Timeline of the American Revolution/1777
1777
At What Price?
In 1777 the Americans cut short a British plan to divide and conquer the colonies. The British surrendered a large force to the Continental Army after the battles of Saratoga in New York, but were able to capture the patriot capital at Philadelphia. In December, an optimistic, but weary Continental Army marched into winter quarters at Valley Forge.
January 3
Washington follows up triumph at Trenton with a victory at the Battle of Princeton, New Jersey.
January 6
Continental Army enters second winter encampment of the war at Morristown, New Jersey.
May
After facing defeat by patriot militia along the southern frontier, Cherokee Indians are forced from their land in South Carolina.
May 28
Continental Army leaves Morristown, New Jersey, encampment.
June
British under General John Burgoyne begin lake-route invasion from Canada.
July 6
British force Americans to abandon Fort Ticonderoga.
July 20
After struggle with patriot forces along the Carolina and Georgia frontiers, Cherokee give up land in western North Carolina.
July 27
Marquis de Lafayette arrives in Philadelphia to volunteer for the American cause.
August 2 - 23
Patriots successfully defend Fort Stanwix, New York, against intimidating British assault, halting one prong of planned English offensive.
August 6
In one of the bloodiest actions of the war, Mohawk war chief, Joseph Brant and British-allied Indians ambush and engage New York militia outside Fort Stanwix at Oriskany, New York. August 16
Hessian component of General Burgoyne’s offensive defeated at Bennington (Vermont).
August 25
British land at Head of Elk (Chesapeake Bay), Maryland, and begin campaign to capture Philadelphia.
September 2
Zealous Pennsylvania government arrests prominent Philadelphia Quakers for not supporting patriot causes and sends them into exile in Virginia.
September 11
Washington gives ground after losing hard-fought Battle of Brandywine, Pennsylvania.
September 19
At the first Battle of Saratoga (Freeman’s Farm), New York, Burgoyne’s army is shaken by encounter with Arnold and Morgan’s riflemen.
September 21
British carry out victorious nighttime bayonet assault on Anthony Wayne’s Pennsylvania troops at the Battle of Paoli, Pennsylvania.
September 22 - 26
English outmaneuver Continental Army and capture Philadelphia.
October 4
Washington’s bold counter attack at the Battle of Germantown, Pennsylvania, falls short.
October 7
At Second Battle of Saratoga (Bemis Heights) New York, Arnold defeats British again and forces them to retreat.
October 17
Burgoyne surrenders his trapped army to General Horatio Gates.
October 22
Hessian attack on Fort Mercer, New Jersey, is firmly repulsed.
November 10 - 15
Fort Mifflin, Pennsylvania, reduced and evacuated after valiant American defense.
November 15
Articles of Confederation adopted by Continental Congress in York, Pennsylvania.
December 19
Continental Army enters the third winter encampment of the war at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.
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