Closing the Ring: George Washington's War in the North, 1778-1781

Highlighting overlooked northern campaigns, this account shows Washington steering administration, logistics, and diplomacy to keep the army in the field through 1778-1781.

In the fall of 1778, the Franco-American attack on British-occupied Newport, Rhode Island, failed to materialize, bringing campaigning to an end for the year. Washington was occupied with ascertaining British intentions through his spy network in New York City and with the planning of an expedition led by General John Sullivan against the Six Nations to protect settlers on the Pennsylvania-New York frontier. Washington spent most of the winter of 1778/9 conferring with congressional members on the state of the army. As spring arrived, Washington learned that the British were headed to Kings Ferry on the Hudson, where the American forts of Stony Point and Verplanck's Point were located. Washington broke camp at Middlebrook and moved northward to support West Point, but he arrived too late. However, the British offensive stalled. After stabilizing the situation, Washington assaulted the forts, failed to make a foothold, but captured everything of military value. The year 1779 became a contest for control of forts on the Hudson. Washington was also involved in smaller attacks such as the surprise attack on the British fort at Paulus Hook, New Jersey. The year ended with the British evacuation of Kings Ferry and Newport, Rhode Island.

Washington had to deal with the fall of Charleston in May 1780. He planned for an attack on New York City in conjunction with Admiral d'Estaing's French fleet but ended preparations as the season moved into November. He met with Rochambeau in Hartford, Connecticut, in September 1780 to plan strategy, but also had to cope with the defection of Benedict Arnold. His army entered winter encampment at Morristown, which turned out to be the worst winter of the 18th century. There were food, supply, and clothing issues, and Washington remained there until Lafayette arrived with news of a French expeditionary force sailing to America. Washington immediately set to work reinforcing the army. He handled two British incursions into New Jersey, which resulted in the Battle of Connecticut Farms on June 7-8 and Springfield on June 23, thwarting the British. As the British were attacking Groton Heights, Connecticut, on September 6, 1781, Washington and Rochambeau were preparing for the final advance to Yorktown. These often-overlooked campaigns in the north showed Washington at his best, managing administration, logistics, and diplomacy to keep the army in the field.