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Founding the Nation Trail

Battles of Lexington and Concord, 19 April 1775

Introduction

The beginnings of the Revolutionary War took place here, at Lexington and Concord. Explore the first shots of the war and learn more about Army history. For more information on the campaign, see Opening Shots in the Colonies, 1775-1776.

Trail Author: Capt. Jonathan Bratten

1

Prelude to Battle-

In 1775, long-running tensions between colonists in New England and the representatives of the British...
2

Munroe Tavern, Lexington

Just after dawn, the light infantry vanguard of Lt. Col. Francis Smith’s force of 600...
3

Buckman Tavern, Lexington

With the regulars near, Capt. John Parker ordered his 16-year old drummer, William Diamond, to...
4

Minuteman Statue, Lexington

The full view toward the town green in front of you was blocked by the...
5

Town Green, Lexington

Capt. John Parker, a veteran of the French and Indian War, posted his company here...
6

Paul Revere Capture Site

Earlier that night, Paul Revere, William Dawes, and Dr. Samuel Prescott had ridden through the...
7

Arrowhead Ridge/Meriam’s Corner, Concord

As the column of British regulars approached Concord at around 6:15 a.m., the town’s Minute...
8

Old Burying Ground, Concord

The residents of Concord had heard the firing in Lexington and tried to learn the...
9

Concord Monument Square, Concord

“In the eighteenth century, ministers were leading members of their communities.  Beyond their role in...
10

Col. James Barrett’s Farm, Concord

While the regulars occupied Concord, the expedition’s commander, Colonel Smith, sent three companies of his...
11

Muster Field, Concord

Falling back from the town, the militia companies of  Action, Lincoln, and Littleton  joined those...
12

Road to North Bridge, Concord

Colonel Barrett gave the order to advance toward the North Bridge but warned his men...
13

North Bridge – Minuteman Statue, Concord

As the column of 200 militia and minutemen drew closer, the approximately 96 British light...
14

North Bridge, Concord

The regulars’ poorly-aimed volley was met with ragged but continuous and accurate fire from the...
15

North Bridge Monument, Concord

The three light infantry companies fled from this spot back toward Concord, where Colonel Smith,...
16

Meriam’s Corner, Concord

Around noon, Lt. Col. Fracis Smith gave the orders for his force of regulars to...
17

Hardy’s (Brooks) Hill, Lincoln

The fight at Meriam’s Corner removed any hesitation provincials had about firing on soldiers of...
18

Elm Brook Hill, Lexington

Beyond Hardy’s Hill, the road to Lexington dipped and then rose again on Elm Brook...
19

Bloody Angle, Lexington

After the shock of the first ambush, the British rear guard formed to hold off...
20

Parker’s Revenge, Lexington

Following the devastating loss to his company on Lexington Green that morning, Capt. John Parker...
21

Fiske Hill, Lexington

All order in the British ranks disappeared as the regulars rushed to escape the fire...
22

Percy’s Arrival, Lexington

At around 2:30 p.m., British Brigadier General Lord Percy with about 1,000 Regulars arrived just...
23

Foot of Rocks, Arlington

After about an hour’s rest, the Regulars set off toward Boston, with Smith leading and...
24

Russell House, Arlington

Although there had been skirmishing on the route from Lexington, the first significant engagement occurred...
25

Old Men of Menotomy Marker, Arlington

Earlier that day, after Percy’s column had passed, a group of older men gathered at...
26

Samuel Whittemore Marker, Arlington

Former British dragoon officer Samuel Whittemore was not one to stand by when his former...
27

Cooper’s Tavern, Arlington

It took the British nearly an hour to clear the village of Menotomy. The fighting...
28

Prospect Hill, Somerville

Hotly pursued by provincial forces, Lord Percy made the decision that rather than try to...