Revolutionary Time Line, 1775

By July 25, 1775, it was over three months since the first shots of the American War for Independence were fired at Lexington and Concord on April 19 in the Bay Colony.

On May 9, Troops under the command of Ethen Allen and Benedict Arnold captured Fort Ticonderoga, without firing a shot. The capture of the Fort, and the arduous transport of its cannons across New York and New England to Dorchester Heights would force the British to end their occupation of Boston in March. 1776.

Both Allen and Arnold would initially be treated as heros for their efforts. Shortly thereafter, Allen would be captured and spend two years as a British prisoner. Later in the War, dissatisfied that Vermont was not offered state status, he attempted to negotiate independent statehood for Vermont with the Crown.

Arnold would become the hero of the 1776 British campaign to invade via Lake Champlain, stopping the British advance at Valcour Island. In 1777, Arnold would be recognized for his efforts rallying the American Troops at Saratoga, leading to the surrender of Burgoyne’s army. By 1780, dissatisfied with his treatment by Congress, Arnold would betray the American cause. In the process. David Williams, interred at the Old Stone Fort, would achieve hero status for his role in apprehending Major John Andre, Arnold’s liaison with the Crown during his defection.

On June 17, The Battle of Bunker Hill, which actually occurred at Breed’s Hill, was declared a British Victory. The battle cost the British dearly, with their troops suffering twice the casualties of the American force. British Commander Lord Howe was said to have questioned how many more “Victories” of this type could the British Army endure.

In New York, the conflict remained largely political, and would remain so for two more years.

In May, the District Committees of Safety were formed, and began their efforts organizing the Militia, obtaining supplies, and enforcing the tenets of the Articles of Association adopted by the Continental Congress, War will not come to the area for two more years.

As the Summer of 1777 arrives, the Tryon County Militia will suffer tremendous losses at the Battle of Oriskany, but the British Army intended to support the invasion from Canada will get no closer to Albany than Fort Stanwix (Ft. Schuyler).

Turmoil will erupt when the Schoharie Militia gets its orders to march toward Saratoga, and a troop of Connecticut Light Horse are sent into Schoharie to address a Loyalist and Native force mustering near Breekabean.

By mid- August, 1777, Schoharie will be involved in a shooting war, actually a Civil War, that will engulf this area for five long years.

John Osinski

Revolutionary Schohary 250