Revolutionary War Miracles

Proof that God Governs in the Affairs of Men

Many today do not believe that God intervenes in the affairs of men. The general idea today is that God is a distant God, that we need to make do by ourselves. But events of the American War of Independence show this is not true. Here are six incidents out of many that point to God’s dealing in men’s affairs.

George Washington was a British officer at this time. During the French and Indian War, under General Braddock, the British attempted to attack the fort. The French and Indians ambushed the British. Every office on horseback was shot except Colonel Washington. He sustained four bullets through his coat and had two horses shot out from under him. A Native American later said, “I had seventeen fair fires at him,…and after all could not bring him to the ground.”

After the battles of Lexington and Concord, British General Howe was surrounded in Boston. The Americans had fortified Dorchester Heights and Howe’s army was in grave danger. Howe decided to attack Dorchester Heights. But “a hurrycane or terrible storm…a southeaster of gale proportions” hit Boston and Howe had to call off the planned attack. Later, he would withdraw altogether from Boston. 1776, Battle of Brooklyn Heights

George Washington was surrounded by British forces. Contrary winds, low tides, and rain kept the British from attacking. Washington decided to retreat from Long Island. During the night, a very dense fog came up, and Washington retreated under its cover. The next morning, the British were surprised to discover the Americans had gotten away.

General Washington decided to attack Princeton, NJ. General Cornwallis was planning on attacking the Americans the next day before they could attack Princeton. However, rain and a thaw made the roads muddy, and the movement of armies and equipment was difficult. During the night the temperature dropped, freezing the ground, and allowing Washington’s army to escape once more.

British General Burgoyne was marching from Canada, down the Hudson River valley to meet General Howe, who was marching up the Hudson from New York. Their plan was to split the New England colonies from the rest of the 13 colonies. General Burgoyne was stopped at Saratoga. Heavy rains and freezing temperatures slowed their retreat, and Burgoyne had to surrender to the Americans.

General Howe never made the trip upriver, because his reinforcements and supplies coming from England were delayed for three months due to contrary winds.

This was a turning point in the war. The French saw this as a miracle, and they joined the war on the American side.

General Cornwallis was pursuing the American General Morgan. At the Catawba River, a sudden storm made the river impassable for the British. At the Yadkin River, a flash flood prevented the British from crossing, and the same thing happened at the Dan River, which allowed the Americans to retreat to safety in Virginia.

General Cornwallis was surrounded, and attempted to retreat across the York River. He split his troops. One contingent made it across safely; the second was blown downriver by a severe rain squall, leaving Cornwallis with only a very reduced force. He surrendered the next day, ending the Revolutionary War.

How could a major military power such as Great Britain be defeated by the ragtag American army, except by divine providence? The general feeling was that God had blessed the Americans, but few remember this today. In 1787, at the Continental Congress, Benjamin Franklin declared this truth: “…God governs in the affairs of men.”

Let us remember God’s providential acts in the Revolutionary War as we celebrate this Memorial Day.

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