History of America 1774

Defiant Continental Congress meets. Philadelphia, Oct. 26 1774.
A widely attended congress of colonial leaders adjourned today after criticising British influence in North America and affirming the colonies “right to life, liberty and property”. Delegates from 12 colonies convened at Carpenters Hall on September 5. Georgia’s popular royal governor persuaded the colony’ s leaders not to participate.
Of the 56 delegates, half were lawyers, the rest largely merchants, planters or otherwise men of accomplishment. Despite their differences, all the congressmen have expressed a point of view that sounds increasingly American. As Patrick Henry stated, “The distinctions between New Englanders and Virginians are no more. I am not a Virginian I am an American.

Arsenal captured in first military move. Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Dec 14, 1774.

Warned by Paul Revere of British plans to station troops here, John Sullivan along with some 400 men of the local militia has captured Fort William and Mary and seized gunpowder, weapons and other military stores. No lives were lost, but this does not diminish the gravity of the incident. For the first time colonists have resorted to direct military action against the forces of the crown. The 34-year old Sullivan, a lawyer, recently attended the Continental Congress in Philadelphia.

Revere’s Ride warns: “The British are Coming”. Lexington Massachusetts Apr. 19,1775.
Near the hour of 2 in the morning the Rev. Jonas Clark heard a rap on his front door. He was not roused having been up late with guests Samuel Adams and John Hancock. They recognised the knock at once, and opened the door to reveal a man in spurs and riding boots, spattered in mud. Paul Revere had walked from a mile outside Lexington to tell them he had failed - he had been stopped, his horse was gone, he never got to Concord. Yet his friends voiced no disappointment: they led him to the warm fire, and assured him in hurried whispers that he had indeed spread the word that “The British are coming”. Patriots were ready.

John Adams the moderate colonist, called the fighting today “the most shocking New England has ever beheld”. He felt there was no knowing where “our calamities will end”. The radicals do not share Adams concerns. His cousin Sam, upon hearing the first cackle of gunfire in Lexington cheered. “What a glorious morning this is ” he said “I mean for America”.
Sixteen companies of redcoats, divided equally between infantry and grenadiers, set off from Boston late last night under the command of the ageing and obese Col. Francis Smith . Their secret mission was to destroy the colonists armaments and supplies stored on a farm at Concord. But the patriots were aware of their mission long before the redcoats crossed the river and landed at Lechmere’s Point, the word having been spread by Paul Revere and others. On arrival at Lexington the redcoats were met by a small contingent of minutemen. Upon realising they were considerably outnumbered the Minutemen began to disperse British casualties were light in this skirmish.
At Concord the minutemen had mustered early just outside the town having evacuated the town. He redcoats proceeded to ransack the town. At North Bridge, several hundred colonists battled three companies of redcoats who were caught in anarrow pass thus severely restricting their opportunity to fire. The redcoats retreated to the centre of town to regroup. The delay was deadly. Hundreds of patriots rushed to the Lexington road hiding behind walls and trees. When the redcoats began their retreat they were ambushed by snipers. The British suffered more than an affront to their pride today. “Thus ended this expedition, which from beginning to end was ill planned and ill executed”, said Lt. Barker of Britain.

Washington takes command of army. Boston June 26,1775
George Washington of Virginia arrived in Boston today to assume command of the Continental Army. Creation of this army was authorised last month by the second Continental Congress. John Adams of Massachusetts presented the unanimous resolution that appointed Washington.
Washington is apparently none to pleased with this army. While most of his troops are from New England , the Southern general has described these Yankees as “an exceedingly nasty and dirty people” who seem to think of little else than money. However his ragbag army proved successful against the British last week at Bunker Hill.

British send over three more generals. Boston May 25, 1775
After repeated pleas to London for top-level military assistance, British General Thomas Gage, Governor of Massachusetts, today welcomed the arrival of Generals Sir William Howe, Sir Henry Clinton and John Burgoyne . Gage who has felt that the colonial resistance was getting beyond his control and that “civil government is near its end” plans to concentrate on his role as civilian governor and to turn over the military command of all British forces in North America to Howe, the senior general.

“Olive Branch” spurned by King George. Philadelphia December 6. 1775
Declaring that in spite of his rejection of its overtures, it still has no intentions of denying the King’s sovereignty , Congress has brought to a close the matter of the Olive Branch Petition. A key passage stated “Attached to Your Majesty’s person, family and government with all the devotion that principles and affection can inspire, connected with Great Britain by the strongest ties that can unite societies, and deploring every event that tends in any way to weaken them, we solemnly assure Your Majesty, that we not only most ardently desire the former harmony between her and these colonies may be restored ....etc.”
The petition called upon the King to put an end to the war and repeal the Coercive Acts and bring about a “happy and permanent reconciliation”
King George III was unwilling to receive the petition and his reply came on August 23, when he declared that the colonies were in open rebellion against the crown.

Jefferson’s independence draft presented. Philadelphia. June 28, 1776.
The Second Continental Congress took a momentous step forward today in the effort to separate the colonies from Britain permanently. A committee headed by Thomas Jefferson of Virginia presented a draft document that would sever ties with London and establish the independence of the colonies. The document’s language, for the most part by Jefferson is majestic “We hold these truths to be sacred and undeniable”, he wrote “and that all men are created equal and independent, that from that equal creation they derive rights inherent and inalienable, among which are the preservation of life and liberty and the pursuit of happiness”.

Congress approves Declaration of Independence. Philadelphia July 4
Three days of spirited debate ended today as the Continental Congress approved Thomas Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence from Great Britain. Of the 13 colonies, 12 voted to approve the document. New York abstained. From this time forward, the colonies will be known as “free and independent states”
Debate on the declaration began on Tuesday, a day John Adams described as “the most memorable epoch in the history of America”. Adams predicted the first day of debate will be for ever celebrated in America “It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty”. He wrote.

WHEN IN THE COURSE OF HUMAN EVENTS, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume, among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. That, to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That, whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute new government laying its foundation on such principles, and organising its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. When a long train of abuses and usurpation, pursuing invariable the same object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injury and usurpation
In every stage of these oppressions, in the most humble terms we have petitioned for redress. Our repeated petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.
Nor have we been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity , and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred, to disavow the usurpation. We must therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our separation
, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, enemies in war, in peace, friends.
We therefore, the representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do in the name, and by authority of good people of these colonies, solemnly publish and declare, that these United colonies are, and of right ought to be free and independent states; and that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the state of Great Britain is and ought to be totally dissolved. (Excerpt from the American Declaration of Independence).

Declaration evokes diverse reaction. Vienna, Aug. 30, 1776
Reaction to the American Declaration is as diverse abroad as it is in Britain. Empress Maria Theresa of Austria wrote to King George III expressing a “hearty desire to see the restoration of obedience and tranquillity in every quarter of your domain”. Long articles on the declaration have been appearing in newspapers, and some such as the Altonaischer Mercurius, the German language paper of Denmark printed the entire document. The Dutch welcomed the rebellion, but reaction is is most divided in England itself.

British are victorious on Long Island. New York, Aug.30 1776.
Outnumbered, outgunned and outmanoeuvred, the American forces have suffered a serious defeat at the hands of the British Army in the Battle of Long island . American losses in prisoners and casualties, exceed 2,000 while British losses are under 400. Three American generals have been taken prisoner. Long Island has been abandoned and few military observers believe that General Washington is going to be able to maintain his hold on New York much longer.
But there is no need to despair. Thanks to the failure of General Sir William Howe to push home his advantage the American were able to regroup in their fortified positions on Brooklyn Heights.

Smith’s ‘Wealth of Nations’ published. London March 9, 1776.
Inquiry into the nature and causes of the Wealth of Nations, an exhaustive treatise on political economy, was published today. The author, Adam Smith, a retired professor of philosophy at Oxford and Glasgow, advocates an economic system that allows the individual to pursue his own self interest , free of excessive governmental restraint. The professors thesis is sure to find favour with American readers, as is his proposal that the colonies be represented in Parliament and his daring prediction that America is destined to become one of the foremost nations of the world“.

British Troops ousted at Princeton. New Jersey, Jan. 3 1777
The tall portly Lord Cornwallis vowed that he would ‘bag the fox’ in the morning. After all, Washington and his men were dug-in on the ridge behind Assunpink Creek. Where could they possibly go? The answer came in an act as daring as the crossing of the Delaware on Christmas Night. Under cover of darkness, Washington and his men stole silently away. They muffled the wheels of their cannons with cloth, and a detail stayed behind to create a lot of clanging and banging , producing a mock army the British could hear.

At sunrise, the British troops from Princeton under way to reinforce Cornwallis at Trenton, were taken by complete surprise when they saw 350 Virginians under the command of General Hugh Mercer, bearing down on their left flank. British Colonel chas. Mawhood opened up with his artillery and ordered a bayonet charge that threw back the Americans and mortally wounded Mercer. At that moment Washington rode up and fearing a rout, re-formed the Virginian forces himself. He led the troops to within 30 yards of the redcoats, where volleys were exchanged. Finally the thin red line broke and a jubilant Washington exclaimed “Its a fine fox chase, my boys!” and led his men in pursuit. In 45 minutes of fighting, British losses numbered 275 to 400 men: 40 Americans were killed and 100 wounded.

Washington thrown back at Brandywine
Chadds Ford Sept. 11, 1777
Por reconnaissance lost a battle today for General Washington. The general sent his troops into central New Jersey where they would be effective in defending Philadelphia, if such was the British objective. This became clear when his ships arrived in Chesapeake Bay. Selecting Brandywine Creek as a defensive position, Washington understood there were no fords within 12 miles north of his position. A good reconnaissance would have told him that the Great Valley Road crossed the Brandywine just to the north.
After a diversionary attack, Howe moved his main force across the Great Valley Road. Washington was unable to defend his position and pulled back losing approximately 1,000 men

200 scalped; farms burned in Connecticut
Pennsylvania July 3,1778.
In a kind of civil war between Americans loyal to the British and those who aren’t. Major John Butler and his Indian allies all but wiped out a settlement of Connecticut farmers in the Wyoming Valley. The farmers were led by Col. Zebulon Butler. The colonel gathered some 300 men, mostly boys and old men. Far outnumbered the farmers battled bravely before succumbing to the Indians. The wounded men were slain viciously, 16 by a half-breed named Queen Esther. The victims were scalped and farms burned

French Fleet to join fight. Rhode Island Aug.29 1778
The critical American need for naval support against powerful British forces was demonstrated today. The Americans, under General John Sullivan, attacked the nearby English army garrison and inflicted more than 250 casualties but suffered approximately the same number. If Sullivan had enjoyed a strong French naval presence observers believe, his attack would have been decisive A fleet under Admiral d’Estaing is currently in Boston for repairs but will be of considerable assistance to the Americans.

Charleston is lost. Major U. S. Defeat. Sth. Carolina May 12, 1780.
American forces surrendered today to General Sir Henry Clinton. In what has been called a “Saratoga in reverse”. 5000 troops under General Benjamin Lincolin gave up in total defeat. The Americans also lost four ships and an arsenal of desperately needed munitions. General Clinton began operations in February, when he sent his fleet and 8,000 regular soldiers against the patriots who garrisoned Fort Moultrie . Clinton’s invasion seems to represent a new British strategy. Many American experts feel the British do not have enough troops in the North to defeat Washington and therefore decided to invade the South where they assume loyalists will give them critical support needed for a final victory in America.

The royal troops under the command of General Lord Cornwallis were forced to march through two columns of French and American soldiers. Cornwallis had issued most of his men flashy new uniforms, but their bright colours failed to dispel their gloom. Some appeared to be drunk and most of the British were ‘disorderly and un-soldierly’ in the words of an American The victorious Americans, wearing tattered uniforms, ‘exhibited an erect soldierly air, and every countenance beamed with satisfaction and joy.
The victory by Washington added to his reputation as a military genius, and stories from Yorktown can only enhance his reputation.

Paul Revere is a silversmith, dentist, Son of Liberty and a man of action rather than words. A stable boy came to him that afternoon and told him he had overheard that this evening, General Gage would dispatch 800 troops to Concord and there raid the munitions stored by the provincial congress, rendering the Massachusetts militia impotent. It had been agreed that the signal for a land attack would be one lantern in the tower of Christ’s Church and two lanterns for a sea attack , then a few men would ride from Boston to Concord to warn of the coming of the Brits.
At sunset, the sexton of Christ’s ascended the tower and placed one lit lantern therin, Revere saw it and saw British troops assemble on the Boston Common. After being rowed safely across the Charles River to Charlestown under the noses of the British, he contacted his Friend Colonel Conant who gave him the finest horse in Charlestown and bid him godspeed, it was now 11 pm. After a few miles he was challenged by two British officers on the road but he did not stop. One gave chase but revere left the road and when the British officer followed his horse got stuck in a clay pond. Revere rode on and reached to town of Medford, roused the captain of the Minutemen and rode on. To every home he passed he called the alarm. He went through Menotomy, then north to Lexington. Exhausted he reached the home of the minister Jonas Clark. Joined by William Dawes the two rode on heading for Concord but were caught by the British who demanded to know what they were about. Revere told him and was taken prisoner but before he could be taken back to prison the sound of muskets were heard and the British realised the battle had commenced and rode of on the basis that the battle was more urgent than a prisoner.