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The War in the North

In March 1776, the British drove the Americans out of New York. The American troops were outnumbered by British and Hessian troops.

Washington gathered his troops and won a surprise attack on Trenton (NJ)

The War in the North

On the night of Dec 25th, while the Hessians celebrated Christmas in Trenton houses, Washington’s army was leaving Pennsylvania and crossing the icy Delaware River in small boats.

From the Delaware River, the troops marched silently towards Trenton. The troops marched through a violent snowstorm. The Hessians were caught by surprise and surrendered. Not one American was killed in the attack. This victory sparked more volunteers to join the Continental Army.

Surprise Attack on Trenton

Washington Crossing The Delaware(1851) Emanuel Leutze

In 1777, British General John Burgoyne came up with a plan to end the war with a British victory.

He wanted to lead an army south from Canada into New York to capture the upper Hudson River valley.

Burgoyne fought his way to Saratoga(NY) on the Hudson River. There his troops were caught in a trap. Burgoyne admitted defeat to American Maj. General Horatio Gates on October 17, 1777.

Burgoyne’s defeat at the battle of Saratoga gained French and Spanish support for the American cause. Historians have called it the turning point in the war.

Gen. Burgoyne’s Plan

Burgoyne at the Battle of Saratoga

Dark days lay ahead for the Continental Army. Washington’s troops, wintering at Valley

Forge(PA), suffered greatly. That winter of 1777-1778 is known as the “Winter of Despair”, where one quarter(25%) of the 10,000 soldiers died from cold, starvation, and smallpox.

Valley Forge-Winter of Despair

Washington at Valley Forge

Valley Forge

Wherever Washington went to find supplies such as food and uniforms he was met by wartime profiteers.

Congress would not pay the high prices for food and clothing charged by profiteers.

Profiteers- people who demand unfair profits for their goods

In search of supplies

Despite all the misery, the army survived. General Washington put Baron Freidrich Von Steuben in charge of training the troops. Von Steuben arrived from the German region of Prussia. His methods worked wonders.

With the training from Von Steuben and a bond of loyalty with Washington, the army survived.

The Continental Army Survives

Freidrich Von Steuben