On March 17, 1776, Washington was credit with a major victory. The British evacuated Boston. Following heavy bombardment from guns brought over the snows from Fort Ticonderoga, Gen. Howe, who had replaced Gage as British commander, set sail from Boston with his troops. The Americans occupied the city immediately.

Fearing that Howe might land at New York City, the loss of which would be a serious setback for the colonies, Washington rushed troops to Manhattan Island. In late June about 30,000 British and Hessian mercenary troops were landed on Staten Island. Washington by this time occupied Brooklyn Heights. His army numbered 23,000. While he waited Howe's next move, Washington received a copy of the Declaration of Independence and had it rad to his troops in the hope that "this important even will serve as a fresh incentive to every officer and soldier to act with fidelity and courage." The war had taken on a whole new meaning.

On August 22, 1776, the British landed on Long Island and began a march around the American's advance positions. Early on the 27th British ships in the East River shelled the American rear as Howe attacked their front. By noon the rebels had fled to their fortifications with 200 killed and nearly 1,000 captured including Gen. John Sullivan. Then Howe mysteriously settled down for a seige. Washington stayed until the night of August 29, when with incredible good luck he managed to evacuate 9,500 men with their equipment and supplies across the East River to Manhattan. He may well have saved the army from complete destruction and the country from total defeat.

The weeks ahead constituted a series of British advances and American withdrawals, until Washington at last crossed the Hudson River and retreated through New Jersey, across the Delaware near Trenton, and into Pennsylvania on December 7. Here he waited his fate. It was one of the lowest points in the Revolution. "These are the times that try men's souls," wrote Thomas Paine. "The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the servic of their country; but he that stands it now deserves the love and thanks of man and woman."

The British halted their pursual in New Jersey. Washington had a respite, but he knew something had to be done to restore the confidence of the people and the morale of his army. Across the river at Trenton, Col. Johann Rail and 1,000 Hessians were celebrating Christmas. That night, December 25, 1776, Washington led 2,400 men across the ice-choked Delaware River, and early the next morning attacked the Hessians as they slept. Within an hour they surrendered. Washington had his first battle victory and army in "high spirits."

While Washington struggled to keep his army together during the waning months of 1776, threats developed on other frontiers. On June 28 Admn. Sir Peter Parker launched a naval attack on Charleston, SC. Col. William Moultrie and 400 state militia successfully defended two island fortifications, one of which would later bear his name, against fire from 100 naval guns. It was a humiliating defeat for the British who had counted on heavy support from southern Loyalists. They pulled back and returned to New York.

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