06-01 Early Battles of the American Revolution.doc
Name: _________________________
Period:_______
Date: ____________
Early Battles of the American Revolution
Lexington & Concord (1775)
“The shot heard ‘round the world”
This was the first battle of the Revolution. Patriots had been warned of the British attack by Paul Revere
and others. The British suffered terrible casualties as they marched back to Boston.
1. Why did it become known as “the shot heard ‘round the world”?
Bunker Hill (1775)
On June 16, 1775, about 1,200 militiamen under the command of
Colonel William Prescott set up fortifications at Bunker Hill and
nearby Breed’s Hill, across the harbor from Boston. The British
decided to drive the Americans from their strategic locations
overlooking the city. The next day the redcoats crossed the harbor
and assembled at the bottom of Breed’s Hill. Bayonets drawn, they
charged up the hill. With his forces low on ammunition, Colonel
Prescott reportedly shouted the order, “Don’t fire until you see the
whites of their eyes.” The Americans opened fire, forcing the British
to retreat. The redcoats charged two more times, receiving furious
fire. In the end the Americans ran out of gunpowder and had to withdraw.
The British won the Battle of Bunker Hill but suffered heavy losses—more than 1,000 dead and wounded. As one
British officer wrote in his diary, “A dear bought victory; another such would have ruined us.” The British had
learned that beating the Americans on the battlefield would not be quick or easy.
2. Which side won the Battle of Bunker Hill? __________________________________
3. Why did Prescott say, “Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes”?
Nathan Hale, Patriot Spy
Nathan Hale was a Patriot who spied on the British. He was caught and
sentenced to death by hanging. Before he died, he said, “I only regret
that I have but one life to lose for my country.”
4. What did Nathan Hale mean?
Battle of Long Island (1776)
After the British General Howe left Boston in March of 1776
with his troops and went to Canada, he decided to take New
York City. Washington expected this and marched his troops
from Boston to New York before Howe could land his troops.
Washington faced many obstacles, though:
 He had no navy nor did he have cannons to stop the
British ships.
 His troops were ill-equipped and poorly trained.
 Washington’s troops were outnumbered.
The Battle of Long Island, which took place in August of 1776, was a major battle. Washington suffered a
terrible defeat. He was lucky to retreat with his trapped men at night by boat. The British chased the
Continental Army into New Jersey and George Washington retreated to Pennsylvania.
5. Which side won the battle? _______________________________
6. What did Washington do after the battle?
Trenton and Princeton, NJ
(1776)
Washington knew he needed a bold
victory to keep his army together.
He decided to launch a surprise
attack on Hessian mercenaries in
Trenton, NJ. On Christmas night,
1776, he led his troops in boats
across the Delaware River and
attacked the Hessians who were
celebrating Christmas. He so
surprised the Hessian mercenaries
that the fight was over in no time.
Instead of retreating, Washington slipped around the pursuing British army and also captured Princeton,
NJ. These two victories helped the morale of Washington’s soldiers. The victories gave the colonists hope
that they could win against the mighty British army and navy.
7. How did Washington surprise the mercenaries?
8. Why were these victories important for Washington?