CHAPTER VII. COMMENCEMENT OF HOSTILITIES. Q. What occasioned the battle of Lexington? A. In April, 1775, Colonel Smith and Major Pitcairn were sent with a 'body of troops to destroy the military stores which had been collected at Concord, about twenty miles from Boston. At Lexington, the militia were collected to oppose the incursion of the British troops. Q. Were the Lexington militia successful in their opposition? A. No: they were dispersed, and eight of their number killed. Q. When did the battle of Lexington take place? A. On the 19th of April, 1775: here was shed the first blood in the American Revolution. Q. What did the Americans do immediately after the battle of Lexington? A. They commenced the enlistment of regular soldiers. Q. Where was the congress of Massachusetts in session at the time of the battle of Lexington? A. At Watertown, ten miles from Boston. Q. What did it vote? A. That thirty thousand men should be raised in the New-England colonies. Q. Where was the army paraded? A. In the vicinity of Boston, under the command of General Ward. Q. What was done in the mean time? A. In the mean time, the forts, magazines, and arsenals, which were in the keeping of the king, were seized by the provincial militia. Q. Can you tell the names of the three British generals who arrived in America, with reinforcements from England? A. Yes: Howe, Burgoyne, and Clinton. Q. What proclamation was issued by the British? A. General Gage issued a proclamation, offering to the Americans the alternative of submission or war, promising pardon to all who would lay down their arms. Q. What orders were issued by the provincial commanders? A. Orders were issued that Colonel Prescott, with a detachment of 1000 men, should intrench upon Bunker Hill, a height on the peninsula of Charlestown. Q. What is the meaning of detachment? Of intrench? Q. What mistake was made? A. By some mistake in fulfilling the orders, the intrenchment was made on Breed's Hill, high and large, like the other, but nearer Boston. Q. How was the work carried on? A. With so much silence and diligence, that between midnight and the dawn of day, a redoubt was thrown up, of eight rods square. Q. Had the British troops any intimation of the work? A. No: although the British vessels were lying very near, they had no intimation until the rising sun beamed upon the fort. Q. What did the British do, when they beheld the fort? A. They commenced an incessant firing upon the works, from the ships in the harbor, but without any effect. Q. Who were sent by General Gage to drive the Americans from the hill? A. About noon, General Gage detached Generals Howe and Pigot, with about 3000 of the flower of the British army, to drive the Americans from the hill. Q. While they were advancing to the attack, what town was ordered to be burned? A. Charlestown. A few bombs were thrown from Cop's Hill, and the town was soon enveloped in flames. Q. Can you describe the battle? A. A. severe engagement ensued, in which the British troops were twice repulsed, with a heavy loss; but, being reinforced, they finally carried the fortification. Q. Which party suffered the greater loss? A. The British lost in killed and wounded, one thousand and fifty-four, and the Americans had only one hundred and thirty-nine killed, and two hundred and twenty-eight wounded. Q. What American officers were engaged in this action? A. Generals Warren, Putnam, and Stark, the former of whom was killed. Q. When did this battle occur? Q. Who was chosen, by a unanimous vote, to command the American armies? A. George Washington. Q. Did he accept the appointment with diffidence? A. He did; which was a proof of his prudence and greatness. Q. What was Washington's age when he took command of the army? A. Forty-three years. Q. In what year was this? A. In July, 1775. Q. Where did Washington join the army? A. At Cambridge, near Boston. Q. What was the number of the army at this time? Q. How much powder was there in the camp, when Washington took the command of the army? A. Only nine rounds to a man. Q. How did the Americans obtain a supply of powder? A. Several British store ships were captured, by which hey, obtained a supply of powder, and many necessary articles. Q. Who had the command of the expedition undertaken against Canada? A. Generals Montgomery and Schuyler. Q. What town in Canada did Montgomery capture? Q. How is Montreal situated? Which way from Quebec? A. On the 12th of November, 1775. Q. By what route did Arnold proceed to Canada? Q. Did he succeed? A. No: he found it necessary to retire twenty miles above Quebec, and wait the arrival of Montgomery. Q. When did the two armies, in conjunction, commence the siege of Quebec? A. December 1st. Q. What is the meaning of siege? Q. After the Americans had remained sometime before the city to little purpose, what did Montgomery resolve to do? A. To enter the place by scaling the walls. Q. Was the attempt successful? A. No: the attempt was unsuccessful, and fatal to the brave Montgomery. Q. What_town_in Virginia was burned about this time, by order of Lord Dunmore? A. Norfolk. Q. How is Norfolk situated? Which way from Richmond? Q. What measures were taken to drive the enemy from Boston? A. Batteries were erected on several neighboring hills, from which shot and bombs were thrown into the town. Q. Which battery was most successful? A. The one erected on Dorchester Point, which soon obliged General Howe to abandon the town. Q. When did the British leave Boston? A. On the 17th of March, 1776, the British troops embarked for Halifax. Q. Where is Halifax? Which way from Boston? What is the meaning of embark? Q. Which was the next city of attack? Q. What was the result? A. After an action of more than ten hours, the British were compelled to retire, their ships being torn in pieces. Q. Who commanded the British vessels that entered the harbor? A. Sir Peter Parker. Q. Who commanded the fort on Sullivan's Island? Q. Who had the command of the forces that were to act against New-York? A. General William Howe, and his brother Admiral Lord Howe. Q. What was the amount of the forces placed under them? A. About thirty thousand. Q. When was Independence declared? A. On the 4th of July, 1776. Q. How many colonies were there? A. Thirteen. Q. What were they declared to be? A. They were declared to be FREE, SOVEREIGN, AND INDEPENDENT STATES: Thus, the political ties between Great Britain and her colonies were for ever dissolved. Q. By whom was the motion made and seconded? A. It was made by Richard Henry Lee, of Virginia, and seconded by John Adams, of Massachusetts. Q. Where was Congress then assembled ? A. At Philadelphia. Q. Who wrote the Declaration of Independence? A. Thomas Jefferson. Q. Who was then president of Congress? A. John Hancock. Q. In what were the Americans deficient? A. In almost everything necessary for carrying on a war. Q. On what did they rely? A. On the justice of their cause, with a strong confidence in the overruling Providence of God. Q. What did they pledge to the support of this declaration? A. Their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor. |