The war shifts to the middle states

   In 1776 the British left Boston, they decided to attack and capture New York, so they could cut off New England from the other colonies. A peace conference is held on Staten Island with Lord Richard Howe, meeting American representatives including John Adams and Benjamin Franklin. The conference fails, as Howe demands the colonists revoke the Declaration of Independence. In September 15 of 1776 they capture New York with about 30,000 British and German troops. The Continental army was force to retreat to New Jersey; Washington barely saved the Army and the Revolution retreating on time. After evacuating New York City, Washington's army repulses a British attack during the Battle of Harlem Heights in Manhattan. Several days later, fire engulfs New York City and destroys over 300 buildings. In September 22 1776 Nathan Hale is caught spying on British troops on Long Island, so he gets executed without a trial, his last words were, "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country."

   In November came more victories for the British as Fort Washington on Manhattan and over 100 cannon, thousands of muskets and cartridges is captured by Howe. The Americans also lost Fort Lee in New Jersey to Gen. Cornwallis. Washington's army suffers 3000 deaths in the two defeats. Washington abandons the New York area and moves his forces further westward toward the Delaware River. Cornwallis now pursues him. Later on in December Washington takes his troops across the Delaware River into Pennsylvania. The next day, over concerns of a possible British attack, the Continental Congress abandons Philadelphia and went to Baltimore. On Christmas day, Dec. 26, George Washington takes 2400 of his men and crosses the Delaware River. He surprised 17 Garrisons; 1000 Germans were attacked. This was called the Battle of Trenton, this was a modest victory, but it would surely raise the spirit of the Patriots and their followers.

   In 1777 Washington started with yet another victory, he moved his troops at night against Cornwallis at the Battle of Princeton.

   In fall of 1777 he suffer a defeat, and lost Philadelphia to Howe´s army. John Burgoyne another British, came from Canada to invade Hudson Valley; felt into a Patriots trap in Saratoga. Burgoyne surrender in October that same year, in the Battle of Saratoga, this battle was so important because now the French saw that there was a possibility for Americans to win the war, so France and Spain decided to side with the Patriots.