From Colonies to Nation Part V The American Revolution Spreads When the British were finally forced out of Boston in March of 1776, George Washington knew they would attack again. The most important port in the colonies was New York City and Washington correctly guessed that the British would attack there first. Washington marched the Continental Army from Boston to New York and ordered them to start preparing to defend the city. The Battle of New York Sure enough, a large British fleet arrived off the coast of New York in July. They set up camp on Staten Island. British General Howe sent men to negotiate with Washington. They offered him a pardon from the king if he would surrender, but he replied "Those who have committed no fault want no pardon." In August, British troops landed on Long Island, along with paid German soldiers called Hessians. On August 27, the British attacked. The Continental Army was nearly surrounded. Washington retreated to Brooklyn. The British, not wanting to suffer losses like they did at Bunker Hill, and figuring the Americans had no way to escape, halted the attack. In the fog, Washington saved his army by crossing the East River into Manhattan. After losing two more battles, Washington retreated all the way into Pennsylvania. The winter of 1776 was cold and snowy. On Christmas Eve, Hessian soldiers stationed in Trenton, New Jersey, celebrated Christmas and went to sleep. They were confident that nobody would attack them, since the Delaware River, separating New Jersey from Pennsylvania where the Continental Army was, had been full of ice. Overnight, Washington led his army across the Delaware and surprised the Hessians, winning the battle quickly and capturing them. The victory and a victory at the Battle of Princeton a week later allowed Washington to take back most of New Jersey from the British. The Battle of Trenton From June to July 1777, the British under General John Burgoyne invaded New York from Canada, recapturing Fort Ticonderoga. They pushed south to link up with General Howe’s forces in New York City to cut off New England from the rest of the states. But Howe had left to attack Philadelphia. The British Advance General Howe attacked the Continental Army at the Battle of Brandywine Creek in Pennsylvania, forcing the Continental Congress to evacuate Philadelphia. While in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, they drew up the Articles of Confederation, a plan for government in the new nation. Meanwhile, the Continental Army made camp in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania for the winter of 1777-1778, so that they could keep an eye on the British in Philadelphia and protect the people of Pennsylvania. Conditions were brutal. Disease spread through the camp, killing 2,500 out of 10,000 men. Many soldiers had only a shirt and a blanket. Many had no shoes and left bloody footprints in the snow with each step. Food and supplies were running out. Many soldiers were at the end of their enlistment and wanted to return home to their farms. Many questioned Washington’s leadership. Washington feared that by the end of the winter, he would no longer have an army. The revolution may be lost. The Americans needed help.