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You searched for: Start Over Decade 1900-1909 Remove constraint Decade: 1900-1909 Topic United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783 Remove constraint Topic: United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783

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1. Boston Tea Party
Boston Tea Party
Description
"In 1773 the East India Company, which imported England's tea, was in financial straits, due, it seems, to its inability to sell tea in the American colonies. It appealed to the government for a remission of duties. Lord North and the kind willingly gave the relief asked for, and the company was now allowed to send its tea to America without any duty paid to England. North was asked to give up, also, the duty of threepence a pound imposed by the act of 1767; but he refused saying the kind was determined to make its collection a test of authority with America. On this small point, it seems safe to say, hung the question of American revolt." The colonists from the first refused to pay the tax. The captains of certain ships planned to return to England with their cargoes of tea but were directed by the British Governor of Massachusetts to remain. "On the night of December 16, 1773, about fifty men disguised as Indians and directed by Adams himself went aboard the ships at the wharf and emptied 342 chests of tea into the water." This has been known as in history as the Boston Tea Party.
2. British retreat from Concord
British retreat from Concord
Description
"By this time the coountryside swarmed with militia, and the British hastily retreated. Every rock, tree, or fence that offered cover concealed angry Americans from whose fire the regulars suffered severely. Gage informed of the situation, sent Percy with 1500 fresh troops to escort the column to safety. By this means it came back to Boston, but with a loss of 273 killed, wounded and missing. The militia lost 93 in all, and following the retreating column in force begain the siege of Boston."
3. Battle of Lexington, April 19, 1775
Battle of Lexington, April 19, 1775
Description
General Gage having learned that the patriots had stored a quantity of powder and provisions at Concord, about twenty miles from Boston, sent a secret expedition to destroy both. The soldiers had orders to go by way of Lexington, and there arrest Samuel Adams, and John Hancock, who were stopping with a friend in that village. The London papers boasted that the heads of these two
4. Cornwallis is taken
Cornwallis is taken
Description
Lieutenant Tilgham, one of Washington's aids-de-camp, rode express to Philadelphia to carry the dispatches of the chief announcing the joyful tidings to Congress of Cornwallis's surrender. It was midnight when he entered the city. Thomas M'Kean was then president of the Continential Congress and resided in High Street near Second. Tilgham knocked at his door so vehemently, that a watchman was disposed to arrest him as a disturber of the peace. M'Kean arose, and presently the glad tidings were made known. The watchmen throughout the city proclaimed the hour, adding "and Cornwallis is taken!" That annunciation, ringing out upon the frosty night air, aroused thousands from their beds. Lights were seen moving in almost every house, and soon the streets were thronged with men and women all eager to hear the details.
5. Treason of Arnold
Treason of Arnold
Description
Later, Arnold led an attack on Richmond, Virginia, and burnt it, and, last of all, one on New London in his native state of Connecticut. Arnold died in London twenty years later. It is said that the last request he made was that the epaulettes and sword which Washington has given him might be brought. "Let me die" said he "in my old American uniform, in which I fought my battles. God forgive me for ever having put on any other!"
6. Surrender of Cornwallis
Surrender of Cornwallis
Description
On October 17, 1781 after having been beseiged by the French and American forces for several weeks, Cornwallis could resist no longer and raised a white flag in token of surrender. "October 19, the surrender was signed, the land forces becoming prisoners to the United States and the naval forces prisoners to France. The total number of surrendered, including seamen, was 8000, and 580 of the British had been killed or wounded in the seige. The combined French and American loss was 274. At the moment of surrender Cornwallis pleaded illness and sent his sword by General O'Hara. By Washington's direction it was received by General Lincoln, who had been forced to surrender Charleston, and was by him handed back to O'Hara."
7. Constitutional convention, 1787
Constitutional convention, 1787
Description
The delegates did not know what they would do when they met, and the people did not know what they wanted. They knew that a better government was needed, but how it could be brought about was the unsolved problem. Some of the delegates wished to temporize, to produce something that would please everybody. Others favored doing thorough work. Among these was Washington, who said in a brief speech, "If to please the people, we offer what we ourselves disapprove, how can we afterward defend our work? Let us raise a standard to which the wise and the honest can repair; the event is in the hand of God."
8. Battle of Trenton
Battle of Trenton
Description
Washington wrote to Cadwalader at Burlington "Christmas day at night, one hour before day, is the time fixed for our attempt upon Trenton. For heaven's sake keep this to yourself..... I have ordered our men to be provided with three days' provisions ready cooked, with which, and their blankets, they are to march; for if we are successful...we may push on". Washington's play was to cross the Delaware at McKonkey's Ferry, nine miles above Trenton; then march down the east bank in two columns...The two roads enetered the village of Trenton from the south-east and north-west, and uniting, formed its main street. Artillery, to the number of eighteen pieces, was distributed through the two columns. Knox was to have charge of the crossing, and the two boats were to be manned by Glover's Marble-head regiment. A profound silence to be enjoined and no man to quit the ranks on the pain of death." The movement began soon after dark. "The floating ice in the river made the labor almost incredible. However, perseverance accomplished what at first seemed impossible. About 2 o'clock the troops were all on the Jersey side; we were then nine miles from the object. The night was cold and stormy; hailed with great violence; the troops marched with the most profound silence and good order." The Hessians had duly celebrated Christmas and were sound asleep. The troops "Arrived by two routes at the same time, about half an hour after daylight, within one mile of the town. The storm continued with great violence but was in our backs and consequently in the faces of the enemy. About half a mile from the town was an advanced guard on each road, consisting of a captain's guard. These we forced, and entered the town with them pellmell". Ball and his officers were rudely awakened in the gray dawn of this cheerless morning but by a distinguished company. It was a victory for the Americans and the British surrendered. They numbered 32 officers and 886 men and about 30 had been killed. The American loss was 2 privates frozen to death during the night march and 2 officers and 1 private wounded.
9. Moll Pitcher at Monmouth, 1778
Moll Pitcher at Monmouth, 1778
Description
At the Battle of Monmouth Moll Pitcher displayed great courage and presence of mind. She was only twenty-two years old, and in devotion to her husband, she illustrated the character of her countrywomen of the Emerald Isle. In this battle while her husband was managing one of the fieldpieces she constantly brought him water from a spring near by. A shot from the enemy killed him at his post; and the officer in command, having no one competent to fill his place, ordered the piece to be withdrawn. Molly saw her husband fall as she came down from the spring, and also heard the command. She dropped her bucket, seized the rammer, and vowed that she would fill the place of her husband at the gun, and avenge his death. She performed the duty with a skill and courage which attracted the attention of all who saw her. On the following morning, covered in dirt and blood, General Greene presented her to Washington, who, admiring her bravery, conferred upon her the commission of sergeant. By his recommendation her name was placed upon the list of half-pay officers for life. She left the army soon after the battle of Monmouth, and, died near Fort Montgomery among the Hudson Highlands. She usually went by the name Captain Molly. The venerable widow of General Hamilton said she had often seen Captain Molly. She described her as a stout, red-haired, freckled face young Irish woman, with a handsome, piercing eye.
10. Execution of Nathan Hale
Execution of Nathan Hale
Description
After the Continental army had reached Harlem Heights above New York, Washington, desiring to be made acquainted with the force and probable purpose of the enemy, chose Nathan Hale, a brilliant young captain aged twenty-one, a graduate of Yale, and before the war, a Connecticut school teacher, for the dangerous task. Hale crossed the sound at Fairfield in September, 1776, disguised as a school teacher. He reached New York, made a careful study of the enemy's fortifications, drew plans, and was waiting for the ferry to return by way of Brooklyn when he was betrayed by a Tory kinsman who recognized him. His arrest followed, and Howe turned him over to the inhuman provost marshal, Cunninghan, who hanged him the next day without a trial, and even refused him the services of a clergyman or the use of Bible. Hale's dying utterance is well known: "I regret that I have but one life to give for my country." (Read the well known poem on Nathan Hale.)
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