The First Shots: Lexington, Concord And Bunker Hill 1775

Question 1

When and how many forces marched on Concord, Massachusetts ?

Answer 1

19 April 1775, 700 British soliders
- aimed to capture an arms depot
- largest expedition Britian had mounted

Question 2

Was Concord the first expedition to capture an arms depot ?

Answer 2

No
- a similar expedition on the 1 September 1774 with 200 troops had been sent to capture gunpowder from radicals at Cambridge, Massachusetts
-

Question 3

What was the aim of Concord ?

Answer 3

• to recapture 3 large 24 pound cannon that had been taken by the colonists
• these cannons required 6 horses to pull them and bombard Boston so an expedition of this size was a justified response

Question 4

What did the 700 Britian soldiers find blocking their path and why ?

Answer 4

• colonial militia
• Paul Revere had ridden to warn local forces of the British approach and although he was intercepted other riders reached Lexington
• the militia had been urged on by Samuel Adam’s who was staying in Lexington

Question 5

What happens between the milita at Lexington and the British forces ?

Answer 5

• There is an altercation of arms leaving with 8 colonists dead
• newspapers quick to blame the Briths and rushed news of the ‘massacre’ to Europe
• more fighting in the at Concord and back to Boston

Question 6

Who suffers more casualties at Lexington and Concord ?
Explain the result.

Answer 6

• British forces suffered 73 dead and 174 wounded
• Colonists 49 dead and 39 wounded

Briths forces were victims of pent up hostility, brutal face to face encounters and sniping

Question 7

What happened as a result of Lexington and Concord?

Answer 7

20,000 militiamen now besieged Boston

Question 8

When and what was the next major encounter?

Answer 8

• 17 June 1775 General Howe launched an assault on Brede Hill ( Bunker Hill)
• it was a phyrrhic victory for Britian with 226killed and 800 wounded

Question 9

Explain the result of Bunker Hill ?

Answer 9

• Howe did not wait for an artillery bombardment from the navy before assaulting the position
• an ammunition shortage on the colonial side was the only factor preventing even worse losses
• there were deadly bayonet charges and many British officers died

Question 10

What were the total casualties for each side ( dead and wounded) starting with Britain.

Answer 10

• British numbered 2,000 226 dead and 800 wounded
• colonists larger force but only 138 dead and 276 wounded

Question 11

What was the result of battle of bunker hill in military terms ?

Answer 11

It was indecisive and left British forces shut up in Boston until they were evacuated in March 1776

Question 12

How did the battle of Bunker hill have considerable consequences other than in military terms ?

Answer 12

• 🇺🇸 forces resisted bayonet charges and and suffered less casualties- militiamen successful defended agaisnt a professional army
• colonial commanders now confident to order expedition to Canada
• authority of fledgling Congress was strengthened with a new army
• British forces forced out of New England instead taking the war south
• Although not perceived as a war by George III after Bunker Hill it became like one
• heavy losses at Bunker hill made reconiciliation hard
• war spread in summer 1775