PLAY PODCASTS
The Heist That Sparked the Revolution (Before Lexington!)
Season 3 · Episode 1

The Heist That Sparked the Revolution (Before Lexington!)

History Distilled

January 24, 202618m 7s

Audio is streamed directly from the publisher (media.transistor.fm) as published in their RSS feed. Play Podcasts does not host this file. Rights-holders can request removal through the copyright & takedown page.

Show Notes

History remembers the "Shot Heard 'Round the World" in April 1775, but four months earlier, a high-stakes heist in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, set the stage for war.

In this episode of History Distilled, we uncover the story of the Raid on Fort William and Mary. Triggered by a confidential order from King George III to ban arms exports and sparked by a forgotten "midday ride" by Paul Revere, a group of patriots—led by John Langdon and John Sullivan—risked death for high treason.

Join us as we break down how 400 men stormed a British fort, faced down cannons, and utilized flat-bottomed "gundalows" to steal 97 barrels of gunpowder right from under the nose of the Royal Governor .This is the gunpowder that would later be used to defend Bunker Hill.

If you enjoyed this look at the Raid on Fort William and Mary, please hit the like button and subscribe for more history! 

Download the Maps & Script: Want the detailed map from this video or the full script? They are available now on our Patreon https://patreon.com/HistoryDistilled

Thanks to our monthly supporters
  • Dan

Topics

Raid on Fort William and MaryAmerican RevolutionPaul RevereRevolutionary WarFort William and MaryHistory DistilledStart of the American RevolutionJohn LangdonJohn SullivanGunpowder Heist1774 HistoryPortsmouth NH HistoryBefore Lexington and ConcordKing George IIIGundalowBritish Fort RaidSiege of BostonAmerican History Documentary