Part IV: ‘The shot heard round the world,’ 250 years on

by WorldTribune Staff, April 17, 2025 Real World News

On April 18, 1775, the British Military Governor of Massachusetts, Gen. Thomas Gage, sent 800 British Army Regulars on a secret, preemptive raid to seize guns and ammunition from American patriots at Lexington and Concord.

As the sun rose, April 19, 1775, 800 British regulars approached Lexington’s town green. To their surprise, they were met by Lexington’s militia, comprised of 77 men who were mostly members of the Church of Christ.  Part I — April 18, 1775: Human intelligence alerted American patriots of raid to seize their guns   Part II — As British forces headed towards Concord, Lexington’s militia gathered on the village green  Part III —April 19, 1775: The first shots are fired on Lexington Green

Col. James Barrett’s farm. The historical marker inscription reads:
ON THE MORNING OF APRIL 19, 1775, THE BRITISH MARCH FROM BOSTON WHICH RESULTED IN THE OUTBREAK OF THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR ENDED HERE WITH A SEARCH FOR MILITARY STORES. GUN CARRIAGES FOUND BY THE LIGHT INFANTRY WERE BURNED IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE. OTHER WEAPONS AND SUPPLIES WERE SUCCESSFULLY CONCEALED IN THE ATTIC OF THE HOUSE, IN FURROWS PLOWED NEAR THE FARMYARD AND IN SPRUCE HOLLOW BEHIND THE HOUSE.

Eight American patriots died in the initial skirmish on Lexington Green early on April 19, 1775. Their names are:

__ John Brown, 25.

__ Samuel Hadley, 29

__ Caleb Harrington, 25

__ Jonathan Harrington, 30

__ Robert Munroe, 63

__ Isaac Muzzey, 31

__ Jonas Parker, 53

__ Asahel Porter

Lt. Col. Francis Smith sent seven companies of British Army Regulars across the North Bridge with orders to search for supplies and artillery known to be hidden at Barrett’s farm, about a mile west of the bridge. They left three companies (about 96 men) at the bridge to guard it and keep it open for their return.

8:00 a.m. — The British search the Barrett Farm

Col. James Barrett, at age 65, was responsible for the arms and military supplies being gathered and stockpiled by the Congress. He was out with the militia that morning. The family had been up very early helping to remove any remaining supplies.

Col. Barrett’s wife Rebecca and other family members were home when Capt. Parsons arrived with a column of 120 light infantry soldiers. She obligingly served the officers breakfast while the soldiers searched the house. They found nothing.

9:00 a.m. — Colonial officers make the decision to advance to North Bridge

The minute men and militia advanced from Punkatasset Hill to a field on high ground overlooking North Bridge. With additional companies from Bedford and Acton, their numbers now exceeded 400 men.

The British companies left to guard the bridge were still on the same side of the river as the rebels. Both the British and the colonists were content to stay where they were, but smoke was seen rising above the roofs of the town. The colonial soldiers assumed the worst, that the town was being destroyed. In fact, the regulars had set fire to a pile of tents, carriage parts and other supplies.

One Concord officer, Lt. Joseph Hosmer, urged his superiors “Will you let them burn the town down?” The decision was made to march to North Bridge and engage the British soldiers there.

Col. Barrett issued a firm order. “Do not fire unless first fired upon…” With that, the column of over 400 men, minute men in front, militia companies behind, marched down the road in double file.

9:30 a.m. — Battle at the North Bridge

When the British first deployed at the North Bridge, they were positioned on the west side of the river. This is the side where the Minute Man Statue now stands.

Hopelessly outnumbered by the advancing militia, the British soldiers pulled back to the east side of the bridge, where the 1836 Obelisk now stands, and hastily organized for defense.

As the colonial column advanced to within about 80 yards of the British position, a succession of three shots rang out from the British side and landed in the river on the right of the advancing minute men. Luther Blanchard, a fifer from Acton cried out that he was wounded.

Maj. John Buttrick of Concord then gave the fateful order “Fire! For God’s sake, fire!” This marked the first time colonial militiamen were ordered to fire on British soldiers.

In all, twelve British soldiers were hit, three of them fatally. Four out of eight officers present were wounded. The rest of the British soldiers broke and fell back in disorder towards Concord. On the colonial side, Capt. Isaac Davis and Pvt. Abner Hosmer were killed. Four other militiamen were wounded.

11:00 a.m. — The British troops return from the Barrett Farm

The minute men and militia decided not to hold the bridge. Instead, they posted themselves on a hill overlooking the road from the Barrett farm. Thus, instead of being cut off, Capt. Parsons and the 120 British soldiers he led to the Barrett farm were able to cross North Bridge and rejoin the main body in the center of town.

Part V: The British Retreat to Boston

Needed: A new newspaper of record

  1775: British search at Barrett’s farm failed to find American guns, April 19

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