Revolutionary War Timeline

1775

Lexington, MA	19 April 1775	First shots fired in the Revolution. “The shot heard ’round the world.” On April 14, 1959, Congress recognized the importance of Lexington and Concord by creating Minute Man National Historical Park.
Concord, MA	19 April 1775	American militia defeated British regulars.
Fort Ticonderoga, NY	10 May 1775	Americans captured fort and its artillery.
Bunker Hill, MA	17 June 1775	British drove Americans from Bunker Hill. On October 1, 1974, Congress recognized the importance of Bunker Hill by creating Boston National Historical Park.
	3 July 1775	George Washington assumed command of Continental Army.
Ninety-Six, SC	10-21 Nov. 1775	Patriots sieged by Tories. Ended in truce. On August 19, 1976 Congress recognized the importance of Ninety Six by creating Ninety Six National Historic Site.
Great Bridge, VA	9 Dec. 1775	Virginia and North Carolina patriots routed Loyalist troops and burned Norfolk
Great Canebrake, SC	22 Dec. 1775	Col.Thomson with 1500 rangers and militia captured a force of Loyalists.
Snow Campaign, SC	23-30 Dec. 1775	During campaign against Loyalists in the Upcountry Patriot militia impeded by 15" of snow.

Dr. Christine Swager researched this timeline and based it on Lumpkin, Henry. From Savannah to Yorktown: The American Revolution in the South. New York, NY: Paragon House. 1981.

 

1776

Quebec, PQ	1 Jan. 1776	Daniel Morgan involved in an attempt to take Quebec City. Morgan taken prisoner.
Moore’s Creek, NC	27 Feb. 1776	North Carolina militia defeated Loyalist Scots inflicting heavy casualties. On June 2, 1926, Congress recognized the importance of Moore's Creek by creating Moore's Creek National Battlefield.
Boston Evacuated, MA	17 Mar. 1776	British Navy moved to Halifax, NS, Canada and Washington’s Army occupied Boston.
Three Rivers, PQ	8 June 1776	Patriot attempt to take British position failed.
Sullivan’s Island, SC.	28 June 1776	British naval attack failed when the palmetto logs held against the bombardment. On September 7, 1960, Congress recognized the importance of the battle on Sullivan's Island by creating Fort Moultrie National Monument as part of FortSumpterNational Monument.
Cherokee Attack	1 July 1776	Incited by British royal agents, the Cherokee attacked along the entire southern frontier.
Lyndley’s Fort, SC	15 July 1776	Patriots defended against attack by Indians and Tories dressed as Indians.
Seneca, SC	1 Aug. 1776	Ambushed by Cherokees, Patriot forces saved by a mounted charge.
Tugaloo River, SC	10 Aug. 1776	Cherokees defeated by Andrew Pickens.
Ring Fight, SC	Aug. 1776	200 Cherokees attacked Andrew Pickens and 25 militia. From a circle, firing in turn, the patriots held off attackers until a rescue force arrived
Tamassy, SC	12 Aug. 1776	Col. Williamson and Andrew Pickens defeated large Cherokee war party and burned the Indian town, Tamassy.
Long Island, NY	27 Aug. 1776	George Washington’s army defeated but escaped by night in the fog.
Harlem Heights, NY	16 Sept. 1776	Nathanael Greene involved in engagement against British and Hessians. British driven back to their lines.
Coweecho River, NC	19 Sept. 1776	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.
Valcour Island, NY	11 Oct. 1776	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.
White Plains, NY	28 Oct. 1776	British and Hessians (4,000) attacked Americans (1,600) and defeated them but British casualties (300) exceeded the Americans (200).
Fort Washington, NY	16 Nov. 1776	American commander surrendered FortWashington to the Hessians.
Fort Lee, NJ	20 Nov. 1776	Lord Cornwallis captured Fort Lee. Nathanael Greene abandoned the position.
Battle of Trenton, NJ	26 Dec. 1776	George Washington crossed the Delaware River and surprised Hessian brigade and defeated it.

Dr. Christine Swager researched this timeline and based it on Lumpkin, Henry. From Savannahto Yorktown: The American Revolution in the South. New York, NY: Paragon House. 1981.

 

1777

Princeton, NJ	3 Jan. 1777	Washington defeated British brigade.
Treaty of DeWitt’s Corner, SC	20 May 1777	Cherokees sued for peace and lost most of their land east of the mountains.
Oriskany, NY	6 Aug. 1777	British column with Iroquois warriors attack from Oswego. Rescue troops ambushed.
Battle of Bennington, VT	16 Aug. 1777	British General John Burgoyne detached Hessians, British regulars, Loyalists and Iroquois against Bennington. American militia attacked and defeated the British.
Fort Stanwix, NY	23 Aug. 1777	Benedict Arnold intended to siege the fort but the Indians and Loyalists deserted and the British retired. On August 25, 1935, Congress recognized the importance of Fort Stanwix by creating Fort Stanwix National Monument.
Brandywine, PA	11 Sept. 1777	Americans under George Washington were defeated but retreated in good order.
Saratoga, NY	19 Sept. –17 Oct. 1777	General John Burgoyne surrendered his British Army to American Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates. On June 1, 1938, Congress recognized the importance of Saratoga by creating Saratoga National Historical Park.
Paoli, PA.	21 Sept. 1777	British troops attack with bayonets and surprised Americans. Americans called it the “Paoli Massacre.”
Germantown, PA.	4 Oct. 1777	4 Oct. 1777 American attack on British positions failed.
Valley Forge, PA	Winter 1777-78	Winter camp at Valley Forge under terrible conditions. On July 4, 1976, Congress recognized the importance of Valley Forge by creating Valley Forge National Historical Park.
Morristown, NJ	Winter 1777	Sheltered the main encampments of the American Continental Army and served as the winter quarters of its commander-in-chief, General George Washington. On March 2, 1933, Congress recognized the importance of Morristown by creating Morristown National Historical Park.

Dr. Christine Swager researched this timeline and based it on Lumpkin, Henry. From Savannah to Yorktown: The American Revolution in the South. New York, NY: Paragon House. 1981.

 

1778

	6 February 1778	France signed a treaty with the Continental Congress which would provide troops, ships and supplies to America.
Philadelphia, PA	18 June 1778	British abandoned Philadelphia and moved to New York.
Monmouth Court House, NJ	28 June 1778	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.”
Kaskaskia, IL	4 July 1778	Town captured by Col. George Rogers Clark.
Savannah, GA.	29 Dec. 1778	The first event of the Southern Campaign.

Dr. Christine Swager researched this timeline and based it on Lumpkin, Henry. From Savannah to Yorktown: The American Revolution in the South. New York, NY: Paragon House. 1981.

 

1779

Port Royal Island, SC	3 Feb. 1779	Maj. Gen. Moultrie defeated British detachment.
Kettle Creek, GA	14 Feb. 1779	Andrew Pickens and Elijah Clarke and their Georgia and Carolina militia defeated North Carolina Loyalist militia who were travelling to Augusta to joint the British forces.
Vincennes, IN	24 Feb. 1779	Loyalists and Indians recaptured Vincennes, but George Rogers Clark forced them to retreat. On July 23, 1966, Congress recognized the importance of Vincennes by creating George Rogers Clark National Historical Park.
Brier Creek, GA	3 Mar. 1779	British Lt.Col. Prevost defeated Americans under Gen. John Ashe.
Siege of Charleston, SC	11-13 May 1779	Maj. Gen. A. Prevost had to break his siege when American forces under Maj.Gen.Lincoln approached.
Stono River, SC	20 June 1779	Maj. Gen. Lincoln engaged a British rear guard. Battle indecisive but many casualties.
Stony Point, NY	16 July 1779	16 July 1779 American attacked with bayonets only. Extensive British casualties.
Newtown, NY	29 Aug. 1779	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.
Castine, ME	July-Aug. 1779	American attempt to dislodge British along the Penobscot River failed.
Paulus Hook, NJ	19 Aug. 1779	Successful American surprise attack on British outpost.
Savannah,GA	16 Sept.-19 Oct 1779	American Army under Maj. Gen. Lincoln failed to dislodge British from Savannah.
Morristown, NJ	Winter 1779- 1780	Sheltered the main encampments of the American Continental Army and served as the winter quarters of its commander-in-chief, General George Washington. On March 2, 1933, Congress recognized the importance of Morristown by creating Morristown National Historical Park.

Dr. Christine Swager researched this timeline and based it on Lumpkin, Henry. From Savannah to Yorktown: The American Revolution in the South. New York, NY: Paragon House. 1981.

 

1780

Siege of Charleston, SC	29 Mar –12 May 1780	Maj. Gen. Lincoln surrendered the town and his entire army.
Monck’s Corner, SC	14 April 1780	Lt. Col. Banastre Tarleton scattered American militia
Lenud’s Ferry, SC	6 May 1780	Lt. Col. Banastre Tarleton dispersed American cavalry.
Waxhaws, SC	29 May 1780	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 1780	Lord Cornwallis assumed command of the British Army in the South.
Ramsour’s Mill, NC	20 June 1780	Patriot forces defeated Loyalist forces, ultimately resulting in loss of Loyalist support in North Carolina.
Williamson’s Plantation, SC	12 July 1780	Patriot forces of Thomas Sumter’s command defeated Loyalist Christian Huck and his forces. Huck was killed.
Cedar Springs, SC	12 July 1780	Spartan regiment of South Carolina Patriots ambushed Loyalist attacking party.
Gowen’s Old Fort, SC	13 July 1780	Georgia Patriots attacked Loyalist camp and defeated them.
	25 July 1780	General Horatio Gates assumed command of Southern Continental Army.
Rocky Mount, SC	30 July 1780	Thomas Sumter’s troops attacked British post but were forced to withdraw.
Hanging Rock 1, SC	30 July 1780	North Carolina Royalists were attacked by North Carolina Patriots who succeeded in capturing weapons and horses.
Hanging Rock 2, SC	6 Aug. 1780	Thomas Sumter attacked British post and inflicted heavy casualties but was forced to retreat.
Kershaw County, SC	15 Aug 1780	Patriot militia attacked and captured Carey’s Fort and took a supply convoy from Ninety-Six.
Battle of Camden, SC	16 Aug 1780	Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates and the Continental Army were badly defeated by Lord Cornwallis and the British forces.
Fishing Creek, SC	18 Aug.1780	Lt. Col. Banastre Tarleton surprised Thomas Sumter’s command and defeated it.
Musgrove Mill, SC	18 Aug. 1780	Frontier riflemen and militiamen lured the British into an ambush and defeated them.
Nelson’s Ferry, SC	25 Aug. 1780	Francis Marion attacked British convoy and released 150 Americans who had been taken prisoner at the Battle of Camden.
Blue Savannah, SC	4 Sept. 1780	Francis Marion led British Loyalists into an ambush and defeated them.
McKay’s Trading Post, GA.	14-18 Sept. 1780	Elijah Clarke attacked the post but was driven off when British relief column arrived. American prisoners taken were hanged or turned over to the Cherokees to be tortured and killed.
Wahab’s Plantation, NC	21 Sept. 1780	Lt. Col. Davie attacked Banastre Tarleton and captured horses and equipment.
Charlotte, NC	26 Sept. 1780	Lt. Col. Davie and 150 American soldiers ambushed Tarleton’s Legion at Charlotte but were driven off by reinforcements.
Black Mingo, SC	28-29 Sept. 1780	Francis Marion attacked a Loyalist encampment and drove them into the swamp.
Kings Mountain, SC	7 Oct. 1780	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. On March 3, 1931, Congress recognized the importance of Kings Mountain by creating Kings Mountain National Military Park.
Tearcoat Swamp, SC	25 Oct. 1780	Francis Marion routed a Loyalist force under Tynes.
Fish Dam Ford, SC	9 Nov. 1780	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.
Blackstocks, SC	20 Nov. 1780	Lt. Col. Banastre Tarleton pushed his cavalry in pursuit of Thomas Sumter and attacked. The British were beaten back with heavy casualties.
	2 Dec. 1780	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.
Long Cane, SC	12 Dec. 1780	Attack by Americans against a British force four times their number resulted in Georgia militia leader, Elijah Clarke, sustaining serious wounds.
Halfway Swamp & Singleton’s Mill SC	12 Dec. 1780	Francis Marion engaged 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.
Hammond’s Store, SC	30 Dec. 1780	Brig. Gen. Daniel Morgan sent Col. William Washington with Continental Dragons and mounted militia to attack Georgia Loyalists. The Loyalists suffered 150 casualties.

Dr. Christine Swager researched this timeline and based it on Lumpkin, Henry. From Savannah to Yorktown: The American Revolution in the South. New York, NY: Paragon House. 1981.

 

1781

THE BATTLE OF COWPENS	17 JANUARY, 1781	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. On March 4, 1929, Congress recognized the importance of the Battle of Cowpens by creating Cowpens National Battlefield.
Georgetown, SC	24-25 Jan. 1781	Francis Marion and Light Horse Harry Lee captured Georgetown.
Cowan’s Ford, NC	1 Feb. 1781	North Carolina militia were defeated as they attempted to prevent Lord Cornwallis from crossing the Catawba River.
Tarrant’s Tavern, NC	1 Feb. 1781	Tarleton’s Legion charged a force of North Carolina militia with sabers inflicting heavy casualties.
Haw River, NC	25 Feb. 1781	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.
Wiboo Swamp, SC	6 Mar. 1781	Francis Marion began a retreating action which thwarted the British column led by Col. Watson.
Mount Hope Swamp, SC	March 1781	Col. Hugh Horry’s troop held the area while Marion withdrew.
Lower Bridge of the Black River, SC	March 1781	McCottrey’s Rifles, a unit of Marion’s Brigade, inflicted heavy casualties on Tynes with deadly accurate fire from long rifles.
Snows Island, SC	March 1781	While Marion was fighting Tynes, another British unit attacked his camp at Snows Island. Defenders destroyed all the supplies before they fled the position.
Battle of Guilford Court House, NC	15 March 1781	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 had lost 28% of his army in the encounter. On March 2, 1917, Congress recognzized the importance of Guilford Court House by creating Guilford Courthouse National Military Park.
Sampit Bridge, SC	28 Mar. 1781	Marion’s Brigade, still pursued by Tynes, forced him to retreat. Marion followed and destroyed the rear guard as they attempted to cross the river.
Fort Watson, SC	15-23 April 1781	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.
Hobkirk Hill, SC	25 April 1781	Nathanael Greene and the Continental Army engaged the British forces under Lord Rawdon who won the field. Greene retreated.
Fort Motte, SC	8-12 May 1781	Lee and Marion forced the British out of the post by setting it on fire.
Camden, SC	10 May 1781	Lord Rawdon evacuated Camden. It was leave or starve.
Orangeburg, SC	11 May 1781	Thomas Sumter took Orangeburg.
Fort Granby, SC	15 May 1781	Lee captured Fort Granby without resistance
Fort Galphin, SC	19 May 1781	Lee’s Legion captured the fort with all the Indian goods confiscated.
Siege of Ninety-Six	22 May-19 June 1781	Maj. Gen. Greene’s siege was terminated by the arrival of British reinforcements. On August 19, 1976 Congress recognized the importance of the siege of Ninety Six by creating Ninety Six National Historic Site.
Charlottesville, VA	4 June 1781	A surprise raid by Tarleton captured seven members of the Virginia legislature. Governor Thomas Jefferson barely escaped
Augusta, GA	5 June 1781	Lt. Col. Lee, Patriot leaders Elijah Clarke and Andrew Pickens forced the British to surrender the fort.
Williamsburg, VA	26 June 1781	Engagement 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.
Biggin Church, SC	16 July 1781	British forces attacked Thomas Sumter but the attack was broken and the British retreated.
Quinby Bridge, SC	17 July 1781	Sumter, Marion and Lee engaged British but were unable to force a retreat.
Georgetown, SC	2 Aug. 1781	A British raiding party landed and burned several houses.
Execution of Isaac Hayne	4 Aug. 1781	The British hanged Col. Isaac Hayne in Charleston as a warning to patriots. It had the opposite effect.
George Washington Marches South	19 Aug. 1781	Washington moved to combine American and French forces. French Naval Fleet engages British Fleet on the Chesapeake Bay. This left Cornwallis stranded at Yorktown.
New London, CT	6 Sept. 1781	British burned New London.
Eutaw Springs, SC	8 Sept. 1781	Greene’s Continental Army with the addition of militia fought a bloody battle. Although not victorious, the Americans inflicted and sustained heavy losses.
Hillsboro, NC	12 Sept. 1781	North Carolina Loyalists captured 200 American prisoners including NC Governor Thomas Burke. Loyalist leader, MacNeil, was killed in the raid.
Yorktown , VA	28 Sept. –17 Oct. 1781	Washington conducts a siege at Yorktown. On July 3, 1930, Congress recognized the importance of Yorktown by creating Colonial National Historical Park.
Gloucester, VA	3 Oct.1781	Tarleton's last action was protecting a British foraging party.
Yorktown, VA	19 October 1781	Cornwallis surrendered his army.
Clouds Creek, SC	17 Nov. 1781	Bloody Bill Cunningham slaughtered Patriot force of 30.
Wilmington, NC	18 Nov. 1781	British evacuate Wilmington.
Hayes’s Station, SC	19 Nov. 1781	Cunningham killed a patriot force of 15.

Dr. Christine Swager researched this timeline and based it on Lumpkin, Henry. From Savannah to Yorktown: The American Revolution in the South. New York, NY: Paragon House. 1981.

 

1782

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

Dr. Christine Swager researched this timeline and based it on Lumpkin, Henry. From Savannah to Yorktown: The American Revolution in the South. New York, NY: Paragon House. 1981.

 

1783

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