US Battle Hodgepodge Trivia Quiz

Answer: American Revolutionary War

The Battle of Bunker Hill was fought on June 17, 1775. It pitted the United Colonies, which would later form the USA, against Britain. Although the British forces were able to occupy the positions they wanted to seize, their adversaries had caused much more casualties, including experienced officers, despite their lack of training and discipline.

The British absorbed two lessons from Bunker Hill: firstly, attacks on fortified positions ought to be avoided, secondly, hiring of German-speaking mercenaries ("Hessians") was to be encouraged, to maintain and reinforce numerical superiority.

Answer: American Revolutionary War

The two Battles of Saratoga were fought on September 19 and October 7, 1777, respectively. They were a victory for the US against Britain, culminating in the surrender of British General John Burgoyne. The irony is that one of the most successful American commanders at Saratoga, Benedict Arnold, later changed sides and became synonymous with treason for Americans.

Answer: American Civil War

The Battle of Fredericksburg was fought from December 11-13, 1862. It pitted the US Army of the Potomac, commanded by Ambrose Burnside, against the CS Army of Northern Virginia, commanded by Robert E. Lee. Burnside's plans for an easy seizure of Fredericksburg and the nearby dominant heights were hampered first by the absence of pontoon boats, then by Confederate marksmen and finally by the strong fortifications on Marye's Heights. Burnside failed, and the Army of the Potomac suffered disproportionate casualties and had to withdraw beyond the crucial Rappahannock River.

Answer: American Civil War

The Battle of Chancellorsville was fought from April 30 to May 6, 1863. It pitted the US Army of the Potomac, commanded by Joseph Hooker, against the CS Army of Northern Virginia, commanded by Robert E. Lee. Dubbed "Lee's masterpiece", Chancellorsville was a heavy defeat for the Union, but the triumph of the Confederates was marred by the wounding by friendly fire of Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson, one of the most brilliant generals of his time. Jackson's untimely death deprived Lee of the subordinate he needed when he invaded Northern territory a couple of months later.

Answer: American Civil War

The Battle of Gettysburg was fought from July 1 to July 3, 1863. It pitted the US Army of the Potomac, commanded by George Meade, against the CS Army of Northern Virginia, commanded by Robert E. Lee. The battle ended with a suicidal charge by the Confederates against strong Union lines and artillery.

There has been much speculation about whether General Lee ought to have followed the suggestion of his subordinate, James Longstreet, and outflank US positions instead of ordering a frontal assault.

Answer: War of 1812

The Battle of Ogdensburg was fought on February 22, 1813. It pitted a US force under Benjamin Forsyth against a British force led by George MacDonnell. The British successfully attacked the American positions, driving their foes out of Ogdensburg, killing more than 20 and capturing more than 60 of Forsyth's men.

The Americans did not try to reoccupy Ogdensburg until the end of the war, because they were not sure of the loyalties of the local population.

Answer: War of 1812

The Battle of Fort Schlosser occurred on July 5, 1813. It consisted of a daring raid by British and Canadian forces, led by James Fitzgibbon, against a US fort, manned by 11 soldiers. Taking their foes by surprise, the British and Canadians managed to capture the garrison, a cannon, dozens of muskets and some other munitions and drag them back to British-controlled territory, before the Americans could muster a response.

Answer: War of 1812

The Battle of Farnham Church was fought on December 6, 1814. It consisted of an ill-planned attack by a small British detachment, led by Sir George Cockburn, against a stronger American position, manned by a garrison of just over 30 militia. The attack was repelled and the British suffered around 12 of their men killed.

Answer: Apache Wars

The Battle of Carrizo Canyon was fought on August 12, 1881. It pitted a detachment of US Cavalry "Buffalo Soldiers" led by Captain Charles Parker and Sergeant George Jordan against an Apache band led by Chief Nana, who had succeeded Chief Victorio in 1880. Although outnumbered and surprised, the cavalrymen held on their own, which resulted in Sergeant Jordan receiving the Medal of Honor.

Answer: Apache Wars

The Battle of Big Dry Wash was fought on July 17, 1882. It pitted a US Cavalry Detachment, led by Adna Chaffee, against approximately sixty Apache Indians, led by Na-tio-tish, who was himself killed during the engagement. The cavalrymen, having been alerted by their scouts of an Apache ambush, utilized their superiority in numbers and weapons to defeat the Apache warriors, who suffered around 20 killed.