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?