Battles of Lexington and Concord

The Battles of Lexington and Concord were the first two battles of the Revolutionary War.
==Background==
For seven years, thousands of British troops occupied the Boston Common area.Voice via Tour bot: "Let us go back hundreds of years. It is the year 1775. For seven years, thousands of British soldiers have camped on this very soil in their orderly rows of tents. Led by General Thomas Gage, they seek to quell the growing tide of Revolution. The night of April 17th..."(Tour bot dialogue) On April 17, 1775, these soldiers were involved in the initiative to "quell the growing tide of revolution" under the command of General Thomas Gage. Gage had received orders from the Earl of Dartmouth four days prior to see all artillery, ammunition, provisions, and weaponry held by the colonists of Concord destroyed.Lieutenant Colonel Smith via Tour bot: "The officers are assembled, General Gage."General Gage via Tour bot: "Four days prior I received word from the Earl of Dartmouth. We have our orders. Lieutenant Colonel Smith, gather 21 companies of our best men and carry them with the utmost expedition and secrecy to Concord. Once there you will seize and destroy all artillery, ammunition, provisions, tents, small arms, and all military stores."Lieutenant Colonel Smith via Tour bot: "But what of the colonists, General?"General Gage via Tour bot: "Take care that the soldiers do not plunder the inhabitants, or hurt private property. But we can and must defang them."(Tour bot dialogue)
The general ordered Lieutenant Colonel Smith to take 21 companies of their best soldiers in haste and secrecy to Concord, in order to disarm the militia. Gage instructed Smith to destroy the weaponry but not to harm the colonists, steal from them or destroy their property. Before midnight, Smith set out with 700 soldiers from Boston Common to carry out his orders.Boston landmark inscriptions; Boston CommonVoice via Tour bot: "So near midnight, Colonel Smith marched with 700 Redcoats to face brave American patriots in the Battle of Lexington and Concord. And thus the Revolutionary War began. Continue on the trail to walk through more of our great city's history."(Tour bot dialogue)
In response, Paul Revere instructed Robert Newman to climb to the top of the Old North Church, lighting two lanterns to alert the colonists that the British forces were approaching via the Charles River.Boston landmark inscriptions; Old North Church While Newman broadcasted the warning, Revere started towards Lexington and Concord on his famous "midnight ride" to warn fellow patriots that the British had mobilized to seize their weaponry.Boston landmark inscriptions; Paul Revere House
The two forces met near the Old North Bridge, shots were fired, starting the battles and ultimately sparking the Revolutionary War.Preston Garvey: "Well I'll be damned. It's the monument to the original Minutemen. I knew that was somewhere around Concord. That means this right here must be the Old North Bridge. Where the first shots of the American Revolution were fired. I'd call that the best omen I've seen since we left Quincy."(Preston Garvey's dialogue) A monument is located near the bridge to commemorate the event.
==Notes==
* The Old North Church placard indicates that the event began on April 17, 1775, whereas the Freedom Trail Tour bot notes it was April 18, 1775.
* A subsequent poem written by Longfellow spoke of the battles, including the line, "One if by land, two if by sea." 
* Lexington and Concord are also mentioned on a commemorative mural to "America's Freedom Fighters" at the Museum of Freedom.Fallout 4 message box transcriptions; Museum of Freedom
==Behind the scenes==
The Battles of Lexington and Concord are real world events in the history of the United States. 
==Gallery==
FO4 Boston Common_plaque.png
FO4 Mural placard.png
FO4 ONC Placard.png
FO4 Paul Revere's House Plaque.png
Battles of Lexington and Concord.png
==References==
Category:Military conflicts
zh:列克星敦和康科德战役