It was meant to be a swift, surgical strike deep in enemy territory. But for the American soldiers raiding Staten Island, the mission quickly devolved into a desperate, bloody fight for survival—not just against the British, but against their own countrymen.

This is the story of the Battle of Staten Island, one of the most chaotic and overlooked engagements of the American Revolution. On August 22, 1777, General John Sullivan launched an ambitious amphibious assault that spiraled out of control.

#AmericanRevolution #MilitaryHistory #USHistory #BattleofStatenIsland

What happens when an army is ordered to attack in total darkness with only bayonets? In the dead of night on September 20, 1777, British forces under Major General Charles "No-Flint" Grey did just that, launching one of the most brutal surprise attacks of the Revolutionary War.

In this video, we uncover the full story of the Battle of Paoli, also known as the Paoli Massacre. We'll explore the controversial tactics that led to a devastating American defeat and how the cry "Remember Paoli!" became a powerful source of vengeance for the Continental Army.

#MilitaryHistory #AmericanRevolution #PaoliMassacre

It's one of the great 'what ifs' of the American Revolution. In September 1777, just days after a stinging defeat at the Battle of Brandywine, George Washington's battered Continental Army turned to face the British once more. A second major battle was imminent, and with it, the potential for a decisive blow that could have crushed the rebellion.

But the battle that was supposed to happen... never did.

Join us as we uncover the forgotten story of the Battle of the Clouds, a bizarre and pivotal moment in the Philadelphia Campaign. We'll explore how two powerful armies, poised for a bloody engagement, were stopped not by cannons or cavalry, but by an enemy neither side could fight: a torrential, storm of biblical proportions.

In this episode, you'll discover:

The desperate strategic situation facing Washington as he tried to defend Philadelphia.

How a sudden, violent nor'easter turned the battlefield into an impassable swamp.

The devastating effect of the rain, which ruined thousands of cartridges and rendered muskets useless.

How this "non-battle" became Washington's miracle, allowing his army to escape, regroup, and fight another day.

Was it divine intervention that saved the Continental Army, or just the dumb luck of the weather? Watch now and decide for yourself.

Witness the chaos, the miscalculations, and the incredible bravery that defined one of the American Revolution's most pivotal battles! Learn how General George Washington's army faced near annihilation at Brandywine, and how a combination of cunning British strategy and crucial American intelligence failures almost led to a crushing defeat.

This episode dives deep into the Battle of Brandywine, fought on September 11, 1777. Discover General Howe's controversial decision to target Philadelphia instead of supporting Burgoyne, the arduous sea journey that weakened his forces, and Washington's desperate scramble to defend the capital. We'll explore the fatal flaw in American intelligence that allowed Howe to execute a devastating flanking maneuver, and the heroic rear-guard action by General Nathanael Greene that ultimately saved the Continental Army from complete destruction. Uncover the human cost of the battle, its immediate strategic consequences, and the critical lessons Washington learned that would shape the rest of the war.

Step back to 1777 and witness the dramatic opening moves of the Philadelphia Campaign.

Join History Distilled as we explore the often-overlooked Battle of Cooch's Bridge – where a small American force stood against a mighty British army, buying precious time for Washington and shaping the future of the war. Discover General Howe's disastrous sea voyage, the formation of Washington's elite light infantry, and the brutal hit-and-run tactics that defined this critical early engagement. Learn about the clash between European professionalism and American adaptability, and how a seemingly minor battle had major consequences. Don't miss this deep dive into the true cost of British miscalculation!

#AmericanRevolution #CoochsBridge #HistoryDistilled #MilitaryHistory #RevolutionaryWar #GeorgeWashington #GeneralHowe #ContinentalArmy #BattleHistory #PhiladelphiaCampaign

Uncover the pivotal moment that reshaped the American Revolutionary War ! This look into the Second Battle of Saratoga, also known as the Battle of Bemis Heights, reveals the desperate gamble of British General Burgoyne and the decisive attack that sealed an American victory.

Explore the ill-fated British three-pronged attack to control the Hudson River Valley, the American scorched-earth tactics that hindered Burgoyne's advance, and the crucial role of fortifications designed by Tadeusz Kościuszko. Discover the fierce fighting at Freeman's Farm, the desperate British plight for reinforcements, and the climactic second engagement on October 7th that saw the Americans, despite internal friction, achieve a coordinated offensive. Learn about the mortal wound dealt to General Simon Fraser and Benedict Arnold's controversial but impactful return to the field, leading to the capture of key British redoubts. The story concludes with the devastating British casualties, Burgoyne's eventual surrender at Saratoga, and how this monumental victory became the critical turning point that convinced France to formally ally with the American cause, transforming the colonial rebellion into a global conflict.

1777: A grand British plan to crush the American rebellion is set in motion. What could possibly go wrong? Dive into the brutal realities of the American frontier and discover the untold story of the Battle of Freeman's Farm, the first clash of Saratoga.

This episode explores the First Battle of Saratoga, also known as the Battle of Freeman's Farm, a pivotal moment in the American Revolutionary War. We'll examine:
The British Strategy: Learn about the audacious plan to sever New England from the other colonies and why it ultimately failed.
The American Defense: Discover how General Horatio Gates and his forces, including the renowned Morgan's riflemen, strategically defended Bemis Heights.
The Bloody Farm: Witness the intense, all day long struggle for Freeman's Farm.
Key Figures: Understand the roles of figures like Lieutenant General John Burgoyne, General Horatio Gates, and Benedict Arnold.
The Aftermath: Explore the immediate consequences of the battle, including casualties, strategic shifts, and the simmering tensions within the American command.
Join us to uncover the details of this crucial engagement that set the stage for the American victory at Saratoga!

In 1777, the British besieged Fort Stanwix as part of a larger plan to control the Hudson River Valley. American forces, led by Colonel Peter Gansevoort, defended the fort. A relief effort led by Brigadier General Nicholas Herkimer was ambushed at the Battle of Oriskany, but a raid by Willett from the fort caused the British allies to abandon their camps.

The siege became a stalemate, with British morale declining due to losses, broken promises, and the slow pace of siege warfare. Meanwhile, Lieutenant Colonel Willett successfully left the fort to seek further aid. General Philip Schuyler then dispatched Major General Benedict Arnold to lead a second relief force.

Arnold, upon learning of the fort's precarious situation, devised a deception. He used a captured, eccentric Loyalist named Hon Yost Schuyler to spread exaggerated rumors about the size of his approaching army. This tactic, coupled with Hon Yost's strange charisma and corroborating Oneida messengers, caused panic among the already demoralized Indigenous allies, leading to mass desertions from St. Leger's forces.

On August 22, 1777, St. Leger was forced to lift the siege and retreat in disarray, abandoning significant equipment and artillery. Arnold arrived at Fort Stanwix the next day, and though his pursuit was unsuccessful, St. Leger's expedition ultimately failed, unable to achieve its objectives in the Saratoga campaign.

Works cited

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The Battle of Oriskany, fought on August 6, 1777, was a bloody and pivotal battle of the American Revolutionary War. It occurred in the Mohawk Valley of New York. American militiamen and their Oneida allies were ambushed by British forces, Loyalists, and other Iroquois nations. The battle was characterized by intense, close-quarters fighting and high casualties on both sides. While not a clear tactical victory for either side, it had significant strategic consequences, contributing to the failure of the British campaign in the region and ultimately aiding the American victory at Saratoga. It also tragically marked a significant moment of division within the Iroquois Confederacy.

Works cited

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In 1777, the British planned to isolate New England by controlling New York's Hudson River Valley. This involved a three-pronged attack converging on Albany. Lieutenant Colonel Barry St. Leger was to lead a western expedition through the Mohawk Valley, a crucial area for agriculture, trade, and the Iroquois Confederacy.

Fort Stanwix, an abandoned British fort, became strategically vital as it guarded the Oneida Carrying Place, connecting the Mohawk River to Lake Ontario. The Americans, recognizing the threat, sent Colonel Peter Gansevoort to rebuild and garrison the fort with about 550-600 men. They worked to repair the fort's defenses under harassment from enemy parties and pressure from the impending British advance.

St. Leger's force, numbering 1600-1900 men, was a diverse group of British regulars, Loyalists, Canadian militia, and Iroquois warriors from the Mohawk, Seneca, Cayuga, and Onondaga nations. However, the Oneida and Tuscarora nations sided with the Americans, causing a split within the Iroquois Confederacy. This division created weaknesses within St. Leger's coalition.

Upon arriving at Fort Stanwix, St. Leger attempted to intimidate the Americans into surrendering, but Colonel Gansevoort refused. St. Leger's bombardment proved ineffective due to inadequate artillery. The initial days of the siege saw minor skirmishes. St. Leger's miscalculation regarding the fort's condition and the garrison's resolve hindered the British efforts.

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