The Battle at the Old North Bridge

Sarah S.

April 19, 1775- One of the most memorable days in the history of American Independence

The Old North Bridge in Concord Massachusetts.

It was on this day that a famous battle took place at the Old North Bridge in Concord, Massachusetts. Four hundred ill-equipped colonists called Minutemen engaged in battle with approximately ninety-six well-trained British Red Coats.

Paul Revere and William Dawes set out from Boston to warn the colonists that the Red Coats were coming. They met up with Dr. Samuel Prescott who volunteered to join them on their route to Concord. Revere never made it to Concord because he was stopped by English soldiers who took his horse.

This battle began when the Red Coats were ordered to seize and destroy all ammunition belonging to the colonists. The largest supply of ammunition was hidden at Colonel Barrett's farm, on the other side of the Concord River. This meant that the Red Coats had to cross the Old North Bridge. The Red Coats had no trouble crossing the bridge, for it was early in the morning and many of the colonists were sleeping. They managed not only to find the hidden ammunition but also to destroy it.

The Minutemen who had been warned by Dawes and Prescott that the English were coming started towards the Old North Bridge. When they saw smoke rising from the town they suspected the British had done it. The British felt intimidated and fired warning shots into the river in hopes that the Minutemen would fall back. Joseph Hosmer, a Minuteman, said, "Will you let them burn the town down?" The men cried "No!" and the two groups of "soldiers" fired upon each other. This battle at the Old North Bridge lasted for only five minutes for the outnumbered Americans fought bravely to defeat the Red Coats.

We will never forget the bravery of Paul Revere.

Bibliography

Birnbaum, Louis. Red Dawn at Lexington. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1986.

Colby, Jean P. Lexington and Concord, 1775. New York: Hastings House, 1975.

Nichipor, Mark A. The Lexington-Concord Battle Road. USA: Eastern National Park and Monument by Wee Bee Publishing, 1977.