Page:History of the United States of America, Spencer, v1.djvu/376

 

1775.

is well nigh impossible for us, at this day, fully to realize the intense and burning indignation which was aroused throughout the length and breadth of the land, by the news of the battle at Lexington. Blood had been shed; and the blood of murdered brethren cried from the ground for vengeance. Volunteers immediately hastened towards the scene of action, and within a few days Boston was besieged by the outraged people. Stark, of New Hampshire, ten minutes after the news reached him, was on his way to join the patriot force. Israel Putnam, of Connecticut, sixty years of age, was peacefully occupied in ploughing, when the tidings of the battle arrived, and he left his plough in the field, and without even going to his house, sped on his way to the camp All Virginia was aroused. Lord Dunmore had attempted a similar exploit to that of Gage, in seizing upon military stores, which caused great excitement, and nothing but timely concession on the part of the governor prevented bloodshed. In New York, in Philadelphia, and farther south, the spirit of the people showed how deeply they sympathized with their countrymen in Massachusetts. It was felt everywhere that the sword had been drawn, and that now the contest must be decided by the sword. "Unhappy is it," said Washington, writing to 