[Pharmboy]

It is my understanding that the French musket did not come into use until later in the war--after 1777.

[Pharmboy]

RevWar/Colonial History/General Washington ping list. Freepmail me to get ON or OFF this list.

[Dr. Scarpetta]

"Prince Estabrook, Slave and Soldier" (Carter G Woodson Award Book)

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/096797710X/qid=1138879831/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/103-0972481-1911042?s=books&v=glance&n=283155

This book sounds interesting. This was a comment from someone who bought the book at Amazon:

"This book should be required reading for American history buffs and students. Hinkle sifted through Lexington's past and managed to find enough of Prince Estabrook to give us a peek into his life as a slave and a revolutionary soldier more than 200 years ago."

[angkor]

Every American should take at least one chance to visit the Lexington Common on Patriot's Day. You have to get there early - just before sun-up - because the confrontation occurs at dawn. But it's well worth it.

Here's the historic timeline from PBS American Experience:

4:30am
An American scout reports that the British are half a mile from Lexington. On Lexington Green, Captain Parker and 77 of his minute men stand in wait.

["Stand your ground. Don't fire unless fired upon. But if they mean to have a war, let it begin here!"-- Captain John Parker, leader of the Lexington militia]

5am
Battle of Lexington. April 19,1775 The British and the rebels face each other across the Green. Parker orders a retreat, but a shot rings out, leading to a full volley from the British. Both sides are engaged as the Colonists flee. Eight Americans are killed and ten wounded.

7am
The British arrive at Concord and begin searching the town for weapons. The minute men watch from positions above the town, aware they are currently outnumbered but gaining troops each moment.

9:00-9:30am
Spotting smoke in the town, 400 minute men descend from their positions towards town via the North Bridge. Confronting a small group of British soldiers at the bridge, the minute men are fired upon and return fire, killing three British and wounding nine others. Two minute men are killed and four are wounded.

12:30pm
Now numbering more than a 1000, the minute men race to meet the British at Meriam's Corner. There, the Americans open a relentless attack as the British retrace their path towardsLexington and the safety of Boston.

2pm
Captain Parker and his Lexington minute men avenge their fallen comrades in a second clash when the British regulars return to their town.

4:30pm
By the time the British reach Menotomy (now Arlington, Massachusetts), the American ranks have grown to more than 1900 men. The fighting here will claim about half of all the lives lost that day.

[theDentist]

In the early morning hours of April 19, 1775, His Majesty's Tenth Regiment of Foot marched to Concord, where word had it the troublesome Colonials were hoarding stores of gunpowder and ammunition.

Ironic that the British Regulars of then have been replaced by the Mass State Police, City/Town Police, D.A.s and other authorities now, and they attempt to do the same thing.

[martin_fierro]

For some reason I thought this was really funny (especially the shy gal)

[indcons]

To all: please ping me to threads that are relevant to the MilHist list (and/or) please add the keyword "MilHist" to the appropriate thread. Thanks in advance.

Please FREEPMAIL indcons if you want on or off the "Military History (MilHist)" ping list.

[Goetz_von_Berlichingen]

The official name for the annual commemoration is "Battle Road". The schedule for this year's event can be seen at
http://www.battleroad.org/events.html

And, yes, you are correct about the French muskets. They arrived only after the war had already started. It is possible, however, that there may have been a couple of old pieces that had been captured during the French and Indian War.

There are several re-enactments of the 1781 battles this year, including Guilford Court House and Yorktown. If you wish, I can provide links.