Quote:
Originally Posted by BrianL99
Attached is a photo of my hometown of Concord from about 10 years ago and the Old North Bridge (as it is today) where it arguably started (credit to the Concord Journal).
Concord was destination of the British troops. Supposedly, there was a large cache of weapons hidden in Concord. Paul Revere and William Dawes were sent to warn the locals of the British arrival, but never made it to Concord or Acton.
Samuel Prescott was supposedly with his "girlfriend" in Lexington and on his way home, he ran into Revere & Dawes. He was able to reach the Acton Militiamen to warn them. The Minutemen then travelled to the Old North Bridge ( 2-3 miles away) to engage the Red Coats, along with the Concord Militia.
There's always been a rivalry between Acton - Concord, as to how the events of that day truley unfolded, but it did mostly begin at the Old North Bridge, about a mile from Concord Center. The Myths of Samuel Prescott, the “Third Midnight Rider” | Historical Digression |
“ 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.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (on the bridge and Concord).