Early Years

It was a rough start for the young troops. General George Washington was shocked at the lack of discipline and lack of munitions. He quickly found out these men would need time to develop into a force that could contend with the mighty British.

The two armies met in large battles for the first time in New York, starting in Long Island and Brooklyn. Here the Americans faltered and had to retreat. Thankfully for the Americans, Washington used the cover of fog to transport his defeated troops across the East River from Brooklyn to Manhattan before they could be fully captured. If they would've been captured here, the war would have ended.

However, ensuing battles in Manhattan again proved the Americans were no match for the British and their German Hessian troops. Washington had to retreat all the way through Manhattan and eventually into New Jersey, losing forts, men, and equipment along the way. Washington even lost his temper at men who were supposed to be holding ground but instead had dropped their guns to run. He yelled at them to turn around and fight.

It was not a good start for the Americans.