Shay’s Rebellion continues: Major General William Shepard, in command of 4,400 Massachusetts Militiamen, defeats the Regulator Militia (1,600 veterans of the first American Revolution), commanded by Captain Daniel Shays, formerly of the Fifth Massachusetts Regiment.  Shays had attempted to march on the federal arsenal at Springfield.  The arsenal had been occupied earlier by Shepard ordered direct fire on the Regulators, after warnings shoots did not deter their advance.  This resulted in many wounded, and four deaths.  The Regulators were attempting to prevent the seizure of their farms to retire war debts owed to European creditors.

       Postscript: This event more than any other is credited by historians as the even that sparked the Constitutional Convention.

       [updated 11/22/2024] Thanks to Chuck McGlawn for this entry.