Timeline of the American Revolution/1780

by the Valley Forge National Historical Park division, United States National Park Service

1780

A Bad Year
A worsening economy, military disaster in the South, and treason, all undermined the war effort in 1780. Two South Carolina defeats: the capture of Charleston and its large American garrison, and subsequent loss at Camden, made the patriot situation in the South extremely tenuous. Benedict Arnold’s treasonous attempt to hand over the plans to Fort West Point, New York, added insult to injury.

March 14
Spanish take British-held post at Mobile (Alabama).

March 29 - May 12
British General Henry Clinton besieges Charleston, South Carolina, and compels the surrender of its garrison of 5,500 troops.

May 29
Brutal treatment of surrendering force at the Battle at Waxhaws, South Carolina, by “Bloody” Banastre Tarleton arouses patriot fury.

June 22
Continental Army leaves Morristown encampment.

June 23
Continentals under Nathanael Greene repulse attack led by General Knyphausen at the Battle of Springfield, New Jersey.

July 10
5,500 fresh French troops arrive in Newport, Rhode Island.

Summer-Fall
Guerilla leaders Francis Marion, Thomas Sumter, William Davies, and Elijah Clarke carry the war against British and loyalist troops in the South.

August 16
British defeat last major southern continental force at the Battle of Camden, South Carolina.

September
Washington foils Arnold's plot to surrender West Point, New York, but Arnold escapes.

October 7
Intimidating British tactics backfire as swarms of riled frontiersmen annihilate Patrick Ferguson’s tory force at the Battle of Kings Mountain, South Carolina.

December 2
Nathanael Greene assumes command of beleaguered southern army and puts British off guard by dividing his forces in the face of superior numbers.

December
England declares war on Holland.
Continental Army enters sixth winter with encampments in New York’s Hudson Highlands and Pompton and Morristown, New Jersey.