138.  Washington in Command, July, 1775.—­The Continental Congress was again sitting at Philadelphia.  It took charge of the defense of the colonies.  John Adams named Washington for commander-in-chief, and he was elected.  Washington took command of the army on Cambridge Common, July 3, 1775.  He found everything in confusion.  The soldiers of one colony were jealous of the soldiers of other colonies.  Officers who had not been promoted were jealous of those who had been promoted.  In the winter the army had to be made over.  During all this time the people expected Washington to fight.  But he had not powder enough for half a battle.  At last he got supplies in the following way.  In the spring of 1775 Ethan Allen and his Green Mountain Boys, with the help of the people of western Massachusetts and Connecticut, had captured Ticonderoga and Crown Point.  These forts were filled with cannon and stores left from the French campaigns.  Some of the cannon were now dragged by oxen over the snow and placed in the forts around Boston.  Captain Manley, of the Massachusetts navy, captured a British brig loaded with powder.  Washington now could attack.  He seized and held Dorchester Heights.  The British could no longer stay in Boston.  They went on board their ships and sailed away (March, 1776).

[Illustration:  SITE OF TICONDEROGA.]

[Sidenote:  The Canada expedition, 1775-76.]

[Sidenote:  Assault on Quebec.]

139.  Invasion of Canada, 1775-76.—­While the siege of Boston was going on, the Americans undertook the invasion of Canada.  There were very few regular soldiers in Canada in 1775, and the Canadians were not likely to fight very hard for their British masters.  So the leaders in Congress thought that if an American force should suddenly appear before Quebec, the town might surrender.  Montgomery, with a small army, was sent to capture Montreal and then to march down the St. Lawrence to Quebec.  Benedict Arnold led another force through the Maine woods.  After tremendous exertions and terrible sufferings he reached Quebec.  But the garrison had been warned of his coming.  He blockaded the town and waited for Montgomery.  The garrison was constantly increased, for Arnold was not strong enough fully to blockade the town.  At last Montgomery arrived.  At night, amidst a terrible snowstorm, Montgomery and Arnold led their brave followers to the attack.  They were beaten back with cruel loss.  Montgomery was killed, and Arnold was severely wounded.  In the spring of 1776 the survivors of this little band of heroes were rescued—­at the cost of the lives of five thousand American soldiers.

[Illustration:  ARNOLD’S MARCH.]

[Sidenote:  Strength of Charleston.]

[Sidenote:  Fort Moultrie.]

[Sidenote:  Attack on Fort Moultrie, 1776.]

[Sidenote:  Success of the defense]