General Gage was the British commander leading the forces at Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775.

As the military governor of Massachusetts, he sought to suppress the escalating unrest among the American colonists by dispatching troops to confiscate military supplies in Concord and detain prominent revolutionary leaders. However, his efforts were undermined by the colonial militias, who had been warned of the British actions. Gage's command during this pivotal clash represented a significant turning point, sparking open conflict between the colonies and Britain and ultimately paving the way for the American Revolutionary War.