§ American & British War Aims, Strategy & Tactics:

¨ War Aims of Both Sides?

¨ Initial British Strategy & Tactics?

¨ American Rebel Strategy & Tactics?

¨ Contrast Strategies w/18^th Cent. Mil. Conventions;

§ Start of the War – Militia War:

¨ Both sides: “Minimum Force” & “Show of Force”

¨ American self-imposed restraint & its impact?

§ Unskilled Militia vs. small regular Army;

§ Opening Engagements:

¨ Lexington & Concord (Map):

§ British CinC’s (Gage) Military Objective;

§ Strategy/Tactics & Military Plan;

§ Execution of above;

§ Net Result & extent of success/failure;

¨ Significance of action & results;

¨ Bunker Hill (Map- p32):

§ Force Disposition & Battle Plan;

§ Plan/s Strategic Purpose & Objective;

§ Tactical victory vs. Strategic failure;

¨ Key American Lesson Learned from Bunker Hill;

§ Larger better trained force required;

§ Still not ready to create standing Army;

§ Selection of George Washington as CinC:

¨ Key choice for key reasons;

¨ Washington’s strategy (“first things first”);

¨ Occupation of Dorchester Heights (Map);

§ Revolutionary War Strategies:

¨ Amer Unconventional purpose & strategic objective;

¨ Brit CinC’s priorities contrast w/those of Britain;

¨ General Howe’s Strategy for 1776:

§ Territory, causalities, image => accept Gov.

§ General Howe’s Plan to accomplish Strategy;

¨ Washington’s Plan to defend New York:

§ Fortify NYC & occupy Brooklyn Heights;

§ Simplified tactics and doctrine;

§ Strategy to serve unconventional purpose;

¨ British enjoy significant advantage:

§ Powerful Fleet for support;

§ Experienced Commanders, Officers, & Vets;

§ Proven leadership qualities during 7 years war;

§ Troops: trained, disciplined, unit integrity;

§ Well established unity of command;

§ American forces lack all of above.

¨ Battle of Long Island (Map- p. 40):

§ Howe’s Battle Aim => drive Rebels out;

§ Force disposition – Amer defenses (Map);

§ Battle results against defensive position;

§ 1^st major engagement of war:

¨ Lack of British pursuit & exploitation;

¨ Successful retreat saves Cont. Army;

§ Strategies to Persuade: Trenton & Princeton:

¨ Howe strategy continues: territory & negot. Peace;

§ Strategic Purpose achieved with lmt success;

¨ Washington forced to abandon New York (Map-37);

§ Discouraged – desperate measures required;

¨ Howe disperses Army for winter => opportunity;

§ Washington’s raid on Trenton & Princeton (Map p 37):

¨ Trenton: Hessian Garrison of 1400 in winter qrters;

¨ Strategic purpose of attack?

¨ Tactics: Rapid concentration of force and surprise;

¨ Execution: (Christmas & “Boxing Day”)

§ Cross Delaware @ dusk w/2400 & 18 cannon;

§ Patrol to jump off point for early dawn raid;

§ Hessian’s caught by surprise & slow to react;

§ American #s, arty, surprise, & luck carry day;

¨ Result: Tactical – 948 Hessian pows, 114 kia/wia;

§ Strategic: morale & propaganda;

¨ Princeton: similar raid one week later on garrison;

§ Successfully escapes 5500 Regulars in pursuit;

§ Limited but adequate tactical success;

§ Major Strategic Impact of both raids:

¨ American morale & confidence soars;

¨ Brits rethink strategy of Intimidation;

¨ Howe’s strategy undermined;

¨ Seeks validation thru decisive battle;

§ Lead up to Saratoga – Overextended LOC (Map p. 45):

¨ Crown orders Canadian Army link up w/Howe;

§ Seeks decisive action on New Eng. frontiers;

§ Logistics delays hamper prompt response;

§ 2^nd in command (Burgoyne) blames Cmdr;

¨ Convinces Crown that he can comply;

¨ Burgoyne given command for expedition:

§ Assigned 7K regular infantry & transport;

§ Orders: proceed to Albany via Lake Champlain

¨ Trenton/Princeton’s negative impact on Washington:

§ Raised expectations of Congress;

§ Increased pressure for more & better results;

§ Washington still needs trained men & supplies;

¨ Avoids direct battle with British regulars;

¨ Focus attacks on British loyalists;

¨ Harass British foragers in fields;

¨ Battle of Brandywine Creek (Map p. 37):

§ Howe’s strategy to threaten Philly successful;

§ Washington forced to fight & block advance;

§ Results in a series of conventional defeats;

§ Chalked up to lack of experience & training;

§ Surrender at Saratoga – Quebec to Albany (Map p.45):

¨ Burgoyne’s extensive prep/logistics & delay;

§ Transport: men, food, supplies, arty, baggage;

¨ Embarks on Lake Champlain in late June, 1777.

§ Americans shadow advance & try to delay it;

¨ Burgoyne’s LOC becomes overextended on Hudson;

§ 300 miles from Quebec- source of supply;

§ British Foragers severely harassed;

§ Casualties mount with time & distance;

¨ Force reduced to 5500 actionable.

¨ Key Battles: Freeman’s Farm & Bemis Heights:

§ Americans (Gates) entrench to block advance;

§ Troop Disposition: (Map p. 49);

¨ Americans dug in on high ground;

¨ RF on Hudson – LF extends 1 mile west;

§ Burgoyne’s Tactical Objective & Plan:

¨ Turn American left flank;

¨ Plan: organize forces into 3 divisions:

¨ Riedesel w/1000 diverts on Amer RF;

¨ Burgoyne w/1100 advances ctr & left;

¨ Fraiser w/2200 turns Amer left flank;

§ American Disposition: Gates stays put & waits:

¨ Ignores Arnold’s advice to move fwd;

¨ Urges inexperienced men placed fwd;

¨ Refuse left flank to British attack;

¨ Execution- Battle of Freeman’s Farm (19 Sept ’77):

§ Amer Unit encounters/routes Brit picket on LF;

¨ Disordered pursuit => becomes routed;

¨ Arnold commits continentals on center;

¨ Engages in heavy fighting;

¨ Little support from Gates – unengaged;

¨ (Could of/ should of on Brit center);

§ Riedesel saves Brit Ctr w/arty & inf. assault;

¨ On own initiative attacks Arnold’s RF;

¨ Americans withdraw to defensive line;

§ Results: Brits hold battlefield – but that’s all:

¨ Brits: 600 Causalities ; Americans: 319;

¨ Burgoyne entrenches & awaits Clinton;

¨ Burgoyne situation grows desperate with time:

§ Supplies for 5500 will run out in 4 weeks;

§ Well entranced forces of Gates grow to 11K;

¨ Burgoyne considers his options:

§ No word from Clinton or promised diversion;

§ Forces difficult choices:

¨ Withdraw back the way he came;

¨ Attack outnumbered on fortified position;

§ Political factor: imprudent boast & pride;

¨ Take one more shot at breakthrough;

¨ Battle of Bemis Heights: Probe Gates’ LF & see:

§ Burgoyne decides to conduct Recon in Force;

§ 1500 men deployed on line facing southwest;

¨ Advance to ridges of Bemis Heights;

¨ Then stops to forage in wheat field;

§ Gates sees opportunity - attacks exposed flank;

¨ Routes Brits assisted by relieved Arnold;

§ Burgoyne forced to retreat w/600 causalities;

¨ Surrender at Saratoga:

§ Burgoyne continues retreat up Hudson;

§ Gates pursues, overtakes & surrounds;

§ Burgoyne surrenders on 17 Oct 1777;

¨ Give up weapons & march in captivity;

§ Brits also depart Lake Champlain & Hudson;

§ Tactical & Operational victory for Americans;

¨ Reasons for British Defeat at Saratoga:

§ Howe’s preoccupation w/Penn & Washington;

§ Lack of clear guidance & coordination;

§ Burgoyne’s slow conventional strategy;

§ Attendant logistical delays;

§ Persistent but poor judgment of cmdr;

¨ Force through to Albany no matter what;

§ Finally => Gate’s strategic caution & =>

¨ Anrnold’s aggressive tactics;

¨ Impact of American victory at Saratoga:

§ Impressive Tactical & Operational victory;

§ Significant strategic implications;

¨ Key Strategic Turning Point in War (why?):

§ Impact on British Army in North America;

§ Viability of American Revolution;

§ Political influence on Europe;

§ Impact on British Strategy:

¨ Howe replaced;

¨ Ministry orders changes - New Strategy?

¨ Role of Loyalists & British Navy;

§ Key Events force Brits to briefly modify New Strategy:

¨ (What Events & what is their impact?);

§ Washington emerges fm Valley Force much improved;

¨ Why?

§ Clinton resumes New Strategy:

¨ Commences Operations in South;

¨ Seeks Decisive Battle in North;

¨ Washington’s reaction?

§ Clinton departs New York for Charleston:

¨ Operational Results & Significance?

¨ Clinton’s 2^nd in Cmd (?) executes Southern Strategy;

§ Cornwallis commences Ops throughout Carolinas:

¨ Results of Expedition?

§ Rebel Army Problems Continue – (what?):

¨ Washington’s struggle to maintain army & morale;

Ø Key Battles of Southern Theater:

¨ Greene replaces Gates as CinC – Assessment?

¨ Forces Available & attendant limitations;

¨ Green’s Strategy & Cornwallis’ reaction;

§ Battle of Cowpens:

¨ British Commander & Force Composition;

¨ American Commander & Force Composition;

¨ Effective integration of Op. Strategy & Tactics;

¨ Execution, results, & Operational impact;

§ Cornwallis’ Reaction;

§ Guiford Court House:

¨ Greene’s Strategy wrt Cornwallis’ preoccupation;

¨ Execution: Greene’s use of Morgan’s Tactics;

¨ Results: British hold Battlefield – tactical victory?

§ Operational Impact: retreat to Wilmington;

§ Abandon Offensive Champagne in Carolinas;

§ Yorktown:

¨ Decision to establish Navy bases in Chesapeake;

¨ Washington’s desire to attack Clinton at New York:

§ Reconnaissance & reassessment;

¨ Role of French: Rochambeau & DeGrasse:

§ Role & significance of French Navy;

¨ Redeployment from North to South;

¨ Execution of Classic Conventional Strategy;

¨ Tactical Results;

¨ Operational, Strategic, and Political Impact;

§ Overall Assessment:

¨ Contrast of Amer. War of Independence w/Europe’s;

¨ Key tactical victories w/strategic significance;

¨ British strategic challenges:

§ Required adjustments to strategy & tactics;

§ Role of Royal Navy & Loyalists;

¨ American strategic challenges:

§ Required adjustments to strategy & tactics;

§ Role/professionalization of Continental Army;

§ Integration of Militia & Partisans:

¨ Simplification of tactics (Morgan);

¨ Tactical Adjustments adapted by both sides:

§ Small scale mobility;

§ Simplified tactics (favored Americans);

¨ Conventional Victory ended the war:

§ Collaboration of French & American Forces:

¨ Fr. Regulars, Continentals, & Militia;

¨ French Fleet in direct support;

¨ Key Contrast of American & Europe’s Wars:

§ Conquest vs. Conventional limited War;

§ Role of soldier, civilian, classes, methods blurred;

§ All classes served & support of people essential;