I am at awe, and quite intimidated by the depth of knowledge and time commitment many posters have put into these timelines. Please expect only broad brushstrokes for my first attempt.
But I would certainly appreciate any insights.
A Change of Character: The Failed Rebellions of the American Colonies and the American British Empire
1775 – 1780: First War of American Independence
POD: Changes in the distribution of courage, ingenuity, and intellect between American and British generals.
1776: Based on his deep faith in country, king, and the unified national character, General Howe is relentless in pursuing the fragmented Continental Army in New York. Blessed with fair weather conditions, Howe's army defeats the majority of the Continental Army in Long Island. George Washington and some remnants escape, but are badly discouraged. British and Hessian troops reinforce Boston and take New York.
Faced with such a defeat, George Washington falls into a melancholy. His vision and resolve waiver, and his compatriots are dismayed. The army continues to retreat, ceding New Jersey and New York to the British.
1777: A coordinated attack from Canada by John Burgoyne and General Howe push back the remaining Continental Army forces. The forces of George Washington are surrounded. Discouraged, and resigned to his fate, George Washington surrenders, and most of his men flee. The remainder are captured and sent to terrible prison camps and ships. Philadelphia is captured and the Continental Congress flees.
France watches the revolt with interest from a distance, but sees the disastrous early victories as a poor sign. They lend moral support, but wait before directly engaging Britain in an international conflict. The tide of battle never turns, and the French never lend military aid.
Guerilla war-fare by local revolutionary militias in New England is slowly overwhelmed by British forces. The encircled Continental Congress in York, Pennsylvania attempts to flee through Maryland to Virginia. A small Loyalist militia is tipped by an informer, and notifies nearby British forces. The troops rush to intercept the Congress, and miraculously capture all their members on July 7th, 1777. They are sent to reprehensible conditions on British prison ships in New York.
The Suffering of the Sevens becomes a underground legend in local folklore. It becomes a song set in minor key, with the following lyrics [in modern spelling]:
O rebel souls did rear their heads to toss against a king,
Declare their life, their love, the home, for all eternity.
But drawn like sheep until the fold-- weep thou here with me!--
That when the Suffering Sevens fall, so falls our liberty.
By the 1880s, children played a game known as Suffering Sevens, where a group on one side would be blindfolded, while a smaller group tried to flee. When found, the hunted would be forced to perform a humiliating act, to the amusement of the victors.
By 1780, an emboldened British and Hessian force engages in a Southern Campaign. Although revolutionary sentiment is still dominant, Loyalist militias are somewhat stronger, and the combined forces are able to destroy the last substantial armies of the American Revolt. Scattered militia forces engage in guerillas warfare until 1782, when the last significant resistance is crushed in the Appalachian foothills by a joint force of Native American and British forces.
Next: The Butterflies of the Failed First Rebellion of the American Colonies