American History (Volume 7); War of the Revolution

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1864. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER II. EXPULSION OF THE BRITISH FROM BOSTON. THE FALL AND WINTER OF 1115. The Continental congress closed its session about the end of October, and the autumn and winter passed away without any open collision, though the excitement throughout the country was very great, and was constantly increasing. The party disposed to take sides with the British government was strong enough in some of the provinces to embarrass the action of the people for a time, but as the government went on adopting more and more stringent measures against the colonies, which had the effect only to arouse the resentment of the Americans to a higher and higher pitch, and to unite them more and more closely in a determination to resist, it gradually became evident to all that the contest would soon result in open war. THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON. As related in the preceding volume of this series, the first actual conflict took place at Lexington, in Massachusetts, in consequence of a detachment of troops having been sent out to Concord, a town a little way beyond Lexington, where the government of Massachusetts had commenced making a collection of military stores in anticipation of the war.* The object of the expedition was only very partially successful, as but a portion of the stores were destroyed--the rest having been hastily carried away and concealed by the people--and the troops sent out were followed and harassed incessantly on their return to Boston, so that they lost in killed, wounded and prisoners, nearly three hundred men. The whole country was, moreover, 'aroused by the tidings of the conflict, and the most vigorous preparations were made everywhere for immediate war. In Connecticut, in New Hampshire, and in other neighboring provinces, bodies of men were armed and organized, ...