General George Washington led the American army to victory during the Revolutionary War. While he lost more battles than he won, Washington employed a winning strategy that included victories at the Battle of Trenton in 1776 and Yorktown in 1781.
Winter Patriots
During some of the hardest times of the war, Washington and his soldiers prepare to cross the Delaware River to attack the Hessian and British troops at Trenton and Princeton.
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Now or Never: The Yorktown Campaign
The Siege of Yorktown is one of the most important battles of the Revolutionary War and confirmed that American efforts to win independence from Great Britain would end in success.
Learn MoreGeneral Washington and the American Revolution
Revolutionary War Battles
There were over two-hundred-and-thirty skirmishes and battles fought during the American Revolution. Of those, General Washington was present for seventeen, leading the Continental Army troops to victories, draws, and defeats.
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10 Facts About Washington and the Revolutionary War
George Washington’s strong leadership presence and fortitude held the American military together and set them on the path to victory, but the Revolutionary War brought about many challenges and close-calls, and victory was not always given.
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African Americans in the Revolutionary War
As the American Revolutionary ideal for liberty and equality did not yet apply to the thousands of enslaved people of African descent, African Americans were posed with a difficult choice in terms of what to believe and who to side with.
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Smallpox
The coming of the American Revolution made the spread of the dangerous smallpox disease significantly larger in scale. Washington had battled the disease as a teenager, and knew that its threat to the Continental Army was almost as dangerous as that of the enemy.
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Ten Facts About Washington’s Crossing of the Delaware River
On the night of December 25th, 1776, General George Washington and the Continental Army famously crossed the Delaware River, the first move in an attack on Hessian troops at Trenton, New Jersey. Less well-known were the various set-backs that threatened the derail the entire operation.
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Music in the Revolutionary War
The music in General Washington’s Continental Army consisted of fife and drum corps, both of which played a vital role in battles.
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George Washington, Spymaster
George Washington served as the head of the Culper Ring, a network of spies that operated during the American Revolution, secretly providing information on British operations. Under his supervision, they made invaluable contributions to the war effort.
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Resignation of Military Commission
Following the conclusion of the Revolutionary War, George Washington gave up power and resigned his military commission. This act, perhaps his greatest example of leadership, is of tremendous importance to American history.
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Smallpox Inoculation Letter
Washington described smallpox in 1777 as a potentially greater threat “than…the Sword of the Enemy.” Soldiers arriving from England and Germany frequently brought smallpox to American shores and Washington was ever vigilant “against this most dangerous enemy.” In this letter, George Washington coordinates his officers to ensure the inoculation of Continental Army soldiers against smallpox in 1777.
Continental Army Muster Roll, 1779
As Major General and Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, George Washington won the military struggle for American Independence. This was remarkable, as the army was ragtag, barely trained, half-starving, and woefully underequipped. The average age of soldiers who served in the Continental Army was 18 to 20 years old, some as young as 14. This document lists the men who joined the Continental Army from Springfield, Massachusetts in 1779. It lists their hometown, country, age, stature, skin tone, and time of arrival.
The Culper Code Book
The Culper Spy Ring was an American spy network operating during the War of American Independence that provided George Washington with information on British troop movements. This code book was used by the agents to send messages to the General’s headquarters during the Revolutionary War.
George Washington After the Battle of Princeton
The American victory at the Battle of Princeton in January of 1777 was one of the mostimportant of the American Revolution. George Washington’s victory boosted American morale and provided great confidence to his soldiers. This portrait, painted by Charles Willson Peale in 1780, shows the victorious Washington after the battle.
Washington's Military Equipment
Explore Washington's military equipment and uniform from the Revolutionary War
Martha Washington and the Revolutionary War
Martha Washington play an important role during the Revolutionary War and spent every winter with her husband at his encampments.
HMS Savage
Discover the 17 enslaved people who tried to escape to freedom from Mount Vernon in 1781 by running abroad the British war ship.
What Did Washington Think of King George III?
Did George Washington go from supporter of King George III to rebel of the crown? Or did he always have negative feelings towards the royals?
The Life of William Lee
For two decades, William Lee was by George Washington's side, and forged a close relationship with him. He was with Washington throughout every moment of the Revolutionary War, and till his death.
Play Be Wasington
Select the Battle of Second Trenton or the Newburgh Conspiracy scenarios of our Be Washington Interactive and decide how Washington should handle different challenges he faced during the Revolutionary War. Listen to advisers and choose how Washington should respond.
Maps of the Revolutionary War
A collection of historical maps related to the Revolutionary War campaigns of General Washington
Boston, its environs and harbor, with the rebels works raised against that town in 1775
Plan of New York in 1776
Howe's Attack on Brooklyn
Forts Washington and Lee in New York
Plan of White Plains
The Battle of Trenton
Plan of Princeton
The Battle of Brandywine
The Battle of Germantown
The Battle of Monmouth
The Yorktown Campaign
Siege of Yorktown