The Northern theatre of the American Revolutionary War also known as the Northern Department of the Continental Army

Continental Army

The Continental Army was formed after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War by the colonies that became the United States of America. Established by a resolution of the Continental Congress on June 14, 1775, it was created to coordinate the military efforts of the Thirteen Colonies in...

 was a theatre of operations during the American Revolutionary War

American Revolutionary War

The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...

.

It was originally called the New York Department, and consisted of all of New York State. On November 12, 1776, after the British occupation of New York City, the Highlands Department was created out of the Northern Department. The Northern Department then stopped 30 miles south of Albany. Since then it was always referred to as the Northern Department.

The Highlands Department was the smallest in area, and was formed around the defences on the Hudson River north of New York City.

Campaigns

On May 10, 1775, Fort Ticonderoga

Capture of Fort Ticonderoga

The Capture of Fort Ticonderoga occurred during the American Revolutionary War on May 10, 1775, when a small force of Green Mountain Boys led by Ethan Allen and Colonel Benedict Arnold overcame a small British garrison at the fort and looted the personal belongings of the garrison...

 was captured from the British.

Major General Philip Schuyler

Philip Schuyler

Philip John Schuyler was a general in the American Revolution and a United States Senator from New York. He is usually known as Philip Schuyler, while his son is usually known as Philip J. Schuyler.-Early life:...

 was appointed department commander on June 25, 1775. On June 28, 1775 the New York Provincial Congress

New York Provincial Congress

The New York Provincial Congress was an organization formed by rebels in 1775, during the American Revolution, as a pro-rebellion alternative to the more conservative Province of New York Assembly, and as a replacement for the Committee of One Hundred.A Provincial Convention assembled in New York...

 authorized the raising of the four regiments of the New York Line.

The major campaigns are divided as follows:

• New York and New Jersey campaign
  New York and New Jersey campaign
  The New York and New Jersey campaign was a series of battles for control of New York City and the state of New Jersey in the American Revolutionary War between British forces under General Sir William Howe and the Continental Army under General George Washington in 1776 and the winter months of 1777...
  
  
• Saratoga campaign
  Saratoga campaign
  The Saratoga Campaign was an attempt by Great Britain to gain military control of the strategically important Hudson River valley in 1777 during the American Revolutionary War...
  
  
• Northern theater of the American Revolutionary War after Saratoga
  Northern theater of the American Revolutionary War after Saratoga
  The Northern theater of the American Revolutionary War after Saratoga consisted of a series of battles between American revolutionaries and British forces, from 1778 to 1782 during the American Revolutionary War. It is characterized by two primary areas of activity...
  
  

After War years

This department was the only one to remain after the war. The last elements of the Continental Army were kept to guard the western frontier outposts.