February 6, 1778
Treaty of Amity and Commerce with France
This treaty establishes commercial relations between the United States and France while additionally providing de facto recognition of the fledgling republic. Neither will conclude a separate peace with the British.February 23, 1778
Freidrich Von Steuben arrives at Valley Forge
Baron Von Steuben, both a bogus general and baron, of Prussia arrives at Washington’s encampment. He commences training soldiers in close order drill and instills new confidence in the demoralized Continental army.February 25, 1778
Americans capture Fort Sackville at Vincennes (Indiana)
George Rodgers Clark, leading a force of approximately 150 colonials, covers almost 200 miles of land covered by deep and icy water. After threatening to offer no quarter, Rodgers secures the surrender of the British garrison. This is the beginning of the end of British domination of America’s western frontier.
March 13, 1778
British government informed of France’s recognition of the United States
The French ambassador informs the British that France now recognizes the United States. This is a virtual declaration of war but hostilities do not commence immediately.March 16, 1778
Peace commission created by the British
The House of Commons creates a peace commission to negotiate with the American patriots because of France’s recognition of the United States. This commission travels to Philadelphia and accedes to all demands except for independence. The Continental Congress rejects their offer.March 18, 1778
Engagement at Quintin’s Bridge, New Jersey
A mixed force of British regular and irregular troops engages a 300-man force of Continental militia killing between 30 and 40, most of which drowned attempting to flee, while only losing one of their own.March 20, 1778
Louis XVI receives Franklin, Deane, and Lee
Benjamin Franklin, Silas Deane, and Arthur Lee present themselves to the French king as representatives of the United States. Louis XVI is skeptical of the fledgling republic, especially during a period of economic prosperity, but French mistrust of the British overcomes these concerns and France officially recognizes the United States.March 21, 1778
Massacre at Hancock’s Bridge, New Jersey
The same British forces that assaults Quintin’s Bridge surprise the Continentals at Hancock’s Bridge. In this engagement they not only kill several rebels, but inadvertently several known Loyalists.
April 8, 1778
John Adams arrives in Paris
Adams replaces Deane as a member of the commission representing the interests of the United States in France. Lee believes that Deane is misappropriating French funds. Later, it is discovered that Deane is also passing information along to the British.April 12, 1778
Carlisle peace commission appointed to negotiate with the Continental Congress
William Eden, a career politician, George Johnstone, a naval officer and partisan for America, and Frederick Howard, Earl of Carlisle, are tasked in an attempt to prevent a Franco-American alliance from being created. Johnstone tries to bribe some Congressmen and Lafayette challenges Carlisle to a duel during this ill-fated British attempt to end hostilities.April 22, 1778
Continental Congress responds to British peace efforts
The Continental Congress declares that “the United States cannot hold with propriety any conference or treaty with any commissioners on the part of Great Britain unless they as a preliminary thereto, either withdraw their fleets and armies or else in positive and express terms acknowledge of the said states.”April 22-23, 1778
American naval raid on Whitehaven, England
John Paul Jones leads a detachment from the U.S.S. Ranger, setting 3 ships on fire while also spiking the guns of two forts protecting the port. Later in the day, Jones attempts to capture the Earl of Selkirk at St. Mary’s Isle but fails. These only American assaults during the Revolution on the British Isles lead to consternation in Parliament.
May 1, 1788
Engagement at Crooked Billet, Pennsylvania
Continental troops position themselves here to interdict the British supply lines leading into Philadelphia. A British force of over 700 men surrounds the outpost and launches a surprise assault, the Continentals inflicting 36 casualties while incurring 9 of their own. The American commander Brigadier General John Lacey skillfully manages to extricate his vastly outnumbered force although he loses all his baggage in the process.May 20, 1788
Battle of Barren Hill, Pennsylvania
British forces from Philadelphia attempt to trap the Continentals led by the Marquis de Lafayette. Lafayette, by skillful maneuvering, avoids the entrapment and destruction of his forces.
June 17, 1778
War commences between France and England
Vice Admiral Augustus Keppel fires on two French frigates off the coast of England officially starting war between the two nations.June 19, 1778
Washington’s army departs Valley Forge, Pennsylvania
After spending a demoralizing winter at this encampment, Washington leads his men out, discovering that the British have abandoned Philadelphia after they learn of France’s entry into the war.June 28, 1778
Battle of Monmouth, New Jersey
This is the last important engagement in the North during the war and also the longest action of the war. Many contradictions exist in contemporary accounts. Numerous casualties are caused by sunstroke on either side. However, the Americans maintain control of the battlefield as the British withdraw.
July 2, 1778
Continental Congress returns to Philadelphia
Congress returns to Philadelphia after the British evacuate the city in June.
July 3, 1778
Wyoming Valley Massacre, Pennsylvania
As a result of numerous Loyalists being imprisoned, a mixed force of British and Indians, numbering 900, and commanded by Major John Butler, routs a force of colonials. Over 200 colonial militia lose their lives and scalps at a cost of 3 deaths in the combined Loyalist forces.July 4, 1778
George Rodgers Clark captures Kaskaskia, Illinois (Ohio Country)
This is an important British outpost on the Mississippi but the troops defending it are recalled to Detroit. French inhabitants surrender to Clark without a shot being fired and ally themselves to the colonial cause.July 6, 1778
The capture of Cahokia
This outpost, north of Kasakaskia, also falls to Captain Joseph Bowman, who is dispatched by George Rodgers Clark. The majority of its French inhabitants here, to the consternation of the British, also embrace the colonial cause.July 6, 1778
Battle of Grenada, West Indies
The French, led by Admiral Comte D’Estaing, capture the island while also beating off a British counterattack led by Admiral John Bryon. The British lose 7 of their 21 ships during this engagement.July 8, 1778
Washington establishes his headquarters at West Point
General Washington establishes his headquarters at a strategic point that dominates the Hudson River. Polish engineer Thaddeus Kosciusko plays a significant role in the construction of the fortifications.July 27, 1778
Battle of Ushant
The French, commanded by Admiral Louis D’Orvilliers, engage the English fleet under the command of Admiral Augustus Keppel. Although the French fleet suffers twice as much damage the British, they prevent the British from launching an invasion of France. Keppel is later court-martialed but exonerated for his actions during the battle.
July 29 - August 31, 1778
Rhode Island Campaign of 1778
This campaign is a Franco-American failure. D’Estaing, unable to come to grips with the British fleet, establishes contact with the Continentals. The American failure on land is attributed to the French who become scapegoats for the debacle although the numerical losses are negligible.
September 13, 1778
Raid on German Flats, New York
This town, now known as Herkimer, is attacked by Iroquois led by Chief Joseph Brant, who leads a force of 150 Indians and 300 Loyalists. Although the town, consisting of about 70 buildings, is burned to the ground, only 3 individuals die in the engagement.September 27-28, 1778
Massacre at Old Tappan, New Jersey
The British send a strong force commanded by Major General Charles Grey to forage on the Hudson. Lt. Col. George Tappan, commanding 100 Continental soldiers, is surprised during the night by these British, who are possibly led by Loyalist guides. The Americans lose 30 killed and another 50 captured.
October 4-5, 1778
Raid on Mincock Island (Egg Harbor), New Jersey
A combined force of British regulars and Loyalists attempts to eradicate this nest of privateers a few miles north of what is today Atlantic City. About 50 colonials die in a surprise attack in the darkness before driving off the British and capturing some of them.October 8, 1778
Raid on Unadilla
In reprisal for the destruction of German Flats, a group of Continental soldiers and frontiersmen marches against the Iroquois town of Unadilla, located 50 miles west of German Flats. The Iroquois have previously fled and the patriots destroy the village.
November 11, 1778
Cherry Valley Massacre, New York
This is a brilliant military move by a combined Loyalist and Indian force. It is made possible by incompetent colonial leadership. Col. Ichabod Alden refuses to believe intelligence about an approaching hostile force. Attacking in the snow, the Loyalists and Indians kill more than 40 colonials and take more than 70 as prisoners. There are conflicting stories as to what actually transpires.
December 17, 1778
Fort Sackville recaptured by the British
Lieutenant-Governor Henry Hamilton, also a Lieutenant Colonel in His Majesty’s armed forces, retakes Fort Sackville. Hamilton displays leadership skills heading a combined force of 175 white soldiers along with 60 Indians and takes the fort virtually unopposed.December 29, 1778
The British Capture Savannah, Georgia
A force comprising 3,600 British regulars defeats a mixed colonial force of 900 men. Once again, the poor leadership of the colonials is partly the reason for their defeat. The colonials lose 83 men killed and another 483 captured while the British lose 3 men killed and another 10 wounded.