January 3
January 3
The Battle of Princeton
In a stroke of strategic genius, General George Washington manages to evade conflict with General Charles Cornwallis, who had been dispatched to Trenton to bag the fox (Washington), and wins…
A Year In History: 1777
Also Within This Year in History:
1777
Though overshadowed by 1776, 1777 would be a momentous year for American patriots. Victory over British troops at the Battle of Saratoga became an early turning point in the war for independence. The Continental Congress adopted the Stars and Stripes as the new nation’s flag and the Articles of Confederation as its first constitution. The 19-year-old Marquis de Lafayette arrived from France to join the fight. Meanwhile, Spain and Portugal concluded a two-year conflict over their own colonies in the Americas.
January 6
January 6
George Washington sets up winter quarters in Morristown, NJ
After two significant victories over the British in Trenton and Princeton, New Jersey, General George Washington marches north to Morristown, New Jersey, where he sets up winter headquarters for himself…
January 12
January 12
Hugh Mercer dies from wounds received in Battle of Princeton
On January 12, 1777, American Brigadier General Hugh Mercer dies from the seven bayonet wounds he received during the Battle of Princeton. Mercer’s military service ranged over two continents and…
January 15
January 15
Vermont declares independence from colony of New York
Having recognized the need for their territory to assert its independence from both Britain and New York and remove themselves from the war they were waging against each other, a…
January 20
January 20
Battle of Millstone, New Jersey
On this day in 1777, Brigadier General Philemon Dickinson leads 400 raw men from the New Jersey militia and 50 Pennsylvania riflemen under Captain Robert Durkee in an attack against…
January 29
January 29
Americans retreat from Fort Independence
Facing a surprise British counterassault in the bitter cold and with a snowstorm approaching, American commander Major General William Heath and his army of 6,000 abandon their siege on Fort…
February 5
February 5
Georgia constitution abolishes primogeniture and entail
On February 5, 1777, Georgia formally adopts a new state constitution and becomes the first U.S. state to abolish the inheritance practices of primogeniture and entail. Primogeniture ensured that the…
February 8
February 8
Former POW Timothy Bigelow is named colonel
Just six months after his release as a prisoner‑of‑war, Major Timothy Bigelow becomes colonel of the 15th Massachusetts Colonial Line of the Continental Army on this day in 1777. Bigelow,…
February 19
February 19
Congress overlooks Benedict Arnold for promotion
On February 19, 1777, the Continental Congress votes to promote Thomas Mifflin, Arthur St. Clair, William Alexander, Lord Stirling, Adam Stephen and Benjamin Lincoln to the rank of major general.…
February 21
February 21
George Weedon is promoted to brigadier general
On this day in 1777, George Weedon is promoted to the rank of brigadier general of the Virginia Regiment of the Continental Army. Weedon was an innkeeper in Fredericksburg, Virginia,…
February 22
February 22
Archibald Bulloch dies under mysterious circumstances
On February 22, 1777, Revolutionary War leader and Georgia’s first Provisional Governor Archibald Bulloch dies under mysterious circumstances just hours after Georgia’s Council of Safety grants him the powers of…
February 28
February 28
British plan to isolate New England
John Burgoyne, poet, playwright and British general, submits an ill‑fated plan to the British government to isolate New England from the other colonies on February 28, 1777. Burgoyne’s plan revolved…
March 7
March 7
Five letters pass between Abigail and John Adams
On March 7, 1777, Continental Congressman John Adams writes three letters to and receives two letters from his wife, Abigail. He is with Congress in Philadelphia, while she maintains their…
April 2
April 2
Ebenezer Learned is promoted to brigadier general
On this day in 1777, the Continental Congress promotes Colonel Ebenezer Learned to the rank of brigadier general of the Continental Army. Learned was an experienced military man who served…
April 13
April 13
British attack at Bound Brook, New Jersey
In the early morning hours of April 13, 1777, General Lord Charles Cornwallis leads 4,000 British troops and Hessian mercenaries in a surprise attack on a small garrison of American…
April 20
April 20
New York adopts state constitution
The first New York state constitution is formally adopted by the Convention of Representatives of the State of New York, meeting in the upstate town of Kingston, on April 20,…
April 26
April 26
British rampage Danbury, Connecticut
On April 26, 1777, British troops under the command of General William Tryon attack the town of Danbury, Connecticut, and begin destroying everything in sight. Facing little, if any, opposition…
May 16
May 16
Georgia Patriot Button Gwinnett is fatally wounded in duel
On May 16, 1777, British‑born Georgia Patriot and signer of the Declaration of Independence Button Gwinnett receives a bullet wound in a duel with his political rival, Georgia city Whig…
May 23
May 23
Meigs Expedition claims Patriot victory on Long Island
At Sag Harbor, New York, Patriot troops under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Return Jonathan Meigs capture several British vessels and burn Redcoat supplies. With the help of two local…
June 13
June 13
Lafayette arrives in South Carolina to serve alongside General Washington
On June 13, 1777, a 19‑year‑old French aristocrat, Marie‑Joseph Paul Roch Yves Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette, arrives in South Carolina with the intent to serve as General George…
