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The Shot Heard Around the world: The Battles of Lexington and Concord
The Shot Heard Around the world: The Battles of Lexington and Concord
The Spark
King George III had sent more troops to Boston after the Intolerable Acts were passed. General Gage of the British military heard rumors that the colonial militia was hiding an arsenal (weapons, shot, and powder), as well as Sons of Liberty leaders John Hancock and Samuel Adams, in the town of Concord, MA.
On April 18, 1775, he ordered his men to march to march toward Concord. An American spy saw this and ran to tell Paul Revere, William Dawes, and Wentworth Cheswell. When they saw the signal (lanterns hung in the steeple of the Old North Church), the men road in different directions to warn that the British regulars were on the way.
The Battle at Lexington
The local militia (called Minutemen because they could be ready at a minute's notice) grabbed their weapons and met 700 redcoats in the town of Lexington (located between Boston and Concord). Both sides were ordered not to fire, except in self defense. To this day, no one knows who fired that first shot at Lexington, but it became known as "the shot heard around the world."
Outmanned and facing a much better trained army, the militia were quickly put down. Eight militia were killed and the rest were wounded or escaped.
The British marched on to Concord.
The Battle at Concord
When the British reached Concord, the found the town deserted and no signs of an arsenal or Hancock and Adams.
As they marched out of Concord, they were suprised by more minutemen at the North Bridge. The colonists killed almost 200 British soldiers, using their bright red coats for targets. The British retreated to Boston.
Aftermath and Consequences
The Battles of Lexington and Concord were the first battles of the American Revolution. They proved that the colonists were prepared to stand up against a major world power and fight for thier rights.
Battle of Bunker Hill
Battle of Bunker Hill
Boston was filled with over 6,000 British troops by this time. The Patriots surrounded them in the hills surrounding the town.
On the night of June 15, 1775, the Militia erected an earthenwork fort on top of Breed's Hill. When the British see what they have done, they know they have to take action.
On June 16, 1775, 2000 British redcoats marched up the hill to take the ground from the Patriots. The militia had limited ammunition and supplies on Breed's Hill and they knew it. Legend has said that as the British marched closer and closer that one officer, Israel Putnam gave the order to "not fire until you see the white's of their eyes." When the British moved closer, the Americans let loose a volley of gunfire and the British fell back.
Again, the British pushed forward to take the hill stepping over the dead and wounded comrades. And, again, they were met with a rain of bullets. Unfortunately, at this point, the militia was almost completely without ammunition.
On the third attack, the British broke the lines and there was intense hand to hand combat before the Patriot militia was forced to retreat.
Aftermath and Consequences
The Patriots lost half of what the British had, demoralizing them to the point that they decide to not try to take on any more advances to gain the hills surrounding Boston. In the end, the British evacuate the city, leaving the Patriots jubilant. Though defeated, the Patriots are not demoralized. Those who choose to stay and keep the British bottled up in Boston become the nucleus of the Continental Army.
Battle for New York
Battle for New York
In the summer of 1776, British General William Howe arrived in New York with an additional 32,000 troops. Washington's troops were greatly outnumbered.
Washington and his army fought a series of battles throughout Autumn until he and his fellow patriots were driven out of New York and later out of New Jersey.
Washington is forced to crossed the Delaware River out of New Jersey and into Pennsylvania.
Battle of Trenton
Battle of Trenton
By December of 1776, Washington's army was at an all time low, morale wise. They had been defeated in New York in several engagements, then pushed out of New Jersey. The winter in Pennsylvania was going to end with many of Washington's Army returning to their homes. Their enlistment was set to soon expire.
In threadbare clothes and starving, Washington's army needed a victory to inspire them. Washington launched a daring plan, one he hoped would keep his army together and the patriotic spirit high.
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