Map Monday, Most Important Revolutionary War Battle?

What was the most important revolutionary war battle? To start with, I need to make it clear that I’m referring to the American Revolution that produced the United States. With that settled, what’s the answer? Since the war ended 235 years ago surely there’s some consensus about the most important engagement. You might think so, but as with most things it’s a bit subjective. To some degree, it depends on where you went to school. With that opaque statement, let’s look at the top three contenders.

The battle of Lexington and Concord green 19 April 1775

Roughly 700 British regular soldiers moved out from Boston with orders to capture and destroy colonial military supplies. Aware of their plans, the colonials prepared an ambush for the British. The preparations included the famous rides of Paul Revere and Samuel Prescott as well as the use of signal lanterns in the Old North Church (one if by land two if by sea). The first shots were fired at Lexington green. The out-manned colonials fell back to the North Bridge in Concord. There roughly 400 militiamen forced 100 British regulars to retreat back to Boston.

Why is this the most important Revolutionary War battle?

It predates the formal declaration of independence by more than a year. Additionally, the outcome was not particularly decisive in a military sense. It did cause a stir and rightly can be tagged as the match that lit the powder keg. Or more poetically in the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson, “the shot heard round the world.”

The Battle of Yorktown 28 September – 19 October 1781 (Map Courtesy of National Park Service)

The Battle of Yorktown consisted of several phases. In the first, Washington and his French allies deceived the British into thinking they were going to attack New York. Instead they bypassed the city and proceeded south to Philadelphia. Once there the French helped pay the colonial army, which was near mutiny. That settled, Washington coordinated with colonial forces in Virginia and a French fleet arriving from the West Indies. The British recognized the danger, but their relief fleet was defeated by the French Comte de Grasse. Together with Rochambeau and the Marquie de Lafayette, Washington laid siege to Yorktown. Cut-off by land and sea, Cornwallis surrendered his entire command of more than 7,000 soldiers.

Why is this the most important Revolutionary War battle?

The capture of such a large force and the staunch support of the French convinced the British that victory, if possible, would be too costly. Shortly after the surrender they entered negotiations that culminated in the Treaty of Paris in 1783 which recognized the independence of the United States.

The Battles of Saratoga 19 September & 7 October 1777 (Map Courtesy of AKDeacon 2009)

In an attempt to separate rebellious New England from the rest of the colonies the British launched a three-pronged attack. One army marched from the loyalist stronghold of Canada, a second from New York City, and a third from the wilds of Lake Ontario. At least that was the plan. Rivalries and miscommunication between the British forces meant that only General Burgoyne’s Canadian force actually followed the plan. Cut-off from supplies and surrounded by colonial forces in the wilds of upstate New York, Burgoyne made two attempts to break out of his predicament. On the same battlefield south of Saratoga, NY, he lost both battles. Unable to escape, Burgoyne surrendered his entire command on 17 October 1777.

Why is this the most important Revolutionary War battle?

Prior to the Battles of Saratoga, the French aided the Americans with supplies and weapons. After Burgoyne’s surrender, they became a formal ally of the Americans. The victory also convinced Spain to join France in war against Britain. Without this victory, it’s highly unlikely that French forces would have been committed to the American cause. The battle is also notable as the event that sowed the seeds of Benedict Arnold’s betrayal.

So what’s the answer, which battle is the most important?

Well, that depends a lot on perspective. If you think the lighting the spark is the key, or if you were schooled in Massachusetts, you probably think Lexington and Concord. You could also make a case that as the knockout blow, Yorktown is the most important battle. While I went to school in Virginia and was taught the latter and lived in Lexington, which preached the former, my vote would be for Saratoga. If the British had executed their original plan things would likely have been different, but they didn’t. Despite squabbling among the Americans, they were able to turn back the invasion and secure the support necessary to win the war.

What do you think? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.

As always thanks for reading.

Armen

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