Denman, Jeffrey A. Closing the Ring

George Washington’s War in the North, 1778-1781

After the Battle of Monmouth in June 1778, attention turned primarily to the South when Henry Clinton, the British commander-in-chief, sent troops to South Carolina at the end of 1779 to implement the new British strategy of first taking the South and then advancing north to conquer the middle colonies. Little attention is paid to the period after Monmouth and the joint land and sea operations of the French and Americans against the British at Yorktown. In the autumn of 1778, the French-American attack on British-occupied Newport, Rhode Island, failed, ending the campaigns for that year. Washington was busy using his spy network in New York City to scout out British intentions and planning an expedition led by General John Sullivan against the Six Nations to protect settlers on the border between Pennsylvania and New York. Washington spends most of the winter of 1778/79 consulting with members of Congress about the situation of the army. When spring arrived, Washington learned that the British were heading for King's Ferry on the Hudson, where the American forts Stony Point and Verplanck's Point were located. Washington broke camp at Middlebrook and moved north to support West Point, but arrived too late. However, the British offensive comes to a halt. Once the situation stabilises, Washington attacks the forts but is unable to gain a foothold, although he does capture everything of military value. The year 1779 becomes a contest for control of the forts on the Hudson. Washington is also involved in smaller attacks, such as the surprise attack on the British fort at Paulus Hook, New Jersey. The year ends with the British evacuation of King's Ferry and Newport, Rhode Island. Washington has to deal with the fall of Charleston in May 1780. He plans an attack on New York City in cooperation with Admiral d'Estaing's French fleet, but ends the preparations as November approaches. In September 1780, he meets with Rochambeau in Hartford, Connecticut, to plan strategy, but also has to deal with the betrayal of Benedict Arnold. His army takes up winter quarters in Morristown, where the worst winter of the 18th century develops. There are problems with the supply of food, equipment and clothing, and Washington remains there until Lafayette arrives with the news that a French expeditionary force is sailing to America. Washington immediately sets about reinforcing the army. He fights off two British incursions into New Jersey, leading to the Battle of Connecticut Farms on 7 and 8 June and the Battle of Springfield on 23 June, repelling the British. He then deals with the British attack on Groton Heights, Connecticut, on 6 September 1781. These often-overlooked campaigns in the north show Washington at his best, mastering administration, logistics and diplomacy to keep the army in action.