New York During the Revolution: Crucible of Action

Return to New York During the Revolution

While the Revolutionary War began in Massachusetts and ended in Paris it was fought, for the most part, in New York. More battles were fought here during the Revolution than in any other state. The Continental Army reached some of its highest points and faced some of its greatest challenges while fighting in New York.

In 1775, shortly after the battles of Lexington and Concord, Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold commanded a small force of about 400 men and captured Fort Ticonderoga, which is located along the New York-Vermont border, winning America’s first clear military victory of the War. The battle was strategically important for the Americans. The Fort’s fall severed the British forces between New York and Massachusetts, provided the Colonial Army with much needed cannons, and blocked a potential route for British invasion from Quebec.

It was not long, however, until the Continental Army’s early good fortune in New York was reversed. The battles for control of New York City were some of the darkest days of the American Revolution, nearly costing the young country its Army and commanding general, George Washington. Shortly after General Washington drove the British from Boston, he moved his forces to defend the strategic port of New York City. Unfortunately, his relatively untrained troops proved no match for the British forces assembled. After losing several critical actions that could have cost the new nation its entire army, Washington executed a daring nighttime withdrawal, averting a disastrous loss. Though he suffered a series of tactical defeats, General Washington’s withdrawal demonstrated that he was a brilliant strategist by saving the Continental Army.

By 1777, it was becoming increasingly clear that if the fledgling United States was going to win the war it needed foreign allies. However, the lack of American successes on the battlefield made potential alliances with France and Spain impossible to formalize. The American victory at Saratoga changed that dynamic. General Horatio Gates’ victory over British General John Burgoyne prevented the British from dividing the colonies in half, forcing them to allocate even more resources to their war effort. As a direct result of American success at Saratoga, France made its support of the Americans a formal alliance and the American Revolution became a worldwide conflict.

Many other battles were fought in New York, but these three actions highlight the importance of this State and its citizen soldiers to America’s fight for independence.

Canteen

Belonged to Abraham Van Vlack, Continental soldier, used at Ft. Constitution.

NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

Haversack

Belonged to David Uhl, Militia Captain, used by him when he joined the army at Harlem, NY.

NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation