THE BATTLES THAT MADE THE UNITED STATES
LEXINGTON AND CONCORD: 19 APR 1775
“BRITISH TROOPS WERE FORCED INTO A HUMILIATING RETREAT BACK TO BOSTON”
PATRIOT VICTORY
3,960 patriots v 1,500 British
ESTIMATED CASUALTIES
94 patriots and 272 British
The first exchange of fire during the American Revolutionary War actually arose out of a failed attempt to try and prevent conflict.
In April 1775, as tensions rose between the two sides and frustrated American colonists began to form militias, stories started circulating that patriot weapons were being stockpiled in the town of Concord. When the rumours reached the ears of Massachusetts governor Major-General Thomas Gage, he quickly ordered Lieutenant-Colonel Francis Smith to travel to Concord with an 800-strong force to seize the cache of arms and ammunition.
The colonists, however, were one step ahead and had already been tipped off about the incoming British forces. Several patriots are said to have ridden through the night on horseback to alert the local militia, giving them time to mobilise and intercept the British troops.
Therefore, on the morning of 19 April, a group of armed patriots – largely made up of tradesmen and farmers – confronted Smith and his men at Lexington Green, some seven miles from Concord. Spotting the gathered militia ahead, Major John Pitcairn and his light infantry were sent forward, leaving Smith behind with the bulk of the forces.
