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The First Major Battle of the American Revolution
Road to Independence Dateline: 17June 1775, Boston, Massachusetts The British troops in Boston are surrounded by the colonial militia which would become the continental army. The British plans to break out of Boston were found out by the American leaders. The colonials pushed in towards Boston and in one night reinforced Breeds Hill. General Gage…
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The Continental Military Gets Organized
Road to Independence Dateline: 17 June 1775, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania George Washington was chosen this day to lead the Continental forces against the British. Washington’s selection as the Commander & Chief was not a foregone conclusion and there were several others who expected to receive the appointment. However, George Washington’s nomination was unanimously approved by the…
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Let Them Call Me Rebel
Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: It is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Thomas Paine -The American Crisis 2026 is the 250th Anniversary of the…
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First Offensive of the Revolution
May 10, 1775 Benedict Arnold and Ethan Allen, with about 80 men, attack Fort Ticonderoga capturing the British soldiers and the artillery housed there. The fort controls the north/south route between Albany and Montreal over lakes Champlain and George. While this victory meant control of a strong, strategic fort, the more important significance of this…
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The Gunpowder Incident
On April 21, 1775, the people of Virginia were alerted that the royal governor, Lord Dunmore, had removed the gun powder stores from the public powder magazine in Williamsburg, VA during the night and moved it to a ship of the Royal Navy. Thanks to Patrick Henry’s speech to the Second Virginia Convention, militias in…
