April 19—Battle of Lexington. General Gage sends eight hundred British troops to destroy some colonial military stores at Concord, twenty miles from Boston. The “minute men” assembled at Lexington, are fired on and dispersed. The troops march to Concord, destroy the stores, and hastily retreat before the gathering minute men, who assail them on all sides. They would have been completely destroyed but for a timely reinforcement at Lexington of nine hundred men and two cannon. The loss of British killed and wounded was nearly three hundred; of the provincials eighty-five. Boston is immediately beleagured by some twenty thousand minute men. ” 22—Massachusetts Legislature assembles. It sends depositions, proving that the soldiers fired first, to England, with an address to the English people, declaring that they will “die or be free.” This body voted a levy of thirteen thousand men for the protection of the colony. May 10—The second Continental Congress assembled at Philadelphia. Colonels Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold surprise the fortress of Ticonderoga, on Lake George, New York. Its small force of three officers and forty-four privates cannot defend it, and they surrender without fighting. Crown Point, on Lake Champlain, is occupied without resistance. Peyton Randolph again chosen President of Congress. ” 24—Peyton Randolph being called home, John Hancock, of Massachusetts, is chosen President of Congress. ” 25—Generals Howe, Clinton, and Burgoyne, with large British reinforcements, arrived at Boston. June 15—George Washington unanimously chosen commander-in-chief of the Continental forces. ” 17—The battle of Bunker Hill (or Breed’s Hill), near Boston. The British were twice repulsed, with great loss, when the ammunition of the Americans failing, they retreated in safety. British loss over one thousand; American, four hundred and fifty. British forces engaged, three thousand; American, less than fifteen hundred. The British commander burned Charlestown during the battle. General Warren, American, was killed. ” 23—Congress issue bills of credit for $2,000,000. ” 30—Articles of War are agreed to in Congress. July 8—A last petition to the King is sent by Richard Penn, grandson of William Penn. ” 17—Another million dollars in bills of credit is issued. The liability for these was distributed among the Colonies. ” 26—Benjamin Franklin appointed first Postmaster General. Aug. 30—General Schuyler embarks on Lake Champlain, for an expedition against Canada. He leaves the command with General Montgomery. Early in September General Arnold starts with eleven hundred men to Canada by Maine. Sept. 24—Ethan Allen is taken prisoner, near Montreal.