practically shut up in the city. General Ward commanded the Massachusetts men, General Stark those from New Hampshire, General Greene those from Rhode Island, and Generals Putnam and Spencer those from Connecticut. 1775. The Capture of Ticonderoga. While the Continental Army was assembling, a force of Connecticut and Vermont volunteers, led by Benedict Arnold and Ethan Allen, marched to Forts Ticonderoga and Crown Point, at the foot of Lake Champlain, both of which important fortresses were captured, with all their valuable stores. Throughout this period of opening conflict, the hearts of the Virginians, Carolinians, and Georgians beat one with those of the New England colonists. 1775. The Second Continental Congress assembled in Philadelphia on the 10th of May. In addition to the distinguished members of the previous body, there were present Benjamin Franklin and John Hancock. Still another address was sent to the King, denying any desire for separation from England, and asking simply for a redress of grievances. At the same time a federal union was resolved upon, measures were adopted for the organization and equipment of an army and navy, and George Washington was appointed commander-in-chief. 1775. The Battle of Bunker Hill. This first really important, and perhaps most famous, battle of the Revolutionary War, was fought June 17th, on one of the hills of Charlestown, now a part of Boston. It resulted in a defeat for the Americans; but it was a defeat which meant more and better for them than most victories. The engagement grew out of an attempt of the Americans to prevent the British from fortifying the hill, and so strengthening their hold upon Boston. The Americans moved in the night and threw up intrenchments, which the British as saulted the following day. The attacking force numbered about 3000 men, being two to one of the Americans, and they were twice repulsed before finally carrying the day. Their losses were upwards of 1000 killed and wounded; these figures bearing the same proportion to the American losses as above. The severest blow to the Americans was in the death of General Joseph Warren, an eminent physician of Boston, and an ardent and active patriot, who had just been commissioned a brigadier-general in the American army. He was instantly killed by a bullet in the forehead. 1775. Washington takes Command of the American Army. This important and interesting historical incident occurred on the 3d of July, under a noble tree by the edge of Cambridge Common. The tree stands to this day, and is known as "The Washington Elm." Generals Lee, Schuyler, Ward, and Putnam were made Washington's chief military assistants. His first work was the thorough organization and discipline of the army, which up to this time was in rather a sorry condition as respects every thing except spirit. 1775. An Invasion of Canada. In the latter months of this same year an attempt was made to wrest Canada from the British. An army commanded by General Montgomery, an Irishman, took Montreal, and then, effecting a junction with a second force which General Arnold had led in the same direction, made an attack on Quebec. This last ended in failure, Montgomery perishing, and Arnold being wounded, in the assault. The Americans finally withdrew from the province, leaving it in possession of the British. 1776. The British evacuated Boston on the 17th of March, over 1000 Americans who were loyal to the King going with them. Yet 1711-1776. David Hume. England had not abandoned the contest, but was preparing to prosecute it more energetically than ever. 1776. A Movement for Independence. On the 7th of June, Richard Henry Lee of Virginia introduced these resolutions in Congress : "That these united colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British crown; and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is and ought to be totally dissolved. "That it is expedient forthwith to take the most effectual measures for forming foreign alliances. "That a plan of confederation be prepared, and transmitted to the respective colonies for their consideration and approbation." These resolutions provoked a spirited and prolonged discussion, but led to the appointment of a committee to draft a more formal declaration in accordance with their tenor. This committee consisted of Thomas Jefferson of Virginia, John Adams of Massachusetts, Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania, Roger Sherman of Connecticut, and Robert R. Livingston of New York. The declaration prepared by this committee was written mostly by Jefferson. 1776. The Declaration of Independence. The paper itself was formally adopted by Congress on the 4th of July, 1776, and with virtual unanimity. [See Appendix.] Thus the thirteen colonies resolved themselves into The United States of America, and this is the event which we still celebrate annually in the "Fourth of July." The place where Congress was assembled was the old State House in Philadelphia, now known as Independence Hall. Great rejoicings followed everywhere. 1776-1782. The War of the Revolution. The colonists having thus declared their independence, had now to fight for it, and make their declaration good. Seven years of fighting ensued. The young States put 1778. Captain Cook discovers the Sandwich Islands. 1694-1778. Voltaire. 1712-1778. Jean Jacques Rous seau. forth all their strength. The English hired nearly 30,000 German troops in addition to their own. Prominent among their commanders were Lord Howe, Lord Cornwallis, and General Burgoyne; while to the names of those American leaders who have been mentioned, with others such as Marion and Sumter, are to be added such as Lafayette, Kosciusko, De Kalb, Pulaski, and Steuben, foreigners of distinction who came over to help the colonists battle for their liberties. One of the most important fields of military operations was New Jersey, though the Carolinas witnessed a campaign, and there was fighting about the borders of Vermont and New York. The war was marked by the usual vicissitudes. The Americans won victories of considerable consequence at Trenton, Princeton, and Springfield, N.J.; Bennington, Vt.; Saratoga and Stony Point, N.Y.; and Cowpens and Eutaw Springs, in the Carolinas. On the other hand they suffered disastrous defeats at Germantown, Pa., and at Camden and Charleston, S.C. At one time they were depressed by the treason of Benedict Arnold; at another they were elated by the negotiation of a treaty with France. This 1778. Louis XVI. of France latter measure was effected by Frankdeclares war lin and others, in 1778, and resulted in against England in aid of the the acquisition of substantial aid by the American coloyoung and struggling nation. One winnies. ter was spent by the army in great hardship and suffering at Valley Forge, near Philadelphia. The campaign in the Carolinas was marked by great reOn the seas there were naval engagements, such as that memorable one in which Paul Jones, in the Bon verses. riots in London. homme Richard, took the British man- 1780. Lord of-war Serapis. The beginning of the George Gordon's end came at Yorktown, Va., where, on Anti-Popery the 19th of October, 1781, Lord Cornwallis and his whole force of 8000 men surrendered to Washington. In the following year the British Government determined on an abandonment of the contest. Preliminary articles of peace were agreed upon in November, 1782; and a final treaty between the two countries, by which Great Britain acknowledged the United States to be "free, sovereign, and independent,” was signed September 3, 1783. The evacuation of New York, in November following, completed the removal of British troops from American soil. During the seven years of the Revolutionary War, Great Britain sent to America a total of about 112,000 land-troops, and 22,000 seamen. The colonies raised in all, including over 50,000 militia, about 280,000 men. But the actual forces engaged at any one time were comparatively very small; insignificant by the side of those that fought some of the battles of the late Rebellion. VI. PERIOD OF NATIONAL GROWTH. 1783-1817. 1783. Paying the Soldiers. One of the first things Congress had to do, on the close of the Revolutionary War, was to appease the soldiers, who had been paid in papermoney that had become almost worth 1783. Treaty of Versailles; peace between Britain, France, and Spain. |