Canada
The death of General Montgomery at Quebec City, 1775. NAM 2002-08-82
As the siege of Boston dragged on, the Americans decided to widen the war and invade Canada. The goal was to encourage its inhabitants to join the Revolution. On 16 September 1775 Brigadier General Richard Montgomery marched north with about 1,700 militiamen, capturing Montreal on 13 November. Moving on to Quebec City, he was joined by Colonel Benedict Arnold who had led another force north. On 31 December 1775 they were defeated by General Guy Carleton. Montgomery was killed and Arnold wounded.
British strike back
Officer of the 63rd Regiment, which served in America 1775-82. NAM 1987-11-75
The remaining American soldiers held on outside Quebec City until the spring of 1776, and then withdrew towards Montreal. The British received reinforcements and on 8 June struck back against an American army weakened by disease at Trois-Rivieres.
Carleton then launched his own offensive, forcing the Americans to abandon Montreal on 15 June. They were soon pushed back to Ticonderoga where they had started out over a year earlier.
The Canadians had not rallied to the American cause and even the French inhabitants remained indifferent, but Arnold's efforts in 1776 had succeeded in delaying a full-scale British offensive.
New York captured
In June 1776 Major General Howe entered New York Bay, established a camp on Staten Island, and consolidated his forces. On 22 August around 22,000 British troops landed on Long Island.
The landing of British troops in New York, 1776. NAM 1971-02-33-277
Washington's soldiers were eventually driven back and evacuated to Manhattan. On 15 September 1776 Howe landed 12,000 troops on Lower Manhattan and entered New York City.
The Battle of Harlem Heights, September 1776. NAM 1995-12-317
After fighting battles at Harlem Heights on 16 September, White Plains on 28 October and Fort Washington on 16 November, Howe spent the winter in New York.
Although he had missed several opportunities to crush Washington's force, Howe had killed or captured over 6,000 soldiers. Many more had returned to their homes, and disaffection with the rebel cause was spreading.
Hearts and Minds
General Sir Thomas Stirling leading his men at the Battle of Long Island, 1776.
NAM 2002-05-60
Howe sympathised with the rebels' grievances and was reluctant to use maximum force to end the rising. Many on the British side still hoped to win over neutral Americans and moderate 'Patriots'. Harsh measures might have quickly ended the revolt, but would have alienated the colonial population and turned public opinion at home against the government. The campaign demonstrates the difficulties armies face when trying to fight counter-insurgency wars while keeping civilian populations on side - something British soldiers have been experiencing in Iraq since 2003.
Trenton
After the British occupation of New York a fire, believed to be the work of incendiaries, broke out, 1776. NAM 1974-03-37
Pursued by General Sir Charles Cornwallis, Washington withdrew across the River Delaware into Pennsylvania in early December 1776. Although his force was severely weakened, he re-grouped and crossed the ice-covered Delaware with 3,000 men on Christmas night. His men then defeated a force of Hessians (German troops in British pay) at Trenton on 26 December, taking over 1,000 prisoners. Many of the Hessians were still recovering from their Christmas Day celebrations. Only four Americans were wounded.
Princeton
General Sir Charles Cornwallis, c1785.
NAM 1967-05-20-5
The victory at Trenton gave the Patriots a new confidence because it proved American forces could defeat the Crown's regulars. It also increased enlistment in the Continental Army.
Cornwallis marched to retake Trenton, but was defeated at Princeton on 3 January 1777. After looting the British supplies, the Continental Army marched north, to winter in Morristown, New Jersey.
Cornwallis abandoned many of his posts in New Jersey, and ordered his army to retreat to New Brunswick.
