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| -Short Attention Span Theater- |
| Battle at Lexington Green, April 19, 1775 |
| 2005-04-19 |
| Massachusetts Colony was a hotbed of sedition in the spring of 1775. Preparations for conflict with the Royal authority had been underway throughout the winter with the production of arms and munitions, the training of militia (including the minutemen), and the organization of defenses. In April, General Thomas Gage, military governor of Massachusetts decided to counter these moves by sending a force out of Boston to confiscate weapons stored in the village of Concord and capture patriot leaders Samuel Adams and John Hancock reported to be staying in the village of Lexington. The atmosphere was tense, word of General Gage's intentions spread through Boston prompting the patriots to set up a messaging system to alert the countryside of any advance of British troops. Paul Revere arranged for a signal to be sent by lantern from the steeple of North Church - one if by land, two if by sea. On the night of April 18, 1775 the lantern's alarm sent Revere, William Dawes and other riders on the road to spread the news. The messengers cried out the alarm, awakening every house, warning of the British column making its way towards Lexington. In the rider's wake there erupted the peeling of church bells, the beating of drums and the roar of gun shots - all announcing the danger and calling the local militias to action. In the predawn light of April 19, the beating drums and peeling bells summoned between 50 and 70 militiamen to the town green at Lexington. As they lined up in battle formation the distant sound of marching feet and shouted orders alerted them of the Redcoats' approach. Soon the British column emerged through the morning fog and the confrontation that would launch a nation began. By the rude bridge that arched the flood, |
| Posted by:Steve |
| #1 I attended the reenactment at Lexington as a spectator yesterday. Got the Goodwife and 3 year old up at 3 AM in order to make it down there, but well worth the effort; I recommend attending Lexington (or Concord) on Patriot's Day to anybody. I was especially delighted that they included the detail of Paul Revere and a friend lugging a trunk full of John Hancock's secret papers across Lexington Green to a safe place, moments ahead of the arrival of the Redcoats. In fact, I was so into it that some of the Brit reenactors had an easy time recruiting me to join their troops. (What can I say, I'm a sucker for the snazzy uniforms and cool hats -- the fact that my wife was impressed by them also might have something to do with it !) Highly recommended reading: "Paul Revere's Ride" by David Hackett Fischer. |
| Posted by: Carl in N.H. 2005-04-19 1:02:44 PM |