The Minutemen–Citizen Soldiers
On this nation’s Independence Day, we should remember the “shot heard ’round the world”. It is quite possible that there would be no United States of America (in the form we now know it), but for the courage of a small band of ordinary citizens, armed with hunting rifles. The militias of Concord and Lexington, Massachusetts were the first colonists to provide organized, armed opposition to British rule in the Americas. It is their fighting spirit that we celebrate today.
The Battles of Lexington and Concord
Having learned about arms stockpiled in Concord, on April 19, 1775, British General Gage ordered an estimated 700-800 regulars to march to Concord to seize arms, gunpowder, and cannons. (Gage also wanted to arrest John Hancock and Sam Adams, reported to be in Lexington.) Learning of the planned British action, Paul Revere rode to Lexington to alert the militia. Hancock and Adams went into hiding and the Lexington militia (120 or so men) formed up under Captain John Parker. When the British reached Lexington, they arrayed in battle formation on the Lexington Green. Parker told his men: “Stand your ground! Don’t fire unless fired upon! But if they want to have a war, let it begin here!” The British then advanced. A shot was heard, and the British regulars charged and attacked Parker’s force. When the smoke had cleared, the British suffered only one man wounded. However, eight Minutemen died, including Captain Parker’s cousin, Jonus, killed by bayonet.
The British then continued to the Concord arsenal. After securing the roads leading into Concord, the British troops proceeded to destroy powder and weapons. In the process the Concord courthouse was accidentally set on fire. The Minutemen, formed up on the hills outside Concord, saw smoke and thought the British were burning the town. The Concord Minutemen then attacked the British at Concord’s North Bridge. By most reports the Militia fire was much more accurate than the British volleys. Two Redcoat officers were killed, along with many enlisted men. Surprised by this, the British broke ranks and retreated. The Minutemen chased after them and captured the North Bridge. The British then abandoned Concord and marched back to Boston. The Minutemen hounded the Redcoats in retreat, peppering the Brits with sniper fire all the way back into Boston. John Parker lead his Lexington Militia in one ambush of the retreating British, known as “Parker’s Revenge”. Concord/Lexington Battle Map.
Who Were the Minutemen?
As early as 1645 in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, some men were selected from the general ranks of town-based “training bands” for rapid deployment. Men so selected were designated as Minutemen. The Minutemen were often 25 years old or younger, and they were chosen for their enthusiasm, political reliability, and strength. They were the first armed militia to arrive or await a battle. Officers, as in the rest of the militia, were elected by popular vote.
Most Colonial militia units were provided neither arms nor uniforms and had to equip themselves. Many simply wore their own farmers’ or workmans’ clothes, while others had buckskin hunting outfits. Some added Indian-style touches to intimidate the enemy, even including war-paint. Most used hunting rifles, which did not have bayonets but were accurate at long range. The rifled musket used by most Minutemen was also well suited to this role. The rifling gave it a much greater range than the smoothbore musket, although it took longer to load. When performing as skirmishers, the Minutemen could fire and fall back behind cover before the British could get into range. There is a popular notion that most Minutemen were “crack shots”. In reality, some (with hunting experience) were fine marksmen, while others were poorly trained. (Source: Wikipedia.org.)
