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| Gage is generally regarded as the man who caused the American Revolution. He commanded the British forces in North America for 10 years from 1763 to 1774. During that time he was responsible for reporting back to the British government thus influencing their attitude to the colonists. He was born in Sussex in 1721 and first went to America with his regiment in 1754. Following his success in the operation against Quebec he was made governer of Montreal in 1760 and promoted to Major-General.
In 1763 he was commander-in-chief of all British Forces in North America, based in New York. He was effective as an administrator but failed to understand the level of anti-British feeling. When the Boston Tea-Party took place, he closed the port in retaliation. He also quartered his soldiers in private homes which was another unpopular move. He was Governor of Massachusetts from 1774-75, during which time he ordered the march on Lexington and Concord in April 1775. This started the American Revolution. The battle of Bunker Hill was the last straw as far as his career in North America was concerned. He returned home and was promoted to General in 1782. His tenure as Colonel of the 11th Light Dragoons lasted two years. He died on April 2nd 1787. |
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