THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON AND CONCORD

By Ann Fuller

Leading up to April 19, 1775

Response in Massachusetts

Lexington/Concord not first place British looked for arms

1. The Powder alarm – Sept. 1, 1774

2. Portsmouth – Dec. 1774

3. Salem – Feb. 1775

SONS OF LIBERTY

HANCOCKSAM ADAMS

DR JOSEPH WARREN

FAVORITE SON – PAUL REVERE

- SILVERSMITH - PURITAN

BACKGROUND - MESSENGER - POLITICAL

PROPAGANDA

SPIES ON BOTH SIDESFOR BRITAIN – DR CHURCH

FOR THE COLONISTS - GAGE

APRIL 18 - 19 - PLANS IN PLACE FOR MESSENGERS - DAWES – HEAD OUT BY LAND - REVERE – LANTERNS HUNG, CROSSES

CHARLES BY BOAT, GETS HORSE AND HEADS OUT VIA MEDFORD

- OTHER RIDERS ALSO INVOLVED - They benefitted from problems the

British had in moving troops across the river

Warnings & Capture

Met up with Dr. PrescottCaught along with DawesDawes escaped but fell off his horsePrescott escaped and continued the warnings

MINUTEMEN - TRAINED - EXPERIENCED – WAR AND HUNTING - 16-60 - LAND OWNERS MOSTLY - ALSO: AFRICAN-AMERICANS AND EVEN

MINISTERS - MANY RELATIVES FIGHT ALONG SIDE

ONE ANOTHER

LEXINGTON - MUSTERED AS EARLY AS 1am - FROM SURROUNDING TOWNS AS WELL - REFUGEES - 50-60 WHEN REGULARS ARRIVE - NOT SURE WHO FIRED FIRST SHOT - 7 MILITIA KILLED, 9 SERIOUSLY INJURED

CONCORD

CONCORD - moved across North Bridge - numbers rise to about 500 - British set fire to buildings in town - militia head back toward bridge which

is now guarded by redcoats - one confused, scared British soldier

fired and the battle was started

CONCORD

REDCOATS RETREAT

PERCY AT LEXINGTON

END - British cross Charles River - Militia stay outside Boston - News spreads through colonies and to

Britain - This changes everything

Adams – “changed the instruments of War from the pen to the sword.”

CASUALTIES BRITISH

62 KILLED 157 WOUNDED 27 MISSING

AMERICAN 50 DEAD 39 WOUNDED 5 MISSING

BRITISH PROBLEMS GAGE TOO SECRETIVE POOR PLANNING OF MARCH UNDERESTIMATED THE COLONIAL WILL

TO FIGHT TROOPS IN CHAOS LOW AMMUNITION DID NOT KNOW THE LAND

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