BATTLE: LEXINGTON and CONCORD The following is a first hand account of the battle at Lexington and Concord. Read the passage, then answer the questions based on the source. SOLDIER EMERSON DESCRIBES THE STAND AT CONCORD BRIDGE 1775, 19 April. This morning, between I and 2 o'clock, we were alarmed by the ringing of the bell, and upon examination found that the troops, to the number of 800, had stole their march from Boston, in boats and barges, from the bottom of the Common over to a point in Cambridge, near to Inman's farm, and were at Lexington Meeting-house, half an hour before sunrise, where they had fired upon a body of our men, and (as we afterward heard) had killed several. This intelligence was brought us at first by Dr. Samuel Prescott, who narrowly escaped the guard that were sent before on horses, purposely to prevent all posts and messengers from giving us timely information. He, by the help of a very fleet horse, crossing several walls and fences, arrived at Concord at the time above mentioned; when several posts were immediately dispatched, that returning confirmed the account of the regulars' arrival at Lexington, and that they were on their way to Concord. Upon this, a number of our minute men belonging to this town, and Acton and Lyncoln, with several others that were in readiness, marched out to meet them, while the alarm company were preparing to receive them in the town. Capt. Minot, who commanded them, thought it proper to take possession of the hill above the meetinghouse, as the most advantageous situation. No sooner had our men gained it than we were met by the companies that were sent out to meet the troops, who informed us that they were just upon us, and that we must retreat, as their number was more than triple ours. 2) What side was the author on: Loyalist, Patriot or British soldier? Give details to explain how you knew. 1) When and where did this event take place? 2) Is the source a primary or secondary source? How do you know? PRIOR KNOWLEDGE: 1) What events led up to the event described in this source? 2) Besides what is IN this source, what else do you know about this event?
BATTLE: LEXINGTON and CONCORD The following is a first hand account of the battle at Lexington and Concord. Read the passage, then answer the questions based on the source. Account presumably by Lieutenant John Barker of the King's Own. 1775, April 9 th. Last night between l0 and 1 l o'clock all the Grenadiers and Light Infantry of the army, making about 600 men (under the command of Lt. Col. Smith of the loth and Major Pitcairn of the Marines), embarked and were landed upon the opposite shore on Cambridge Marsh; few but the commanding officers knew what expedition we were going upon. After getting over the marsh, where we were wet up to the knees, we were halted in a dirty road and stood there till two o'clock in the morning, waiting for provisions to be brought from the boats and to be divided, and which most of the men threw away, having carried some with 'em. At z o'clock we bega.1 our march by wading through a very long ford up to our middles. After going a few miles we took 3 or 4 people who were going off to give intelligence. About 5 miles on this side of a town called Lexington, which lay in our road, we heard there were some hundreds of people collected together intending to oppose us and stop our going on. At 5 o'clock we arrived there and saw a number of people, I believe between 200 and 300, formed in a common in the middle of the town. We still continued advancing, keeping prepared against an attack tho' without intending to attack them; but on our coming near them they fired one or two shots, upon which our men without any orders rushed in upon them, fired and put 'em to flight. Several of them were killed, we could not tell how many because they were got behind walls and into the woods. We had a man of the 10th Light Infantry wounded, nobody else hurt. We then formed on the common, but with some difficulty, the men were so wild they could hear no orders. 2) What side was the author on: Patriot or British soldier? Give details to explain how you knew. 3) Is the author an expert on the event? Why or why not? PRIOR KNOWLEDGE: 1) What events led up to the event described in this source? 2) Besides what is IN this source, what else do you know about this event?
BATTLE: Battle of TRENTON Henry Knox to his wife. Delaware River, near Trenton, December 28, 1776... Trenton is an open town, situated nearly on the banks of the Delaware accessible on all sides. Our army was scattered along the riverfront nearly twenty-five miles. Our intelligence agreed that the force of the enemy in Trenton was from two to three thousand, with about six field cannon, and that they were pretty secure in their situation, and that they were Hessians no British troops. A hardy design was formed of attacking the town by storm. Accordingly a part of the army, consisting of about 2,500 or 3,ooo, passed the river on Christmas night, with almost infinite difficulty, with eighteen fieldpieces. The floating ice in the river made the labor almost incredible. However, perseverance accomplished what at first seemed impossible. About two o'clock the troops were all on the Jersey side; we then were about nine miles fron1 the object. The night was cold and stormy; it hailed with great violence; the troops marched with the most profound silence and good order. They arrived by two routes at the same time, about half an hour after daylight, within one mile of the town. The storm continued with great violence, but was in our backs, and consequently in the faces of our enemy. About half a mile from the town was an advanced guard on each road, consisting of a captain's guard. These we forced, and entered the town with them pellmcll; and here succeeded a scene of war of which I had often conceived, but never saw before. The poor fellows after they were formed on the plain saw themselves completely surrounded; the only resource left was to force their way through numbers unknown to them. The Hessians lost part of their cannon in the town: they did not relish the project of forcing, and were obliged to surrender upon the spot, with all their artillery, six brass pieces, army colors, etc. A Colonel Rawle commanded, who was wounded. The number of prisoners was above l,000, including officers -all Hessians. There were few killed or wounded on either side. After having marched off the prisoners and secured the cannon, stores, etc., we returned to the place, nine miles distant, where we had embarked. 2) Why is the author an expert on this event? AUDIENCE: 1) Who was this source written for? 2) Do you think the author was truthful as he wrote it? EVENT: Valley Forge
Arnold Friberg painted "The Prayer at Valley Forge" to celebrate our country's bicentennial in 1976. Since then, Arnold Friberg's now famous painting has become an important part of American history, reminding us of the days our country hung in the balance. It was during the cold and long winter of 1777-78 at Valley Forge that General George Washington sought God's help on his knees. PRIOR KNOWLEDGE: 1) What do you know about Valley Forge? AUDIENCE: 1) Who was this made for and why? 1) Why did the creator make this source? EVENT: Valley Forge
In this letter to Governor George Clinton, General Washington describes the desperate conditions of the soldiers at Valley Forge. Later in the letter, he went on to ask for supplies for the desperate army. From General Washington To Governor George Clinton Head Quarters, Valley Forge, February 16, 1778 Dear Sir: It is with great reluctance, I trouble you on a subject, which does not fall within your [responsibilities]; but it is a subject that occasions me more distress, than I have felt, since the [start] of the war; and loudly demands the most zealous exertions of every person of weight and authority, who is interested in the success of our affairs. I mean the present dreadful situation of the army for [lack] of provisions, and the miserable prospects before us, with respect to [the future]. It is more alarming than you will probably conceive, for, to form a just idea, it were necessary to be on the spot. For some days past, there has been little less, than a famine in camp. A part of the army has been a week, without any kind of flesh, and the rest for three or four days. Naked and starving as they are, we cannot enough admire the incomparable patience and fidelity of the soldiery, that they have not been ere this excited by their sufferings, to a general mutiny or dispersion. Strong symptoms, however, discontent have appeared in particular instances; and nothing but the most active efforts every where can long avert so shocking a catastrophe. 2) Is the author an expert on the subject? Why or why not? AUDIENCE: 1) Who was this written for and why? 1) Why did the creator make this source? BATTLE: Battle of Yorktown
John Trumbull created the painting below in 1824. He also painted many scenes of the Revolutionary War. It shows the surrender of the British army to American troops (on the right) and the French troops (on the left). The central figure is a portrait of Lord Cornwallis, General of the British troops. However, it is historical fact that Lord Cornwallis was not actually the officer present at the official surrender. He stayed home sick and sent General O Hara instead. Lord Cornwallis surrenders to George Washington at Yorktown, Virginia, October 17, 1781. 2) Is the author an expert on the subject? Why or why not? 1) How accurately are the facts shown in this source? 2) Why do you think this source made? BATTLE: Battle of Yorktown
The Patriot is a war film about the Revolutionary War. It was directed by Roland Emmerich and written by Robert Rodat. The movie was made in 2000, and stars Mel Gibson as a colonial farmer who joins the Continental Army because a British soldier killed his son. Watch the first 2 minutes and 36 seconds of the clip from The Patriot. The clip shows the end of the Battle of Yorktown, where General Cornwallis decides to surrender and the French navy shows up to help the Americans fight. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvgae1jcgv4 2) Is the author an expert on the subject? Why or why not? 1) How accurately are the facts shown in this source? Why? 2) Why do you think this source made?