Another War

[Fairfield]

Not a thread, but a statement. Today marks the official start of the American Revolution at Lexington and Concord.

By the rude bridge that arched the flood,
Their flag to April's breeze unfurled,
Here once the embattled farmers stood
And fired the shot heard round the world.

And in praise of that strife, it is good to note a second remembrance at Old North Bridge--and to understand that there are fellow humans on both sides:

"They came three thousand miles, and died,
To keep the Past upon its throne:
Unheard, beyond the ocean tide,
Their English mother made her moan." (Grave of Two English Soldiers)

 

[DixieRifles]

I was lucky to be stationed at Hanscom AFB, MA, during the Bi-Centennial. The base sits on land of Lexington, Bedford and 2 other towns. I lived in an apartment of old house that was within jogging distance of the Lexington Green. Later I moved to Office base housing. Just up the ridge was Fiske Hill where Major Pitcarin had his horse shot out from under him, as I recall.
I stood on the Green at 5:00am on the 200th and watched the Redcoats come marching into town.
The Officers Club had a replica of the flag of the Bedford militia — the first flag carried into battle against the Brits.
Thanks for reminding me. I need to revise my FB cover photo.

 

[DixieRifles]

It sorta looks like a flag for Strategic Air Command.

BTW, this flag was carried to the battle of Concord bridge later that day. Not at Lexington.

 

[lupaglupa]

Those who enjoy visiting battlefields should go to Lexington and Concord. NPS does a great job here.

 

[Fairfield]

I stood on the Green at 5:00am on the 200th and watched the Redcoats come marching into town.

I've attended that event also: we deserved some kind of commendation for being up at that hour! Amazing to think that two armed forces thought nothing of it.

 

[unionblue]

When I was stationed at Ft. Devens, MA, back in 1971-72, our Student Battalion was to participate in a march across the bridge at Concord for a celebration of some sort (can't remember what for, at the moment). It was an awesome sight AND noise, seeing those 500 soldiers march across that structure, slamming their left feet down with a large, noisy, thump, in step and in cadence.

 

[James N.]

Not a thread, but a statement. Today marks the official start of the American Revolution at Lexington and Concord.

By the rude bridge that arched the flood,
Their flag to April's breeze unfurled,
Here once the embattled farmers stood
And fired the shot heard round the world.

And in praise of that strife, it is good to note a second remembrance at Old North Bridge--and to understand that there are fellow humans on both sides:

"They came three thousand miles, and died,
To keep the Past upon its throne:
Unheard, beyond the ocean tide,
Their English mother made her moan." (Grave of Two English Soldiers)

 

[Fairfield]

When I was stationed at Ft. Devens, MA, back in 1971-72, our Student Battalion was to participate in a march across the bridge at Concord for a celebration of some sort (can't remember what for, at the moment). It was an awesome sight AND noise, seeing those 500 soldiers march across that structure, slamming their left feet down with a large, noisy, thump, in step and in cadence.

While you were in Concord, I hope that you received a dish of Indian Pudding!

 

[unionblue]

\

While you were in Concord, I hope that you received a dish of Indian Pudding!

Nope, was marched back to the trucks, rode back to Ft. Devens for more Morse Code training! Blah!

 

[Belfoured]

Those who enjoy visiting battlefields should go to Lexington and Concord. NPS does a great job here.

Definitely agree. There are parts of the Battle Road that pretty accurately convey the lay of the land in April 1775 - same with the bridge in Concord and the land beyond. The "bloody curve" makes it easy to visualize why the retreating British column took casualties there. For other parts of the terrain David Hackett Fischer's excellent Paul Revere's Ride has some great 19th century photos when the features were very much as they were a century earlier.

 

[NH Civil War Gal]

Also remember, the British citizens (we were all British when it started) but the Rebels, didn't fight or march in formation. They took to the rocks and stone walls and it was much easier to pick off the British soldiers as they marched down those roads because they weren't running around as the citizen/soldiers were doing.

@unionblue didn't you find the "Old North Bridge" a little small though? How many men abreast were you?

 

[DixieRifles]

How many men abreast were you?

From all the illustrations I've seen, the British formed ranks on one side of the Bridge but the Rebels were somewhat bunched up and also some skirmishers. I thought I recalled a diorama of this battle.
This is a diorama at the Concord Museum.

 

[DixieRifles]

The diorama was based on an illustration in Allen French's book, "Day of Lexington and Concord".

 

[unionblue]

Also remember, the British citizens (we were all British when it started) but the Rebels, didn't fight or march in formation. They took to the rocks and stone walls and it was much easier to pick off the British soldiers as they marched down those roads because they weren't running around as the citizen/soldiers were doing.

@unionblue didn't you find the "Old North Bridge" a little small though? How many men abreast were you?

As I recall, we were four abreast.

 

[Fairfield]

From all the illustrations I've seen, the British formed ranks on one side of the Bridge but the Rebels were somewhat bunched up and also some skirmishers

The rebels, not being trained soldiers, were probably rather frightened.

 

[DixieRifles]

If anyone is interested, I have special insert from the Boston Globe newspaper that covers the Lexington and Concord battle. I need to give it a new home.
This was published during the Bicentennial. The work is well researched and illustrated with maps that follow the route of the retreating British. It is printed on regular newsprint but in color and it comes in 3 inserts and each one is more than 30 sheets as I recall. But I will have to go dig them out of storage.
Let me know if you are interested.

 

[Fairfield]

If anyone is interested, I have special insert from the Boston Globe newspaper that covers the Lexington and Concord battle. I need to give it a new home.
This was published during the Bicentennial. The work is well researched and illustrated with maps that follow the route of the retreating British. It is printed on regular newsprint but in color and it comes in 3 inserts and each one is more than 30 sheets as I recall. But I will have to go dig them out of storage.
Let me know if you are interested.

If you're looking to rehome it, why not offer it to the historical society of Lexington or of Concord? If they have a copy already, they probably know of neighboring societies which have appropriate soldiers.

Or send it to @unionblue with a dish of Indian Pudding (he seems to have missed out the first time)

 

[James N.]

Definitely agree. There are parts of the Battle Road that pretty accurately convey the lay of the land in April 1775 - same with the bridge in Concord and the land beyond. The "bloody curve" makes it easy to visualize why the retreating British column took casualties there. For other parts of the terrain David Hackett Fischer's excellent Paul Revere's Ride has some great 19th century photos when the features were very much as they were a century earlier.

Fisher's book is the best I've read on not only the title subject but the entire day of the battles and their legacy. At one time Stephen Spielberg had optioned the book for a projected movie but nothing came of it - too bad!

 

[James N.]

The rebels, not being trained soldiers, were probably rather frightened.

It would be well to remember that since the British Empire had been at peace since the end of the Seven Years'/French & Indian War a dozen years earlier there were very few/almost NO combat veterans in the British ranks - in fact there were probably more veterans (of the F&I War) in the ranks of the leaders of the colonists. From accounts, the vaunted Regulars were plenty scared themselves, especially as the day wore on!

 

[Fairfield]

It would be well to remember that since the British Empire had been at peace since the end of the Seven Years'/French & Indian War a dozen years earlier there were very few/almost NO combat veterans in the British ranks - in fact there were probably more veterans (of the F&I War) in the ranks of the leaders of the colonists. From accounts, the vaunted Regulars were plenty scared themselves, especially as the day wore on!

The mental picture of two wary groups facing off certainly isn't the way the confrontation is shown on tv, is it?