Lex++++Concord

=Battle of Lexington & Concord=

The First Battles of the Revolutionary War

 * BY: Lindsay Logan**

**ROAD TO BATTLES**
The Battles of Lexington and Concord were said to be the start of the Revolutionary War in April of 1775. But, what triggered these battles was a long series of events that occured for the past several years. However, in February of 1775, the British Parliament ordered that British Troops kill violent rebels and destroy all stores containing ammunition, rifles, or arms. Britain believed that America was organizing a rebellion against their forces. On April 18, Paul Revere and William Dawes took the initiative to warn the town and Concord of the Britishs' plans. Paul Revere hung two lanterns in the church bell to notify the people of the British. His famous ride and saying " The Regulars are coming" happened this evening. At around 1 AM, April 19, the British made land in Lexington and Revere and Dawes were caught. A man by the name, Prescott, continued to follow out the job of warning Concord of the British invasion. Concord was notified and was able to round up men to defend themselves in case of confrontation.

**LEXINGTON BATTLE - April 19, 1775- 5AM**
Lexington was never meant to be war grounds. It was simply a crossroads between Concord. A call for men was made to defend Lexington now full with 1800 British soliders and generals. Originally 170 men showed up, but it was a false alarm. There was no need to fight yet. On the second call at 5AM, April 19, only 70 original men showed. 40 were lined up on "the green" in front of the town church. 30 men were sent around the area, hiding with their rifles. The British marched up to the green and church. The British told the milita men aka minute men to disarm and surrender. A solider accidentally fired a shot ( it is not known which side fired) and mayhem broke lose. It is known as "THE SHOT HEARD 'ROUND THE WORLD". British soliders all the sudden charged the milita men with baqunets and guns were fired. 8 men of the milita were killed, 10 wounded. The British had one wounded men and clearly had won. They burnt homes and continued on to Concord.

CONCORD BATTLE- APRIL 19, 1775 - 7AM
Concord was the first American WIN. The Britsh arrived at 7 AM, destroying supplies such as flour, ammunition, and cannons. Smoke filled up the town, and Concord's citizens feared that the town would get burned down. So, Cor. Barrett the miltia decided to cross the bridge and try to protect their town. 2 Companies from Concord,2 Bedford, Lincoln, Acton, Carlise, Littleton,Westford, and Chelmsford minutemen lined gathered making the British unable to create lines to fire correctly. Shots were fired from the British. The Americans began fighting back and shot fires chasing the British back. Ordered by their commander to return back to the bridge, the british were shocked to see dead and wounded soliders at the site. Smith's men were still on their march to Concord, and more militia men were showing up to support american troops. Militia men shot at the British the entire march through Concord. Eventually when Smith's troops showed up, the militia men were standing in their way and a tense meeting was met between leaders of both sides. Smith and his soliders walked through without getting fired at, but passed scalped british soliders along the way. Although, the men were unharmed, they lost the battle because the counts were : American - 49 killed, 39 wounded, 5 missing/captured. And Brits- 73 killed, 174 wounded, 26 missing/captued. It was an American victory.