Chapter 2 American Revolution 1 War of American Independence American British War Aims War Aims of Both Sides gain people s Both destroy or preserve and create or destroy what American British Strategy Tactics Initial British Strategy Tactics American Rebel Strategy Tactics Contrast two Strategies w 18th Cent Mil Conventions Militia of people vs set piece engagement combined arms Start of the War Militia War Both sides Minimum Force Brit Show of Force American British self imposed restraint its impact Unskilled Militia vs small well trained regular Army 2 Opening Engagements Lexington Concord Map British CinC s Gage Military Objective Concord Magazine Strategy Tactics Military Plan Execution march through Lexington then on to Concord Net Result extent of success failure Brits suffer CAS Significance of action results emboldens Rebels Who also learn wrong lesson 3 Boston 1775 4 Bunker Hill Opening Engagement 16 17 June Force Disposition Rebels 3200 Mass NH CN Brits Howe w 1500 2500 Battle Plan Feign attack on Rebel redoubt Attack NE flank along Mystic Plan s Strategic Purpose Objective Rebels force Brits to abandon Boston but have few arty British Objective Drive Rebels out of Charlestown Neck Strategic aim Demonstrate British invincibility 5 Bunker Hill Execution BDA Execution Rebels blunt Howe s flanking attack Force Howe to convert his feint to the Rebel center into costly frontal attack Howe leads 3 attacks before taking Breed Hill Americans retreat to Bunker Hill out of ammo Battle Results significance Costly Tactical victory at cost of 1054 British CAS to 400 American CAS Strategic failure Americans were not over awed of British might Key American Lesson Learned Larger better trained equipped force required But Americans still not ready to create standing Army yet Howe becomes cautious of future costly tactical victories 6 Washington Takes Command Selection of George Washington as CinC Key choice for key reasons Washington s strategy Personally desires decisive engagement but first things first organize equip train Acquire needed men weapons powder cannon first Siege of Boston British are completely cut off except for sparse Naval re supply Howe now CinC maritime LOC vulnerable if Navy threatened But Rebels need guns and firing position to pose an actual threat Col Henry Knox proposes retrieving guns from Ft Ticonderoga Rebels must occupy what position to force Brits out 7 Siege of Boston American Occupation of Dorchester Heights Map Well executed deployment in front of but unseen by Brits at night Men cannon deploy construct works throughout the night By morning Howe his troops ships awake to threat of Rebel guns 8 Dorchester Heights Results Howe forced to abandon Boston why at risk British Army departs by ship for Halifax Prepare for future major engagement NYC Rebels morale soars Forced Brits to W D Washington moves to protect New York Rebels redeploy south Raise defense strong works around New York 9 Contrasting Strategies Revolutionary War Strategies American Unconventional purpose strategic objective Win hearts minds of the people to the cause of freedom Howe s priorities contrast w those of British government Howe promote negotiated settlement restore Brit empire General Howe s Strategy for 1776 Take territory minimize causalities invincible image Convince Americans to accept British Government General Howe s Plan to accomplish this Strategy 10 Howe s Initial Plan Howe s Plan to accomplish above strategy Capture NYC occupy Hudson River Valley Capture Rhode Island Send detachments to raid coast fm NY to Maine then Push North along Hudson join Canadian Army Encircle cut off New England Attack Massachusetts s western frontiers Lure Washington into decisive Battle to end war Lord Howe convinces his brother to modify plan General Howe s new plan 11 General Howe s Modified Plan Gradual incremental recovery of territory Aim project British image of invincibility Minimize causalities on both sides Use only just enough force to prevail Encourage negotiated political settlement on Crown s terms Problem with above no authority to negotiate Meanwhile Washington prepares to defend NY Fortify NYC Long Island Brooklyn Heights Occupy Brooklyn Heights but hold back main reserve Concern that Brits would land main attack further North Simplified tactics and doctrine necessary Militia Military Strategy to serve unconventional purpose 12 British Advantages British enjoy significant advantage Powerful Fleet for operational logistic support Experienced Commanders Officers trained Vets Proven leadership qualities during Seven Years War Troops trained disciplined professional unit integrity Well established unity of command American forces lack all of above Role of Command of the Seas WRT New York Key to New York is Long Island The Key to Long Island is holding Brooklyn Heights Can New York be held without a strong Navy 13 Battle of Long Island Howe s Battle Aim Drive Rebels out of NY Force disposition 3K Americans spread 6 miles along Guana Heights 9K on Brooklyn Heights in reserve Howe had total force of 32K of which 15K would attack Long Island British Clinton s Plan 5K Demo on American right flank 5K Hessians hold Rebel Center Main force 10K flank unprotected Rebel left at Jamaica pass 1st major engagement of the war Americans soundly defeated But Howe failed to exploit it Surprise night retreat across Hudson saves Washington s Army Early morning fog helps too Army survives to fight again 14 Impact of British Victory at Long Island The Howes persist in their strategy Recover territory encourage peace negotiations Thru series of turning movements forces further retreat Washington forced to abandon NYC untenable Divides his forces and tries to halt further British advance up the Hudson Howe s strategic purpose met Is British invincibility image re enforced No decisive victory achieved But series of limited engagements successful Howe Hessians capture Fort Washington 2000 men lost Americans forced to abandon Fort Lee without a shot fired Howe gradually evicts Americans from NY NJ RI Adm Lord Howe offers pardons to all taking loyalty oath 5000 accept offer take pledge in NY NJ Newport For the Americans it s a time that tries men s souls A long retreat across NJ the Delaware into PA begins 15 The Long Retreat Militia enlistments up soon desperate measures required opportunity when 16 Desperate Gamble Washington s raid on Trenton Howe pursues Washington relentlessly across New Jersey Then