ANALYSIS. ruins of their suffering neighbors; and the inhabitants of Marblehead generously offered the merchants of Boston the use of their harbor, wharves, and warehouses, free of expense.

1. Measures taken against

selis.

a. May 20.

adopted by

44. 'Soon after, the charter of Massachusetts was sub. Massachu verted; and the governor was authorized to send to another colony or to England, for trial, any person indicted for murder, or any other capital offence, committed in aid2. Resolution ing the magistrates in the discharge of their duties. "The the assembly. Boston Port Bill occasioned great suffering in Boston. The assembly of the province resolved that "The impoli cy, injustice, inhumanity, and cruelty of the act, exceeded 3. The Vir all their powers of expression."" "The Virginia assembly appointed the 1st of June, the day on which the bill was to go into effect, as a day of "fasting, humiliation, and prayer."

ginia assembly.

4. Proceed

ings of the

nial congress.

Oct.

5 Their ef fect on the

Bricist, god 6. General

ernment.

45. 'In September, a second colonial congress, composed second colo of deputies from eleven colonies, met at Philadelphia. This body highly commended the course of Massachusetts in her conflict with "wicked ministers;"-agreed upon a declaration of rights;-recommended the suspension of all commercial intercourse with Great Britain, so long as the grievances of the colonies were unredressed; voted an address to the king, and likewise one to the people of Great Britain, and another to the inhabitants of Canada. 46. The proceedings of the congress called forth stronger measures, on the part of the British government, for reducing the Americans to obedience. General Gage, who had recently been appointed governor of Massachusetts, caused Boston neck to be fortified, and, seizing the ammunition and military stores in the provincial arsenals at Cambridge and Charlestown, conveyed them to Boston. 47. 'On the other hand, the assembly of Massachusetts m having been dissolved by the governor, the members again met, and resolved themselves into a provincial congress. They appointed committees of "safety" and "supplies ;" -voted to equip twelve thousand men, and to enlist onefourth of the militia as minute-men, who should be ready 8. Other colo- for action at a moment's warning. Similar preparations, but less in extent, were made in other colonies.

Gage.

Sept.

7 Proceedings of the

Massachu

-setts.

Oct.

nica.

1775.

9 Final

48. As the last measures of determined oppression, a Feb., March. bill was passed for restraining the commerce of the New measure of England colonies; which was afterwards extended to emoppression on brace all the province xcept New York and North Carthe part of olina. England The inhabitants of Massachusetts were declared

de er nined

Marblehead, originally a part of Salem, is about fifteen miles N.E. from Boston, and is situated on a rocky peninsula, extending three or four miles into Massachusetts Bay.

rebels; and several ships of the line, and ten thousand 1775. troops, were ordered to America, to aid in reducing the rebellious colonies to submission.

1. Deter mined resist

Americans.

49. 'The Americans, on the other hand, having no longer any hope of reconciliation, and determined to resist oppres- ance of the sion, anxiously waited for the fatal moment to arrive, when the signal of war should be given. Though few in numbers, and feeble in resources, when compared with the power which sought to crush them, they were confident of the justice of their cause, and the rectitude of their purposes; and they resolved, if no other alternative were left them, to die freemen, rather than live slaves.

CHAPTER II.

EVENTS OF 1775.

Subject of Chapter II.

2. Royal troops in Bosion.

Views of

Gen. Gage.

4. Measures

1. In the beginning of April, the royal troops in Boston numbered nearly 3000 men. With so large a force at his disposal, General Gage indulged the hope, either of awing the provincials into submission, or of being able to quell any sudden outbreak of rebellion. 'Deeming it important to get possession of the stores and ammunition taken by him. which the people had collected at various places, on the night of the 18th of April he secretly despatched a force of eight hundred men, to destroy the stores at Concord,* sixteen miles from Boston.

discovered.

2. Notwithstanding the great precautions which had 5. His designs been taken to prevent the intelligence of this expedition from reaching the country, it became known to some of the patriots in Boston, who despatched confidential messengers along the supposed route; and early on the morning of the 19th, the firing of cannon, and the ringing of bells, gave the alarm that the royal troops were in motion.

Lexington.

3. "At Lexington† a number of the militia had assem- . Events at bled, as early as two o'clock in the morning; but as the intelligence respecting the regulars was uncertain, they were dismissed, with orders to appear again at beat of drum. At five o'clock, they collected a second time, to

In 1799 a small

* Concord is in Middlesex County, sixteen miles N.W. from Boston. A marble monument, erected in 1836, marks the spot where the first of the enemy fell in the war of the Revolution. ↑ Lexington is ten miles N.W. from Boston, on the road to Concord. monument, with an appropriate inscription, was erected four or five rods westward from the spot where the Americans were fired upon. (See Map, p. 184.)

1. At Concord.

ANALYSIS. the number of seventy, under command of Captain Par ker. The British, under Colonel Sinith and Major Pitcairn, soon made their appearance. The latter officer rode up to the militia, and called out, "Disperse, you rebels, throw down your arms and disperse ;" but not being obeyed, he discharged his pistol and ordered his soldiers to fire. Several of the militia were killed, and the rest dispersed. 4. 'The detachment then proceeded to Concord, and destroyed a part of the stores; but the militia of the country having begun to assemble in numbers, a skir 2. The retreat mish ensued, and several were killed on both sides. "The of the Brit British then commenced a hasty retreat,-the Americans pursuing, and keeping up a continual fire upon them. Fortunately for the British, they were met at Lexington by a reenforcement of nine hundred men with two fieldpieces, under Lord Percy. The united forces then moved rapidly to Charlestown, and, the following day, 3. Losses sus crossed over to Boston. During this expedition, the British lost in killed, wounded, and missing, about two hundred and eighty;-the provincials about ninety.

ish.

lained.

1. Consequences that followed the battle of Lexington.

5. Expedition of Allen and Arnold.

May.

6. British army in Boston.

a May 25.

5. Intelligence of these events spread rapidly through Massachusetts and the adjoining provinces. The battle of Lexington was the signal of war-the militia of the country hastily took up arms and repaired to the scene of action; and, in a few days, a line of encampment was formed from Roxbury to the river Mystic,* and the British forces in Boston were environed by an army of 20,000 men. Ammunition, forts, and fortifications, were secured for the use of the provincials; and the most active measures were taken for the public defence.

6. A number of volunteers from Connecticut and Ver. mont, under Colonel Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold, formed and executed the plan of seizing the important fortresses of Ticonderoga and Crown Point, on the western shore of Lake Champlain, and commanding the entrance into Canada. The pass of Skeenesborough, now Whitehall, was likewise secured; and by this fortunate expe. dition, more than one hundred pieces of cannon, and other munitions of war, fell into the hands of the provincials.

7. "These events were soon followed by others of still greater importance, in the vicinity of Boston. The Brit. ish troops had received reenforcements, under three dis

Mystic, or Medford River, flows into Boston Harbor, N.E. of Charlestown. (See Map, p. 184; and Map, p. 319.)

+ Whitehall is situated on both sides of Wood Creek, at its entrance into the southern extremity of Lake Champlain. Being at the head of navigation, on the lake, and on the line of communication between New York and Canada, it was an important post. (See Map, p. 273; and Note, p. 230.)

tinguished generals,-Howe, Clinton, and Burgoyne; which, with the garrison, formed a well disciplined army, of from ten to twelve thousand men. 'General Gage, being now prepared to act with more decision and vigor, issued a proclamation, declaring those in arms rebels and traitors; and offering pardon to such as would return to their allegiance, and resume their peaceful occupations. From this indulgence, however, Samuel Adams and John Hancock, two distinguished patriots, were excepted; as their crimes were deemed too flagitious to admit of pardon.

1775.

1 Gen.

Gage's proc a. June 12.

lamation.

2. Hostile adopted by

measures

the Ameri cans.

"Orders 3. Orders

8. "As the British were evidently prepared to penetrate into the country, the Americans first strengthened their intrenchments across Boston neck; but afterwards, learning that the views of the British had changed, and were then directed towards the peninsula of Charlestown, they resolved to defeat this new project of the enemy. were therefore given to Colonel Prescott, on the evening stento Co of the 16th of June, to take a detachment of one thousand Americans, and form an intrenchment on Bunker Hill ;* a high eminence which commanded the neck of the peninsula of Charlestown.

Prescott.

take.

ment of the British.

9. By some mistake the detachment proceeded to 4. His misBreed's Hill,† an eminence within cannon shot of Boston; and, by the dawn of day, had erected a square redoubt, capable of sheltering them from the fire of the enemy. 'Nothing could exceed the astonishment of the British, at 5. Astonishbeholding, on the following morning, this daring advance of the Americans. As the eminence overlooked the city of Boston, it was immediately perceived that a powerful battery, planted there, would soon compel the British to evacuate the place. A heavy fire was therefore commenced on the Americans, from vessels in the harbor, and taken by from a fortification on Copp's Hill, in Boston; but with little effect; and about noon, PLAN OF THE SIEGE OF BOSTON 1775. a force of three thousand regulars, commanded by Gen-sect

Bunker's Hill is in the northern part of the peninsula of Charlestown, and is 113 feet in height. (See Map)

t Breed's Hill, which is eighty-seven feet high, commences near the southern exremity of Bunker's Hill, and extends towards the south and east. It is now usually called Bunker's Hill, and the monument on its summit, erected to commemorate the battle on the same spot, is called Bunker Hill Monument. nonument is built of Quincy granite, is thirty feet square at the base, and fifteen at the top; and rises to the height of 220 fert.

This

June 17. 6. Measures

them.

ANALYSIS. eral Howe, crossed over to Charlestown, in boats, with the design of storming the works.

1. Advance against the American works.

of this scene.

10. Landing at Moreton's Point, on the extremity of the peninsula, the English formed in two columns, and advanced slowly, allowing time for the artillery to 3. Spectators produce its effect upon the works. In the mean time the surrounding heights, the spires of churches, and the roofs of houses in Boston, were covered with thousands of spectators, waiting, in dreadful anxiety, the approaching 3. Burning battle. While the British were advancing, orders were given by General Gage to set fire to the village of Charlestown; by which wanton act two thousand people were deprived of their habitations; and property to a large amount, perished in the flames.

of Charlestown.

4. Account of the buille.

11. "The Americans waited in silence the advance of the enemy to within ten rods of the redoubt, when they opened upon them so deadly a fire of musketry, that whole ranks were cut down; the line was broken, and the royal troops retreated in disorder and precipitation. With dif ficulty rallied by their officers, they again reluctantly advanced, and were a second time beaten back by the same destructive and incessant stream of fire. At this critical moment General Clinton arrived with reenforcements. By his exertions, the British troops were again rallied, and a third time advanced to the charge, which at length was successful.

5. The modes. of attack.

12. "The attack was directed against the redoubt at three several points. The cannon from the fleet had obtained a position commanding the interior of the works, 6. Disadvan- which were battered in front at the same time. "Attacked tages of the Americans by a superior force, their ammunition failing,-and fighting at the point of the bayonet, without bayonets themselves, the provincials now slowly evacuated their intrenchments, and drew off with an order not to have been 7. Their expected from newly levied soldiers. 'They retreated across Charlestown Neck, with inconsiderable loss, although exposed to a galling fire from a ship of war, and floating batteries, and intrenched themselves on Prospect Hill, still maintaining the command of the entrance to Boston.

retreal.

8. The two armies.

13. The British took possession of and fortified Bunker's Hill; but neither army was disposed to hazard any gaged, and new movement. 'In this desperate conflict, the royal forces engaged consisted of three thousand men; while

9 Forces en

lusses on

each side.

Map.)

Moreton's Point is S.E. from Breed's Hill, at the eastern extremity of the peninsula. (Ses ↑ Prospect Hill is a little more than two miles N.W. from Breed's Hill. (See Map.)