Role of Women in the Revolution

During the American Revolution many women took an active role in the American Revoluton in both the American and British armies. Most were the wives or daughters of soldiers. These women, who maintained an almost constant presence in military camps, were known as "camp followers."The fact that these women were not considered to be part of the army they were still included in the list of British prisoners taken at Stony Point. Because women frequently did not serve any military function during the war, their individual names were never listed in the records of the day and are unknown to us. It is also difficult to state accurately what their duties were as camp followers. Although we may say that their duties consisted primarily of cooking, mending, laundry, childcare, and nursing the sick. As a camp follower a woman was paid a small wage and was supplied with a half ration of food for herself. While the above mentioned tasks were performed by the majority of women found within camp life, an occasional woman found herself placed or placed herself in extraordinary circumstances. Her participation in such situations were frequently well beyond the roles dictated by 18th-century society.

One of the most remarkable individuals of the Revolution was a young lady by the name of Deborah Sampson. It was her desire to avoid hard labor on the family farm that led her to impersonate a man and join the American army. Sampson first enlisted under the name Timothy Thayer early in 1782. When she failed to report for duty after a night spent imbibing at a local tavern, her true identity was discovered. In May of 1782, she re-enlisted, this time in Captain George Webb's Co. 4th Massachusetts Regiment, under the name of Robert Shurtleff. She participated in several battles and in 1783 was named aide-de-camp to General John Paterson at West Point. Her identity was again discovered during the summer of 1783 by a physician who treated her when she became seriously ill. Shortly thereafter she was honorably discharged from the army. She subsequently returned to Massachusetts where she married.

General William Howe

One important British general during these Revolutionary War. William Howe was born on August 10 of 1729, in England. Howe was uncle of King George the Third; he was the King during the Revolutionary war. Before they sent Howe to fight to the war, he was nice to the colonist, but he had this big problem, that as a soldier he had to fight against them. Howe came as a Major General to the colonies on May 25 of 1775. When he landed he starts attacking Breed’s Hill. This battle became known as the Battle of Bunker Hill. General Howe knew how to maintain his troops well, in this war Americans fought bravely, but still the British won.

William Howe became a full General in October, 1775, and he became a temporary Commander of the British Army in the 13 colonies. George Washington won the Dorchester Heights battle, here was when he overlooked Boston Harbor, and started observing the British, so General Howe ordered his troops and sent them back to Canada until they could attack again.

Was in 1776 that, General William Howe and his troops began the battle for New York City. They landed on Staten Island on July, and in August they fought against George Washington in the Battle of Long Island. The British won the battle. One of the biggest victories of the General Howe was the important battle of White Plains against George Washington. General Howe and his troops captured Fort Lee, New Jersey, across the river from New York City. British captured all New York City. Howe stay in New York, he didn’t fight in 1777, but in the battle of Brandywine he beat George Washington taking over Philadelphia. He retired on 1778 and he sailed back to England. He finally died on July 12, 1814

Quartering Act

In response to Gage’s request and in an attempt to have control of the colonies again, the British Parliament passed the Quartering Act of 1765. Given Royal Assent on March 24, 1765, this Act gave Great Britain the right to quarter troops in barracks and public houses in the colonies. Meaning that normal colonist would have to shelter troops in their homes until told not to do so. The requirement followed the original Mutiny Act of 1765 but the overall Quartering Act went beyond the original Act requirements. Under the new Act, if more British troops required housing than was available in barracks and public houses, the troops could be housed in a variety of additional locations such as inns, ale houses, private homes of those who sold wine or alcohol and livery stables. If the number of troops exceeded the additional locations, provisions were included to house soldiers in any abandoned homes or outbuildings such as barns or outhouses. Finally, the Act required colonial governments to take care of the costs that included with quartering British troops, including food and shelter.

The first Quartering Act resulted in a chaos in New York when the local government initially did not want to quarter arriving British troops. In 1776, troops had to remain on board of their ships because the local government opposed to provide housing for them. After a colonist following the local government’s refusal to provide accommodation, the British Parliament with-drawled New York’s local legislature. This suspension never took effect, since the local Assembly agreed to fund the housing of troops. Other colonies avoided the Act by various methods until it completely ended in 1767.

Both Quartering Acts served to increase tensions between the American colonies and the British government. Requirements to house and provision troops, even during peacetime, proved to be a significant source of disagreement between the emerging colonial independence and the British government.

Battle of Saratoga

“…one of the Greatest battles that Ever was fought in America…” Major Henry Dearborn

The battle of saratoga was a turning point for the american revolution. It made other countries think that patriots would actually have a chance at winning. Including that it made the french ally with them against the British. It benefited the american army since the french contributed with supplies and money to help out. Which eventually led to troops and ships to help out the american army. This battle is one of the most important because as stated before it was a turning point making it very important in american history. As well for kids to understand that the american army fought hard against the british and were determined to win and have the freedom that they deserved.

The battle was won because General John Burgoyne, a british army officer wanted to set a trap for the patriots. This was to be done by taking away all of New York from the Americans. The plan consisted of three parts. Burgoyne would gosouth from Canada and plan to meet at Albany with Generals Barry St. Leger and William Howe. St. Leger was to move east from Fort Oswego, on Lake Onratio and Howe was to move north from Virginia. For general John this was a brilliant plan, he was sure to crush the american army with this. The problem was it didn't work, everything counter-attacked back to him. William Howe never got the message and went to Philadelphia instead. Burgoyne himself was stopped by American General Benedict Arnold at Saratoga. St. Leger made it to Albany and had it all to himself. John Burgoyne surrendered almost his entire army to General Horatio Gates on October 17, 1777.

The win of this battle included many things. Most importantly the persistence and determination as well as faith that the american army had was outstanding and very helpful to led them to their many wins. Also including the fact that they were able to have the french ally with them against the british. Bringing them one step closer to victory. Lastly, the help and leadership that they had with George Washington made them goes as far also.