In the spring and summer of 1782, the two southern armies around Charleston continue to fight and die as they await the end of the war.

Author Discussion Alan Pell Crawford This Fierce People: The Untold Story of America's Revolutionary War in the South

The British Army Leaves Savannah in July 1782

In the summer of 1782, Congress adopts the Great Seal, debates what to do about Vermont. Philadelphia celebrates with a huge party for the French Crown. George Washington adopts new badges for the army, including the Purple Heart.

In the spring of 1782, Colonel William Crawford leads an army of Pennsylvania Militia into Ohio Territory to destroy Indian villages.

Desperate actions by militia in 1782 regarding the murder of prisoners forces Washington to make a controversial decision.

Returning from Yorktown the French and British battle for control of the West Indies.

In March 1782, American militia destroy a Moravian Christian community of white settlers and Indians living in Ohio.

Following Yorktown, the opposition in Parliament takes down the North Ministry and prepares to make peace with an independent US.

George Washington tries to kidnap a prince. General McDougall gets court martialed.

Following Yorktown, the Continental Congress struggles to keep up with debts and war fatigue.

In 1781 and 1782, Britain battles the Kingdom of Mysore, headed by Hyder Ali in southern India. At the same time, Britain takes colonies from France and the Netherlands. French and British Navies fight multiple battles offshore for control of the subcontinent.

In 1781, A Spanish fleet, backed by the French Navy, takes the island of Menorca in the Mediterranean. The British garrison on the island holds out at Fort St. Phillip until early 1782.

At the beginning of 1782, both South Carolina and Georgia reestablish their state legislatures, primarily focused on the loyalists still in their states. General Sumter retires. John Laurens replaces Light Horse Harry Lee as the Continental Army's head of cavalry in South Carolina.

As 1781 comes to an end, South Carolina militia continue their back and fort attacks. General Greene uses the Continentals to for the British to abandon John's Island, just south of Charleston.

Loyalists rampage in South Carolina as the patriots tighten the noose around Charleston.

British efforts to hold North Carolina lead to loyalist David Fanning kidnapping the patriot Governor Thomas Burke. New of the British surrender at Yorktown arrives with orders for British Regulars to evacuate to Charleston.

Surrounded by the enemy and waiting for a relief fleet that never arrives. British General Cornwallis surrenders his army to the French and Continental Armies on October 19. 1781.

The Continental and French Armies lay siege to the British Army at Yorktown.

The French Fleet under Admiral De Grasse, and the British Fleet under Admiral Graves battle for control of the waters around Yorktown in September 1781.

General Washington and General Rochambeau struggle with logistical problems to get their armies from New York to Virginia.

General Greene leads the Southern Continental Army against the last British Army in South Carolina, outside of Charleston.

In September, 1781, Benedict Arnold leads a fleet from New York City to New London, Connecticut. His British forces burn the town and massacre the defenders of Fort Griswold.

I interview Gen. Jason Bohm about his book: Washington’s Marines: The Origins of the Corps and the American Revolution, 1775-1777

In the summer of 1781, the British and Dutch Navies do battle in the English Channel. Parliament is still confident that it can outlast its enemies. European leaders attempt to get the combatants to negotiate a peace, that may or may not recognize American independence.