The Battle of Lexington and Concord

General Information on the Battle

In the beginning, the British soldiers in Boston were ordered by General Gage to destroy the militia’s ammunition dumps in Concord. Some of the militiamen heard about this plan, so riders were sent around the area, while the British were starting their march. As the British were approaching Concord they were outnumbered by the militia, so they retreated to a hill north of the town. The militia held their fire and went to the bridge and more militiamen came. The British fired too high, the militia fire back. The British found themselves outnumbered, so they retreated back to Concord and the militiamen let them pass back to Boston.

The battle of Lexington and Concord was fought in Lexington. The British and Militiamen started marching on April 18, 1775. The start of the war was actually on April 19, 1775 when the first shot was fired.

The Battle Setting

The actual battle began at sunrise on April 19, 1775. the British were challenged by a group of 77 militiamen under Captain John Parker’s command.

That is when Captain John Parker said a very famous quote. He said,” Stand your guard; don’t fire unless fired upon, but if they mean to have a war, let it begin here.” One shot is heard, 8 militiamen die, the other militiamen run away.

The person that shot their gun is still a mystery. That is why there it is called, “ Shot heard ‘round the world.”

Shot heard ‘round the world

The US colonists won the battle. British Lieutenant Hugh Percy figured out that the way south back to Boston was blocked. He found a way Northeast to Boston and led the British back to Boston.

What happened in the end as a result

The Battle of Lexington and Concord was the first battle in the Revolutionary War. It wasn’t an official battle, because militiamen were fighting instead of actual soldiers.

Why this battle is important

CasualtiesGreat Britain

Force: 1,500 men

Killed: 73 men

Wounded: 174 men

Captured: 53 men

U.S. Colonies

Force: 3,800 men

Killed: 49 men

Wounded: 39 men

Captured: 0 men

Generals of the US Colonists

• Colonel James Barret

• Colonel John Buttrick

• Dr. Joseph Warren

• John Parker

• William Heath

Some of these men were not actually Generals. They were leaders of the Militia.

Interesting Facts The poem, The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere, is actually

a myth. Paul Revere was captured on his ride towards the militia around Lexington and Concord. William Daweswas the person that actually warned the militias.

On the evening of April 18th, the British troops were ferried across the Boston harbor to start their march on Lexington. Paul Revere hung two lanterns on the church steeple

The first shots were fired just as the sun was rising at Lexington