Lexington Battle Green Tour
Line of the Minutemen
Stop 4
The boulder that marks the spot where the militia formed up in two lines came from the farm of Amos Muzzey in what is now Lexington Center. It is inscribed with the famous phrase attributed to Captain Parker: “Stand your ground. Don’t fire unless fired upon. But if they mean to have a war, let it begin here.” That quote was first reported nearly fifty years after the Battle, so it is questionable that Parker spoke those exact words. But numerous contemporary accounts confirm the flinty substance of his remarks. Paul Revere heard it this way: “Let the troops pass by. Don’t molest them without they being first.”
Line of the Minutemen
Take a few steps into the middle of the Common and face towards the flagpole. You now stand where Parker’s militia awaited the approaching Regulars. Imagine yourself part of the events unfolding. Less than fifty yards away, Major John Pitcairn of his Majesty’s Marines rides out in front of the Redcoats on his horse.
Major John Pitcairn on Horseback
by Paul Revere, Jr. (1734-1818)
by Paul Revere, Jr. (1734-1818)
“Disperse!” you hear him shout as he waves his sword, “throw down your arms ye villains, ye rebels.” What would you do in this situation? Parker ordered his outnumbered men to disperse. Some did just that, while others were reluctant to retreat.
Shots fired from both sides
Suddenly, a shot was heard. Mayhem broke out. The rank and file Regulars, believing they were being fired upon, spontaneously opened fire. A few of the Colonists, shocked to find the British firing ball at them, returned fire. When the smoke cleared, ten colonists were dead and nine others were wounded. One Redcoat was slightly injured. The Regulars regrouped and gave three cheers. The Battle of Lexington was history.
In Their Own Words:
I heard Major Pitcairn's voice call out Soldiers don’t fire, keep your ranks and surround them, instantly some of the villains fired at us. It was then and not before that the soldiers fired.
---Lt. Sutherland
Many of the company had withdrawn to a considerable distance, and, by the time sixty or seventy of them had collected, drum still beating to arms, the front ranks of the British troops appeared within twelve or fifteen rods of our line. They continued their march to within about eight rods of us…The front platoon then discharged their pieces, and, another order being given to fire, there was a general discharge from the front ranks. Such was the general confusion, and so much firing on the part of the British, that it was impossible for me to know the number of our men, who fired immediately on receiving the second fire from the British troops. The regulars kept up a fire, in all directions, as long as they could see a man of our company in arms.
---John Munroe
Directions to next stop:
To get to stop #5 walk a few steps to the corner of Harrington Road and Bedford Street at the end of the common.
In Their Own Words:
I heard Major Pitcairn's voice call out Soldiers don’t fire, keep your ranks and surround them, instantly some of the villains fired at us. It was then and not before that the soldiers fired.
---Lt. Sutherland
Many of the company had withdrawn to a considerable distance, and, by the time sixty or seventy of them had collected, drum still beating to arms, the front ranks of the British troops appeared within twelve or fifteen rods of our line. They continued their march to within about eight rods of us…The front platoon then discharged their pieces, and, another order being given to fire, there was a general discharge from the front ranks. Such was the general confusion, and so much firing on the part of the British, that it was impossible for me to know the number of our men, who fired immediately on receiving the second fire from the British troops. The regulars kept up a fire, in all directions, as long as they could see a man of our company in arms.
---John Munroe
Directions to next stop:
To get to stop #5 walk a few steps to the corner of Harrington Road and Bedford Street at the end of the common.
Copyright © 2020 Lexington Historical Society Website by: [email protected] |