In this same month a battle was fought between the British army in Boston and the Continental army which was encamped outside of Boston.  It was fought on a bit of high ground near the city, and was called the Battle of Bunker Hill.

Just at this time word came that General George Washington, the newly appointed commander-in-chief, was on his way from Philadelphia to the Continental army, and would pass through New York City.  Washington with his aides and a company of soldiers were hurrying across New Jersey on horseback, and when they reached the city they were met by a committee from the Provisional Assembly, with a number of patriot soldiers.

The next morning Washington set out for Boston.  He had not yet left the town when a ship appeared in the bay having on board Governor William Tryon, who had been visiting in England for nearly a year.  Governor Tryon did not remain long in the city though, as it was not a comfortable place for a royal Governor just then.  He hurriedly left one night and went aboard one of the British ships in the bay.

At the close of this year Washington was still before Boston with the Continental army.  Another section of the army was in the North, fighting against the British in Canada.  This last branch was encamped about the walls of Quebec in the last month of the year.  It was under the command of General Richard Montgomery, of New York, a brilliant soldier who had fought in the French and Indian wars.  Quebec was stormed, but was too strong to be taken.  Montgomery fell crying, “Men of New York, you will not fear to follow where your general leads.”  He was buried with military honors in Quebec, for the British honored him as a brave man.  Forty-three years later his remains were removed to New York, and placed beneath the portico of St. Paul’s Chapel, where his tomb may now be seen.

Fighting by the side of Montgomery when he fell was a youth who was singled out for his bravery.  His name was Aaron Burr.  You are to hear more of him, for many and many a time in after years the eyes of the entire country were turned upon him.

CHAPTER XXV

A battle on long island

And now, early in the next spring, George Washington came again to New York, having at last forced the British troops from Boston.  The city, which was under the control of the patriots, was in a state of excitement, as it seemed probable that this was to be the next point of attack.  Every person who favored the cause of the King, or who was suspected of favoring it, was looked upon with distrust.  One-third of the citizens had fled.  The soldiers of the Continental army were arriving daily.  Women and children were rarely seen upon the streets.  Many of the royalists’ houses, which had been closed when their owners fled, were broken open to give sleeping quarters to the soldiers.