Existing comment:
The Muster Field
"Will you let them burn the town down?"
-- Lt. Joseph Hosmer of Concord
"I haven't a man who's afraid to go."
-- Captain Isaac Davis of Acton
"Do not fire on the King's troops unless first fired upon."
-- Colonel James Barrett of Concord
In the field beyond, Colonists held the first council of war of the American Revolution. There, on the high ground above the North Bridge, stood 400 citizen-soldiers – the assembled ranks of the colonial militia from Concord and surrounding towns. They were determined to maintain their liberty by force of arms if necessary.
With smoke rising from the center of town and the bridge held by 96 British Regulars, they made the decision to march into the town to save it. Under strict orders not to fire first, the Colonists began their march in a "very military manner" towards the Regulars at the bridge below.
"We determined to march to the center of town for its defence or die in the attempt." |