Lexington and Concord Fort Ticonderoga Battle of Bunker

Lexington and Concord Fort Ticonderoga Battle of Bunker Hill Battles that got it Started

Lexington • The evening of April 18, 1775, – Captain John Parker’s militiamen gathered in a local tavern to await word about the movement of British soldiers • British go to Lexington to arrest John Hancock and Samuel Adams • Revere and Dawes alert the men in the tavern that the British are coming • Captain Parker & 77 Minutemen gathered on the village green in Lexington • British troops approached Lexington's green shortly after dawn • Captain Parker said, "Stand your ground; don't fire unless fired upon, but if they mean to have a war, let it begin here. "

Lexington • The British ordered the colonists to throw down their guns and disperse. • A shot was fired — its source is unknown. • Other shots quickly followed • Eight Americans lay dead and 10 were wounded • One British soldier was slightly wounded.

Lexington

Response • Take 2 minutes to talk to the person behind you. Discuss and answer with them the following questions. • Who Fired the first shots at Lexington? • How many men were killed or wounded on each side in this battle? • What drew the British to this little town?

Concord • British heard Concord had a stash of guns and other weapons. • Church bells sounded that the British were coming • Colonial militia of more than 400 men gathered on a hill above Concord • British entered Concord and found some weapons and destroyed them • Militia saw smoke from Concord and assumed that their homes were being torched. • The militia left the hilltop and moved back toward town to confront the British

Concord • The militia encountered a small group of British soldiers at the Old North Bridge over the Concord River • Shots were fired. 2 Americans were killed • Increasing numbers of farmers and workmen joined the militia and lined the road leading from Concord to Boston • Colonists opened fire from hidden positions as the British retreated back to Boston.

Concord

Response • Take 2 minutes to talk to the person on your left. Discuss and answer with them the following questions. • Why did the British go to Concord? • Explain why the American militia started going back to Concord. • Describe how the colonists fought in this battle.

Fort Ticonderoga • Ethan Allen and his Green Mountain Boys prepared for a strike against Fort Ticonderoga. • Benedict Arnold, a great military leader, – Arnold raised an army of 400 men, mostly Massachusetts residents and headed to Vermont.

Fort Ticonderoga • A surprise attack was made on Ticonderoga in the early hours of May 10 • A band under Allen marched silently to the fort • they were astounded to see the gate open and the sentry asleep. • No shots needed to be fired. The defenders numbered only 42 men

Fort Ticonderoga • The American gained six mortars, three howitzers, 78 cannon and supplies of cannon balls, powder and flints. • Some of these items were transported in the depths of winter to the siege of Boston by Henry Knox • The victory at Ticonderoga was significant for several reasons. Most important was the fact that the Americans had gained control over the invasion route from Canada.

Fort Ticonderoga

Response • Who were the main men that conducted this attack? • List the significance of this victory for the Americans. ( What was gained, why was it important) • Why was this a bloodless battle?

Battle of Bunker Hill

Battle of Bunker Hill • Colonel William Prescott commanded the American forces at Bunker Hill • The Americans worked through the night constructing extensive earthworks fortifications for their protection on Breed’s Hill. • The British command in Boston was shocked to see a colonial army putting the finishing touches on their fortification.

Battle of Bunker Hill • General William Howe led a force of 2, 400 soldiers • the redcoats launched two uphill assaults against the entrenched colonists. • Colonel Prescott reputedly cautioned his men not to fire until they saw the whites of their opponents’ eyes. • Both assaults were repulsed and resulted in very heavy losses for the British. • Howe awaited the arrival of 400 additional soldiers.

Battle of Bunker Hill • A third charge found the Americans running low on powder • Prescott gave the order to retreat. • The fighting on Breed’s hill resulted in 1, 054 British casualties 1/2 of their force • The Americans suffered 270 casualties out of 1600 soldiers • This was a moral victory for the American’s even though they lost the battle.

Battle of Bunker Hill

Response • Answer the following questions about the Battle of Bunker Hill. – Who where the main generals on both sides in this battle. – How many times did the British march up Breeds hill before they finally capture it? – Why was this battle considered a moral victory for the Americans? – What was this battle considered in respect to the whole American revolution?