Contents

1. COVER
2. TITLE PAGE
3. WELCOME
4. DEDICATION
5. LIST OF MAPS
6. PATRIOTS’ DAY
7. PROLOGUE: TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1774
8. PART I:
   AN IRREPRESSIBLE TIDE:
   JANUARY–MARCH 1775
9. Chapter 1: New Year’s Day 1775
10. Chapter 2: Drumbeats of Dissension
11. Chapter 3: Who Would Be True Patriots?
12. Chapter 4: Volleys of Words
13. Chapter 5: “Fire, If You Have the Courage”
14. Chapter 6: Boston in the Bull’s-Eye
15. Chapter 7: Independence or Reconciliation?
16. PART II:
    “LET IT BEGIN HERE”:
    APRIL 1775
17. Chapter 8: The General’s Dilemma
18. Chapter 9: Two Lanterns
19. Chapter 10: Lexington Green
20. Chapter 11: On to Concord
21. Chapter 12: By the Rude Bridge
22. Chapter 13: Retreat, If We Can
23. Chapter 14: Percy to the Rescue
24. Chapter 15: What Have We Done?
25. Chapter 16: Spreading the News
26. PART III:
    DECISIVE DAYS:
    MAY–JUNE 1775
27. Chapter 17: Must We Stand Alone?
28. Chapter 18: “In the Name of the Great Jehovah…”
29. Chapter 19: Ben Franklin Returns
30. Chapter 20: Lexington of the Seas
31. Chapter 21: Three Generals and a Lady
32. Chapter 22: What Course Now, Gentlemen?
33. Chapter 23: “The White of Their Gaiters”
34. Chapter 24: “A Dear Bought Victory”
35. Epilogue: Monday, July 3, 1775
36. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
37. PHOTOS
38. ABOUT THE AUTHOR
39. ALSO BY WALTER R. BORNEMAN
40. PRAISE FOR WALTER R. BORNEMAN’S AMERICAN SPRING
41. NOTES
42. BIBLIOGRAPHY
43. NEWSLETTERS
44. COPYRIGHT