1750 - 1900 French and Indian war - War of American Independence - American Civil war
French and Indian War 1754 - 63
The possession of Canada by France was a perpetual source of disquiet and jealousy to the British colonists of New England, and of Virginia and Pennsyllvania. The French settlers had penetrated as far as the river Ohio, and had there erected a fort, near to the one belonging to the Virginians. Long before any formal declaration of hostilities was made, frequent collisions had taken place between detached parties of the two nations, caused by what was deemed to be mutual encroachments on the lucrative barter with the indian tribes. In three irregular conflicts, the name of George Washington first appears, in 1754. He was then a young man of twenty - two years of age, well connected with the highest Virginian families, the aristocracy of British America, and ready by personal feelings and by family ties to do his utmost to preserve the integerity of the colonies against the french.
The 1759, when Pitt had made his great power to be felt in the English cabinet, plans were laid for the conduct of the American dispute. The French colony of Canada then contained forty thousand souls, and most of the tribes of Native American Indians, who ranged over that vast territory were in league with the french and aided them in their inroads upon the England colonists. In July of that year the fort of Niagara was besieged and captured by the English, and after several other small successes, Wolfe, with a force of eight thousand men, landed opposite to Quebec. A strong force was opposed to him under Montcalm, and there ensued, on September 13th, the Battle of Quebec, fought on the steep ridge of rocks known as "The Heights of Abraham," which form a natural and almost impregnable barrier against attack. At one o'clock in the morning, Wolfe, and about half the forces, set off in boats, and without sails or oars, glided down the river with the tide.
In three quarters of an hour the ships followed, and through the night had become dark, aided by the rapid current, they reached the cove just in time to cover the landing. Wolfe and the troops with him leaped on shore, the light infantry, who found themselves borne by the current a little below the intrenched path, clambered up the steep hill, staying themselves by the roots and boughs of the trees that covered it, and after a little firing, dispersed the picket which guarded the height. The rest ascended safely by the pathway, and Wolfe stood at daybreak with his battalions on the battlefield of empire. "It can be but a small party, come to burn a few houses and retire," said Montcalm, in amazement, as the news reached him in his entrenchments, but obtaining better information, he cried, "Then they have at last got to the weak side of this miserable garrison, we must give battle and crush them before mid-day," Before ten, the two armies, each composed of less than five thousand men, were ranged in presence of one another. The English were all regular soldiers, perfect in discipline, terrible in their fearless enthusiasm, thrilling with pride at the morning's success, commanded by a man whom they obeyed with confidence and love. The doomed and devoted Montcalm had what Wolfe called "but five weak French battalions" of less than two thousand men mingled with disorderly peasantry, formed on ground which commandes the position of the English.
The french had only three little pieces of artillery, the English only two. The armies confronted each other for nearly two hours, and when Montcalm, having dispatched messengers for the fifteen hundred men at the camp to come up before he should be driven from the ground, endeavoured to flank the british and crowd then down the high bank of the river. Wolfe counteracted the movement by detaching a part of the royal Americans, who formed on the left with a double front. Waiting no longer for more troops, Montcalm led the French army impetuously to the attack. The ill-disciplined companies broke by their precipitation and the unevenness of the ground, and fired by platoons without unity. The English, especially the forty-third and forty-seventh regiments, received the shock with calmness, and after having at Wolfe's command reserved their fire until the enemy was within forty yards, their line began a regular, rapid, and exact discharge of musketry.
Montcalm was present every where, braving danger, wounded, but cheering by his example. The second in command was killed. The brave but untried Canadians, flinching from a hot fire in the open field, began to waver, and as soon as Wolfe, placing himself at the head of a regiment, charged with the bayonet, they every where gave way. Of the English officers, several were wounded, and Wolfe also as he led the charge, was wounded in the wrist, but still pressing forward he received a second ball, and having decided the day, was struck a third time, and mortally in the breast. "Support me," he cried to an officer near him, "let not my brave fellows see me drop." He was carried to the rear, and they brought him water to quench his thirst. "They run! they run!" said the officer on whom he leaned. "Who run?" asked the chief, as his life was fast ebbing. "The French," replied the officer, "give way every where." Four days before, Wolfe had looked forward to an early death with dismay. "Now God be praised," he said "I die happy."
Montcalm also was mortally wounded and died the next day. On the eightteenth, Quebec capitulated. Two months later, Admiral Sir Edward Hawke signally defeated the French fleet in the Bay in Quiberon Bay. A month before the Battle of Quebec, Boscawen had defeated a French fleet in the Bay of Lagos, in Portugal. Guadeloupe had also capitulated to an English armament. On the first of August, the combined Hanoverian and English forces won the Battle of Minden, in Prussia, over a superior force of French. These victories were not purchased without great cost of blood and treasure. The war in America, came to an end on February 10th 1763, with the signing of the Treaty of Paris. The cost of the war and controlling the newly acquired territories was high. The British looked to the colonies to help pay these costs. That began the long spiral of events that led to the revolution.
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The 1759, when Pitt had made his great power to be felt in the English cabinet, plans were laid for the conduct of the American dispute. The French colony of Canada then contained forty thousand souls, and most of the tribes of Native American Indians, who ranged over that vast territory were in league with the french and aided them in their inroads upon the England colonists. In July of that year the fort of Niagara was besieged and captured by the English, and after several other small successes, Wolfe, with a force of eight thousand men, landed opposite to Quebec. A strong force was opposed to him under Montcalm, and there ensued, on September 13th, the Battle of Quebec, fought on the steep ridge of rocks known as "The Heights of Abraham," which form a natural and almost impregnable barrier against attack. At one o'clock in the morning, Wolfe, and about half the forces, set off in boats, and without sails or oars, glided down the river with the tide.
In three quarters of an hour the ships followed, and through the night had become dark, aided by the rapid current, they reached the cove just in time to cover the landing. Wolfe and the troops with him leaped on shore, the light infantry, who found themselves borne by the current a little below the intrenched path, clambered up the steep hill, staying themselves by the roots and boughs of the trees that covered it, and after a little firing, dispersed the picket which guarded the height. The rest ascended safely by the pathway, and Wolfe stood at daybreak with his battalions on the battlefield of empire. "It can be but a small party, come to burn a few houses and retire," said Montcalm, in amazement, as the news reached him in his entrenchments, but obtaining better information, he cried, "Then they have at last got to the weak side of this miserable garrison, we must give battle and crush them before mid-day," Before ten, the two armies, each composed of less than five thousand men, were ranged in presence of one another. The English were all regular soldiers, perfect in discipline, terrible in their fearless enthusiasm, thrilling with pride at the morning's success, commanded by a man whom they obeyed with confidence and love. The doomed and devoted Montcalm had what Wolfe called "but five weak French battalions" of less than two thousand men mingled with disorderly peasantry, formed on ground which commandes the position of the English.
The french had only three little pieces of artillery, the English only two. The armies confronted each other for nearly two hours, and when Montcalm, having dispatched messengers for the fifteen hundred men at the camp to come up before he should be driven from the ground, endeavoured to flank the british and crowd then down the high bank of the river. Wolfe counteracted the movement by detaching a part of the royal Americans, who formed on the left with a double front. Waiting no longer for more troops, Montcalm led the French army impetuously to the attack. The ill-disciplined companies broke by their precipitation and the unevenness of the ground, and fired by platoons without unity. The English, especially the forty-third and forty-seventh regiments, received the shock with calmness, and after having at Wolfe's command reserved their fire until the enemy was within forty yards, their line began a regular, rapid, and exact discharge of musketry.
Montcalm was present every where, braving danger, wounded, but cheering by his example. The second in command was killed. The brave but untried Canadians, flinching from a hot fire in the open field, began to waver, and as soon as Wolfe, placing himself at the head of a regiment, charged with the bayonet, they every where gave way. Of the English officers, several were wounded, and Wolfe also as he led the charge, was wounded in the wrist, but still pressing forward he received a second ball, and having decided the day, was struck a third time, and mortally in the breast. "Support me," he cried to an officer near him, "let not my brave fellows see me drop." He was carried to the rear, and they brought him water to quench his thirst. "They run! they run!" said the officer on whom he leaned. "Who run?" asked the chief, as his life was fast ebbing. "The French," replied the officer, "give way every where." Four days before, Wolfe had looked forward to an early death with dismay. "Now God be praised," he said "I die happy."
Montcalm also was mortally wounded and died the next day. On the eightteenth, Quebec capitulated. Two months later, Admiral Sir Edward Hawke signally defeated the French fleet in the Bay in Quiberon Bay. A month before the Battle of Quebec, Boscawen had defeated a French fleet in the Bay of Lagos, in Portugal. Guadeloupe had also capitulated to an English armament. On the first of August, the combined Hanoverian and English forces won the Battle of Minden, in Prussia, over a superior force of French. These victories were not purchased without great cost of blood and treasure. The war in America, came to an end on February 10th 1763, with the signing of the Treaty of Paris. The cost of the war and controlling the newly acquired territories was high. The British looked to the colonies to help pay these costs. That began the long spiral of events that led to the revolution.
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War of American Independence 1775 - 1783
The various colonies planted by the English in North America, had become great and prosperous, and when George the third, ascended the throne, they contained a population of more than two million people. The first settlers were partly adventurers, but principally, fugitives from the tyranny which oppressed their native land.It was by their own courage and self-reliance, that they possessed the land.
In the reign of George the second, a proposal had been made to increase the revenue by taxing the colonies, which as the Americans were totally unrepresented in parliament, was simply a proposition to tax an entire people without even the form of asking their consent. This scheme was rejected by that able and moderate man who was then the head of of affairs, and the suggestion deemed impracticable, it fell to the ground.
But what was deemed by the government of George the second, to be a dangerous stretch of arbitrary power, was eagerly welcomed by the goverment of George the third. For the new king, having the most exalted notion of his own authority, being from of his miserable education, entirely ignorant of public affairs, thought to tax the Americans for the benefit of the English, would be a masterpiece of policy. When the Americans showed their intention of resisting the imposition of tax, he was only the more confirmed in his opinion, that it was necessary to curb their unruly will.
It was believed at the time, and it is not improbable, that the king, himself suggested the taxation of America. It is certain that he over persuaded, Lord North to engage in the contest with America and induced that minister, to go to war and to continue it even after success had become hopeless.
In the reign of George the second, a proposal had been made to increase the revenue by taxing the colonies, which as the Americans were totally unrepresented in parliament, was simply a proposition to tax an entire people without even the form of asking their consent. This scheme was rejected by that able and moderate man who was then the head of of affairs, and the suggestion deemed impracticable, it fell to the ground.
But what was deemed by the government of George the second, to be a dangerous stretch of arbitrary power, was eagerly welcomed by the goverment of George the third. For the new king, having the most exalted notion of his own authority, being from of his miserable education, entirely ignorant of public affairs, thought to tax the Americans for the benefit of the English, would be a masterpiece of policy. When the Americans showed their intention of resisting the imposition of tax, he was only the more confirmed in his opinion, that it was necessary to curb their unruly will.
It was believed at the time, and it is not improbable, that the king, himself suggested the taxation of America. It is certain that he over persuaded, Lord North to engage in the contest with America and induced that minister, to go to war and to continue it even after success had become hopeless.
Time line of events
1765
Mutiny/Quartering Act - Colonists have to house and feed soldiers
1765 - 6
Stamp Act - Sons of Liberty organized.
1767
Excise Acts to be enforced by Boston Customs Board.
1768
Customs officials driven out of Boston
June 1768, a sloop named the " Liberty," belonging to a merchant of Boston, had anchored in the harbour, laden with wine from Madeira. According to one of the American authorities, "it had been a common practice, upon the arrival of a vessel, for the tide-waiter to repair to the cabin, and there to remain drinking punch with the master, while the sailors and others upon deck were employed in landing the goods " duty free. But the new commissioners, who were appointed to reside in Boston, for the purpose of carrying out the revenue Acts into effect, determined to enforce the law. On this occasion, therfore, the tide-waiter, when he came on board, refused not only the usual punch, but several other "proposals," upon which the skipper laid violent hands upon him, and locked him the cabin, and carried the wine on shore without further ceremony.
Next morning he entered a few pipes of his Madeira at the custom-house, declaring that they had formed the whole cargo, but the commissioners knowing the contrary, ordered the sloop to be seized in the king's name, and for security to be towed under the guns of the "Romney" man-of-war. As the sloop was being moved from the wharf, there gathered on the shore a great mob, consisting of boys and negros, and urged on by a captain in the smuggling trade, they assaulted the custom-house officers with the utmost violence.
On the ensuing day the tumult was renewed. The houses of the commissioners and other officers of the customs were attacked and their windows broken, and the collectors boat was dragged through the town to the common, where it served for a bonfire. Meanwhile the commissioners, in terror for their lives, fled for refuge to Castle William, a fortress at the mouth of the harbour.
During the progress of these riots, and long before tidings of them could have reached England, troops were coming from Halifax to Boston in compliance with express orders which had been sent out by the home government. This added fuel to the flame. Some of the more violent proposed an armed resistance, as it was expected that the soldiers were coming to coerce the people. Others urged the governor to convene a Assembly, but he refused, and the popular leaders instantly took the bold step of summoning a Convention from the entire province. The call was promptly obeyed, and delegates from ninety-five towns and districts sat in Boston, during six days, notwithstanding the protests and threats from the governor. They resolved on a petition to the king. They passed resolutions against taxation by the British Parliament, and against a standing army. They recommended to all people the maintenance of peace and order, and then they separated.
Before christmas, the town was occupied by four thousand troops, sent to overawe the people.
1770
Repeal of Excise Acts except duty on tea.
1773
Thursday the sixteenth of December
Boston Tea Party
On Sunday, November 28th 1773, the merchant ship "Dartmouth," laden with tea, sailed into Boston harbour. The citizens committe were on the alert, and obtained from Rotch, the commander of the vessel, a promise that he would not enter the ship at the Custom House until the following tuesday. On the intervening day the delegates from the adjacent towns met in Boston, and an assembly of five thousand persons resolved that the tea should be sent back whence it came. Alarmed at this demonstration, the consignees declared, first they would store the tea, and then, that they would send it back.
The excitement was increased by the arrival of two more vessels in the harbour, the mouth of which was guarded by the king's ships, to prevent any leaving without having complied with the Customs regulations. By day and night the citizens watched to prevent a landing, and the day approached on which the revenue officers would have legal authority to take possession.
The morning of Thursday the sixteenth of December, 1773, dawned upon Boston, a day far the most momentous in its annuals. The town of Portsmouth held its meeting on that morning, and, with six only protesting, adopted the principles of Philadelphia, appointed a committe, and resolved to make common cause with the other colonies. At ten o'clock the people of Boston, with at least two thousand men from the country, assembled in the Old South Meeting-House, one ofthe largest buildings in the town, and the scene of many famous gatherings. A report was made that Rotch, had been refused a clearance from the collector. "Then," said the committe, "protest immediately against the Custom House, and apply to the governor for his pass, so that your vessel may this very day proceed on her voyage for London."
The governor had stolen away to his country house at Milton.Bidding Rotch make all haste, the meeting adjourned to three in the afternoon. At that hour Rotch had not returned. It was incidentally voted, as other towns had alreadt done, to abstain totally from the use of tea, and every town was advised to appoint its committee of inspection, to prevent the detested tea from coming within any of them. Then since the governor might refuse his pass, the momentous question recurred,"Whether it be the sense and determination of this body to abide by their former resolutions and not suffer the tea to be landed?" The whole assembly of seven thousand voted unanimously that the tea should not be landed.
Mutiny/Quartering Act - Colonists have to house and feed soldiers
1765 - 6
Stamp Act - Sons of Liberty organized.
1767
Excise Acts to be enforced by Boston Customs Board.
1768
Customs officials driven out of Boston
June 1768, a sloop named the " Liberty," belonging to a merchant of Boston, had anchored in the harbour, laden with wine from Madeira. According to one of the American authorities, "it had been a common practice, upon the arrival of a vessel, for the tide-waiter to repair to the cabin, and there to remain drinking punch with the master, while the sailors and others upon deck were employed in landing the goods " duty free. But the new commissioners, who were appointed to reside in Boston, for the purpose of carrying out the revenue Acts into effect, determined to enforce the law. On this occasion, therfore, the tide-waiter, when he came on board, refused not only the usual punch, but several other "proposals," upon which the skipper laid violent hands upon him, and locked him the cabin, and carried the wine on shore without further ceremony.
Next morning he entered a few pipes of his Madeira at the custom-house, declaring that they had formed the whole cargo, but the commissioners knowing the contrary, ordered the sloop to be seized in the king's name, and for security to be towed under the guns of the "Romney" man-of-war. As the sloop was being moved from the wharf, there gathered on the shore a great mob, consisting of boys and negros, and urged on by a captain in the smuggling trade, they assaulted the custom-house officers with the utmost violence.
On the ensuing day the tumult was renewed. The houses of the commissioners and other officers of the customs were attacked and their windows broken, and the collectors boat was dragged through the town to the common, where it served for a bonfire. Meanwhile the commissioners, in terror for their lives, fled for refuge to Castle William, a fortress at the mouth of the harbour.
During the progress of these riots, and long before tidings of them could have reached England, troops were coming from Halifax to Boston in compliance with express orders which had been sent out by the home government. This added fuel to the flame. Some of the more violent proposed an armed resistance, as it was expected that the soldiers were coming to coerce the people. Others urged the governor to convene a Assembly, but he refused, and the popular leaders instantly took the bold step of summoning a Convention from the entire province. The call was promptly obeyed, and delegates from ninety-five towns and districts sat in Boston, during six days, notwithstanding the protests and threats from the governor. They resolved on a petition to the king. They passed resolutions against taxation by the British Parliament, and against a standing army. They recommended to all people the maintenance of peace and order, and then they separated.
Before christmas, the town was occupied by four thousand troops, sent to overawe the people.
1770
Repeal of Excise Acts except duty on tea.
1773
Thursday the sixteenth of December
Boston Tea Party
On Sunday, November 28th 1773, the merchant ship "Dartmouth," laden with tea, sailed into Boston harbour. The citizens committe were on the alert, and obtained from Rotch, the commander of the vessel, a promise that he would not enter the ship at the Custom House until the following tuesday. On the intervening day the delegates from the adjacent towns met in Boston, and an assembly of five thousand persons resolved that the tea should be sent back whence it came. Alarmed at this demonstration, the consignees declared, first they would store the tea, and then, that they would send it back.
The excitement was increased by the arrival of two more vessels in the harbour, the mouth of which was guarded by the king's ships, to prevent any leaving without having complied with the Customs regulations. By day and night the citizens watched to prevent a landing, and the day approached on which the revenue officers would have legal authority to take possession.
The morning of Thursday the sixteenth of December, 1773, dawned upon Boston, a day far the most momentous in its annuals. The town of Portsmouth held its meeting on that morning, and, with six only protesting, adopted the principles of Philadelphia, appointed a committe, and resolved to make common cause with the other colonies. At ten o'clock the people of Boston, with at least two thousand men from the country, assembled in the Old South Meeting-House, one ofthe largest buildings in the town, and the scene of many famous gatherings. A report was made that Rotch, had been refused a clearance from the collector. "Then," said the committe, "protest immediately against the Custom House, and apply to the governor for his pass, so that your vessel may this very day proceed on her voyage for London."
The governor had stolen away to his country house at Milton.Bidding Rotch make all haste, the meeting adjourned to three in the afternoon. At that hour Rotch had not returned. It was incidentally voted, as other towns had alreadt done, to abstain totally from the use of tea, and every town was advised to appoint its committee of inspection, to prevent the detested tea from coming within any of them. Then since the governor might refuse his pass, the momentous question recurred,"Whether it be the sense and determination of this body to abide by their former resolutions and not suffer the tea to be landed?" The whole assembly of seven thousand voted unanimously that the tea should not be landed.
Boston Tea Party 16th December 1773
It had been dark for more than an hour. The church in which they met was dimly lighted, when at a quarter before six, Rotch appeared, and stated that the governor had refused him a pass, because his ship was not properly cleared. As soon as he had finished, Samuel Adams rose and gave the word,"This meeting can do nothing more to save the country." On the instant a shout was heard at the porch, the war whoop resounded, forty or fifty men, disguised as Mohawk Indians, passed by the door, repaired to Griffin's wharf, posted guards to prevent the intrusion of spies, took possession of the three tea-ships, and in about three hours, three hundred and forty chests of tea, being the whole quantity that had been imported, were emptied into the bay without the least injury to other property. All things were conducted with great order and decency.
The people around, as they looked on, were so still, that the noise of breaking open the tea-chests was plainly heard.
After the work was done, the town became as still and calm as if it had been Sunday.
This being the crowning act of a series of provocations and insults, by which the colonists, and especially the people of Boston, had testified their resentment against the Stamp Act, the import duties, and other recent measures, the government at home regarded it with great indignation. Every one agreed that the rioters deserved punishment, and reparation was due to the East India Company.
A frank and generous change of policy, even at this eleventh hour, might have preserved the colonies, and might have averted the peril and humiliation of the subsequent rupture, but the pride and obstinacy of George the third, supported as they unhappily were at the outset of the quarrel by the domineering character of a majority of the English people, determined the nature and issue of the contest.
The people around, as they looked on, were so still, that the noise of breaking open the tea-chests was plainly heard.
After the work was done, the town became as still and calm as if it had been Sunday.
This being the crowning act of a series of provocations and insults, by which the colonists, and especially the people of Boston, had testified their resentment against the Stamp Act, the import duties, and other recent measures, the government at home regarded it with great indignation. Every one agreed that the rioters deserved punishment, and reparation was due to the East India Company.
A frank and generous change of policy, even at this eleventh hour, might have preserved the colonies, and might have averted the peril and humiliation of the subsequent rupture, but the pride and obstinacy of George the third, supported as they unhappily were at the outset of the quarrel by the domineering character of a majority of the English people, determined the nature and issue of the contest.
The Battle of Lexington and Concord 19th April 1775
General Gage had sent a detachment to seize the military stores, which the colonists had deposited at Concord, and on the way the soldiers had encounted some of the militia, at Lexington, only fifteen miles from Boston, and a skirmish took place on April 19th, where several were killed and wounded on both sides.
The British pushed on to Concord, and made a few unimportant seizures, but the news had spread throught the district, and the minutemen, swarmed in upon Concord, from all quarters, armed and ready for the impeding struggle.
The English officers, judged it expedient to retreat to Boston. A running fire fight ensued. The Americans harassing them at every step and firing from behind houses and stonewalls. No battle took place, but had it not been for a strong rescuing force sent out from Boston, to meet the detachment, few would have returned.
As it was nearly three hundred were killed and wounded, while the Americans loss was eighty-eight. An immediate effect of the skirmish, was to lessen the feeling of the colonists as to the military prowess of the regular troops.
The British pushed on to Concord, and made a few unimportant seizures, but the news had spread throught the district, and the minutemen, swarmed in upon Concord, from all quarters, armed and ready for the impeding struggle.
The English officers, judged it expedient to retreat to Boston. A running fire fight ensued. The Americans harassing them at every step and firing from behind houses and stonewalls. No battle took place, but had it not been for a strong rescuing force sent out from Boston, to meet the detachment, few would have returned.
As it was nearly three hundred were killed and wounded, while the Americans loss was eighty-eight. An immediate effect of the skirmish, was to lessen the feeling of the colonists as to the military prowess of the regular troops.
Yorktown - The surrender of Cornwallis - Oct 19th 1781
Cornwallis surrended the British army of over 8000 men. King George lost control of parliament, to the peace party and there were no futher military activities in North America, peace was agreed in 1783.
American Civil War April 1861 - April 1865
Union Infantry
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