops is still intact and helps us push forward so we may take what we deserve, what we need, the most precious thing to man desires ...Freedom. 1777-1778 Valley Forge was horrific and deadly, the conditions were dreadful, I can’t imagine someone who can live with these conditions. I want to reenlist because I have spirit, I want to serve for my country, and I want freedom from the Britishes filthy hands.Why did general Washington go to valley forge and have us camp there? I mean it’s killing us, but the real question is, should I stay or should I go now?
1776, Book Review It was a good year for a revolution, 1776. But it didn't start off quite as well as the colonists would have liked. When George Washington agreed to take command of the American forces in 1775, he probably didn't realize what he was truly getting himself into. Washington took command of an army made up of old men and young boys that had either come from their farms or the streets. The army was short on weapons and gunpowder, lacked uniforms, and was racked by disease and drunkenness.
Rose, Alexander. Washington’s spies: The Story of America’s First Spy Ring. New York: Bantam Books, 2006
With colonial, French, and British armies awaiting battle, tension during 1781 rose dramatically. Continental Army General George Washington and French army General Comte de Rochambeau were deliberating the decision of what move to make next on the American side. Unknown to either man, the decision that they were about to make could forever change the outcome of the Revolution. With Washington pushing for battle in New York City and Rochambeau pushing for battle in Virginia, French Admiral Francois-Joseph-Paul de Grasse made the ultimate decision in the next battle plan of the Revolution. It was Comte de Grasse's intelligent planning and performance in the Battle of the Chesapeake Capes that led to the defeat of the British in Yorktown. If not for Comte de Grasse's military move to blockade Cornwallis in the Chesapeake, the entire outcome of the American Revolution might have been different.
The plans for Yorktown actually started up in May of 1781 when General Washington joined up with French General Rochambeau. The American forces at this time were stationed in the area of New York City closely watching British General Clinton’s forces. Washington knew that General Cornwallis who had been dominating in the south would soon be moving northward to rendezvous with Clinton’s and General Nathaniel Green’s forces. He also knew that if this happened it would be near impossible of defeating the British. As Cornwallis continued his northern track he ran into trouble at the Battle of Cowpens. In fact he lost much of his light infantry and cavalry in the Carolinas. He did score a victory at the Battle of Guilford Courthouse, but this would prove to not help him much as he took severe losses and consumed a lot of time.
The battle of Lexington and Concord was the start of the American Revolutionary War. The colonies and the British had a political dispute which turned into an armed conflict. A second Continental Congress was called and created the continental army. George Washington was chosen to be the commander of the army because of his great leadership skills and his military
On July 3rd, 1775, Washington took control of the Continental Army. He accepted the position without pay and left for Boston. The troops were under trained and supplies were limited. As a leader, Washington was fearless and never acted until he considered any and every outcome and would push through if conflicts did emerse. The army had won few battles but stood strong and endured the war. Finally, with the help of the French, Washington and his troops managed to capture the British during the Battle of Yorktown. Thus, the eight year Revolutionary war was at an end on October 17th,
David McCullough author of 1776 puts faces and feelings to the events of the Revolutionary war making this an exciting novel even when the ending is known. Acting as a companion to an earlier work of McCullough’s, John Adams, 1776 is a strictly military view of the era versus political. Although the reader may have to get accustomed to the vast amount of characters introduced McCullough makes sure that those you are supposed to remember you will. Every character introduced is described incredibly well and throughout the novel you begin to feel as if you know the character and are going through the battle with them, specifically General George Washington with whom the reader emphasizes constantly with throughout the war. With the great description of the characters and events we feel as if we are there and in doing this the author creates understanding, the reader by knowing all sides and characters’ personalities the feels they know why the Revolution happened the way it did.
"His mind was great and powerful, without being of the very first order; his penetration strong . . . Perhaps the strongest feature in his character was prudence, never acting until every circumstance, every consideration, was maturely weighed; refraining if he saw a doubt, but, when once decided, going through with his purpose, whatever obstacles opposed." (Thomas Jefferson, as cited in "George Washington," 2006, para.19) George Washington is one of the most recognized and famous leaders in all history of the United States of America. He contributed greatly to the establishment of this prosperous country, from leading the Revolutionary armies into battle, to running the country as the first president, Washington has set precedence and example for all who have and are yet to follow. He was a noble man who demonstrated characteristics one would expect from a hero figure. He was not power-hungry, but did things and played his role for the good of the country, for patriotic purposes, to help America become the success it is today. In March of 1783, the soldiers of the American military were restless, bored and in a terrible state of doubt and distrust concerning the newly formed congress of the country. When these soldiers joined the army, they were promised a certain amount of money according to their service, but by the war's end, congress was nearly broke and not in a position to pay them all they had earned. The soldiers planned a rebellion against congress for their unjust treatment, and attempted to hold an unauthorized meeting of the officers on the matter. Washington forbade the meeting, but called for one a few days later, in which he gave his speech concerning the Newburgh Conspiracy ("The Rise and Fall," 2006, para.2). General Washington was a highly respected man among his peers, soldiers, and fellow men. His opinions, approval, and presence alone were enough to validate many plans, documents, and meetings throughout his life, so it is no wonder that even simple words or acts performed by General Washington were respected, and more often than not, taken to heart by his audience; perhaps this is why it may seem surprising that one of the most important speeches he ever gave fell on relatively deaf ears, leaving the audience hesitant, confused, seemingly unaffected by his powerful use of diction, and emotional appeal.