All in all, Lord North thought 1776 had been a very good year for the British. On the other hand, the British were not impressed with Washington's accomplishments. These victories had also been watched closely by many European leaders they now came to view Washington as an adroit and able commander. Trenton and Princeton tended to put to rest the second-guessing about Washington's leadership, a belief that had grown as the Continental Army suffered defeats in New York and then retreated through New Jersey. Just when many Americans thought all was lost, Washington had produced two major victories over one of the world's most powerful armies. What Washington had done in nine days was truly staggering.

Seizing the opportunity Howe presented him, Washington counterattacked at Trenton in late December 1776 and then at Princeton in early 1777. Surprisingly, at that point Howe ordered his army into winter quarters rather than attacking the Americans.

When Washington's army reached Trenton Falls, their fortunes seemed at low ebb. Indeed, British forces under General Charles Lord Cornwallis chased and harrassed the Continentals all the way through New Jersey. Again, the question became, what would the British do next? Washington thought the logical next step for them to do was to move on Philadelphia, so he moved most of his army south into New Jersey. Even so, the British were now in control of New York City. Had the British commanders been a bit more aggressive, their naval power might have put the Continental Army at great risk of total defeat.Īfter Washington was driven from Manhattan, his army fought Howe's forces to a standstill at White Plains. These mistakes and Britain's far superior naval power led to decided British victories on Long Island and on Manhattan. For a variety of reasons, Washington and his generals made a number of mistakes during the engagements in the New York area. Washington Passing the DelawareĮven though his premonition eventually proved true, British intentions did not become clear until their fleet descended upon New York in August 1776. Besides, that is what he would have done had he been in Sir William Howe's shoes. Washington was almost certain that the British would attack New York, since that position was of critical importance for their operations both North and South. The major question after their evacuation was what they would do next. In the first eighteen months of armed conflict with the British (the conflict would not become a 'war for independence' until July 4, 1776), Washington had begun to create an army and forced the British army in Boston to evacuate that city in March 1776. Revolutionary War: Northern Front, 1775-1777

Next Section Revolutionary War: The Turning Point, 1776-1777.

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Long war 2