Capture of Ticonderoga.

Breed's Hill fortified.

Vermont militia, under the command of Colonels Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold. Ticonderoga and its garrison were taken possession of at dawn, on the 10th of May, 1775; and two days afterward, Colonel Seth Warner, of the expedition, with a few men, captured Crown Point. The spoils of victory, consisting of almost one hundred and fifty pieces of cannon, and a large quantity of ammunition and stores, were of vast consequence to the Americans. A few months later [Mar. 1776], some of these cannons were hurling death-shots into the midst of the British troops in Boston.1

8. On the 19th of May [1775], the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts clothed the Committee of Safety, sitting at Cambridge, with full powers to regulate the operations of the army. Artemas Ward was appointed commander-in-chief, Richard Gridley, chief engineer, and Putnam, Stark, and other veterans, who had served bravely in the French and Indian war,3 were appointed to important commands. The military genius then developed, was now brought into requisition. Day by day the position of the British army became more perilous, when on the 25th of May, large reinforcements, under Generals Howe, Clinton, and Burgoyne, arrived. The whole British force in Boston now amounted to about twelve thousand men, besides several wellmanned vessels of war, under Admiral Graves; and Gage resolved to attack. the Americans and penetrate the country.

6

9. On the 10th of June, Gage issued a proclamation declaring all Americans in arms to be rebels and traitors, and offering a free pardon to all who should return to their allegiance, except those arch-offenders, John Hancock,* and Samuel Adams. These he intended to seize and send to England to be hanged. The vigilant patriots, aware of Gage's hostile intentions, strengthened their intrenchments on Boston Neck, and on the evening of the 16th of June, General Ward sent Colonel Prescott' with a detachment of one thousand men, to take possession of, and fortify Bunker's Hill, which commanded an important part of Boston and the surrounding water. By mistake they ascended Breed's Hill, within cannon-shot of the city, and laboring with pick and spade all that night, they had cast up a strong redoubt of earth, on the summit of that eminence, before the British were aware of their presence. Gage and his officers were greatly astonished at the apparition of this military work, at the dawn of the 17th.

10. The British generals perceived the necessity for driving the Americans from this commanding position, before they should plant a heavy battery there, for in that event, Boston must be evacuated. Before sunrise [June 17, 1775],

1. Verse 4, page 199. 4. Verse 2, page 167.

2. Note 1, page 110.

5. Note 4, page 180.

3. Chapter IV., Sec. XII., page 147. 6. Note 2, page 109. 7. William Prescott was born at Groton, Massachusetts, in 1726. He was at Louisburg [verse 48, p. 102] in 1745. After the battle of Bunker's Hill, he served under Gates, until the surrender of Burgoyne, when he left the army. He died in 1795.

8. A redoubt is a small fortification, generally composed of earth, and having very few features of a regular fort, except its arrangement for the use of cannons and muskets. They are often temporary structures, cast up in the progress of a siege, or a protracted battle. The diagram A, on the map, page 191 shows the form of the redoubt; a, is the entrance.

QUESTIONS.-8. What hostile preparations were made in Massachusetts? What was the condition of the British army in Boston? 9. What did General Gage now do? What defensive measures did the Americans take?

Battle of Bunker's Hill.

a heavy cannonade was opened upon the redoubt, from
a battery on Copp's Hill, in Boston,' and from shipping
in the harbor, but with very little effect. Hour after
hour the patriots worked on in the erection of their
fort, and at noon-day, their toil was fin-
ished, and they laid aside their implements
of labor for knapsacks and muskets.

eral Howe,

with Gen

eral Pigot,

and three

thousand

the foot of the eastern

BUNKER'S HILL BATTLE.

MONUMENT.

slopes of Breed's Hill, formed his troops into two columns, and marched slowly to attack the redoubt. Although the British commenced firing cannons soon after they had begun to ascend the hill, and the great guns of the ships, and the battery on Copp's Hill, poured out an incessant storm upon the redoubt, the Americans kept perfect silence until they had approached within close musket-shot. Hardly an American could be seen by the slowly-approaching enemy, yet behind those rude mounds of earth lay fifteen hundred determined men.2

11. When the British column was within ten rods of the redoubt, Prescott shouted Fire! and instantly whole platoons of the assailants were prostrated by well-aimed bullets. The survivors fell back in great confusion, but were soon rallied for a second attack. They were again repulsed, with heavy loss, and while scattering in all directions, General Clinton arrived with a few followers, and joined Howe as a volunteer. The fugitives were rallied, and they rushed up to the redoubt in the face of a galling fire. For ten minutes the battle raged fearfully, and, in the mean while, Charlestown, at the foot of the

1. That portion of Copp's Hill, where the British battery was constructed, is a burial-ground, in which lie many of the earlier residents of that city. Among them, the Mather family, distinguished in the early history of the commonwealth.

2. During the forenoon, General Putnam had been busy in forwarding reinforcements for Prescott, and when the battle began, about five hundred had been added to the detachment.

3. Prescott ordered his men to aim at the waistbands of the British, and to pick off their officers, whose fine clothes would distinguish them.

QUESTIONS.-10. How did the redoubt on Breed's Hill affect the British? What did they do? What movements were made by the British troops? 11. Can you relate the chief incidents of the battle of Bunker's Hill? How were the two armies affected?

Result of the Battle of Bunker's Hill.

Death of General Warren.

eminence, having been fired by a carcass' from Copp's Hill, sent up dense columns of smoke, which completely enveloped the belligerents. The firing in the redoubt grew weaker, for the ammunition of the Americans became exhausted. It ceased, and then the British scaled the bank and compelled the Americans to retreat, while they fought fiercely with clubbed muskets.3 They fled across Charlestown Neck, gallantly covered by Putnam and a few brave men, and under that commander, took position on Prospect Hill, and fortified it. The British took possession of Bunker's Hill," and erected a fortification there. There was absolutely no victory in the case. The Americans had lost, in killed, wounded, and prisoners, about four hundred and fifty men. The loss of the British, from like causes, was almost eleven hundred. This was the first real battle of the Revolution, and lasted almost two hours. 12. That beautiful day in June, bright and cloudless, was a terrible one for Boston and its vicinity. All the morning, and during the fierce conflict, roofs, steeples, and every high place, in and around the city, were filled with anxious spectators. Almost every family had a representative among the combatants; and, in an agony of suspense, mothers, wives, sisters and daughters, gazed upon the scene. Many a loved one perished; and there the country lost one of its most promising children, and freedom a devoted champion. Dr. Warren, who had just been appointed Major-General, had crossed Charlestown Neck in the midst of flying balis from the British shipping, and reached the redoubt on Breed's Hill, at the moment when the enemy scaled its banks. He was killed by a musket-ball, while retreating. Buried where he fell, near the redoubt, the tall Bunker Hill monument of to-day, standing on that spot, commemorates his death as well as the patriotism of his countrymen.R

JOSEPHI WARREN.

13. While these events were occurring in New England, the Revolution was making rapid progress elsewhere. Late in

1. A carcass is a hollow case, formed of ribs of iron, covered with cloth or metal, with holes in it. Being filled with combustibles, and set on fire, it is thrown from a mortar, like a bombshell, upon the roofs of buildings, and ignites them. A bombshell is a hollow ball with an orifice, filled with powder, which is ignited by a slow match when fired, explodes, and its fragments produce terrible destruction.

3. Most of the American muskets were destitute of bayonets, and they used the large end as clubs.

4. Charlestown, like Boston, is on a peninsula, almost surrounded by water and a marsh. The Neck was a narrow causeway connecting it with the main. Charlestown was a flourishing rival of Boston at the time of the battle. It was then completely destroyed. Six hundred buildings perished in the fames. Bugoyne, speaking of the battle and conflagration, said it was the most awful and sublime sight he had ever witnessed. 5. As the battle took place on Breed's, and not on Bunker's Hill, the former rame should have been given to it, but the name of Bunker's Hill is too sacred in the records of patriotism to be changed.

6. The Provincial Congress estimated the loss at abont 1,500: General Gage reported 1,054. Of the Americans, only 115 were killed; the remainder were wounded or made prisoners.

7. A battle is a conflict carried on by large bodies of troops, according to the rules of military tactics: a skirmish is a sudden and irregular fight between a few troops.

8. Joseph Warren was born in Roxbury, in 1740. He was at the head of his profession as a physician when the events of the approaching Revolution brought him into public life. He was thirty-five years of age when he died. His remains rest in St. Paul's church, in Boston. A statue in his honor was inaugurated on the 17th of June, 1857.

QUESTIONS.-12. Who were spectators of the battle? What calamity befell the Americans?

Patrick Henry's boldness.

Events in the South.

Second Continental Congress.

March, Patrick Henry1 had again aroused his countrymen by his eloquence, in the Virginia Assembly at Richmond, when he concluded a masterly speech with that noted sentiment which became the war-cry of the patriots-“GIVE ME LIBERTY, OR GIVE ME DEATH!" When, twenty-six days later [April 20], Governor Dunmore, by ministerial command," seized and conveyed on board a British vessel of war, a quantity of gunpowder belonging to the colony, that same inflexible patriot went at the head of armed citizens, and demanded and received from the royal representative, full restitution. And before the battle of Bunker's Hill,3 the exasperated people had driven Dunmore from his palace at Williamsburg [June], and he was a refugee, shorn of political power, on board a British man-of-war in the York river.

14. In the meantime, a still bolder step had been taken in the interior of North Carolina. A convention of delegates, chosen by the people, assembled at Charlotte, in Mecklenberg county [May, 1775], and by a series of resolutions, virtually declared their constituents absolved from all allegiance to the British crown, organized local government, and made provisions for military defense. In South Carolina and Georgia, also, arms and ammunition had been seized by the people, and all royal authority was repudiated.

5

7

15. In the midst of these excitements, the SECOND CONTINENTAL CONGRESS convened [May 10] at Philadelphia. Notwithstanding New England was in a blaze of war, royal authority had virtually ceased in all the colonies, and the conflict for independence had actually begun, that august body held out to Great Britain a loyal, open hand of reconciliation. At the same time, they said, firmly, "We have counted the cost of this contest, and find nothing so dreadful as voluntary slavery." They did not foolishly lose present advantages in waiting for a reply, but pressed forward in the work of public security. Having resolved on armed resistance, they voted to raise an army of twenty thousand men; and two days before the battle of Bunker's Hill [June 15, 1775], they elected GEORGE WASHINGTON commander-in-chief of all the forces raised, or to be raised, for the defense of the colonies. They adopted 1. Born in Hanover county, Virginia, in 1736. He appeared suddenly in public life when almost thirty years of age. He was an active public man during the whole of the Revolution, was Governor of Virginia, and died in 1799. See correct portrait in the picture at the head of this chapter.

2. Note 6, page 188,

3. Page 191. 4. Dunmore was strongly suspected of a desire to have the hostile Indians west of the Alleghanies annihilate the Virginia troops sent against them in the summer of 1774. They suffered terrible loss in a battle at Point Pleasant, on the Ohio, in October of that year, in consequence of the failure of promised aid from Dunmore. They subdued the Indians, however.

5. This declaration of independence was made about thirteen months previous to the general Declaration made by the Continental Congress, and is one of the glories of the people of North Carolina. 6. Verse 5, page 189.

7. In July, Congress sent a most loyal petition to the king, and conciliatory addresses to the people of Great Britain. 8. Verse 11, page 191.

9. Washington was a delegate in Congress from Virginia, and his appointment was wholly unexpected to him. When the time came to choose a commander-in-chief, John Adams arose, and after a brief speech, in which he delineated the qualities of the man whom he thought best fitted for the important service, he nominated Washington. That patriot was gazing intently in the face of Mr. Adams, at the moment, and when his name fell from the lips of the speaker, he rushed into an adjoining room, utterly abashed. Congress immediately adjourned, and the next day Washington was elected commander-in-chief. At the same time Congress resolved that they would "maintain and assist him, and adhere to him, with their lives and fortunes, in the cause of American liberty." When President Hancock announced to Washington his appointment, he modestly and with great dignity, signified his acceptance in the following terms: "Mr.

QUESTIONS.-13. What revolutionary movements occurred in Virginia? 14. What revolutionary movement occurred in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia? 15. What occurred at Philadelphia? What was the condition of the country? What did the Continental Congress do?

Washington commander-in-chief.

Invasion of Canada.

the troops at Boston' as a CONTINENTAL ARMY, and appointed general officers' to assist Washington in its organization and future operations.

16. Washington took command of the army at Cambridge, on the 3d of July, and with the aid of General Gates, order was soon brought out of great confusion, and the Americans were prepared to commence a regular siege of the British army in Boston." To the capture or expulsion of those troops, the efforts of Washington were mainly directed during the summer and autumn of 1775. His army, fourteen thousand strong, extended from Roxbury on the right to Prospect Hill, two miles north-west of Breed's Hill, on the left. right, was commanded by General Ward, the left by General Lee. The center, at Cambridge, was under the immediate control of the commander-in-chief.

The

17. The Canadians had been cordially invited to join their Anglo-American neighbors, in efforts to obtain redress of grievances, but having very little sympathy in language, religion, or social condition with them, they refused, and were necessarily considered positive supporters of the royal cause. The capture of the two fortresses on Lake Champlain [May, 1775], having opened the way to the St. Lawrence, a well-devised plan to take possession of that province and prevent its becoming a place of rendezvous and supply of invading armies from Great Britain, was matured by Congress and the commander-in-chief." To accomplish this, a body of New York and New England troops were placed under the command of Generals Schuylera and Montgomery,' and ordered to proceed by way of Lake Champlain to Montreal and Quebec.

18. The invading army appeared before St. John on the Sorel, the first military post within the Canadian line, at the close of August, 1775. Deceived in regard to the strength of the garrison and the disposition of the Canadians and the neighboring Indians, Schuyler fell back to Isle Aux Noix,1o and after making preparations to fortify it, hastened to Ticonderoga to urge

President, though I am truly sensible of the high honor done me, in this appointment, yet I feel great distress, from a consciousness that my abilities and military experience may not be equal to the extensive and important trust. However, as the Congress desire it, I will enter upon the momentous duty, and exert every power I possess in their service, and for the support of the glorious cause. I beg they will accept my most cordial thanks for this distinguished testimony of their approbation. But lest some unlucky event should happen, unfavorable to my reputation, I beg it may be remembered by every gentleman in this room, that I, this day, declare with the utmost sincerity, I do not think myself equal to the command I am honored with. As to pay, sir, I beg leave to assure the Congress that, as no pecuniary consideration could have tempted me to accept the arduous employment, at the expense of my domestic ease and happiness, I do not wish to make any profit from it. I will keep an exact account of my expenses; those, I doubt not, they will discharge, and that is all I desire." 1. Verse 6, page 189.

2. Artemas Ward, Charles Lee, Philip Schuyler, and Israel Putnam, major-generals; Horatio Gates, adjutant-general; and Seth Pomeroy, Richard Montgomery, David Wooster, William Heath, Joseph Spencer, John Thomas, John Sullivan, and Nathaniel Greene (all New England men), brigadier-generals. 3. Verse 4, page 188. 4. Note 5, page 159.

5. The Congress of 1774, made an appeal To the inhabitants of Quebec, in which was clearly set forth the grievances of the colonists, and an invitation to fraternize with those already in union.

6. Verse 7, page 189.

7. A committee of Congress went to Cambridge in August, and there the plan of the campaign against Canada was arranged.

8. Philip Schuyler was born in Albany, New York, in 1733. He was a captain under Sir William Johnson [verse 17, page 154], in 1755, and was in active public service, in civil affairs, until the Revolution. He was a legislator after the war, and died in 1804. See portrait on page 195.

9. Richard Montgomery was born in Ireland, in 1737. He was with Wolfe at Quebec [verse 40, page 165], and afterward married and settled in the State of New York. He gave promise of great military ability, when death ended his career. See portrait on page 196. 10. Note 3, page 164.

QUESTIONS.-16. What did Washington first do? tions were made? 17. What of the Canadians? commenced?

What was his chief desire? What hostile prepara-
What plans against Canada were formed? and how