From 16 to 61

Shot, while not heard around the world, definitely heard in Salem, MA

February 1775, Salem, MA – A British force under command of Alexander Leslie was sent to Salem, MA to search for contraband artillery. The British were delayed by a standoff of Patriot militia led by Timothy Pickering on a bridge outside of Salem. By meeting the British at the bridge, the Patriots bought time to rid Salem of contraband material. As the Patriots were standing down, withdrawing from the bridge and letting the British pass, a shot was accidentally fired from the British side wounding an American. Shocked and in no position to confront the British, Pickering continued to stand down and withdraw.


He stated to his militia units to save their anger for their fallen friend for another day at another time when they would have the upper hand. For if the Patriots militia would have engaged, a lot more of them would have been injured for a single incident. They would have died in vain. As a result of the Salem Bridge Incident, as it would be remembered throughout American history, the Minutemen of Salem and Marblehead drilled more intensely, they became a more cohesive unit under Pickering. They were waiting their time to strike back. Word spread throughout New England of the British atrocity. It was another example of British force against the colonists.
 
Last edited:
Lexington, Concord, and Cambridge - Salem's Revenge

The time for the Salem militia to strike back would come two months later on April 19th, 1775 during the battle of Lexington and Concord which marked the official beginning of the American Revolution. Led by Timothy Pickering they advanced from Salem through Mystic to a defensive position near Cambridge on Winter Hill as word of the initial British advance toward Concord was received. They were looking for a fight that day.


Pickering and the Patriots from Salem and Marbelhead after hearing reports of Patriot activity to successfully harass the relief party of British regulars under Hugh Percy advanced off of Winter Hill to block the British Percy’s movement from Lexington to Charlestown. Percy had been sent as reinforcements, as a relief force for the British to secure their route back to Charlestown and then to Boston. In this blocking movement, Pickering was successful in halting the retreat of the British. The British position became encircled as other Patriot forces blocked their rear and sides. Movement towards the Charles River Bridge and Boston were blocked as well. British Naval units, the HMS Somerset, intervened some, but were unable to break up the Patriot force surrounding the British. With every minute that the British were surrounded and not moving, more Patriots gathered around the sides and rear to strengthen the position. Percy tried a ruse of bringing his two artillery pieces up to the front. He did not have any more cannon rounds but he thought that it might work to move the Salem militia from his front. The Salem boys held firm. Sunset was approaching; the only choice left for Percy was to surrender the force of 1700 men.


The Patriots were able to secure most of the British arms and the rounds of ammunition that they had left. It was not much, but the ammunition and rifles could be used to further the Patriot cause. Pickering stated to generals William Heath and then to Artemas Ward that the captured British supplies should be stockpiled and delivered out as reserve ammunition when needed for the next engagement and not dispersed to the militias.
 
Last edited:
Lexington and Concord - Salem's Revenge

On April 19th, 1775 during the battle of Lexington and Concord which marked the official beginning of the American Revolution.

Sunset was approaching; the only choice left for Percy was to surrender the force of 1700 men.

The Patriots were able to secure most of the British arms and the rounds of ammunition that they had left. It was not much, but the ammunition and rifles could be used to further the Patriot cause. Pickering stated to generals William Heath and then to Artemas Ward that the captured British supplies should be stockpiled and delivered out as reserve ammunition when needed for the next engagement and not dispersed to the militias.

Why would this be "marked" as the beginning of the American Revolution. From the sounds of it, it was not really a battle more of a peaceful protest, blockade?

Is this TL going to try and make, Timothy Pickering the 1st President of America (the alternative Washington) and will he still have Anglophile attitudes and push preside over pro-British policies.
 
The Battle of Lexington and Concord is still seen as the beginning of sustained hostility between the colonies and Britain. It is the beginning of the ARW.

The confrontation at Salem did occur OTL but it as a peaceful one, no shots or shot was fired.

The major POD is the what if Pickering would have blocked Percy's return trip to Boston. How will this one event shape the ARW?

Pickering might have a future role, but Pickering D.C. does sound odd so I do not think that he will be POTUS.
 
Session 3 – Battle of Breed’s Hill

Following the battles of Lexington, Concord, and Cambridge, both the Patriots and the British rest and stand each other off. The Patriots enact a loose siege of Boston with headquarters in Cambridge. The British are holed up in Boston along with Loyalists while having the Royal Navy deployed around the port city.
Gage in Boston bides his time and awaits reinforcements before engaging the Patriots again. He will eventually be reinforced to 8500 troops in May while he is facing 15000 Patriot militiamen arrayed around Boston. Gage along with Generals Clinton, Howe and Burgoyne devise plan to break the loose siege around Boston. The Patriots learn of these plans and Colonel Prescott along with 1200 men are sent to fortify Breed’s Hill on June 16/17.

To counter, Gage sends forces into Charleston on June 17th to capture the Patriot works atop of Breed’s Hill. Seeing the British preparations in Charleston that day, more reinforcements are sent to Colonel Prescott to guard his flanks. Along with the reinforcements, the surplus ammunition is brought to the redoubt that the Patriots have erected.
The Patriots with more ambition, more guns and more ammunition were able to fend off the British three assaults with heavy British casualties. At the end of the day, the Patriots still hold their positions atop Breed’s Hill. The Americans are still as disorganized as they were in April, but with the surrendered British supplies from April, the frontline troops of Breed’s Hill at the redoubt have more ammunition. After three assaults, the British withdraw with heavy casualties. The battle of Breed’s Hill goes down as an American victory. The victory further encourages the Patriots to resist the British.
The British cannot afford another assault like the failed assault that they just attempted. Gage is left to imagine what the results may have been if he had attempted to cut the Patriots off by capturing the Charleston neck instead of the direct assault against Breed’s Hill.

The Patriots with another victory still have Boston under siege, but without siege cannon cannot effectively press the situation.
 
Session 4 – Summer 1775, enter General Washington

May 10 – Benedict Arnold and Ethan Allen capture Fort Ticonderoga for the Patriots. They further raid Fort St. Jean and capture a British ship with its artillery. All of this leads to substantial amount of artillery that the Patriots desperately need.

June 14 - Continental Army established by Second Continental Congress
June 15 - George Washington is selected as Commander in Chief of Continental Army. After being selected he comments on how well the forces arrayed in Boston have performed.
July 3 – Washington arrived in Boston. He is very gracious to the leaders of the Patriots and the conduct of the troops. Shortly after his arrival, troops from other colonies arrive in camp as well. Soon after arrival in Boston, George Washington makes friends with a young Henry Knox.

An effect of a more successful campaign around Boston was that more volunteer units from the colonies were collecting in the Boston area. They were spurred onto drive the British away. They wanted to be part of the ongoing success that the Patriots were having. Part of Washington’s initial problem was to decide what to do with all of the troops and skill sets that were collecting outside Boston. An example of this was even though he had Boston in his grasp, he did not have artillery to force the British out, so what to do with volunteers with engineering skills. Another worry of Washington is that of supply for all of these troops. A final worry that he has is how to mold this mass of farmers, fishermen, sailors, shop keepers into an army.

With the added troops, Washington is able to send more volunteers to aid Schuyler and Montgomery in their upcoming campaign in Canada. With this first batch of volunteers, Washington dispatches Henry Knox and a detachment of engineers and wagoneers to transport the artillery captured at Ticonderoga in Canadian campaign and to set it up accordingly to aid the cause. They were to assist Generals Schuyler and Montgomery.

July 17 – Henry Knox departs Cambridge with a detachment of 80 troops to assist the Canada campaign with artillery movement and placement. With him are another 200 infantry troops to be added to the Canada campaign.
 
Last edited:
Session 5 – Two campaigns

John Adams confers with General Washington that an expedition to Nova Scotia would aid efforts of the upcoming Canadian campaign by distracting the British. Adams did not think that the campaign would net all of Nova Scotia for the Patriots, but that it would cause a stir to distract the British and gain support for the lower colonies in Nova Scotia. Adams was able to convince Washington of a campaign. Washington though needed to find a commander and a planner for the expedition.
After returning from his expedition against Fort Ticonderoga, a disgruntled Benedict Arnold discusses with General Washington of a campaign from Maine to Quebec. Washington convinces Arnold instead of an expedition through Maine to Nova Scotia.

Washington had intended a second 1100 man force to reinforce Montgomery in the campaign against Canada. Instead, the force will go with Arnold on a strike into Nova Scotia. An additional 500 man force under Aaron Burr will be sent to reinforce Montgomery in Canada. The additional reinforcements being sent to Montgomery is a result of the continued success at Boston, Boston no longer being an area of concern. Washington is gambling that the British will not sortie out of Boston for the remainder of the year.

September 4th - The 500 man force under Aaron Burr leaves the Boston area to reinforce Montgomery
Sept. 11, 1775 – The 1100 man force under Benedict Arnold leaves Cambridge, MA for Nova Scotia.
 
Session 6 – Arnold to Nova Scotia

September 19 – Arnold departs from Newburyport, MA to Fort Western (Augusta, Maine) via boat as a first stop. This is the most dangerous leg of the journey as the Royal navy out of Boston and Halifax own the Atlantic coast.

September 23 – Arnold reaches Fort Western (Augusta, ME)

September 25 – Arnold sets off from Fort Western to Fort Halifax, ME, 19 miles to the Northeast.

September 27 – Arnold arrives at Fort Halifax, ME (Winslow, ME). Here, he will leave the Kennebec River and travel overland into Nova Scotia.

September 29 – After resting a couple days, Arnold swings right to what will become Bangor, ME sixty miles to the East.

October 5 – Arnold reaches the English settlements around future Bangor, ME

October 7 – Arnold reaches camps at Old Town, ME, 19 miles away. He will refit and gather supplies for an overland March into Nova Scotia.

October 11 – Arnold sets off for the settlement of St. Stephen in Nova Scotia, 100 miles to the East.

October 23 – Arnold reaches St. Stephen and is met there by Jonathan Eddy and 50 of his militia, supplies have been there ahead of time.

October 25 – Arnold sets out from St. Stephen to Maugerville, NS, 90 miles to the Northeast.

November 4 – Arnold and Eddy arrive in Maugerville. They have made peace and alliances with local Indians, patriot planters from New England, and Acadians in the area. This area will be the base of the rebellion in Nova Scotia.

November 7 – Arnold sets out for St. John (58 milesto the South) with his ragtag group of traditional Americans, Acadians, Indian scouts, and Eddy’s militia.

November 14 – The Americans arrive in Saint John.
November 19 – Fort Frederick in St. John surrenders to the Patriots
November 23 – Arnold leaves Saint John to attack Fort Cumberland, 132 miles to the East

December 7 – The American force reaches Fort Cumberland and sets a siege

December 15 – Fort Cumberland surrenders to Americans


Arnold captures other forts south of the Bay of Fundy on the Nova Scotia Peninsula. He harasses Halifax, but is unable to bring it under a full siege. He worries about his supplies and having his rear protected.

He leaves units at St. John and Fort Cumberland as he harasses Halifax.

As the year becomes 1776, Arnold considers the campaign a success. Of the 1100 troops that left with him, 950 are left. Sickness is the leading casualty cause. Only 10 casualties are from combat wounds. Of the 950 that remain who volunteered for the campaign, Arnold asks these, who would like to remain in Nova Scotia for the defense of Fort Cumberland, Saint John, and to keep an eye on Halifax as British counter moves are likely in 1776. Of the 950 fit for duty, 350 volunteer to remain with Eddy. These are mostly New Hampshire and Massachusetts men. These men are told to defend their positions, but to also retreat to the Maugerville base when the British return in force. These are dispersed with Eddy’s militia and friendly Indians. The dispositions are 100 men to defend Fort Cumberland, 100 men to defend St. John, 100 men around Halifax, and 50 men at the Maugerville base.
 
Session 7 – O Canada! Our home and native land!

Developments with Montgomery in the Northern campaign.

Schuyler and Montgomery use Ile-aux-Noix (Island in the Richelieu River, North of Lake Champlain) as a base of operations against Forts St Jean and Chambly on the Richelieu River defending Montreal.

Montgomery is unsuccessful in his first two attempts to subdue St. Jean. His troops are green, all militia units.

He is unsuccessful but not undone. To his advantage, reinforcements continue to arrive in camp. Knox has already arrived at Ticonderoga and is bringing up the siege cannon. Local militia sympathetic to the Patriot cause under James Livingston aid in the campaign. The additional 200 troops that came with Knox will be deployed forward at Fort Chambly with Livingston. Montgomery’s forces are arrayed with 500 troops at Chambly and 2000 arrayed against Fort St. Jean.

The siege of Chambly begins on September 15th. The fort with it supplies will succumb to the Patriots on October 12th.

Montgomery begins his third attempt to besiege St. Jean on September 17th. Henry Knox has the artillery from Ticonderoga in place on October 1 against St Jean. His first placement knocks out a British warship on the Richelieu which had been giving the Patriots problems. Next, upon the advice of James Livingston, Montgomery has Knox travel upriver to place additional artillery against Chambly. Finally, Knox comes back to St. Jean and improves his positions and adds three more batteries. Chambly falls on October 12th with St. Jean surrendering on October 15th.

With these captured forts are needed supplies and ammunition that the British fail to destroy.

On September 25th, Ethan Allen fails in a direct attempt to seize Montreal at the battle of Longue-Pointe. He is captured in the process.

Aaron Burr makes good time with his troops to arrive to Montgomery on the Richelieu on October 8th. Montgomery sent them forward with other units as a 700 man blocking force to Sorel, as he was finishing off Fort Saint-Jean and Fort Chambly. They prevented British reinforcements from Sorrel to reach Fort Saint-Jean. These added troops were also able to search and prevent supplies and refuges from traveling to and from Montreal to Quebec.

In Montreal, Guy Carleton has two choices in October; he can attempt to break the siege at St. Jean or attempt to break through the Americans who have effectively shut down both sides of the St. Lawrence west of Sorel.

Carleton chooses to abandon Montreal and break through to Quebec.

October 8th – Carleton fails to break through Burr and retreats back to Montreal

October 15th - Sir Guy Carlton is captured by Burr while posing as a commoner fleeing Montreal to Quebec.

October 22nd – Montgomery captures Montreal. There is no formal occupation of Montreal. Local militia, units loyal to Montgomery and 100 Patriot soldiers defend Montreal. Indian attacks are there biggest worry. One of the strong points of Montgomery is that he is able to listen and perceive what the Canadians would like. This goes a long way in establishing trust and good intentions between the lower colonies and Canada.

October 25th – Burr and 500 men at Sorrel begin the advance to Quebec. 100 men are left to guard Sorel and the Richelieu.

October 27th – Montgomery with the main force sets out for Quebec

November 9th – Burr with 500 men reaches Quebec and takes position

November 16th – Montgomery with 800 men (a significant portion of the forces had enlistments up) reaches Quebec. These men are 500 with Montgomery, 200 from Livingston and another 100 who re-enlisted for the campaign.

With 1300 men, the siege of Quebec begins on November 17th.

December 4th – Knox arrives with cannon to add to the siege.
Montgomery does not press the siege. From spies within the city, he learned that the garrison was teetering on surrendering. (OTL Carlton was able to reach Quebec and shore up defenses). One push would do it. After a few weeks of staging the siege and preparing for an assault, Montgomery sprang into action. During this time, his artillery is shelling the defenses.

This final push came during a snow storm on December 31, 1775. Montgomery was able to win the city. He did this by repositioning most of his artillery along with Burr’s force assigned to demonstrate on one end of the city while he forced a breach of the outer walls at the other side. The artillery and the troops under Aaron Burr acted as a ruse to draw British attention away from where the main push would be. It worked as he was able to breach to outer defenses and then pour troops through on the other side. The British with their weakened morale surrendered soon after the outer walls were breached.

As the calendar turns to 1776, Montgomery has captured all of Canada. Now, can he capture the hearts of the Canadians?
 
Last edited:
Session 8 – The calm before the British Storm or 13 become 15, Spring 1776

December 31 – Arnold departs Fort Cumberland with 600 troops back to Boston. Going back with him is Daniel Morgan and the Virginians.

January 1776 – In response to Dunmore proclamation, Congress votes to allow free Negroes and slaves with permission of owners to the join Continental Army. Washington, Jefferson, and other prominent slave holders who are ardent Patriots free some slaves to join Army. This will be seen as a beginning of softer views on slavery by the Americans.

In February 1776, with much of Nova Scotia outside of Halifax is in Patriot control, Nova Scotia sends three representatives to Philadelphia to participate in the Second Continental Congress.

Spring 1776 – Sees, increased American privateering of Loyal British ships out of Halifax.

In February 1776, after the victory in Quebec, Montgomery was able to convene a provincial meeting with the French people of Canada. Christophe Pelissier presided. Other leading Americans, Charles Carroll, John Carol and Benjamin Franklin were present and able to meet with the French Canadians. Many Canadians who were on the fence, who favored the Patriots privately support the American cause.

The Canadians choose three representatives from Quebec, Montreal and Sorel to represent Canada at the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia. Montgomery worked hard through the winter and spring to develop good, solid relationships between the French habitants and the Americans. Through this, a total of four Canadian regiments were formed to serve in the Continental Army. Many other French Canadians were sympathetic to the Patriot cause. Part of Montgomery’s success was to limit the interaction of the Englishmen with the French Canadians. Quebec and Montreal were garrisoned with Canadian volunteer regiments.

(This is in contrast to the relations that David Wooster had with the French Canadians OTL)

Montgomery and Schuyler were content with the capture of Quebec. The main forces that remained with them, wintered in Sorel with garrisons in Montreal and Quebec. During the winter, they prepared the defenses and a plan for the British counter attack that they expected to come in the spring and summer of 1776.

Henry Knox and the Ticonderoga cannon would set out in January from Quebec to trek back to Boston. Aiding him back to Massachusetts are more units whose enlistments have expired. He begins the trek on January 5th from Quebec back to Sorel. He arrives back in Boston mid-April. The Patriots still hold the heights in Charleston and Dorchester. The British are forced to withdraw from Boston to Halifax in May as the batteries begin to open up on the Royal Navy ships and British positions. The trek of 500 miles from Quebec to Boston with the artillery by Henry Knox is one of the overlooked feats of marvel for the revolution.

Washington had plans to land troops without the artillery support in Boston. He was talked out of it for strategic purposes. The Patriots held over a 2:1 advantage in men between the forces displayed around Boston and the British in Boston. But, with the British committed to hold Boston, troops could not be transferred to Nova Scotia or Canada. The thousands of troops outside of Boston did their part in the northern campaigns by keeping the British in Boston preoccupied. Washington did his part as well, a few times he made it appear as though he was preparing an operation to land in Boston.

March 14, 1776 – Arnold and his 600 arrive back in the Boston area. They are greeted with a hero’s welcome. Arnold is especially greeted and promoted in rank by Washington.
 
Last edited:

Redhand

Banned
The Battle of Lexington and Concord is still seen as the beginning of sustained hostility between the colonies and Britain. It is the beginning of the ARW.

The confrontation at Salem did occur OTL but it as a peaceful one, no shots or shot was fired.

The major POD is the what if Pickering would have blocked Percy's return trip to Boston. How will this one event shape the ARW?

Pickering might have a future role, but Pickering D.C. does sound odd so I do not think that he will be POTUS.

The POD at the retreat of Percy is something I think I asked a while ago, and it is a ripe one.

With the flank companies wiped out, and Percy having his relief brigade forced to surrender outside of Boston, a few things come to mind.

One, how do the relatively unorganized militia forces under Warren and Heath handle prisoners in large numbers? I am guessing that they merely detach a small group to march them to Worcester and hold them there, but capturing a Peer like Percy himself might really make things interesting for the British situation.

Also, without the flank companies or the relief brigade forces, the British in Boston lose a lot of artillery and combat training and experience. The city's garrison would stand at no more than maybe 3000 on April 20, with reinforcements not arriving for about a month. Boston Neck was fortified but not as much as it would be later on. With American forces reaching up to 15000 outside Boston, could they simply storm the city? The attack would be horribly disorganized, yes, but they might be able to breach the Neck, and if this is done, the low morale British forces inside the city might be compelled to surrender as thousands of militiamen rush through the streets of Boston.

If that happens, you never know where things might end up.
 
The POD at the retreat of Percy is something I think I asked a while ago, and it is a ripe one.

With the flank companies wiped out, and Percy having his relief brigade forced to surrender outside of Boston, a few things come to mind.

One, how do the relatively unorganized militia forces under Warren and Heath handle prisoners in large numbers? I am guessing that they merely detach a small group to march them to Worcester and hold them there, but capturing a Peer like Percy himself might really make things interesting for the British situation.

Also, without the flank companies or the relief brigade forces, the British in Boston lose a lot of artillery and combat training and experience. The city's garrison would stand at no more than maybe 3000 on April 20, with reinforcements not arriving for about a month. Boston Neck was fortified but not as much as it would be later on. With American forces reaching up to 15000 outside Boston, could they simply storm the city? The attack would be horribly disorganized, yes, but they might be able to breach the Neck, and if this is done, the low morale British forces inside the city might be compelled to surrender as thousands of militiamen rush through the streets of Boston.

If that happens, you never know where things might end up.

Very thought provoking indeed.

If Boston is taken in April/early May is there a rest of the ARW even needed? Ticonderoga was on course to be taken, but would there have been the expedition to capture Canada?

If Boston was taken early, would there have been a need for the Second Cont Cong or for the Cont Army to be formed in June? Looks like New England is taking care of its own situation, no need for the other colonies to unite.

What would the next action be for the Brits? Yes they would reinforce Canada? But then what? Would they attempt the drive down the Hudson Valley in 1776 to isolate NE? The Brits might actually have a more successful ARW if they are driven from Boston in 1775!

I was thinking of having Washington capture Boston, or simply have the Redcoats evacuate sooner. But if the Brits evacuate, it makes other points in Canada and NS to be reinforced and stronger. So if Washington uses it as a ruse, Boston is where reinforcements are placed, sucked into and the other areas are still vulnerable.

Were the Pats scared of the Royal Navy? I wonder why no attempt was made at capturing a warship around the Boston harbor? Also, would the RN be a major deterrence from an attempt to storm the neck of Boston or make a landing from Charleston or Dorchester?

For my TL, I wanted two things to occur. I wanted the artillery captured at Ticonderoga to be used up North. If it were, could Ft St Jean fall two weeks earlier like I have it? And could it be used on Quebec to aid the effort of taking that citadel? Also, I wanted Arnold back with Wash for 17776. For this, the Nova Scotia campaign that I have is more of a raid whereas if he would of went to Quebec through Maine OTL, he would be up North for the following year. For these things, I wanted Boston to be successful but not too successful.

For the Brit POWs, I thought that they might be used as pawns. Perhaps in a deal for Boston to be evacuated in May. But then once again, if Boston is evacuated in May, Pats win end of story. They probably were moved to west. Probably dispersed among several western towns in Mass.

I was origionally going to have the POD be Arnold going to Nova Scotia instead of Quebec, but your previous discussion made me want to explore how Boston in April-June 1775 could be more successful. The two options were the blocking of Percy by Pickering or the Harvard student taking Percy in the wrong direction so he does not relieve the first force and that smaller, initial force is simply overrun or gives up through being exhausted. I went with Percy being captured to give the Pats more ammo at Breed's Hill (notice I am using the proper name of the hill fortified).

Thank you for the thought provoking ideas .....
 
Last edited:
Session 9 – The Empire strikes back

Rest of 1776 – British make three moves after leaving Boston
- British planned to evacuate Boston all along for the following three moves

- Canada - The British regain Quebec, Sorel, Montreal and Fort Saint Jean. Schuyler and Montgomery display delay tactics that are able to keep the British north of Lake Champaign as the campaigning season of 1776 closes. The British fleet is simply too much for the Americans and Canadians to resist on the St. Lawrence. The Quebec campaign opens for the British in July through October 1776. The Patriots employ a fighting retreat. Henry Knox is valuable once again in not letting artillery fall in British hands as the Americans reteat from Canada. The British halt on the North side of Lake Champlain. Not because of a grand Patriot defense but more because the they start the re-conquest of Canada later in the campaigning season.

The Canadians do not exactly welcome the British back. The more ardent Patriots travel with the Americans to the South. Four regiments were raised that retreat back with Schuyler and Montgomery to New York. Now it is the British who are seen more as occupiers. The British are slightly more harsher to the Canadians than the Americans were. The Canadians for the most part to not pose a threat to the British re-occupiers.

- The British capture Long Island, Manhatten, New Jersey and drive Washington towards Philadelphia. Their goal is to use New York as a loyalist bastion and then isolate the Patriot stronghold of New England. With luck, Washington is able to save his army from being trapped by the British on multiple occasions. The Continental Army grows weary of the retreat. Gone are the happy days of earlier in 1776 with the return of Arnold and Knox and the dismissal of the British from Boston. These are truly the times that try men’s souls as Thomas Paine would write.

- The British are able to re-capture Fort Cumberland and Fort Frederick (Saint John) in the fall of 1776. Patriots still hold the back woods of Nova Scotia around their base. From here, they conduct a guerrilla style war.

The only drawback to the British campaign that saw success after success is that it came later in the campaigning season. The Patriots were knocked about, knocked down, but not knocked out.


Patriot moves –
Before the British re-conquest (steam roller), Nova Scotia and Canada are added as the 14th and 15th colonies to declare independence in July. Benjamin Franklin recommends that Thomas Jefferson edits the Declaration to not sound too offensive towards the French Canadians and the Quebec Act.

The meeting in February with Ben Franklin and the Carols from Maryland was enough to convince the Canadians that the Patriots were sincere in their quest for liberty and the desire for Canada to join. They made some strong arguments such after the war even if the British won, the Americans would still be there to dominate over the Canadians. Why not join now as equals. Also, they state the future of the continent is with them as they will expand West. They would like Canada to be part of that future.

They are convincing, but most convincing was how Montgomery did not give the impression that the Americans were occupiers after both Montreal and Quebec were taken.

Nova Scotia joining is more of a farce as the British still control Halifax and therefore control most of the population of Nova Scotia. The Patriots from NS though are boisterous for freedom though, they as ardent as Patriots from Mass. towards the cause.

States agree that slave owners who free slaves for military service and soldiers uncompensated will be granted land for service. Slave owners who free slaves for service in the Army will be compensated with land.
Arnold remains with General Washington throughout 1776. He fights bravely in Long Island and Manhattan.

In the fall, Washington asks Arnold to train his men as raiders and scouts, to be able to travel light and fast, to guard the flanks and to conduct raiding activities. Arnold accepts this assignment and trains his men accordingly. His men are made up of the men that returned with him from the Nova Scotia campaign including the Virginians under Daniel Morgan. He has some added units as well. His total strength is increased to 800 men.
 
Last edited:
Session 10 – Phoenix Rising from the Ashes

Morale was at a low point in Washington’s camp near the end of 1776. Gone were the happy days of last July when everything seemed to be going the Patriots way. Washington had to act fast or watch his army, and the American cause drift away.Desperate times called for desperate measures. If the Continental Army was to go down, Washington wanted it to go down fighting. He needed a victory before the start of the next campaigning season.

He knew the British were overextended in New Jersey. Where should he strike. He came up with a daring plan to cross the Delaware river to strike at Princeton. Part of his plan included his trusted lieutenant, Benedict Arnold. Arnold had molded his force into the light infantry, the fast moving foot cavalry that Washington wanted. Now it was time to put them to use.

Arnold’s first assignment is on December 25, 1776. He is to cross the Delaware with Washington and take his unit to guard the left flank of Washington’s attack on Trenton. Arnold positions himself near Maidenhead, NJ (Lawrenceville) and protects the American flank from any British movement from Princeton. Like Washington, Arnold braves the icy Delaware River to make an effective crossing.

With his vulnerable flank protected, Washington gains a few more troops that will be active in the assault since his flank is protected. Ultimately it leads to a few more Hessians not being able to escape in the Battle of Trenton.

After the battle, Arnold withdraws with Washington back across the Delaware.

A few days later, Washington crosses the Delaware a third time to attack Princeton.

Jan. 2 – The Americans have finished their second engagement of the campaign along the Assunpink Creek. During the night, Washington convenes a council of war with his officers. With the main British force of Cornwallis near Trenton, Washington wants to strike towards Princeton. Arnold again is given the task of scouting out the left flank and keeping a watchful eye on the larger British forces of Cornwallis.

On the mourning of January 3rd -
Arnold is aware of the large British force under Cornwallis near Trenton and scouts a second force under Alexander Leslie near Maidenhead, NJ. Sensing that Washington may need help, Arnold swings left and is able to swing wide around Cornwalis and Leslie to the left as he advances to Princeton. He excels in a light, speedy march and is able to join the battle at Princeton. At the Princeton battlefield, he makes contact with Hugh Mercer and tears into the British flank as they are making a bayonet charge into Mercer. The result is electric as Mercer is able to rally his troops and join Arnold in disrupting Charles Mahwood’s plans.

The next Patriot unit to come up to the battle line was a militia unit under John Cadwalader. After ascending a hill and seeing American forces under Arnold and Mercer routing the British, this unruly militia joins into the frey.

With the arrival of more American troops, Arnold was able to regroup his men. He sighted the bridge that the British were aiming for to make their escape. Arnold was able to capture this bridge and with it closed the escape hatch for Mahwood to rejoin Cornwallis. Mahwood would now have to retreat back into Princeton and beyond.

At the end of the day, the Patriots had defeated the three British regiments and captured Princeton. Washington was weary though, Cornwallis was advancing from Trenton with the larger British force. Washington wanted to capture New Brunswick as well, but he could not risk his army. In another council of war dominated by Arnold and his scouting reports however, Washington decides to advance to New Brunswick as desperate times called for desperate measures. The gains outweighed the risks.

Washington would lead the attack with Greene and Sullivan to capture New Brunswick. Arnold, Mercer, and Cadwalader would form a rear guard to rest and fend off the advancing Cornwallis.

The plan worked, Washington was able to capture New Brunswick with its British military stores on January 4th while Arnold and Mercer fought delaying tactics against Cornwallis.

Mahwood further aided Washington’s plans by retreating back to Cornwallis during the night of January 3 and the morning of the 4th, instead of straight to New Brunswick.

With the capture of supplies was the British payroll. Washington next retreated to Morristown where he met up with Arnold and Mercer. He wintered in Morristown.

The British retreated to northern New Jersey for the winter.

Washington was the right man to capture the British pay. With this plunder, he distributed it equally to his command. Troops that had served longer, received more pay. This had a genuine positive effect on the morale of the troops. Along with pay, a bonus for volunteering for 1777 was given by Washington. Many units did indeed sign up for the next year along with being granted furloughs from the end of the campaigning season to May 1. All three measures, the payment of back pay, the bonus for resigning, and the furloughs did wonders for re-enlistment. Washington was guaranteed a strong army for the next campaigning season as experienced units such as John Glover’s Marbleheaders signed on for the 1777 season.

Washington's gamble had paid off.
 
Session 11 – 1777, a new year, the struggle continues

1777

The year began with the Patriot resurgence in New Jersey. In a two week span, the Patriots had fought and won three battles against the British and had conducted an offensive campaign to recover New Jersey. Spirits were high going into the 1777 campaigning season.

Washington’s strategy was to be a repeat of 1776. That is to be on the defensive until the British became overextended and an opportunity presented itself. Washington was on guard with his army in northern New Jersey to counter and block British moves up the Hudson or towards Philadelphia. Schuyler and Montgomery were poised once again to defend and fight delaying tactics should the British come down Lake Champlain to the Hudson Valley.

For the campaigning season of 1777, Washington shifted some of his forces and leaders. He sends Daniel Morgan and his Virginia Riflemen, John Glover and the Marbelheaders, and General Adam Stephen to the North to aid Montgomery. To note, Henry Knox is still serving in the northern theater.

Washington chose Hugh Mercer to lead Stephen’s division and Arnold to train a larger light infantry division which would be based upon speed and precision, this division would be made up of veterans who had reenlisted. This would have Arnold in the same position as the previous year, but now with a larger force under his command. Both Arnold and Mercer are now appointed as major generals.

The British were poised to continue down the Hudson River to link up with forces in New York and isolate New England from the middle colonies. They were hoping to pick up from where they finished in the fall. They believed that Washington’s campaign in New Jersey was a final desperate attempt by the Patriots and that 1777 would be the year that they finished the rebellion in the northern colonies.
 
Yes, but the Patriots will have a few more men both in the North and Central Armies.

An alternative would have Howe to move North to Albany.

But I think that he is fixated on Philadelphia. Washington striking at Trenton, Princeton, and then New Brunswick in the winter, he is fixated on Philadelphia to reverse his losses and pay the Americans back.

Washington has a few more regiments as well. The question would be, can he stop Howe at Brandywine. And if Howe is stopped at Brandywine, where does he go? Does he get back on the boats and head back to New York? Does he turn south to Virgina?

Going North to Albany for the British would be a good alternative. They would have better chances.
 
Top