Osprey military

2 total works

Saratoga, 1777

by Brendan Morrissey

Published 15 June 2000

Osprey's examination of the Saratoga campaign, which was a watershed, and is widely believed to have been the turning point of the American War of Independence (1775-1783). For the first time British regulars were beaten in open battle by equal numbers of Americans. The Continentals bore the brunt of the fighting, supported by 'hordes' of militia who proved adept at attacking detachments or lines of communication.The after-shock in America (on both sides) and Europe transformed a civil war into a global struggle against the two colonial superpowers of the day, France and Spain, and eventually lost George III his American colonies.

Yorktown 1781

by Brendan Morrissey

Published 15 September 1997

By 1781 Britain's struggle to contain the rebels in her American colonies had reached an inglorious stalemate. After six years of inconclusive action, George Washington's rebuilt Continental Army marched on Yorktown - with support from the French - and defeated the British forces led by General Cornwallis. Their triumph led directly to the Treaty of Paris and the birth of the United States as an independent nation.

By 1781 Britain's struggle to contain the rebels in her American colonies had reached an inglorious stalemate. After six years of inconclusive action, George Washington's rebuilt Continental Army marched on Yorktown - with support from the French. The siege of Yorktown began in late September and ended in mid-October when Cornwallis surrendered. Although the British officers captured were allowed to sail home, the rank and file marched off into captivity. The Franco-American victory at Yorktown ended Britain's chances of winning the war. Their triumph led directly to the Treaty of Paris and the birth of the United States as an independent nation.