The Battle of Lexington and Concord - April 19, 1775

Army ROTC - Worchester POlytechnic Institute ^ | 27 July 2001 | staff

[45Auto]

Tis is for the Brady Boob and her faint-hearted cohorts who, if they were around in 1775, we would all still be "subjects of the Crown."

The sad part is that these brave souls of the American Militia assembled in Massachusetts, one of the "cradles of liberty", a state which now has some of the most egregiously unconstitutional gun laws in the nation. Shame on the ancestors of the members of the Continental Army.

Armed and Free, now as always - semper fi.

See link for a lot more interesting history of the First American Revolution.

[madison46]

Thanks. I'm one of the few who fly the flag on Patriots Day. Long live the founding fathers.

[Lexington Green]

Capt. John Parker of the Lexington Militia instructed his troops as the British approached: "Stand your ground. Don't fire unless fired upon. And if they mean to have a war, let it begin here!"

[Redcloak]

This can't be true. Everyone knows that the colonists didn't have any guns. And those that they did have were rusty and useless. I'll bet that Charlton Heston wrote this.

</sarcasm>

[SamAdams76]

The British column then advanced to Concord, and in spreading out to destroy some cannons believed to be at Provincial Colonel Barrett's farm encountered a group of armed militia at Concord North Bridge.

I have the privilege of driving past the North Bridge every morning on my way to work. Commuting from Chelmsford to Bedford and taking all backroads to avoid traffic, I have probably the most scenic commute in eastern Massachusetts. If you are visiting New England, make sure you check out the Concord/Lexington area as there are many monuments and parks commemorating the revolution.

[Chad Fairbanks]

Background

By December, 1774, news of additional parliamentary misdeeds had reached Portsmouth both by messenger and through the New Hampshire Gazette, which told of the passage of the Massachusetts Government Act the Quartering Act and the Quebec Act. It was said that the king had imposed a secret embargo on the export of arms and ammunition to his colonies. Moreover, patriots in Rhode Island had already seized powder and shot from the royal garrison in Providence. What about Portsmouth? Would there be troops and ships coming from Boston to keep the same thing from happening there?

The answer came on the afternoon of December 13, 1774, when Paul Revere galloped up the Old Boston Post Road into the city to deliver confirmation of the rumors. Yes, it was thought that troops and ships were on their way, and yes, if the' powder stored at William and Mary were not to remain in the king's hands, something had better be done about it.

The Raid Begins

The way seemed appallingly clear. A few minutes before noon on December 14, a drummer, his beats muffled by the falling snow, marched through the streets of the city sounding the call that everyone recognized. Before long, he had collected an entourage of more than two hundred men and boys.

At the fort, guarding the king's powder, were the defenders-Capt. Cochran and five men. At about one o'clock, this tiny garrison received word that an angry mob was on its way from town, growing larger as citizens from Rye and New Castle hastened to join. By the time they reached the gates of the fort, the attackers numbered more than 400.

At about three o'clock in the afternoon a few shots were exchanged, but no one was injured. Before a second volley could be fired, the fort was overwhelmed, and Cochran's band was in the hands of the attackers. Three huzzas were shouted and the king's colors were lowered.

Cochran, though overwhelmed, showed no signs of allowing the keys to the powder magazine to leave his possession. Substituting shoulders for keys, the attackers broke down the door and were able to make off with 97 barrels of powder which they loaded onto moses boats and gundalows for dispersal to the various surrounding towns. The captain of the defenders wrote in his note to Governor Wentworth, "I did all in my power to defend the fort, but all my efforts could not avail against so great a number." With odds of four hundred to six, neither the governor nor posterity could fault him.

Governor Wentworth, caught in an impossible situation, hastily requested ships and troops from Boston. Obviously, he had need of help, for the next morning men from the surrounding countryside began to pour into the city, lured by rumors of the previous day's events. John Sullivan of Durham and his men surrounded the state house and demanded information about possible reinforcements. "None were expected," said Wentworth. The mob dispersed, only to reassemble later that evening to remove remaining military stores from the fort. Again the trophies were loaded at the river.

The powder was soon distributed. Kingston received 12 barrels, Epping 8, Poplin (Fremont) 4, Nottingham 8, Brentwood 6, and Londonderry 1. Remaining stores were distributed in Durham, which received 25 barrels, and in Exeter, where 29 barrels were retained. Four barrels remained in Portsmouth. The precious dust was destined for the powder flasks of the local militia units, the building blocks of the nascent continental army. The powder and the power no longer belonged to King George III, it was in the hands of the people. In New Hampshire, at least, the Revolution had begun.

Note: From what I understand, much of this powder was later used at Breed's Hill (AKA The Battle of Bunker Hill) ;0)

[William Tell]

SamAdams76 said: "I have the privilege of driving past the North Bridge every morning on my way to work. "

Visiting the bridge and the monument there are the highlight of my infrequent visits to Boston. It is difficult not to feel that the people of Massachusetts are unworthy of their ancestors.

---------------------------------------------------

Sung at the Completion of the Concord Monument, July 4, 1837

By the rude bridge that arched the flood,
Their flag to April's breeze unfurled,
Here once the embattled farmers stood
And fired the shot heard round the world.

The foe long since in silence slept;
Alike the conqueror silent sleeps;
And Time the ruined bridge has swept
Down the dark stream which seaward creeps.

On this green bank, by this soft stream,
We set to-day a votive stone;
That memory may their deed redeem,
When, like our sires, our sons are gone.

Spirit, that made those heroes dare
To die, or leave their children free,
Bid Time and Nature gently spare
The shaft we raise to them and thee.

                          Ralph Waldo Emerson 

[hoosierham]

you mean shame on the DESCENDANTS of those brave miltia-men, not ancestors.

[Reaganwuzthebest]

Nice history lesson. The Revolutionary War is always interesting.

From CNEWS Joke Corner:

If there were computers in 1776

Mr. Jefferson: Gentlemen, the summer grows hot, and it is essential that we complete this declaration of independence.

Mr. Franklin: Wait a minute, Thomas. I have to reboot here.

Mr. Jefferson: That's all right, Ben. We'll go on without you. Has everyone had a chance to look at the draft I posted yesterday?

Mr. Sherman: Not yet, Thomas, I've been having Notes replication problems.

Mr. Adams: Here, Roger, I brought a hard copy

Mr. Sherman: Thanks, Saaaaay, nice font.

Mr. Adams: Do you like it? I downloaded it off Colonies Online just last week

Mr. Jefferson: Gentlemen! There is work to be done. I fear our document will soon leak out.

Mr. Livingston: Too late, Thomas. There's already a bootleg circulating. I saw it posted on alt.georgeIII.sucks last night.

Mr. Franklin: @#$$%^$# General Protection Fault!

Mr. Adams: Ben, you might try upgrading to Windows 75. It solved that problem for me.

Mr. Sherman: Thomas, the part here about the Acts of Pretended Legislation; have you considered using bullets to air out the text?

Mr. Jefferson: I can fix that easily enough. Drat! I've spilled candle wax on my keyboard again.

Mr. Adams: You know, Thomas, that wouldn't happen if you'd buy an active-matrix screen.

Mr. Franklin: Hard-disk failure?!? Aw, criminy!

Mr. Livingston: Are you sure it's "unalienable rights"? My spell checker recommends "unassailable."

Mr. Jefferson: Can we stick to the substance of the document, please? Shoot. Low battery. Anyone got a spare power cable?

Mr. Sherman: What have you got, a Toshiba? No, mine isn't compatible.

Mr. Franklin: Hello, PCs Philadelphia? What does it mean when the floppy drive buzzes? OK, I'll hold.....

Mr. Livingston: The "In Congress" part here at the top; have you thought about blowing that up really big and maybe centering it in 72 point Helvetica?

Mr. Jefferson: Not a bad idea. Aw, nuts! Word macro virus! I can't save the file.

Mr. Franklin: That's all right, Thomas. We can manage. Here, borrow my quill pen....

[billl]

we went up to boston when my son was 11
drove the minivan out to lexington and stood on the green and looked down the road toward the blinking traffic light where the british came from
later drove toward concord and took the preserved side roads that the british marched back on
we could feel the farmers hiding behind the stones and trees still.
most stirring battlefield feeling i ever had.
get a copy of april morn with tommy lee jones and rip torn. sure it's howard fast, but it is well told. the video used to be hard to find

[Reaganwuzthebest]

Thanx for that. Never been to Boston yet, but I look forward to checking those old battlefields out one of these days.

[Chad Fairbanks]

Actually, I'm betting it would be more like this...

Sons Of Liberty Meeting Thread!!!!!
Source: Jhancock's Wife
Author: Same
This post is to discuss the upcoming Sons of Liberty/Committes of Correspondence meeting at Sam's Tavern next Saturday, July 12 in the Year of Our Lord Seventeen-Hundred Seventy Five.

King George Has Secret Mistress!!!!
Source: Colonial Enquirer
Author: Flintlock76
In a shcking development that surprises no one, King George The Third has admitted to having a secret mistress, whom he financed by heavy taxes on british tea sold in the colonies...

Am I logged In?????
Source: Me
Author: tjefferson
Can anyone tell me if I'm logged in????? I can't post!!!

Vanity: Which kind of Tea do you like???
Source: Me
Author: guydressedasanindian
I know things have been tough lately, what with the pending revolution, but let's take a moment and get to know each other better. Which type of tea do you like, East India or Dutch?????

The British Are Coming!!!!!!!1
Source: Paul Revere's Ride
Author: Sam Adams
Hide your guns and powder, lads, the tyrants are coming for your guns!!!!!!

All Your Stamps Are Belong To Us!!
Source: London Times
Author: lord Walcott
London (BP) The Stamp Act has blah blah blah...

;0)

[andysandmikesmom]

My husband is especially proud of his birthday, for it is April 19...now my husband spent 10 yrs in the full time active army, and 17 in the reserves...he always thought of himself as a minuteman, just like those who fought at the battle of Lexington and Concord...

My husand retired this year...and he retired on Sept 10...one day later, the WTC bombings occurred...he was beside himself...here he had retired, and then he thought, what if my country needs me...well, he is on a retired list now, should he ever be needed...

When he finally got his official orders for retirement, they were dated Sept 11, 2001...it gave him chills when he saw that...

[SamAdams76]

Visiting the bridge and the monument there are the highlight of my infrequent visits to Boston. It is difficult not to feel that the people of Massachusetts are unworthy of their ancestors.

It is easy to take cheap shots at Massachusetts because of people like Ted Kennedy and Mike Dukakis, but realize that a million of us voted for Bush last year. There are enough wacky liberals to go around for all of us and no region of the U.S. is safe. Whether you hail from Seattle, New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Denver or even the Deep South.

[Reaganwuzthebest]

Poor King George. The loss of the colonies according to some was the main reason the ole boy went mad. He was 200 years ahead of his time. If he was around today doing those things I wonder if the sheeple would do much to stop him.

[crz]

Levi Temple. He served under Capt Timothy Underwoods Co, Col William Prescotts Regiment at the Battle of Concord Bridge 19th of April 1775. He also fought at Bunker Hill along with some of his relation. Levi Temple, Westford. Prvt, Capt Timothy Underwoods co, Col William Prescotts regt. of Minute-man, which marched in responce to the alarm of April 19 1775; service, 10 days; also Capt. Joshua Parker's co., Col Prescotts regt; order for advance pay, signed by said Temple and others, dated Cambridge, June 9 1775; also Corporal, same co. and regt.; muster roll dated Aug 1 1775, service 97 days... Order for pay at Cambridge 9 June 1775...Mass archives 35:51. To Col. Asa Whitcom Capt. Joshua Parker in Col. Wm. Prescotts regt the sum of two Pounds which is the advance pay to each of us by the honorable Congress and this with his recept shall be a full discharge for the sum wittness our hands, Cambridge ye 9th June 1775 Peter Brown, Thomas Kidder, Jonathan Hadley, William Read Jr., Samuel Craft, Isaac Parker, LEVI TEMPLE, Levi Fletcher, Stephen Read, Simeon Senter, Ephriam Chamberlain, Davd Bixby, Oliver Haild, Joeseph Minot, Jonathan Minot, Silas Procter, Jonathan Parker, Joseph Underwood, Ephriam Spaulding. Levi Temple is my grt grandfather-(5 times). In Bunker Hill there was also Nuttings listed...they are also ancestors of mine. God Bless them all and may they hold that special place of honor we all owe them.

[Chi-townChief]

I'm not clear on one thing: At one point during The Ride, Revere was arrested and detained by the Brits. Upon questioning, he told them that he had warned the entire countryside. They threatened him with death but ultimately released him before the night ended. Any insight on that?

[First_Salute]

Bump.

[First_Salute]

Cool.

My great grandfathers, Peter Goss, and his son, Ephraim A. Goss, fought at the Battle of Bunker Hill, in Capt. Crosby's 9th Co. of Col. James Reed's New Hampshire Regt.

[MinuteGal]

Many thanks for this inspiring post!

I'm proud to say I adapted my freeper screen name from the heroes of the battle of Lexington and Concord.

Keep your powder dry, fellow patriots!

Leni