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Part 1:


Early in the spring of 1777, the forces of the Continental Congress of America seemed to be losing against the forces of King George. Already, New York, New Jersey, and much of the South were under the control of the British. In March, General William Howe suggested a strike into Pennsylvania, eventually taking Philidelphia by the end of the summer. Philidelphia was an important target, being the meeting place of the Continental Congress. If the Congress was taken, Howe believed, Washington and the other Continental Generals would give up, and peace could return to British america. Howes plans for the campaign were approved, and he was given 20,000 British and German troops to capture the city.


In early June of that year, forces of the Royal Navy sailed into the Delaware Bay. Within a few days, a large force of British regulars had disembarked a dozen miles south of Newcastle. During this time, local militia forces, loyal to the President of Delaware, John McKinley, massed in Newcastle. The forces gathered numbered about 5,000, so for any victory to be achieved, help was needed from the Continental Army. George Washington and the Continental army at this time had been stationed just south Philidelphia. When messengers from Newcastle arrived on the 17 of June, the idea that the Continental Army be sent south was vetoed by the Continental Congress, which was in favor of using the army to fortify Philidelphia.


The Continental Army Command, on the night of June 19, discussed disobeying the Congress, and marching certain units southwards in defense of Newcastle. By morning, it was decided that 7,000 regulars would be sent southwards, gathering Pennsylvania militias on the way to relieve Newcastle. So, on June 20, 1777, parts of the Continental Army, under George Washington marched southwards.


Meanwhile, William Howe and the British Army began to besiege Newcastle. British headquarters were set up in the small rural villages of Townsend and Clayton. Then, Newcastle was surrounded by the Royal Army. Next, an ultimatum was given to the towns militia commander Hugh Mercer, to surrender the town and leave without their weapons. After four hours, with no response by Mercer, the Royal Army began to bombard the town. By the end of the day, the Royal Navy began to bombard Newcastle from the sea.


From the 19 to the 27 of June, Newcastle was under siege with no hopes of any help from the Continental Army. However, on the 27 of June, Forward Elements of the Continental Army began to skirmish with Howes army north of Townsend. For the next few days, as Washingtons army arrived in the Newcastle area, Continental Forces fought their way towards Newcastle. Somehow, on the 29, a Continental Spy managed to get into Newcastle and inform them that they should attempt to break out on the 30. On the 30 of June, around 9:00 AM, Continental Army forces and Delaware militia both attempted assaults on the British Siege Lines. That day, the Delawarean forces managed to break out in the south especially, where regiments had been taken from to counter Washington. By the end of the day, the siege was broken, and Newcastles people as well the Delaware militia fled out through the Northern roads.


The siege had ended, with most of the defenders escaped, and the town now undefended.
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