During the American Revolution, the idea of independence spread like wildfire The news of the fighting, which occurred in April of 1775, spread quickly across the New England countryside. Across the region, companies of militiamen, known as Minutemen, assembled and set off to Boston. Within a few days, more than 10,000 American Minutemen were encamped outside of Boston and determined to show the British Army that they meant business. Keep in mind that as of yet, there was no real authority in charge. The Continental Congress in Philadelphia was about the closest thing to a national government at the time, and even they hadnt officially recognized the troops gathered in Boston as any kind of formal army. Throughout the spring of 1775, American troops were incredibly successful. The New England militia was able to keep the main body of British troops at bay in BostonBritish authorities there didnt really know what to do and were waiting on orders from their superiors across the Atlantic. A small force of militia captured Fort Ticonderoga on Lake Champlain in May of 1775, and captured artillery pieces from the British. In June, the British tried to break out of the city of Boston and attacked the American force on Breeds Hill. Now let me say emphatically that the Battle of Breeds Hill (or as it became commonly known, the Battle of Bunker Hill) was a strategic failure for the Americansthey failed to hold their position and the British secured the area. But more important than military tactics at this point in the Revolution was the incredible showing by the American troops. It took three almost suicidal attempts by British troopsproud members of the most feared military force in the worldto take Breeds Hill. And when they did take, it the British suffered about 1,000 casualties (thats dead and wounded) out of a force of 2,500. The British general Henry Clinton wrote that this battle was a dear bought victory . . . another suc...
