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First Continental Congress meets
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1,000's of Redcoats in Boston
-Gage learned that the militia stored weapons and ammunition in Concord, a small town about 20 miles northwest of Boston. -He ordered 700 troops under Lieutenant Colonel Francis Smith "to Concord, where you will seize and destroy all the artillery and ammunition you can find." -
Midnight ride of Paul Revere
At dawn, the Redcoats approached Lexington. Led by Captain John Parker, the minutemen stood on the town common with muskets in hand. Badly outnumbered, the minutemen were about to give way to the redcoats. Just then, a shot was fired from where is still not clear. Both sides let loose an exchange of bullets. The British continued on to Concord. In a short battle, the British took heavy losses. hey began to make their way back to Boston. -
Capture of Fort Ticonderoga
After the battles at Lexington and Concord, armed conflict with British forces quickly spread. Benedict Arnold, a captain in the Connecticut militia, raised a force of 400 to seize Fort Ticonderoga near Lake Champlain in New York. Ticonderoga occupied a key location. Arnold joined forces with Allen's men, the so-called Green Mountain Boys. -
Battle of Bunker Hill
Succeeding After Lexington and Concord, more volunteers joined the colonial militia. The British remained in control of the city, with the militia camped nearby. The next day, the redcoats assembled at Breed's Hill. Bayonets drawn, they charged. Low on ammunition, Prescott reportedly ordered, "Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes." The Americans opened fire, forcing the British to retreat. Twice more, the redcoats charged, receiving furious fire from above. -
Washington arrives on outskirts of Boston with Continental troops
-Realizes men are disorganized and need discipline. -Need weapons. -
British Surrender Boston
-Washington believes his army is ready and weapons arrive. -Washington puts cannons on Dorchester Heights overlooking Boston. -
Second Continental Congress meets again
-Debate on declaring independence. -Thomas Jefferson is the primary author of the document. -
Second Continental Congress votes for independence
-All 13 colonies vote YES on declaring independence.