Summary: Over the years, many African Americans fought in the war. Even before independence was declared, many African Americans joined the patriot cause. Black militiamen fought at Leington, !oncord, and Bunker "ill. "owever, early in the war, blacks were banned from the continental army. But after they changed the rules, by #$$%, #&' of the cont. army soldiers were African Americans. (o, whites began to )uestion their own beliefs. By the time the war ended, *ermont, !onnecticut, +assachusetts, ,ew "ampshire, -hode .sland, and /ennsylvania had taken steps to end slavery. 3 Important Notes: Even before independence was declared, a number of African Americans joined the patriot cause. Early in the war, blacks were banned from the cont. army. By #$$%, about #&' of the soldiers in the continental army were African Americans. 7.4 Defeat in New York Summary: On August 0$, #$$1 the British and the Americans fought a war in Brooklyn ,ew 2ork. 3eorge 4ashington led the Americans with some of 5homas +iffin6s help, while "owe led the British. 5he British were desperate to get the Americans out of ,2. 5hey killed over #777 of 4ashington6s men and chased them out of ,2 and ,2 and across the 8elaware -iver into /ennsylvania. .n conclusion, 4ashington had to retreat. 3 Important Notes: August 0$, #$$1, Americans fought against the British in ,ew 2ork. Americans lost #,97$ and the British only lost :$$. Americans were losing too many troops so they had to retreat. 7.4 adin! "opes Summary: 5he section ;ading "opes is about the dire time for American troops after battling the British army in ,ew 2ork !ity. 5he British forces chased the continental army from ,ew 2ork to /ennsylvania. Along the way the Americans soldiers were tired, hungry and wanted to go home. By the time the cont. army reached /ennsylvania, there were non more than a few thousand men left and most troops had little to no clothing. As 3eorge 4ashington noted, the Americans need more troops, or they would not end up victorious in the -evolutionary 4ar. 3 Important Notes: After the defeat in ,ew 2ork, British Army chased the colonists through the colonies. /eople thought that those who joined the army were cra<y. 5roops had to travel over muddy roads and icy streams, which added to their misery. 7.# $ictory in %renton Summary: On 8ecember 0& th , #$$1 3eorge 4ashington6s army crossed the free<ing 8elaware -iver to get to 5renton. 5he Americans surprise attacked the "essians while they were sleeping. Because the "essians were so surprised, they surrendered and 3eorge 4ashington took =1= prisoners. 5he Americans lost no men. so, the Americans captured :77 troops at /rinceton ,.>. the net week. 5hese successes gave the patriots hope to keep on fighting. 3 important notes: 4on in 5renton against the "essians 5ook =1= prisoners 3ave patriots hope to keep on fighting