The Battles of Lexington and Concord
On the eve of April 19th, 1775, the British prepared to set out for the town of Concord bringing 700 troops with them. Led by the military Governor of Massachusetts, their goal was to destroy military stores created by American colonists. When news spread of this, colonists sent out Paul Revere and William Dawes to go warn their men the British were on their way. The British troops left from Boston on April 19th, but their march was greatly interrupted by assembly of minutemen across the greens of the town of Lexington. The American men were greatly outnumbered but still decided to fight knowing that their chanced of holding back the British were slim. Although the Americans did not succeed in holding the British back from Concord, they did delay their journey allowing for preparation of the minutemen at Concord itself. The British soon approached and seized the town, and started burning down building after building while getting shot at by 450 Americans led by Major John Buttrick. When the British set back to Boston, the colonist's fire did not cease. They had snipers placed all along the path from Concord to Charles-town where the British found safety. Allow outranked in numbers, the American's displayed strength and determination, foreshadowing to the British of what was yet to come.
On the eve of April 19th, 1775, the British prepared to set out for the town of Concord bringing 700 troops with them. Led by the military Governor of Massachusetts, their goal was to destroy military stores created by American colonists. When news spread of this, colonists sent out Paul Revere and William Dawes to go warn their men the British were on their way. The British troops left from Boston on April 19th, but their march was greatly interrupted by assembly of minutemen across the greens of the town of Lexington. The American men were greatly outnumbered but still decided to fight knowing that their chanced of holding back the British were slim. Although the Americans did not succeed in holding the British back from Concord, they did delay their journey allowing for preparation of the minutemen at Concord itself. The British soon approached and seized the town, and started burning down building after building while getting shot at by 450 Americans led by Major John Buttrick. When the British set back to Boston, the colonist's fire did not cease. They had snipers placed all along the path from Concord to Charles-town where the British found safety. Allow outranked in numbers, the American's displayed strength and determination, foreshadowing to the British of what was yet to come.
The image above is a primary source image painted by John Trumbell. Although it was not painted until sometime between 1815-1831, it is a primary source because the author himself fought in the battle. The piece is called The Death of General Warren at the Battle of Bunker's Hill, 17 June, 1775. Trumbell, known for his images of the Revolutionary War, was commissioned in the Continental Army from 1175-1777. Present at the Battle at Bunker's hill, Trumbell witnessed the death of one of Army's most idolized Generals. Joseph Warren was a popular physician before the war started, however, became a very respected leader also the revolutionary movement grew bigger and stronger. He was killed at Bunker’s Hill just three days after he was commissioned a major general. Included in this image are two African American men. Trumbell wanted to show the importance of black soldiers in the event. His death was a big loss for the Continental Army, and Trumbell captured that in his tragic depiction of his death. The colonist's ended up losing this battle to the British, being force to retreat the colonist's ended up losing this battle to the British, being force to retreat as the British heavily outnumbered them. The loss of this battle and of General Warren did not defeat the colonists in the slightest and they continued to fight for their independence.
The Battles of Saratogo
The Battles of Saratoga were some of the most important battles fought during the Revolution. Leading to the first major British surrender of the Revolutionary War, the two major battles fought at Saratoga were very complex on both the British and American sides. The American side was led by Major General Horatio Gates with the help of famous field general Benedict Arnold. The first battle, known as The Battle at Freeman's farm, took place on September 19th, 1777. British General John Burgoyne planned capture various forts west of the Hudson River. Although the Battle of Freeman's farm resulted is major casualties on both sides, the battle was more focused on who could out-maneuver the other side better. The battle lasted more than seven hours. As Lt. Samuel Armstrong accounts, it "was the longest battle ever fought in America..." After continuing advancements and retreats of both the American and British troops, the day of the 19th ended with Burgoyne's men taking control of the field but with the cost of 600 of his men. However, the American troops held strong and their numbers were in the thousands. For weeks, both sides strategized, planning various battle tactics until October 7th when the Battle of Bemis Heights began. The American's outranked the British 8,000 to 5,000 men. After another long day of warfare, the large number of Gate's troops slowly surrounded Burgoyne and his men, forcing him to surrender. The two battles at Saratoga were more than just a win for the Americans. The surrender of Burgoyne gave hope to the Americans and showed the British their strength and increasing numbers.
The Battles of Saratoga were some of the most important battles fought during the Revolution. Leading to the first major British surrender of the Revolutionary War, the two major battles fought at Saratoga were very complex on both the British and American sides. The American side was led by Major General Horatio Gates with the help of famous field general Benedict Arnold. The first battle, known as The Battle at Freeman's farm, took place on September 19th, 1777. British General John Burgoyne planned capture various forts west of the Hudson River. Although the Battle of Freeman's farm resulted is major casualties on both sides, the battle was more focused on who could out-maneuver the other side better. The battle lasted more than seven hours. As Lt. Samuel Armstrong accounts, it "was the longest battle ever fought in America..." After continuing advancements and retreats of both the American and British troops, the day of the 19th ended with Burgoyne's men taking control of the field but with the cost of 600 of his men. However, the American troops held strong and their numbers were in the thousands. For weeks, both sides strategized, planning various battle tactics until October 7th when the Battle of Bemis Heights began. The American's outranked the British 8,000 to 5,000 men. After another long day of warfare, the large number of Gate's troops slowly surrounded Burgoyne and his men, forcing him to surrender. The two battles at Saratoga were more than just a win for the Americans. The surrender of Burgoyne gave hope to the Americans and showed the British their strength and increasing numbers.