Database: Lexington and Concord

Regulars confront militia. Shots fired.
Americans! forever bear in mind the BATTLE of LEXINGTON! where British Troops, unmolested and unprovoked wantonly, and in a most inhuman manner fired upon and killed a number of our countrymen! The events, as well as can be discerned, transcribed thusly: Alerted by messengers that a regiment of Regulars was en route through Menotomy to destroy caches of munitions in Concord & vicinity, Militia forces convened, drawing members from as far away as Sudbury, Acton, Lincoln and Bedford. The first such force stood against the Regulars on Lexington Green, just 7 miles from Concord proper. Commanded by Captain John Parker, the Colony Militia, numbering some few dozens of members, stood ground as a brigade under Major Pitcairn marched in column along the Concord road. Accounts of what ensued remain confused, but Militia members claim that they never fired any shot, but were fired upon by the Regulars suffering them 8 deaths and a number of wounded. Capt. Parker led his men from the field and the column of murderous Regulars continued to Concord.
At the town of Concord another brigade of Militia, under command of Col. James Barrett, saw fit to fall back across the North Bridge as the Regulars numbered a much larger force. Atop a hill, Barrett watched the Regulars search for munitions and was gladdened by the addition of Militia forces arriving from diverse townships. In short order, Col. Barrett discovered that he outnumbered the small force of Regulars sent to secure the bridge and commenced to march upon them. Some few of these endeavored to dislodge planks of the bridge to delay the advance of the Militia, but were called off by their superiors. Volleys were exchanged and men on both sides fell, resulting in the Regulars quitting the field. The larger Army force concluded its fruitless search and turned toward Boston, only to meet with a series of flanking manoeuvres and attacks in formation by the Militia. This force would certainly have been entirely destroyed had it not been for Brig. Gen. Percy’s arrival with reinforcements to escort them back, through hails of musket balls, to Charlestown.
Thus have shots been fired between ourselves and our cousins from across the sea. The Rubicon has been crossed. Americans! --Liberty or Death! -- Join or Die!
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