Ben's Opinion of the Battle of Lexington and Concord
Ben is a granger or farmer. He works his own small farm in Lexington.
"The war for freedom has begun. The King's men have been searching for Sam
Adams and John Hancock, the leaders of our Provincial Congress that refused
to dissolve under the order of Parliament. They want them captured and put on
trial in England. If this happens, they will likely be put to death for treason.
The King's soldiers were also sent to destroy the large supplies we have stored
for our local militia. But the Lobsterbacks soon learned that we cannot be intimidated
by their mere presence.
Our continental army is made up of men like me. I am called a Minuteman because
I can be ready to fight in a minute's notice. Dr. Joseph Warren, a leading Son
of Liberty, learned that several columns of Redcoats were planning to march.
A secret signal was arranged by Paul
Revere, to hang lanterns in the steeple of the Old North Church. On the
night of April 18th, two lanterns were visible in Charlestown. It was the signal
that the British were crossing Boston Harbor to begin the advance on Lexington
and Concord.
Paul Revere, William Dawes and Dr. Samuel Prescott rode out to alert the colonists.
Revere rode to Lexington to warn Adams and Hancock to escape. When the Redcoats
reached the Lexington Green, we were ready to meet them. But our leader, Captain
John Parker and 75 of us soon realized we were far outnumbered. Suddenly,
the British soldiers began to fire into our ranks, killing 8 of my fellow men
and injuring several others. They then continued the 6 miles to Concord.
Word spread quickly of the bloodshed and soon companies of Minutemen, thousands
strong, responded from all the nearby towns. British Colonel Smith ordered his
grenadiers to search houses and barns in a vain attempt to find our supplies.
He also split his columns to guard the North and South Bridges that cross the
Concord River. Colonel
James Barrett, a commander of the Concord Regiment, faced the Redcoats at
the North Bridge. When the British fired first, a full battle ensued.
Our much larger force of Patriot fighters caused the sniveling Lobsterbacks
to retreat. We further attacked them from high ridges, walls, trees and farmhouses
as they began their 20 mile route back to Boston. We lost less than 100 men
and left the Redcoats with 73 dead and over 200 wounded or missing. The Revolution
is here. There is no going back now!"