The Revolutionary War (through 1775-1776)
Washington continued to show leadership through the events in the Revolutionary War as his popularity grew among the people of the colonies. He didn't take a leading role in the road to the nation's independence all at once; rather, his actions started off small and gradually built up on each other as the war spurred on.
Tension grew in Boston between the colonists and the British as the years went on.
On June 14, 1775, Washington was appointed by the Second Continental Congress to lead the Continental Army. Washington, having already become irritated with the British, didn't hesitate to agree to take control of the army. At the same time, the members of the Second Continental Congress agreed that Washington had the most military experience among themselves. John Adams had stated that it would also have great political advantages.
After the Battle of Bunker Hill, Washington went to assume command of the ragtag but determined forces in Boston.
Washington was prepared for battles and willing to lead his country to victory, but what he didn't know was that eight long years of war laid ahead of him and his army. He also didn't know of the difficulties of the constant marching and travel that would take place—not to mention the crisis of food and supply shortages. Added to that, Washington really didn't have experience with large forces such as the Continental Army.
Washington's retreat from Long Island, New York.
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Washington and the Army barely escaped annihilation in the Battle of Long Island on August 22, 1776.William Howe and his British forces had the Continental Army surrounded and painfully outnumbered. Washington's men numbered in 9,000, while William Howe's was 20,000—more than double the size of the Continental Army. On the other hand, even though the colonial forces had obviously been defeated, it was remarkable that Washington was able to retreat from the battle, and lead all of his men to safety. He came up with a clever yet risky plan to escape with his forces to Manhattan by flatboats on the night of August 29-30. Not a man was lost on the way. The British were astonished by such an achievement.
Unfortunately, the Continental Army faced more defeat after their near destruction in New York.Washington was defeated at the Battle of White Plains on October 28, 1776, and again at Fort Washington on November 16, 1776. The Army suffered 59 casualties and 2,837 men at Fort Washington. Eventually, Washington's broken and dismantled army fled all the way to Pennsylvania.
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