Conquer by a Drawn Game (January 1777 – February 1778)

By early 1777, many soldiers were returning home, and Washington needed to enlist new men. The Continental Army offered cash bonuses and the promise of free Native American land to anyone who joined. The war would no longer be fought by men of property or ideals, but it would be fought by common men, immigrants, draftees and thousands of African-Americans, both enslaved and free.

The Haudenosaunee was a centuries-old union of the Six Nations: Seneca, Cayuga, Onondaga, Tuscarora, Oneida and Mohawk. But the confederacy is divided on their support of the American Revolution. The Oneidas support the Patriots, but some Mohawks led by Thayendanegea ally with the British. Things come to a head at the bloody Battle of Oriskany as Patriot, British and Native American forces clash.

General Horatio Gates and his Patriot forces are dug in along the Bemis Heights just south of Saratoga, and the British Army led by General John Burgoyne. Burgoyne is determined to find the Patriots and drive them out. Some of his forces battle with Patriots led by Benedict Arnold and Daniel Morgan. The battle is a draw, but crucially, the British do not discover the main Patriot fortifications.

Following the loss of the Battle of the Brandywine, Continental Congress flees Philadelphia and the approaching British army. Washington sends men ahead to defend the city, but they are ambushed at the Paoli Massacre, and Philadelphia is occupied by the British. Washington devises an ambitious plan to engage the British at their headquarters in Germantown.

The Continental Army at Saratoga swells to 17,000 as it once again clashes with the British, led by General John Burgoyne. Benedict Arnold is seriously wounded while leading the troops, but the Patriots are successful in pushing back the British. Completely surrounded with dwindling supplies, Burgoyne has little choice but to surrender to Horatio Gates in a major victory for the Patriots.

Some of the most influential creators of the United States believed in a Supreme Being — but one who did not interfere in the affairs of men or distinguish between faiths. They believed it was an individual’s responsibility to lead a virtuous life, which could only come from tolerance and a lifetime of learning.

The Continental Congress had called for a new flag to represent their new country. But two years later, there was still no “national standard.” While artistic renderings of Revolutionary events often include the flag, little is known about its origins – including whether it flew above a battlefield and who made the first one.

It took the Continental Congress 526 days to fashion the Articles of Confederation and another 39 months to ratify them. They were meant to show France the 13 former colonies could work together. But they were also weak and constrained by design, leaving each state more-or-less independent and giving Congress no power to tax. That meant they had no way to pay the soldiers in the Continental Army.

As America braces for a third year of devastating war, British commanders launch campaigns to take Albany and Philadelphia. General Howe beats General Washington at Brandywine and Germantown, while the Continental Congress flees Philadelphia. But the Americans’ surprising victory over General Burgoyne at Saratoga opens the door for France to officially support the United States.