Revolutionary War Historical Article
The American Revolution Month-by-Month June 1777
By Compatriot Andrew "Andy" Stough
Editor's Note: This article was reprinted by Permission of the Gold Country Chapter No. 7 of the CSSAR and was slightly edited by the Sons of Liberty Chapter of the CSSAR
"Gentleman Johnny” Burgoyne takes the stage."
Greek military practice ordained that military activities begin with the appearance of Antares in the constellation Scorpio. In June, Antares has long since exhibited its blood red sign in the sky but still nothing significant militarily has occurred. However, it is the month when active warfare will begin again Not only is there more than enough activity for Washington. On June 20th, "Gentleman, Johnny" Burgoyne led a large army South down Lake Champlain to Ticonderoga and eventually, to his rendezvous with destiny.
May had ended with an interesting engagement of minor forces at Sag Harbor on Long Island which showed the initiative, courage, ingenuity, audacity and spontaneity by Americans which won battles. It also demonstrates that a war of rebellion can in itself be a civil war. Seventy men from Lt. Colonel De Lancey's Tory Battalion were dispatched from New York on a foraging expedition to Sag Harbor on Long Island sailing in 12 well armed vessels and protected by an equally well armed schooner, there was little reason for concern for any action by American forces.
All went well for the Tories until Colonel Return Jonathan Meigs from an "Additional Battalion" heard about it. Without a "by your leave" from anyone, and like Ethan Allen who demanded the surrender of Ticonderoga "in the name of God and the Continental Congress" with authorization from neither, he took things into his own hands. He and 170 men on the evening of May 23rd promptly set off in whale boats from Guilford, Connecticut, to engage the foragers. Sailing across Long Island Sound "full of British cruisers" the expedition landed at Sag Harbor at two o'clock the following morning.
As Paul Harvey would say "Now for the rest of the story." Christopher Ward's "The War of the Revolution" states: "Taking DeLancey's troops by surprise he killed six men and captured the rest, burnt all their vessels except the schooner, also a large store of provisions and forage, and was back in Guilford by noon, having covered a distance of 100 miles in eighteen hours. For this feat, the Congress voted him an 'elegant sword'."
Prior to the incident at Lexington in April of 1775, various flags had been prescribed for official use by the reigning monarch of Britain. In the meantime colonies and groups had adopted various flags for their own identification. On January 1, 1776, when Washington announced that the Continental Army had come into being, a new flag was hoisted. It stood as the symbol of the army for the siege of Boston. It had 13 red and white stripes and the British "Union Jack" with the crosses of St. George and St. Andrew on the Canton showing allegiance to the Crown as at that time there was no thought of independence. (Editor's note: This flag is called the 'Grand Union Flag'. Click on the following link to find out more about this important flag: A Brief History of the Grand Union Flag).
After independence was declared, the canton and symbols were removed but a more distinctive banner was needed to establish a national flag for identification and around which the citizenry and armies could rally. A rough design retaining the 13 red and white stripes but with a blue canton carrying a circle of 13 stars in a circle to represent unity between the states was presented to Betsy Ross, a Philadelphia flag maker. The greatest modification by Betsy Ross was to change the stars from six pointed to five. On June 14th, 1777 the Continental Congress approved the new flag, which, with modifications to accommodate the admission of new states into the Union remains the national flag. (Editor's note: there is question as to whether Betsy Ross or someone else made this flag. Click on the following link to find out more about this situation: Betsy Ross, Did She or Didn't She?).
Sitting at Morristown, Washington the self taught soldier, continued to ponder Howe's next move and how he could take advantage of it. He knew that a pure war of delay and attrition could in the short term be to the British advantage. He also knew that he would have to fight and defeat Howe while he had a full army with which to fight. Having a smaller army, he could only do this if he reduced the odds against him by diminishing Howe's force to something commensurate with his own. Secondly, he must himself pick the time and place.
Britain, holding all the major southern cities, nominally controlled the southern colonies and did not appear to have any further military interest in that region. Considering this, Washington concluded that British General William Howe would do one, or two, or, all of three things. Invade New England to divide the Colonies; invade the Hudson valley which would perform the same function or to move to seize Philadelphia and the Congress. Washington continued to believe that Howe would choose the latter.
He knew also that to defeat Howe he would have to draw him out, away from his base of supply and that he also must give the impression that he could be brought to battle on Howe's terms. He must do this by fighting rear guard actions, moving fast and enticingly enough that Howe in his eagerness would abandon his supply train and heavier artillery. When Washington arrived at his own choice of time and location he would turn and strike what was now a smaller force.
An inconclusive running battle by militia and Continentals less Washington's main force was fought over a matter of days (June 12th-20th). Howe, failing to draw Washington from the hills reluctantly retreated back to Piscatawney. Deceived by Howe's retreat and considering it a defeat, Washington brought the main army down from the hills to what is now New Market.
With the fox out of his den and in open country, Howe, far from being defeated, now perceived a decisive battle on the open field on his terms and initiative. If, and it turned out to be a big IF, if he could isolate Washington and his forces and prevent any retreat into the hills he would be successful. Howe, who had commanded at Bunker (Breed's) Hill, knew how deadly the colonists could be when given cover or entrenchments was not about to be caught in that bear trap again. He must draw Washington and his Continentals into the open.
At 1:00 a.m. on the 26th Howe's forces moved in three separate columns to surround Washington and the main Continental army in a giant pincer movement. The plan was excellent but as in many cases things do not always go as planned.
Bad fortune beset the British from the beginning of the march. Howe's plan depended on surprise. He soon discovered that Minutemen, volunteers, or perhaps spies had discovered his route and departure. His march would be contested by militia and individual volunteers from the start. Enroute, the troops were beset by fire from militia and sharpshooters which took a deadly toll on Howe's men and their morale. European troops were not accustomed to being sniped at enroute to a battle and were not prepared to cope with it mentally or physically. Of equal importance was the exceedingly hot and humid day. Heat exhaustion proved as destructive to Howe's men as cannon or bullets, especially to the heavily clothed and armed Hessians.
Despite these problems, Howe's maneuver would have been successful if Washington had not had an early warning by hearing firing behind him. Alerted to the danger of encirclement, he was able to retire the army safely back into the hills. Howe, remembering all too well how destructive the Continentals could be when encountered in hilly, wooded and entrenched positions, decided to give up the chase. Besides, the capture or death of Washington was the main objective. Having gone to ground the Continentals probably could not be dug out. Any attempt to do so would be too costly in men and materiel and might still leave Howe minus his prime objective, General George Washington, Commander-in-Chief, the inspiration and leader of both citizenry and the Continental Army.
The decision having been made that no further action would lead to success, Howe retired to Amboy and then to Staten Island. By June 30 all British troops had departed New Jersey and the state was totally in American hands.
This could be seen as a time for rejoicing. However, to recap events of the month. Burgoyne had arrived in Quebec in May to lead a force south to the Hudson and Albany. A great fleet is assembling in the waters off New York. What does it all mean? What will Howe do? What is his new plan of action? Will he set sail up the Hudson to join Burgoyne? Split his forces to invade New England or will he sail down the coast and up the Chesapeake to assault Philadelphia and capture the Congress? Of one thing Washington was certain -- Howe, would attack again!
References: Christopher Ward's “War of the Revolution”; Marcus Cunliffe's "George Washington, Man and Monument", Encyclopedia Brittanica.
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