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An Alternate American Revolution: Collaborative Timeline
This will start in late 1777 with the Battles of Saratoga, Germantown, and the fictitious Siege of Philadelphia. Any person can can post add-ons to the timeline, and you have to get two people to agree, as well as a good reason, in order to kill a historical figure. This is my first ever thread, so be cool, people. :)
Here are some altered events to get you started:


October 4th, 1777: At the battle of Germantown, the Cliveden House is abandoned by Colonel Musgrave of the British Army before the battle, due to its position, which is perceived to be indefensible. Without a bulwark to slow down the Continentals, Washington's troops smash into General William Howe's army and score a major victory. Howe and Charles Cornwallis are killed during the disorganized British rout. General James Agnew, who narrowly escapes death at the hands of a Patriot sniper, is placed in total command of the army.


October 6-8, 1777: A long, bloody siege of Philadelphia begins, with the Continental Army surrounding the demoralized remnants of General Agnew's force. After three days of constant bombardment by General Henry Knox's artillery, the city is in ruins and casualties on both sides have reached almost 1000 men. There is sporadic fighting in and around Philadelphia, at places such as Camden and Woodbury Heights. No battles are decisive, and the siege degenerates into a stalemate.


October 7, 1777: At the Battle of Walnut Hill, Agnew sends 2,000 Hessians and Loyalists under the command of Hessian General Wilhelm von Knyphausen to attempt to break the siege of Philadelphia. Knyphausen's troops, after a flanking cavalry charge forces the American militia to abandon their positions atop the hill, storm the redoubt at the crest and capture ten American cannons. Despite this, Agnew fails to exploit his momentary advantage before the Continental Army rallies and halts Knyphausen's second attack. Nevertheless, the British have control of Walnut Hill and turn back several American attempts to retake it.


October 7th, 1777: Benedict Arnold, while leading the charge on the Breymann redoubt at the Battle of Bemis Heights (Saratoga), is shot in the kneecap. While not fatal, the musket ball shatters it and his leg is amputated above the knee. (In OTL, his leg was broken but he could eventually walk again.) His bravery inspires the Continentals to win the battle. However, American General Horatio Gates falls during the battle as a Loyalist marksman puts a bullet in his head. Ten days later, General “Gentleman Johnny” Burgoyne surrenders to Benjamin Lincoln, Gates's replacement. The now one-legged Arnold receives an honorable discharge and goes home.



Febuary 20, 1778: The ship carrying Continental Congress member John Adams to France is attacked off the coast of Spain by a British merchantman, the Martha. After a pitched battle, Adams's ship goes down with all hands. His body is never found. His son, John Q, is captured by the British navy.



I will add some events here and there to move the story along. To recap, the Continental victory at Germantown butterflies out the battle of Monmouth and Cornwallis's campaign through the south. I'm interested to see how Nathaniel Greene's legacy is altered by the removal of Cornwallis. And with Gates dead and Arnold discharged, that kills the disaster at Camden and the betrayal of West Point. And the death of Adams...:confused: well, that could affect the whole outcome of the country. He was the second President, and I'm interested in seeing who will replace him if the US wins the war. I also can't wait to see the outcome of the Philadelphia siege, too.
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