January 22
January 22
Claudius Smith, “Cowboy of the Ramapos,” hangs
Famed Tory outlaw Claudius Smith meets his end on the gallows on January 22, 1779 in Goshen, New York. In the wake of his death, patriot civilians during the American…
A Year In History: 1779
This Year in History:
1779
Discover what happened in this year with HISTORY’s summaries of major events, anniversaries, famous births and notable deaths.
January 26
January 26
Engagement at Burke County Jail
On this day in 1779, after the British capture of Savannah, Georgia, a group of Patriots meets at the city’s Burke County Jail to determine how they will deal with…
February 10
February 10
The Battle of Carr’s Fort
On this day in 1779, a force of more than 340 men from the South Carolina and Georgia militias, led by Colonel Andrew Pickens of South Carolina with Colonel John…
February 14
February 14
Captain Cook killed in Hawaii
On February 14, 1779, Captain James Cook, the great English explorer and navigator, is killed by Native Hawaiians during his third visit to the Pacific island group. In 1768, Cook,…
February 14
February 14
Patriots defeat Loyalists at Kettle Creek
On this day in 1779 at Kettle Creek, Georgia, a Patriot militia force of 340 led by Colonel Andrew Pickens of South Carolina, with Colonel John Dooly and Lieutenant Colonel…
February 25
February 25
British surrender Fort Sackville
On February 25, 1779, Fort Sackville is surrendered, marking the beginning of the end of British domination in America’s western frontier. Eighteen days earlier, George Rogers Clark departed Kaskaskia on…
March 11
March 11
Congress establishes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
On March 11, 1779, Congress establishes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to help plan, design and prepare environmental and structural facilities for the U.S. Army. Made up of civilian…
June 1
June 1
Benedict Arnold is court‑martialed
The court‑martial of Benedict Arnold convenes in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After a relatively clean record in the early days of the American Revolution, Arnold was charged with 13 counts of misbehavior,…
June 21
June 21
Spain declares war against Great Britain
On June 21, 1779, Spain declares war on Great Britain, creating a de facto alliance with the Americans. Spain’s King Charles III would not consent to a treaty of alliance…
July 16
July 16
Anthony Wayne launches risky attack against British forces
On July 16, 1779, American Brigadier General Anthony Wayne launches a coup de main against British fortifications at Stony Point, New York, on the orders of General George Washington. He…
July 22
July 22
Battle of Minisink Ford, New York
On this day in 1779, Mohawk Indian Chief Joseph Brant leads a mixed force of Loyalists and Indians in surrounding a force of 120 colonial militiamen from New York and…
July 24
July 24
Massachusetts begins ill‑fated Penobscot Expedition
On July 24, 1779, a naval expeditionary force commissioned by the Massachusetts General Assembly departs Boothbay, Maine, headed for the Penobscot peninsula, where British forces had recently established a small…
August 5
August 5
DeLancey and Hull battle for the Bronx
On this day in 1779, Lieutenant Colonel James DeLancey’s New York Loyalists and Patriot William Hull’s Connecticut Brigade engage in a civil war for the Bronx in New York. The…
August 19
August 19
Americans raid Paulus Hook, New Jersey
On this day in 1779, a Patriot force consisting of 300 men led by Major Henry “Light Horse Harry” Lee assaults the defensive positions of the British at Paulus Hook,…
August 29
August 29
Battle of Chemung, New York
On this day in 1779, at what is modern‑day Elmira, New York, near the state’s southwestern border with Pennsylvania, Continental forces led by Major General John Sullivan and Brigadier General…
September 14
September 14
Brodhead completes Allegheny River expedition
On this day in 1779, American Colonel Daniel Brodhead concludes an ambitious assault against the Seneca Indians throughout the Allegheny Valley of Pennsylvania. Simultaneously, Major General John Sullivan had attacked…
September 15
September 15
French capture British ships
On this day in 1779, French Commander Charles Count d’Estaing captures two British frigates and two British supply ships in the Savannah River. After completing a total blockade of Savannah,…
September 21
September 21
Spaniards capture Baton Rouge
On this day in 1779, the Louisiana governor and Spanish military officer Bernardo de Galvez, with the aide of American troops and militia volunteers, captures the British post and garrison…
September 23
September 23
John Paul Jones wins in English waters
During the American Revolution, the U.S. ship Bonhomme Richard, commanded by John Paul Jones, wins a hard‑fought engagement against the British ships of war Serapis and Countess of Scarborough, off…
September 23
September 23
John Paul Jones victorious
During the American Revolution, the U.S. ship Bonhomme Richard, commanded by John Paul Jones, wins a hard‑fought engagement against the British ships of war Serapis and Countess of Scarborough off…
