The War Shifts to the Middle States

  

 After the British left Boston in early 1776 they decided to attack New York City. By taking New York they would cut the England colonies. After series of battles they were able to capture the city in September 15 by William Howe. About 30,000 British and German troops crushed the Patriots. The continental army was forced to retreat across to New Jersey. Washington barely saved the army and the revolution by counterattacking in December 26 by crossing the Delaware River, in the middle of a Christmas night surprising the Garrisons (a body of troops stationated in a fortified place) of more than a thousand Germans. This was called The Battle of Trenton. This victory raised the spirit of the Patriots.
    Washington began with another victory in 1777. Again moving his troops on the middle of the night. General Charles Cornwallis was in charge of this Battle of Princeton. During the remainder of 1777 George Washington suffered more defeats. In the fall of 1777 he lost Philadelphia for the house of the army. Let by General John Burgoyne, another British army marched from Canada to invade the New York Hudson River and this was the greatest victory. Saratoga suggested that US might win the war.