Revolutionary War Timeline

1775

19 April 1775
Lexington, MA
The first shots were fired in the Revolution. “The shot heard ’round the world.”
19 April 1775
Concord, MA
American militia defeated British regulars.
10 May 1775
Fort Ticonderoga, NY
Americans captured the fort and its artillery.
17 June 1775
Bunker Hill, MA
British drove Americans from Bunker Hill.
3 July 1775George Washington assumes command of the Continental Army.
10-21 Nov. 1775
Ninety-Six, SC
Patriots were sieged by Tories. Ended in a truce.
11 Dec. 1775
Great Bridge, VA
Virginia and North Carolina patriots routed Loyalist troops and burned Norfolk
22 Dec. 1775
Great Canebrake, SC
Col.Thomson with 1500 rangers and militia captured a force of Loyalists.
23-30 Dec. 1775
Snow Campaign, SC
During a campaign against Loyalists in the Upcountry Patriot militia was impeded by 15″ of snow.

1776

1 Jan. 1776
Quebec, PQ
Daniel Morgan was involved in an attempt to take Quebec City. Morgan was taken prisoner.
27 Feb. 1776
Moore’s Creek, NC
North Carolina militia defeated Loyalist Scots inflicting heavy casualties.
17 Mar. 1776
Boston Evacuated, MA
British Navy moved to Halifax, NS, Canada and Washington’s Army occupied Boston.
8 June 1776
Three Rivers, PQ
Patriot attempt to take the British position failed.
28 June 1776
Sullivan’s Island, SC.
British naval attack failed when the palmetto logs held against the bombardment.
1 July 1776
Cherokee Attack
Incited by British royal agents, the Cherokee attacked along the entire southern frontier.
15 July 1776
Lyndley’s Fort, SC
Patriots defended against attack by Indians and Tories dressed as Indians.
1 Aug. 1776
Seneca, SC
Ambushed by Cherokees, Patriot forces were saved by a mounted charge.
10 Aug. 1776
Tugaloo River, SC
Cherokees were defeated by Andrew Pickens.
Aug. 1776
Ring Fight, SC ?
200 Cherokees attacked Andrew Pickens and 25 militia. From a circle, firing in turn, the patriots held off attackers until a rescue force arrived
12 Aug. 1776
Tamassy, SC
Col. Williamson and Andrew Pickens defeated a large Cherokee war party and burned the Indian town, Tamassy.
27 Aug. 1776
Long Island, NY
George Washington’s army was defeated but escaped by night in the fog.
16 Sept. 1776
Harlem Heights, NY
Nathanael Greene was involved in the engagement against the British and Hessians. British driven back to their lines.
19 Sept. 1776
Coweecho River, NC
Col. Williamson’s patriots were attacked by Cherokees south of (now) Franklin, NC in a gorge known as the Black Hole. Americans eventually cleared the pass.
11 Oct. 1776
Valcour Island, NY
With makeshift boats on Lake Champlain, Benedict Arnold engaged a British squadron. Arnold was defeated but delayed the British until it was too close to winter to continue their campaign.
28 Oct. 1776
White Plains, NY
British and Hessians (4,000) attacked Americans (1,600) and defeated them but British casualties (300) exceeded the Americans (200).
16 Nov. 1776
Fort Washington, NY
American commander surrendered Fort Washington to the Hessians.
20 Nov. 1776
Fort Lee, NJ
Lord Cornwallis captured Fort Lee. Nathanael Greene abandoned the position.
26 Dec. 1776
Battle of Trenton, NJ
George Washington crossed the Delaware River and surprised the Hessian brigade and defeated it.

1777

3 Jan. 1777
Princeton, NJ
Washington defeated the British brigade.
20 May 1777
Treaty of DeWitt’s Corner, SC
Cherokees sued for peace and lost most of their land east of the mountains.
6 Aug. 1777
Oriskany, NY
British column with Iroquois warriors attack from Oswego. Rescue troops ambushed.
16 Aug. 1777
Battle of Bennington, VT
British General John Burgoyne detached Hessians, British regulars, Loyalists, and Iroquois against Bennington. American militia attacked and defeated the British.
23 Aug. 1777
Fort Stanwix, NY
Benedict Arnold intended to siege the fort but the Indians and Loyalists deserted and the British retired.
11 Sept. 1777
Brandywine, PA
Americans under George Washington were defeated but retreated in good order.
19 Sept. – 17 Oct. 1777
Saratoga, NY
General John Burgoyne surrendered his British Army to American Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates.
21 Sept. 1777
Paoli, PA.
British troops attack with bayonets and surprised the Americans. Americans called it the “Paoli Massacre.”
4 Oct. 1777
Germantown, PA.
4 Oct. 1777 American attack on British positions failed.
Winter 1777-78
Valley Forge, PA
Winter camp at Valley Forge under terrible conditions.

1778

6 February 1778France signed a treaty with the Continental Congress which would provide troops, ships, and supplies to America.
18 June 1778
Philadelphia, PA
British abandoned Philadelphia and moved to New York.
28 June 1778
Monmouth Court House, NJ
American troops held the field but it was not a clear-cut victory. Dr. Lumpkin writes that this “was the last major set battle between American and British regular forces in the northern theatre of the war.”
4 July 1778
Kaskaskia, IL
Town captured by Col. George Rogers Clark.
29 Dec. 1778
Savannah, GA.
The first event of the Southern Campaign.

1779

3 Feb. 1779
Port Royal Island, SC
Maj. Gen. Moultrie defeated the British detachment.
14 Feb. 1779
Kettle Creek, GA
Andrew Pickens and Elijah Clarke and their Georgia and Carolina militia defeated North Carolina Loyalist militia who were traveling to Augusta to join the British forces.
24 Feb. 1779
Vincennes, IN
Loyalists and Indians recaptured Vincennes, but George Rogers Clark forced them to retreat.
3 Mar. 1779
Brier Creek, GA
British Lt.Col. Prevost defeated Americans under Gen. John Ashe.
11-13 May 1779
Siege of Charleston, SC
Maj. Gen. A. Prevost had to break his siege when American forces under Maj.Gen.Lincoln approached.
20 June 1779
Stono River, SC
Maj. Gen. Lincoln engaged a British rear guard. The Battle was indecisive but many casualties.
16 July 1779
Stony Point, NY
16 July 1779 Americans attacked with bayonets only. Extensive British casualties.
29 Aug. 1779
Newtown, NY
29 Aug. 1779 After 2 terrible massacres, American forces moved into Indian territory and burned villages. Iroquois and Seneca power was diminished although they remained hostile.
July-Aug. 1779
Castine, ME
American attempt to dislodge the British along the Penobscot River failed.
19 Aug. 1779
Paulus Hook, NJ
A successful American surprise attack on a British outpost.
16 Sept.-19 Oct 1779
Savannah,GA
American Army under Maj. Gen. Lincoln failed to dislodge the British from Savannah.

1780

29 Mar –12 May 1780
Siege of Charleston, SC
Maj. Gen. Lincoln surrendered the town and his entire army.
14 April 1780
Monck’s Corner, SC
Lt. Col. Banastre Tarleton scattered American militia.
6 May 1780
Lenud’s Ferry, SC
Lt. Col. Banastre Tarleton dispersed American cavalry.
29 May 1780
Waxhaws, SC
Lt. Col. Banastre Tarleton and his Loyalist Legion bayoneted 113 Continental soldiers of Col. Buford’s Virginia unit. Known as Buford’s Massacre.
5 June 1780Lord Cornwallis assumes command of the British Army in the South.
20 June 1780
Ramsour’s Mill, NC
Patriot forces defeated Loyalist forces, ultimately resulting in the loss of Loyalist support in North Carolina.
12 July 1780
Williamson’s Plantation, SC
Patriot forces of Thomas Sumter’s command defeated Loyalist Christian Huck and his forces. Huck was killed.
12 July 1780
Cedar Springs, SC
Spartan regiment of South Carolina Patriots ambushed Loyalist attacking party.
13 July 1780
Gowen’s Old Fort, SC
Georgia Patriots attacked the Loyalist camp and defeated them.
25 July 1780General Horatio Gates assumes command of the Southern Continental Army.
30 July 1780
Rocky Mount, SC
Thomas Sumter’s troops attacked the British post but were forced to withdraw.
30 July 1780
Hanging Rock I, SC
North Carolina Royalists were attacked by North Carolina Patriots who succeeded in capturing weapons and horses.
6 Aug. 1780
Hanging Rock II, SC
Thomas Sumter attacked the British post and inflicted heavy casualties but was forced to retreat.
15 Aug 1780
Kershaw County, SC
Patriot militia attacked and captured Carey’s Fort and took a supply convoy from Ninety-Six.
16 Aug 1780
Battle of Camden, SC
Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates and the Continental Army were badly defeated by Lord Cornwallis and the British forces.
18 Aug.1780
Fishing Creek, SC
Lt. Col. Banastre Tarleton surprised Thomas Sumter’s command and defeated it.
18 Aug. 1780
Musgrove’s Mill, SC
Frontier riflemen and militiamen lured the British into an ambush and defeated them.
25 Aug. 1780
Nelson’s Ferry, SC
Francis Marion attacked a British convoy and released 150 Americans who had been taken prisoner at the Battle of Camden.
4 Sept. 1780
Blue Savannah, SC
Francis Marion led British Loyalists into an ambush and defeated them.
14-18 Sept. 1780
McKay’s Trading Post, GA.
Elijah Clarke attacked the post but was driven off when the British relief column arrived. American prisoners taken were hanged or turned over to the Cherokees to be tortured and killed.
21 Sept. 1780
Wahab’s Plantation, NC
Lt. Col. Davie attacked Banastre Tarleton and captured horses and equipment.
26 Sept. 1780
Charlotte, NC
Lt. Col. Davie and 150 American soldiers ambushed Tarleton’s Legion at Charlotte but were driven off by reinforcements.
28-29 Sept. 1780
Black Mingo, SC
Francis Marion attacked a Loyalist encampment and drove them into the swamp.
7 Oct. 1780
Kings Mountain, SC
Frontier militia from North Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, and South Carolina surrounded Patrick Ferguson’s force at Kings Mountain and defeated them. This was a decisive victory for the Patriots and a turning point in the Revolutionary War.
25 Oct. 1780
Tearcoat Swamp, SC
Francis Marion routed a Loyalist force under Tynes.
9 Nov. 1780
Fish Dam Ford, SC
A search and destroy mission by the British was intended to murder Thomas Sumter. A night attack failed and the British retreated leaving their wounded.
20 Nov. 1780
Blackstocks, SC
Lt. Col. Banastre Tarleton pushed his cavalry in pursuit of Thomas Sumter and attacked. The British were beaten back with heavy casualties.
2 Dec. 1780General Nathanael Greene assumes command of the Southern Army.
12 Dec. 1780
Long Cane, SC
Attack by Americans against a British force four times their number resulted in Georgia militia leader, Elijah Clarke, sustaining serious wounds.
12 Dec. 1780
Halfway Swamp& Singleton’s Mill SC
Francis Marion engaged a large Loyalist group which retreated. An attempt to trap the Loyalists at Singleton’s Mill failed when it was discovered that the Singleton family had smallpox.
30 Dec. 1780
Hammond’s Store, SC
Brig. Gen. Daniel Morgan sent Col. William Washington with Continental Dragons and mounted militia to attack Georgia Loyalists. The Loyalists suffered 150 casualties.

1781

17 Jan. 1781
The Battle of Cowpens
Brig. Gen. Daniel Morgan defeated Lt. Col. Banastre Tarleton and his army of British regulars. This is the turning point of the Revolution, as British troops never recovered from this defeat.
24-25 Jan. 1781
Georgetown, SC
Francis Marion and Light Horse Harry Lee captured Georgetown.
1 Feb. 1781
Cowan’s Ford, NC
North Carolina militia was defeated as they attempted to prevent Lord Cornwallis from crossing the Catawba River.
1 Feb. 1781
Tarrant’s Tavern, NC
Tarleton’s Legion charged a force of North Carolina militia with sabers inflicting heavy casualties.
25 Feb. 1781
Haw River, NC
North Carolina Loyalists were tricked into believing that they were being reviewed by Tarleton when they actually had encountered Lt. Col. Lee whose Continental Legion wore green jackets as did Tarleton’s men. Lee ordered a saber attack and butchered the Loyalists. This tended to intimidate the Loyalists in that area.
6 Mar. 1781
Wiboo Swamp, SC
Francis Marion began a retreating action that thwarted the British column led by Col. Watson.
March 1781
Mount Hope Swamp, SC
Col. Hugh Horry’s troop held the area while Marion withdrew.
Mar 1781
Lower Bridge of the Black River, SC
McCottrey’s Rifles, a unit of Marion’s Brigade, inflicted heavy casualties on Tynes with deadly accurate fire from long rifles.
March 1781
Snows Island, SC
While Marion was fighting Tynes, another British unit attacked his camp at Snows Island. Defenders destroyed all the supplies before they fled the position.
15 March 1781
Battle of Guilford Court House, NC
Maj. Gen. Nathanael Greene opposed Lord Cornwallis. Greene retreated in good order leaving the field to Cornwallis. Although the British technically won that battle, Cornwallis lost 28% of his army in the encounter.
28 Mar. 1781
Sampit Bridge, SC
Marion’s Brigade, still pursued by Tynes, now forced Tynes to retreat. Marion followed and destroyed the rear guard as they attempted to cross the river.
15-23 April 1781
Fort Watson, SC
Lee and his Legion joined Marion in a siege of Fort Watson which was built on an Indian mound. A tall log tower was erected with a platform on top shielding riflemen who overlooked the fort. British surrendered.
25 April 1781
Hobkirk Hill, SC
Nathanael Greene and the Continental Army engaged the British forces under Lord Rawdon who won the field. Greene retreated
8-12 May 1781
Fort Motte, SC
Lee and Marion forced the British out of the post by setting it on fire.
10 May 1781
Camden, SC
Lord Rawdon evacuated Camden. It was leave or starve.
11 May 1781
Orangeburg, SC
Thomas Sumter took Orangeburg.
15 May 1781
Fort Granby, SC
Lee captured Fort Granby without resistance
19 May 1781
Fort Galphin, SC
Lee’s Legion captured the fort with all the Indian goods confiscated.
22 May-19 June 1781
Siege of Ninety-Six
Maj. Gen. Greene’s siege was terminated by the arrival of British reinforcements.
4 June 1781
Charlottesville, VA
A surprise raid by Tarleton captured seven members of the Virginia legislature. Governor Thomas Jefferson barely escaped
5 June 1781
Augusta, GA
Lt. Col. Lee and Patriot leaders Elijah Clarke and Andrew Pickens forced the British to surrender the fort.
26 June 1781
Williamsburg, VA
The engagement was indecisive but American troops were commanded by French Marquis Lafayette. Green Springs Plantation, VA 6 July 1781 Marquis Lafayette attacked a superior British force and was defeated.
16 July 1781
Biggin Church, SC
British forces attacked Thomas Sumter but the attack was broken and the British retreated.
17 July 1781
Quinby Bridge, SC
Sumter, Marion, and Lee engaged the British but were unable to force a retreat.
2 Aug. 1781
Georgetown, SC
A British raiding party landed and burned several houses.
4 Aug. 1781
Execution of Isaac Hayne
The British hanged Col. Isaac Hayne in Charleston as a warning to patriots. It had the opposite effect.
19 Aug. 1781
Washington Marches South
Washington moves to combine American and French forces. French Naval Fleet engages British Fleet on the Chesapeake Bay. This leaves Cornwallis stranded at Yorktown.
6 Sept. 1781
New London, CT
British burn New London.
8 Sept. 1781
Eutaw Springs, SC
Greene’s Continental Army with the addition of militia fought a bloody battle. Although not victorious, the Americans inflicted and sustained heavy losses.
12 Sept. 1781
Hillsboro, NC
North Carolina Loyalists captured 200 American prisoners including NC Governor Thomas Burke. Loyalist leader, MacNeil, was killed in the raid.
28 Sept. –17 Oct. 1781
Yorktown, VA
Washington conducts a siege at Yorktown.
3 Oct.1781
Gloucester, VA
Tarleton’s last action was protecting a British foraging party.
19 October 1781Cornwallis surrenders his army.
17 Nov. 1781
Clouds Creek, SC
Bloody Bill Cunningham slaughters a Patriot force of 30.
18 Nov. 1781
Wilmington, NC
British evacuate Wilmington.
19 Nov. 1781
Hayes’s Station, SC
Cunningham kills a patriot force of 15.

1782

14 Feb. 1782
Wambaw Creek, SC
Marion’s Brigade was defeated by Thomson.
25 Feb. 1782
Tydiman’s Plantation, SC
Marion’s Brigade was again defeated by Thomson.
11 July 1782
Savannah, GA
British evacuate Savannah.
29 Aug. 1782
Fair Lawn Plantation, SC
Marion’s last engagement against South Carolina Royal Dragoons. Marion retreated.
27 Aug. 1782
Combahee River, SC
John Laurens was killed by an Ambush.
16 Sept. – 17 Oct. 1782
Last Cherokee Campaign
Andrew Pickens and Elijah Clarke with 414 men marched against raiding Cherokees. Chiefs made a temporary peace agreement which was ratified by Georgia.
14 Dec. 1782
Charleston, SC
Charleston was evacuated by the British. Leaving with them were 3,800 Loyalists and 5,000 slaves.

1783

25 Nov. 1783
New York, NY
The British forces evacuate New York and Brooklyn, the last British troops to leave the colonies.
15 April, 1783
Provisional Peace Treaty ratified
The Second Treaty of Paris
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