April 19, 1775 – The First Battle of the American Revolution
242 years ago today American colonists squared off against British soldiers in Lexington and Concord in the battle that would mark the beginning of the Revolutionary War and lead to the 13 colonies independent status as the United States of America. Two years ago I had the honor of visiting these sites in Massachusetts where this history was made.
On the morning of April 19, 1775, 700 British soldiers arrived in Lexington on their way to Concord to destroy military supplies of the Massachusetts militia. The Americans had learned of the British plan, had disbursed their supplies around and awaited the British arrival.
77 militiamen, most of them farmers and none of them full time soldiers, met the British army at sunrise on Lexington Green. The Americans were told to disperse. A shot was fired by someone (who exactly remains uncertain) and an exchange of musket fire began. The British marched forward with bayonets. As the skirmish concluded, eight Americans were dead and ten wounded.
The British army continued its march onward to Concord. They find three hidden canons and destroy them. Their mission appeared successful, but fate suddenly turned on the Red Coats. About 400 militamen from Concord and nearby towns confront 100 British soldiers at the North Bridge.
Again a shot rang out, likely a warning shot by the British, and combat ensued. Both sides suffered dozens of casualties, but here the Americans outnumbered British. The King’s army was forced to pull back.
Militiamen poured in from across New England, shooting at and harassing the British retreat to Charleston, then Boston. By the morning of April 20, 1775, the British forces were hemmed into Boston and surrounded by approximately 15,000 American militiamen.
They didn’t know it at the time, but the battle of Lexington and Concord would begin the in earnest the Revolutionary War and America’s drive for independence from Great Britain.