Battles of Lexington and Concord

        On April 15,1776, General Thomas Gage, appointed military governor of Massachusets, was ordered to capture John Hancock and Samuel Adams and to seize the weapons at Concord. To accomplish this he assembled "The Flanking units" from his Boston Garrison. In charge of the mission were Lieutenant Colonel Francis Smith and Marine Major John Pitcairn. Gage did not inform his officers of his plans until the last minute in an effort to keep it a secret. However, many rebels were settled in Boston to spy on the British. Rebels knew of the British's every action and when the plant was put into motion, the entire countryside had been alerted to their presence. At midnight on April 19th, 650-900 troops left Boston to March towards Concord. Unknown to them, they were followed closely by alarm riders Paul Revere and William Dawes.

          

        At dawn, the troops under the command of Major Pitcairn arrived at Lexington Green. A group of armed militia led by John Parker stood in formation. Parker ordered his men to disperse when the first war shot was was heard. This shot was called "the shot heard round the world". No one knows who fired the first but upon hearing the shot, the British army fired upon the militia, killing eight and wounding ten more. The militia retreated into the woods to avoid British fire. The army now advanced to Concord and at Concord North Bridge encountered a group of armed militia. The British retreated to Concord Center.

        When Smith decided to return to Boston, militia and minutemen from surrounding town cornered the British. Americans did not fight as British men did. Colonists formed small squads and company tactics to flank the British. Americans fought from behind the trees, walls, etc. This fighting style caused British troops to break ranks while they retreated toward Lexington. At Lexington, Lord Percy used his two cannons to disperse the colonists and collect British troops. The British suffered many losses, nearly 20% deaths. At Boston, loyalists and British were confined by the Patriots. However, this event led to more colonists joining the cause of independence.