Osprey Campaign 37 : Boston 1775 : The Shot Heard Around the World

The British assault on Breed's Hill and the burning of Charlestown were the first major battles of the American Revolution; after the events at Boston there could be no turning back. Brendan Morrissey describes how the sparks at Lexington and Concord ignited the smouldering resentment of the Colonists into the flame of a rebellion. Colonist militia were pitted against British Redcoats in a series of struggles which led the British to evacuate Boston and to George Washington taking command of the fledgling American army. The forces involved included the regulars of the British Army, the Royal Navy and the American militia and 'minutemen'. The opposing commanders are examined and the book is laid out in order to clearly show each of the phases in this early part of the American War of Independence: Lexington and Concord, Breed's Hill and the American siege of British held Boston. Finally Brendan Morrissey investigates the reaction in Great Britain, Europe and America to the rebel success. The text is backed up by a wide selection of contemporary illustrations and modern colour images showing the main commanders, troop types and fighting in progress.

Contents

• The Road to War
• The Seat of War
• The Opposing Commanders
• Lexington and Concord - 19 April 1775
• Breed's Hill - 17 June 1775
• The Siege
• Aftermath
• The Battlefields Today
• Chronology
• A Guide to Further Reading
• Wargaming the Boston Campaign