The Mid-Atlantic Campaigns of the Revolutionary War 1776-1778
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The Mid-Atlantic Campaigns began when British Gen. William Howe received approval from British Minister George St. Germain to seize the Patriot Capitol of Philadelphia, PA, and capture the Rebel government. Howe had three reasons to initiate the campaign: 1. The Rebel government was in Philadelphia; 2. The city had a huge Loyalist population; and 3. By focusing on the Continental Congress, Howe could draw George Washington away from Gen. Burgoyne’s Northern Campaign. Major battles around Philadelphia—Brandywine, Paoli, Germantown, and Forts Mifflin and Mercer—were accompanied by multiple smaller battles and skirmishes between British and American troops foraging for food and supplies. Clandestine French involvement brought Baron Steuben to America to train American troops during a muddy, moderate winter at Valley Forge, PA. and other encampments during this period, leading to American success at Monmouth in June 1778. As a result, American
resistance and perseverance forced the British to look to a more friendly region—the South—for Loyalist support to suppress the rebellion.
Randolph Flood
Randy Flood is a historian and Co-Founder of the Real American Revolution, a nonprofit organization
established to educate citizens about the American Revolution. Randy began his professional career by serving on
the staff of the United States Senate and has taught courses about politics and the legislative processes at numerous
colleges in the Washington, D.C. area. Currently he resides in Williamsburg, Virginia, and is working on the
Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route Association to educate teachers, students, and communities about
the national historic trail where Lord Cornwallis and his British Army at Yorktown were entrapped.