america revolution

¶ … Gage

American Revolution

General Thomas Gage and the American Revolution

In 1774 Thomas Gage was chosen to succeed Thomas Hutchinson as governor of Massachusetts, where the most serious conflicts between the colonists and the British government existed at that time. Gage's appointment was initially well received by the colonists, who were happy to be rid of Hutchinson. However, Gage tried to put down the dissident forces in the colony and enforce the Intolerable Acts, a series of five laws designed to punish the colonists for the Boston Tea Party and the boycott against British goods and reestablish British rule. These acts included the Boston Port Act, legislation the dictated that the port of Boston was closed to shipping until restitution was made to the India Tea company and the King for the lost tea and taxes; The Massachusetts Government Act, designed to increase royal control over the colony's administration; The Administration of Justice Act, providing royal officials the option to request a change of venue to another colony or Great Britain if charged with criminal acts while fulfilling their duties; The Quartering Act, expanding the types of buildings in which solders could be billeted; and the Quebec Act, which transferred to Quebec much of the Ohio Country that had been promised to several colonies through their charters and to which many had already laid claim. While an early British raid on Somerville was successful, others were not due to the efforts of groups like the Sons of Liberty. Gage did not attempt to quash these groups because he was concerned about escalating the situation.

When the rebellion started Gage was criticized for being too lenient. Many speculated that this was due to the influence of his American wife. However, many British commanders had little interest in leading British soldiers against British citizens. General Jeffrey Amherst, commander in chief of the 1st Baron Amherst, had turned down the appointment because he did not wish to take sides in the conflict as did Admiral Augustus Keppel. William Howe and John Burgoyne were both members of the parliament who opposed the military solutions to the American rebellion, nevertheless, both made statements that though they were reluctant to participate in the war, they would follow orders.

In April of 1775 Gage ordered the arrest of Samuel Adams and John Hancock and sent 700 men to march to Concord to capture colonial powder and guns. On the way fighting began at Lexington and was continued at Concord. This was the beginning the American Revolution. Though British troops were able to clear each town, they sustained heavy casualties during their march back to Boston. Following the fighting at Lexington and Concord, Gage found himself surrounded in Boston by a growing colonial army. Concerned that his wife, a colonial by birth, was aiding the enemy, Gage sent her away to England. In May reinforcements of 4,500 men under the command of Major General William Howe arrived and Gage began planning a breakout.