The year 1777 was most critical
for the British. The issue, very plainly, was whether they could score
such success in putting down the American revolt that the French would
not dare enter the war openly to aid the American rebels. Yet it was in
this critical year that British plans were most confused and British
operations most disjointed. The British campaign of 1777 provides one of
the most striking object lessons in military history of the dangers of
divided command.
