The American Revolutionary War Begins
April 1 — The New York Assembly required all men of military age to enlist in the New York Militia.
April 3 — South Carolina Appeals to New York
New York City — On April 3, 1775, the New York Committee of Correspondence received a letter from the South Carolina Committee of Correspondence. South Carolina encouraged New York to send delegates to the Second Continental Congress, which was set to convene in Philadelphia in May 1775.
“The present struggle seems to us most glorious and critical. We seem to ourselves to stand upon the very division line between all the blessings of freedom, and the most abject vassalage. The very idea of an earthly power, which shall bind the present and future millions of America, in all cases whatsoever; in the direction of which we are to have no more voice than our oxen, and over which we can have no constitutional control, fills us with horror To hold not only our liberty and property at will, but our lives also, as well as the lives of all our posterity!
To be absolutely dependent for the air in which we breathe, and the water which we drink, upon a set of men at the distance; who, even when they abuse that power, are out of the reach of our vengeance, is a proposal which this colony hears with indignation, and can only submit to when there is no possible remedy.
By the late detestable acts of the British Parliament respecting America, all mankind will judge whether that body may be safely entrusted with such a power. We have now appealed to the remaining justice of the nation; we have endeavored to arouse them to a sense of their own dangers; we have appealed to their mercantile interests for our defence. Our hopes of success are not yet damped by any thing but the possibility of disunion among ourselves.
We have the pleasure to inform you, that in this colony, the association takes place as effectually as law itself. Sundry vessels from England have been already obliged to return with their merchandise, or have thrown it overboard as common ballast.
We may assure you of our fixed determination to adhere to the resolutions at all hazards, and that ministerial opposition is here obliged to be silent; we wish for the day when it shall be silenced among you likewise. And whatever noise is made by the friends of arbitrary rule, about the design of those proceedings in your House of Assembly, we cannot, and will not believe that you intend to desert the cause. We feel ourselves bound to you by the closest ties of interest and affection. We consider this season as big with American glory, or with American infamy, and, therefore, most ardently wish you the direction and aid of that Almighty Being, who presides over all.
We confidently expect to meet you in General Congress at Philadelphia, with hearts full of zeal in our country’s cause, and full of mutual confidence in the integrity of each other.”
April 3 — The New York Assembly, established by Royal Charters, held its last meeting.
April 4 — Gage’s Black List
Boston, Massachusetts — A letter from London was printed in Holt’s Journal, that said, “despatches have been sent from here by a sloop-of-war to General Gage, containing, among other things, a royal proclamation, declarmg the inhabitants of Massachusetts Bay, and some others in the different colonies, actual rebels, with a blank commission to try and execute such of them as he can get hold of. With this is sent a list of names to be inserted in the commission, as he may judge expedient. Messrs. Samuel Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, and John Hancock, of Massachusetts Bay; John Dickinson, of Philadelphia; Peyton Randolph of Virginia; and Henry Middleton of South Carolina, are particularly named, with several others. This black list, the General will doubt keep to himself, and unfold it gradually as he finds it convenient. Every mark of power is preparing to be shown to the Americans. Three general officers are appointed to go with the next troops. They are Generals Burgoyne, Clinton, and Howe. A considerable number of men are drafted from the three regiments of guards, and ordered to hold themselves in readiness to embark for America immediately. Four regiments from Ireland, one of them light dragoons, are under sailing orders for Boston, with several capital ships of war, and six cutters, to obstruct the American trade, and prevent all European goods from going there, particularly arms and ammunition. — Oh, poor America!”
- John Holt (1721–1784) — Holt was a prominent newspaper publisher from Williamsburg, Virginia. His most famous publication was the New York Journal or General Advertiser, or Holt’s Journal. Holt was a member of the New York Sons of Liberty, who helped support his printing operation. He fled New York City when British forces approached it in 1776. He resumed printing operations in Kingston until British forces attacked and burned the town during Clinton’s Highlands Expedition (1777). He resumed publication at Poughkeepsie and died in 1784.
April 5 — Articles of War
Concord, Massachusetts—The Massachusetts Provincial Congress adopted Articles of War based on the British Articles of War (1765) in case there were hostilities with British forces. The preamble denied treason and listed Massachusetts’ grievances against Britain.
April 8 — New England Army of Observation
Concord, Massachusetts — The Provincial Congress organized the New England Army, which included 30,000 men from the New England Colonies, and captured British cannons. Soon after, troops from New Hampshire, Connecticut, and Rhode Island started to gather at Concord, New Hampshire.
April 8 — Josiah Martin, the Governor of North Carolina, dissolved the North Carolina Assembly. Soon after, he left North Carolina and sailed to New York.
On April 27, Holt’s Journal reported: “Last Tuesday, Governor Martin met the Assembly of North Carolina, at Newbern, and addressed them in a high-flying, abusive, anti-American speech, in which he spoke hard things of all the colonies, congresses, committees, and people on this continent, except those of his own stamp, and begged of his assembly not to approve of sending delegates to the Congress in May. To this the Assembly returned a truly noble answer, and to-day they have passed the following resolution: “That the House do highly approve of the proceedings of the Continental Congress lately held at Philadelphia, and that they are determined, as members of the community in general, that they will strictly adhere to the said resolutions, and will use the influence they have to induce the same observance by every individual of this colony.”
April 8 — The Pennsylvania Packet reported: “Lately arrived at Charleston, S. C, Captain William Carter, of the snow Lively, from Falmouth and Teneriffe, having imported two tons of potatoes, which fell under the last clause of the tenth article of the Continental Association. Rather than endanger the health of his people by carrying them back, he chose to throw them overboard into the river, which he did in the presence of the Committee of Observation.”
- Continental Association (1774) — The Continental Association was an organization created by the First Continental Congress to enforce the Articles of Association — a trade boycott against British merchants — unless Britain repealed the Coercive Acts.
- John Dunlap (1746–1812) — An Irish-born printer, Dunlap was the publisher of the Pennsylvania Packet, or General Advertiser. He is famous for printing the first copies of the Declaration of Independence, known as the “Dunlap Broadsides.” He also served in the Continental Army and was involved in the Battle of Trenton (December 26, 1776) and the Battle of Princeton (January 3, 1777). Dunlap also printed and published the first copies of the United States Constitution.
April 11 — Declaration of Westchester County Loyalists
White Plains, New York — On April 20, Rivington’s Gazette printed an article about an incident that occurred on April 11.
“This morning, a very respectable number of freeholders and inhabitants of the county of Westchester assembled at the White Plains, agreeable to notice given, that their sentiments might be known concerning the choice of a committee, to meet other committees in the city of New York, for the purpose of choosing delegates to the next Continental Congress.
The friends to order and government (Loyalists) met at the house of Captain Hatfield. Those who were for a committee (Patriots), put up at another public house in the town.
About twelve o’clock, word was brought to the gentlemen at Captain Hatfield’s, that the opposite party had already entered upon the business of the day; upon which they immediately walked down to the court-house, although not half of their friends who were expected had yet appeared; where they found the other company collected in a body. The numbers on each side seemed to be nearly equal, and both together might amount to two hundred, or, at most, to two hundred and fifty.
The friends to government then declared, that as they had been unlawfully called together, and for an unlawful purpose, they did not intend to contest the matter with them by a poll, which would be tacitly acknowledging the authority that had summoned them, but that they came only with a design to protest against all such disorderly proceedings, and to show their detestation of all unlawful committees and congresses.
They then declared their determined resolution to continue steadfast in their allegiance to their gracious and merciful sovereign, King George the Third; to submit to lawful authority, and to abide by and support the only true representatives of the people of the colony, the General Assembly. Then, giving three huzzas, they returned to Captain Hatfield’s, singing, as they went, with a loyal enthusiasm, the grand and animating song of
“God save great George our King,
Long live our noble King,” &c.
At their return, finding that many of their friends had arrived during their absence, and that many still kept coming in, they proceeded to draw up and sign a declaration, which they seemed to do with as much patriotic zeal as ever warmed the hearts of true and faithful subjects.”
This declaration was printed in Rivington’s Gazette:
“We, the subscribers, freeholders and inhabitants of the county of Westchester, having assembled at the White Plains, in consequence of certain advertisements, do now declare that we met here to express our honest abhorrence of all unlawful congresses and committees, and that we are determined, at the hazard of our lives and properties, to support the King and Constitution, and that we acknowledge no representatives but the General Assembly, to whose wisdom and integrity we submit the guardianship of our rights, liberties, and privileges.”
- James Rivington (1724–1802) — Rivington was the publisher of a Loyalist newspaper called Rivington’s New-York Gazetteer, or simply Rivington’s Gazette. This made him a target for the New York Sons of Liberty, who forced him to cease publication in 1783. Despite his public support for Britain, historians have speculated that he had ties to the Culper Spy Ring and provided intelligence to General George Washington.
April 14 — Gage Receives Permission to Use Military Force
Boston, Massachusetts — General Thomas Gage received instructions from Lord Dartmouth (sent on January 27) authorizing the use of military force in Massachusetts and directing him to arrest leaders of the Patriot Cause.
- Primary Document — Lord Dartmouth Letter to Thomas Gage, January 27, 1775.
April 14 — In Philadelphia, Benjamin Franklin and Benjamin Rush established The Society for the Relief of Free Negroes Unlawfully Held in Bondage at Philadelphia. It was the first Abolition Society in America.
April 15 — Lord Dartmouth sent another letter to Gage, instructing him to apprehend the “…President, Secretary, and any other of the Members of the Provincial Congress, whom you shall find to have been the most forward and active in that seditious meeting…” Gage did not receive this letter until after the Battles of Lexington and Concord.
April 15 — The Massachusetts Provincial Congress met in Concord. When the meeting adjourned, the members agreed to reconvene on May 10. While most of the members returned home, Samuel Adams and John Hancock went to Lexington, where they stayed with Reverend Jonas Clarke.
April 15 — General Thomas Gage started preparing to send an expedition to Concord, Massachusetts, to seize and destroy military supplies hidden in the town. He issued orders to the Boston Garrison to select 700 light infantrymen and grenadiers from the elite flank companies for the mission. Despite Gage’s effort to keep the expedition a secret, the movements of ships and troops were noticed by the Patriot Spy Network in Boston and reported to Joseph Warren, head of the Committee of Safety.
April 16 — Paul Revere’s First Ride to Lexington
Boston and Lexington, Massachusetts — Joseph Warren sent Paul Revere to Lexington with a message for John Hancock and Samuel Adams, warning them that the British were planning to send troops to Concord. On his ride back to Boston, Revere stopped in Charlestown, where he met with Colonel William Conant and decided to hang lanterns in the steeple of the North Church to signal whether the British were moving by land (one lantern) or by sea (two lanterns).
April 16 — Following Revere’s ride to Lexington, the Patriots in Concord relocated most of the military supplies hidden in the town, at the direction of John Hancock.
April 18 — Lexington Alarm and the Midnight Rides
Essex and Middlesex Counties, Massachusetts — On the night of April 18, General Thomas Gage issued orders to Lieutenant Colonel Francis Smith to lead the expedition to Concord, where he was to seize and destroy military supplies hidden in the town. When the Patriot Spy Network in Boston learned about the expedition, Joseph Warren sent two Express Riders — Paul Revere and William Dawes — to warn Patriot leaders in Lexington and Concord. Revere and Dawes raised the “Lexington Alarm” along the way and were joined later by Samuel Prescott. They were apprehended by a British Patrol. Revere was captured, Dawes escaped but lost his horse, and Prescott escaped and made it to Concord, where he warned militia leaders that the British were approaching.
April 19 — Battle of Lexington
Lexington, Massachusetts — Lieutenant Colonel Smith sent Major John Pitcairn ahead of the main body so he could occupy the bridges in Concord. Upon arrival in Lexington, Pitcairn found Captain John Parker and the Lexington Militia assembled. Pitcairn ordered them to disperse. As they did, a shot rang out, and Pitcairn’s men opened fire on the Americans, killing several (see Battle of Lexington). After order was restored, the British expedition continued to Concord.
April 19 — Concord Fight
Concord, Massachusetts — At Concord, militia forces from several towns gathered on a hill overlooking the town. The British carried out the search for military supplies and burned some of what they found. The Americans, believing the British were burning the town, organized and marched to the North Bridge. The British forces guarding the bridge fired on them (see Battle of Concord). Major John Buttrick ordered the Americans to return fire — the “Shot Heard ‘Round the World.” The British were routed and withdrew to the center of town.
April 19 — The Fight Along the Battle Road Begins at Meriam’s Corner
East of Concord, Massachusetts — Lieutenant Colonel Smith organized his men and started the march back to Boston. About a mile east of Concord, American militia forces attacked en masse. From that point on, the Americans harassed the British, firing at them from behind walls, trees, and buildings.
April 19 — Parker’s Revenge
West of Lexington, Massachusetts — After the British left Lexington in the morning, Captain John Parker assembled his men just west of town and waited for them to return. When the British column came into sight, Parker and his men opened fire (see Parker’s Revenge). The British made their way to Lexington, where they were joined by reinforcements led by General Hugh Percy. Both Smith and Pitcairn were wounded by this time, so Percy took command of the march.
April 19 — Reports of British Atrocities
On May 3, 1775, the Massachusetts Spy reported: “A young man, unarmed, who was taken prisoner by the enemy at Lexington, and made to assist in carrying off their wounded, says, he saw a barber who lives in Boston, thought to be one Warden, with the troops, and that he heard them say he was one of their pilots (guides). He likewise saw said barber fire twice upon our people, and heard Earl Percy order the troops to fire the houses. He also says that several British officers were among the wounded, who were carried into Boston, where our informant was dismissed. They took two of our men prisoners, and they are now confined in the barracks.”
On August 2, 1775, the Pennsylvania Journal reported, “The cruelty of the King’s troops, in some instances, I wish to disbelieve. They entered one house in Lexington where were two old men, one a deacon of the church, who was bed-ridden, and another not able to walk, who was sitting in his chair; both these they stabbed and killed on the spot, as well as an innocent child running out of the house.”
- Massachusetts Spy — The Spy was published in Boston by Patriot newspaperman Isiah Thomas. On the night of April 16, 1775, Thomas, Joseph Warren, and Timothy Bigelow disassembled the printing press and packed it up. They transported it across the Charles River to the mainland, where everything was loaded into a wagon and carried to Worcester, Massachusetts.
- Pennsylvania Journal — First published by William Bradford in 1742, the Journal supported the Patriot Cause. Bradford famously printed a masthead with the “emblem of the Effects of the Stamp Act” on October 31, 1765, the day before the Stamp Act took effect. He also printed key documents issued by the Continental Congress and Thomas Paine’s The American Crisis.
April 19 — Battle of Menotomy
Menotomy, Massachusetts — Percy led the march through West Cambridge, where the most intense fighting of the day took place. At least a dozen men lost their lives at the Jason Russell House, and elderly Samuel Whittemore was bayoneted and left for dead by British troops. Whittemore survived and lived until 1783.
April 19 — The Siege of Boston Begins
Boston, Massachusetts — American forces, under the command of General William Heath, remained in the area around Boston, most gathering in the area of Cambridge. With Boston Neck blocked, the British were effectively cut off from leaving by land.
April 19 — In Charleston, South Carolina, a group of Patriots seized the mail from the ship Swallow. The letters included instructions from the government that made it clear the British intended to use military action to force the colonies to submit. The letters were eventually sent to the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia.
April 20 — Upon hearing the news of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, General Israel Putnam rode from Connecticut to Cambridge. This legendary ride covered 100 miles in 18 hours.
- Israel Putnam (1718–1790) — Putnam was a military veteran who was affectionately known as “Old Put.” He served bravely at the Battle of Bunker Hill, but fell out of favor with George Washington after he failed against British forces in New York and Philadelphia.
April 20 — The Massachusetts Committee of Safety mobilized roughly 13,000 militiamen, who quickly joined the army around Boston. The Massachusetts forces were also joined by militiamen from the other New England Colonies.
April 20 — Rumors and Hearsay
In the aftermath of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, rumors flew throughout New England.
Mansfield Shot Through the Neck
A man named “Mansfield,” a breeches maker in Boston, who went out with the troops yesterday, was, in the skirmish, fired at by the regulars through mistake — they taking him to be one of the provincials. The ball entered his neck and came out of his mouth. Wretches like him often meet their just reward.
Loyalists Dressed as Redcoats Fired the First Shots
Some officers in the king’s army, it is said, have sworn that the Americans fired first. Their method of cheating the devil, we are told, has been by some means brought about. They procured three or four traitors to their God and country, born among us, and took with them; and they first fired upon their countrymen, which was immediately followed by the regulars. It is said also that these wretches were dressed in soldier’s clothing.
The Revenge of “Yankee Doodle”
On May 24, 1775, the Pennsylvania Journal reported: “Yesterday, when the second brigade, under Earl Percy, marched out of Boston, to reinforce the first, nothing was played by the fifes and drums but Yankee Doodle, (which had become their favorite tune ever since that notable exploit, which did so much honor to the troops of Britain’s king, of tarring and feathering a poor countryman in Boston, and parading with him through the principal streets, under arms, with their bayonets fixed.) Upon their return to Boston, one asked his brother-officer how he liked the tune now. ‘D—n them!’ returned he — ‘they made us dance it till we were tired!’ Since which Yankee Doodle sounds less sweet in their ears.”
- AHC Note — The “notable exploit” refers to the Tarring and Feathering of Thomas Ditson on March 8, 1775.
Gage Accuses the Americans of Using Advanced Weapons
A deserter from Boston says that Gen. Gage has written home since the battle of Lexington, that the Americans load their rifle-barrel guns with a ball slit almost in four quarters, which when firing ont of those weapons, breaks into four pieces and generally does great execution.
April 20 — News Arrives of the New England Restraining Act
The following account was printed in Holt’s Journal:
“Yesterday the ship Samson arrived at New York from England. Accounts by this vessel mention that the forces destined for, and on their way to America, are eleven regiments of foot, and two of light horse, on board ninety-five transports, with seventeen men-of-war, all victualled for twelve months; other accounts reduce the forces and ships to about half the above number. All, however, agree, that the design of their coming is to dragoon the British colonies into a surrender of their liberty and property, and to destroy the English constitution — They who refuse to fight for their liberty deserve to he slaves.
A letter from London received by the captain of the Samson says, “The friends of America, on the arrival of the packet, were much alarmed at a report that New York was disaffected to the common cause, and had determined to break the resolves of the Congress, especially that of non-importation. However, we had the pleasure, from the best accounts, to find it otherwise. I have now to inform you that notwithstanding all we could do, the Fishery Bill was yesterday (March 1) read the third time, and passed the House of Commons, whereby a stop is to be put to all the fisheries on the first of July, except the whale fishery, which is to be continued until the first of November.
Every impartial man must in his heart condemn a bill so replete with inhumanity and cruelty. It will be an everlasting stain on the annals of our pious sovereign, who, from the best accounts, is the grand promoter of these proceedings. We hope the firmness of your countrymen will evince to all the world, your just sense of measures so unjust; and will, in due season, retort them with vengeance on the guilty heads of the enemies of the British empire.”
The Journal referred to the New England Restraining Act as “The Black Act.” It was “A bill to restrain the trade and commerce of the Provinces of Massachusetts Bay and New Hampshire; tlie colonies of Connecticut and Rhode Island, and Providence Plantation, in North America, to Great Britain, Ireland, and the British Islands in the West Indies; and to prohibit such provinces and colonies from carrying on any fishery on the Banks of Newfoundland, or other places therein mentioned, under certain conditions, and for a time to be limited.”
April 21 — General Artemas Ward assumed command of the army gathering at Cambridge, Massachusetts. General William Heath and General John Thomas were his primary officers. It is estimated that 13-14,000 men surrounded Boston.
- Artemas Ward (1727–1800) — Ward was a general in the Massachusetts militia at the outset of the American Revolution. He assumed command of the colonial forces during the early days of the Siege of Boston and directed operations until General George Washington arrived in July 1775.
April 21 — Colonel John Stark and his New Hampshire troops arrived at Cambridge, Massachusetts, and joined the army.
- John Stark (1728–1822) — Stark commanded New Hampshire troops during the American Revolutionary War. He fought in the Battle of Bunker Hill and led the American forces to victory at the Battle of Bennington.
April 21 — Virginia Gunpowder Incident
Williamsburg, Virginia — Governor John Murray, Lord Dunmore, ordered Royal Marines to remove gunpowder and military supplies from the storehouse, initiating the Virginia Gunpowder Incident. At this time, Virginians did not know hostilities had started in Massachusetts.
April 21 — Charleston Arms and Power Raid
Charleston, South Carolina — A Patriot group organized by the “Secret Committee of Five” seized military supplies from a storehouse in Charleston. The Charleston Arms and Power Raid was the first act of resistance against the British government in South Carolina.
April 23 — Formal Organization of the New England Army
Concord, Massachusetts — The Massachusetts Provincial Congress met in Concord. Acting on suggestions from General Artemas Ward, Congress formally organized the militia forces gathered around Boston into the New England Army of Observation, keeping the British trapped in Boston. John Thomas, Joseph Warren, and John Whitcomb were appointed as Major Generals under Ward. Congress authorized 30,000 troops and sent messengers to the other colonies, asking them to send troops.
April 23 — New York Armory Raid
New York City — News of the Battles of Lexington and Concord arrived via an express letter that was started in Providence, Rhode Island, by Stephen Hopkins, who said the British were “…engaged in butchering and destroying our brethren in the most in human manner.” New Yorkers responded by rioting. Lieutenant Colonel Marinus Willett led a contingent of New York militiamen in a raid on the public arsenal, where they seized and removed weapons.
April 23 — The Eyes of America on New York
Holt’s Journal printed a letter that called on New York to join New England in armed resistance: “The eyes of America are on New York. The ministry have certainly been promised by some of your leading men, that your province would desert us; but you will be able to form a better judgment when you see how this intelligence is relished. Take care of yourselves! We have more than men enough to block up the enemy at Boston; and if we are like to fall by treachery, by heaven, we will not fall unavenged on the traitors. If balls, or swords, will reach them, they shall fall with us. It is no time now to dally or be merely neutral. He that is not for us is against us, and ought to feel the first of our resentment. You must now declare, most explicitly, one way or the other, that we may know whether we are to go to Boston or New York. If you desert, our men will as cheerfully attack New York as Boston, for we can but perish, and that we are determined upon, or be free. I have nothing to add.”
April 24 — A letter written by someone in Boston said, “The communication between Boston and the country is entirely stopped up, and not a soul permitted to go in or out without a pass. This day the Governor has disarmed all the inhabitants, after giving them his word and honor that the soldiers should not molest nor plunder them. Cambridge is the head-quarters of the provincials, and they are commanded by General Putnam. They are entrenching themselves at Roxbury, and erecting batteries to play on the lines.”
April 24 — A Patriot Family
The Pennsylvania Packet reported, “A gentleman who travelled lately through Connecticut, informs us that he met with an old gentlewoman who told him that she had fitted out and sent five sons and eleven grandsons to Boston, when she heard of the engagement between the provincials and regulars. The gentleman asked her if she did not shed a tear at parting with them? ‘No,’ said she, ‘I never parted with them with more pleasure.’ ‘But suppose,’ said the gentleman, ‘they had all been killed.’ ‘I had rather (said the noble matron) this had been the case, than that one of them had come back a coward.’”
April 28 — Colonel Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys gathered at Castleton in present-day Vermont. They discussed capturing Fort Ticonderoga and seizing the artillery and military supplies.
- Ethan Allen (1738–1789) — Allen was a Revolutionary War hero and a leader of the Green Mountain Boys. He was also a key figure in the push for independence and statehood for Vermont.
- Green Mountain Boys — A militia group formed by Ethan Allen and others to keep the New Hampshire Grants from becoming part of New York. During the American Revolutionary War, they captured Fort Ticonderoga. The group was eventually added to the Continental Army and commanded by Seth Warner.
April 29 — The Massachusetts Provincial Congress sent copies of its official report about the Battles of Lexington and Concord — Narrative of the Battles of April 19, 1775 — to England via the ship Quero.
April 29 — Benedict Arnold Joins the Siege of Boston
Cambridge, Massachusetts — Major Benedict Arnold and his Connecticut Militia arrived to join the Siege of Boston. On the march to Cambridge, Arnold spoke with Samuel Holden Parsons, who was heading back to Connecticut to recruit men for the army. Parsons told Arnold the New England Army needed artillery. Upon arriving in Cambridge, Arnold met with Joseph Warren and the Massachusetts Committee of Safety and told them there was artillery at Fort Ticonderoga, which was lightly defended. Arnold convinced the Committee to give him a commission to raise troops to capture the fort and seize the artillery.
- Benedict Arnold (1741–1801) — Arnold was a General in the Continental Army. He was instrumental in capturing Fort Ticonderoga at the beginning of the American Revolution. He played a key role in the Invasion of Quebec (1775–1776) and led a makeshift navy during the Battle of Valcour Island. Afterward, he helped lead American forces to victory in the Saratoga Campaign. However, feeling snubbed by Congress, he eventually turned traitor.
April 29 — The New York Association
New York — On May 4, 1775, Rivington’s Gazette reported the formation of the New York Association to enforce the recommendations of the Continental Congress. The Association was organized on April 19.
“The following association was set on foot in New York to-day, and signed by above one thousand of the principal inhabitants. It is to be transmitted through all the counties in the province, where, we make no doubt, it will be signed by all ranks of people:
‘Persuaded that the salvation of the rights and liberties of America, depends, under God, on the firm union of its inhabitants, in a vigorous prosecution of the measures necessary for its safety, and convinced of the necessity of preventing the anarchy and confusion which attend a dissolution of the powers of government; we, the freemen, freeholders, and inhabitants of the city and county of Tew York, being greatly alarmed at the avowed design of the ministry to raise a revenue in America, and shocked by the bloody scene now acting in the Massachusetts Bay, do, in the most solemn manner, resolve never to become slaves; and do associate under all the ties of religion, honor, and love to our country, to adopt and endeavor to carry into execution, whatever measures may be recommended by the Continental Congress, or resolved upon by our provincial convention, for the purpose of preserving our constitution and opposing the execution of several arbitrary and oppressive acts of the British Parliament, until a reconciliation between Great Britain and America, on constitutional principles, (which we most ardently desire,) can be obtained; and that we will, in all things, follow the advice of our general committee, respecting the purposes aforesaid, the preservation of peace and good order, and the safety of individuals and private property.’”
April 29 — Virginia Receives the Watertown Express
Williamsburg — The first express with the news of the Battles of Lexington and Concord arrived.
- April 19 — The express left Watertown and passed through Worcester, Mass., Brookline, Norwich, New London, Lyme, Saybrook, Killingworth, East Guilford, Guilford, Branford, and New Haven.
- April 22 — It arrived in Fairfield, Connecticut.
- April 23 — It arrived in New York on Sunday and was immediately forwarded to Philadelphia by Isaac Low, chairman of the New York Committee.
- April 24 — The express arrived in Philadelphia at 4:00 p.m..
On the arrival of the news at Baltimore, Patriots seized the magazine, containing 1,500 stands of arms.
