With the element of surprise completely gone, the British marched towards Concord. Throughout the night and early morning, the militia from the surrounding towns had gathered outside of town, preparing, and finishing the job of hiding the supplies. They were still burying the cannon in the field when the British troops arrived around 8am. 

After searching Concord, the British split up, looking for hidden arms and rebels. They even set fire to two buildings. Upon seeing the smoke, the militia, fearing the worst, began to march towards town, ready to defend it or die. They were under orders, however, not to fire first.

At the North Bridge, they found a small force of Redcoats attempting to demolish it. Hasty battle lines were formed. 

The British, under Captain Laurie, fired. Two Patriots were killed.

Then, the militia Major Buttrick, shouted “Fire, fellow soldiers, for God’s sake, fire!”

And thus, “the shot heard ‘round the world” was fired. 

America had set her course.

The British retreated with three fatalities and nine wounded, including half of their officers. Confused and separated from each other, the British milled about in disarray, before finally reorganizing in Concord. 

Exhausted from their night march and shocked that the American’s had actually fought back, they formed and began the long march back to Boston around noon. 

Little did they know, the day was far from over.

Pictures from my Boston Trip:

North Bridge, the site of the Battle of Concord