Artemas Ward (1727-1800)
Artemas Ward was born in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, and saw military service during the French and Indian War. Returning to Shrewsbury at war’s end, he held various public offices and became an outspoken opponent of Parliament’s response to the growing colonial crisis. He was named to lead the state militia in October 1774, and later assumed overall command of New England forces during the build-up to the Battle of Bunker Hill. Though forced to remain in Cambridge due to illness during the battle, he ordered the initial defense of Charlestown and saw his undisciplined army through the first major battle of the Revolution. With the formation of the Continental Army under George Washington, Ward would continue as commander of the Eastern Department until 1777.