250 years ago today, the first shots of the American Revolution were fired. But who fired them?

Warned by Paul Revere, the Lexington Minute Men assembled in the early morning hours of April 19th. When no British troops appeared, they retired to the Buckman Tavern. (No loaded guns were allowed inside, so the men fired their guns into the air. This was the gunfire the British scouting party heard that prompted them to release Paul Revere.)

When a scout came with the news that the British troops were a half mile away, the Minute Men, about 77 under the command of Captain Parker, assembled on Lexington Green. 

The British Major Pitcairn, of the advance party marched in and formed a line of battle.

Captain Parker turned to his men and said: “Stand your ground! Don’t fire unless fired upon! But if they mean to have a war, let it begin here!”

Major Pitcairn, at the front of his troops shouted “Lay down your arms, you damned rebels and disperse!”

Somewhere, a shot rang out.

The British fired a volley and charged with bayonets. Eight patriots were killed and ten more were wounded.

Among the killed were Jonathan Harrington Jr. who dragged himself to his doorstep and died at his wife’s feet. Jonas Parker, cousin of Captain Parker, stood his ground, reloading even while wounded. He was killed by bayonet.

The first blood of the Revolution had been spilled at dawn on April 19, 1775. While the British were victorious at this first skirmish, little did they know they had lost the war.

Pictures from my Boston trip:

Lexington Green (It was the most awe-inspiring thing to stand on the exact line where the Minute Men stood that day.)

Buckman Tavern