1775-04-19: Patriot’s Day
Today marks the start of the American Revolution at Concord and Lexington–The Shot Heard Round The World, “the crack of terrible dawn“. Crittendon has Gen. Gage’s orders to destroy the colonial militia, Paul Revere’s account of his ride, and numerous “sworn accounts” of the ensuing action.
Orders from Gen. Thomas Gage to Lieut. Col. Smith, 10th Regt. Foot, 18 April 1775:
Having received intelligence, that a quantity of Ammunition, Provisions, Artillery, Tents and small Arms, have been collected at Concord, for the Avowed Purpose of raising and supporting a Rebellion against His Majesty, you will March with a Corps of Grenadiers and Light Infantry, put under your Command, with the utmost expedition and Secrecy to Concord, where you will seize and distroy all Artillery, Ammunition, Provisions, Tents, Small Arms, and all Military Stores whatever. But you will take care that the Soldiers do not plunder the Inhabitants, or hurt private property.
It can’t be repeated often enough: the opening shots of the American Revolution were fired over gun control.
Capt. John Parker, Lexington Militia, alleged remarks at Lexington:
Stand your ground. Don’t fire unless fired upon, but if they mean to have a war, let it begin here.
There will be no celebration here in Texas. I can find no mention searching The Houston Chronicle’s website. Nothing at NPR.
Mark it yourself by going to Crittenden’s, and reading some of the accounts.
Tags: American Revolution, Concord, gun control, Lexington, Patriots Day, Paul Revere, Right to Keep and Bear Arms
April 23rd, 2008 at 1:09 pm
Thanks for this! Ironically I started a discussion with my kiddos on the DoI this past week to discuss why the war was needed. I’ll keep this on my calendar for when we study the revolution in depth—that should be next year god willing.