The American Revolution began in earnest at the Battles of Lexington and Concord. What prompted the battle? "On April 14, 1775, Gage received instructions from Secretary of State William Legge, Earl of Dartmouth, to disarm the rebels, who were known to have hidden weapons in Concord, among other locations, and to imprison the rebellion's leaders, especially Samuel Adams and John Hancock. Dartmouth gave Gage considerable discretion in his commands." See Wikipedia article linked above.
Colonists learned that British forces were coming north out of Boston to attempt to capture stores of arms and ammunition kept by local minutemen. An early warning came from Paul Revers on his famous "midnight ride." The colonists were ready and the British were ultimately forced to retreat.
This was the "short heard 'round the world."
Who leaked the crucial info. to the colonists? Could have been Gen Gage's New Jersey-born wife, Margaret Kemble Gage.
Source and recommended http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battles_of_Lexington_and_Concord
For more on British efforts to disarm the colonists see Halbrook's book "The Founders' Second Amendment." This book is a must for anyone interested in the historical background on the Second Amendment.
"Stand your ground. Don't fire unless fired upon, but if they mean to have a war let it begin here."
ReplyDeleteCaptain John Parker, to his Massachusetts Militia Minutemen, at Lexington Green, April 19, 1775.
The shot heard 'round the world was fired shortly after that...
jr: thanks for the great quote.
ReplyDelete