The Raid on Fort William and Mary
6/3/2026 | 1mVideo has Closed Captions
Before Lexington and Concord, New Hampshire patriots raided Fort William & Mary in Portsmouth Harbor
Before Lexington and Concord, New Hampshire patriots launched one of the first acts of armed rebellion against the British. The raid on Fort William & Mary helped supply the powder that fueled the Revolution.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Granite State History Minute is a local public television program presented by NHPBS
The Raid on Fort William and Mary
6/3/2026 | 1mVideo has Closed Captions
Before Lexington and Concord, New Hampshire patriots launched one of the first acts of armed rebellion against the British. The raid on Fort William & Mary helped supply the powder that fueled the Revolution.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
How to Watch Granite State History Minute
Granite State History Minute is available to stream on pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, LG TV, and Vizio.
Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipThe Shot Heard Round the World at Lexington, Massachusetts, in April of 1775 is often considered the beginning of the Revolutionary War.
But months earlier, in December of 1774, Paul Revere rode into Portsmouth to warn the citizens that British forces were planning to reinforce Fort William and Mary, which stood in Portsmouth Harbor.
New Hampshire's John Langdon gathered a group together to raid the fort.
The six British regular stationed there fired shots that were not returned.
Instead, the Patriots overtook the fort and removed nearly 100 barrels of gunpowder.
The following day, more men led by John Sullivan returned to seize cannons and other weaponry.
The gunpowder was taken upriver and hidden in local towns.
Later, many barrels located in the powder House in Exeter would be used to arm the Patriot forces at the Battle of Bunker Hill.
Support for PBS provided by:
Granite State History Minute is a local public television program presented by NHPBS