Event Director:
Dan Wilbanks
Participants:
Vern Frykholm (George Washington)
2nd Connecticut Regiment of Militia
NW Colonial Reenactment Association
The 7th Company, Brigade of Guards
Army of the Columbia Fife & Drum Corps
NW
Colonial
Festival
Sponsored by:
The shot heard ‘round the world
George Washington Society
July 15-19, 2015
Olympic Peninsula Visitor Bureau
The Co-Op Farm & Garden
Wood-Mizer
George Washington Inn & Estate
Hermann Brothers Logging
939 Finn Hall Road
First Federal Savings & Loan
KSQM—FM
Port Angeles, Washington
The Battle at
The Battle at
Lexington Green
Concord Bridge
Daily at 12 Noon
Daily at 2:30 pm
In April 1775, General Thomas Gage, Military governor of Massachusetts and loyal to
the British, sent a force out of Boston to
confiscate weapons stored in the village of
Concord and capture patriot leaders Samuel
Adams and John Hancock who were reported
to be staying in the village of Lexington. This prompted the patriots
to set up an alert system to alert the countryside of any advance of
British troops. Paul Revere arranged for a lantern signal to be sent
from the steeple of North Church - one if by land, two if by sea. On
the night of April 18, 1775, the lantern's alarm sent Revere, William
Dawes and other riders on the road to spread the news. The messengers cried out the alarm, awakening every house, warning of the
British making their way towards Lexington. The peeling of church
bells, the beating of drums and the roar of gun shots all announced
the danger, calling the local militias to action. In the predawn light of
April 19, between 50 and 70 militiamen gathered on the town green
at Lexington. As they lined up in battle formation, the distant sound
of marching feet and shouted orders alerted them of the Redcoats'
approach. Soon the British column emerged through the morning
fog and the confrontation that would launch a nation began.
Following the engagement
at Lexington Green, the
British column then
advanced toward Concord,
spreading out to destroy
some cannons that were
believed to be at Provincial
Colonel Barrett's Farm. As
they neared Concord, they encountered a group of armed militia at
Concord North Bridge. This time when shots rang out the Americans were more prepared, and fired back in "The Shot Heard
Round The World.", and so began the American Revolution. The
short battle at the bridge was a rout, and the British abandoned
the bridge, retreating to Concord center. Knowing that he
was in a dangerous situation,
their commander decided to
return to Boston as soon as
possible. In his retreat the
real battle began.
The Concord Hymn
Ralph Waldo Emerson
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.
The foe long since in silence slept;
Alike the conqueror silent sleeps;
And Time the ruined bridge has swept
Down the dark stream which seaward
creeps.
On this green bank, by this soft stream,
We set to-day a votive stone;
That memory may their deed redeem,
When, like our sires, our sons are gone.
Spirit, that made those heroes dare,
To die, and leave their children free,
Bid Time and Nature gently spare
The shaft we raise to them and thee.