Minute Man National Historical Park

Visited: June 2017

Nearby city: Boston, MA

“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.”

-from “The Concord Hymn” by Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1837

In the latter-half of the 18th century, tensions between the United Kingdom and its American colonies, particularly the Province of Massachusetts Bay, had been building and growing. In the 1760s, a long conflict with France, the Seven Years War (known as the French and Indian War in the colonies), had put the British government deeply in debt. British Parliament passed a series of measures designed to increase tax revenue from the colonies, such as the Stamp Act and the Townshend Acts. Parliament felt that since colonists living in America were subjects of the British crown, they should be expected to pay their share to support and maintain the British Empire. Colonists countered that such taxes were unfair, because they did not (and could not) elect any representatives to Parliament. James Otis, a Boston lawyer and politician, succinctly summarized the argument in the phrase “taxation without representation is tyranny.” Over the years, that argument caught on with many living in the colonies, particularly in Boston and the surrounding countryside. Tensions boiled over during the Boston Massacre in 1770 (see the previous post on Boston Historical Park for more info on the massacre: https://paulnationalparks.blogspot.com/2020/07/boston-national-historical-park.html)

This unrest led Samuel Adams, another Boston politician, to organize the Sons of Liberty, a secret group dedicated to opposing British taxation policy, advancing rights of colonists, and ultimately independence from the Crown itself.

In 1773, British Parliament, in an attempt to save the struggling British East India Company from bankruptcy, passed the Tea Act. The Act allowed the Company to have a monopoly on tea sales in all of the colonies. On the night of December 16, 1773, in an act of protest, the Sons of Liberty, some disguised as Mohawk Indians, boarded three British ships laden with the Company’s tea. The colonists then proceeded to dump 342 chests of tea (worth $1.7 million dollars in 2020) into the depths of Boston Harbor.

Parliament’s reaction was swift and severe. The Coercive Acts (dubbed the “Intolerable Acts” by the colonists), completely closed Boston Harbor until the colonists paid for the destruction, almost all local political offices in the colonies would be appointed by Parliament, town meetings were limited to only once a year, it allowed the Royal Governor to order trials of British officers stationed in the colonies to take place back in Britain, and it also allowed the Royal Governor to quarter soldiers in people’s homes. These laws had a severe impact on the economy and stripped the colonies of a certain level of autonomy that they had enjoyed for the past century. Under these laws, the newly appointed Royal Governor, Thomas Gage, quickly dissolved the local colonial assembly. 

For many patriots in the Massachusetts colony, the Intolerable Acts were the last straw. It was time to make the bold move, and declare independence. The open rebellion began when the local assembly simply ignored Gage’s order dissolving it, and continued to meet in the small town of Concord a few miles northwest of Boston. John Hancock served as President of this de facto governing body, now known as the Massachusetts Provincial Congress. In February 1775, the British Parliament declared Massachusetts to be in a state of rebellion. The Provincial Congress called on townsfolk to form militia and to be prepared for hostilities. Members of the local militia came to be known as “Minutemen,” because they were expected to be ready for an attack by the Redcoats at a minute’s notice. These local militias were self-trained soldiers, a ragtag group of farmers, laborers, and artisans. Common everyday folk. 

In April 1775, 700 British Army regulars, under command of Lt. Col. Francis Smith, were preparing to march to Concord with orders to destroy military supplies stored there by the rebel militia. Patriot intelligence was able to discover a few weeks beforehand about the planned march. They were able to move some (but not all) of the supplies to other locations. Upon a signal of a lantern placed in the tower of the Old North Church (one if by land, two if by sea), Paul Revere and other Sons of Liberty would ride out to the militia in Concord, warning everyone along the way that the British Army was approaching. This famous “Midnight Ride” happened on April 18, 1775. 

The British Army met armed militia on the early morning of April 19, 1775 in the small village of Lexington (approximately halfway between Boston and Concord). Not so much a battle, it was more of a skirmish. Shots were exchanged and 8 Minutemen were killed. The British suffered only one casualty. Greatly outnumbered, the Minutemen fell back and retreated about five miles to Concord. The British Army reached Concord and was able to destroy the supplies, gun carriages and a cannon stored in a farm owned by a James Barrett. The British surmised that as word had got out of their advance, that more supplies would be found scattered around the countryside. The British army split up to search for more supplies and weaponry to destroy or confiscate.

A group of about 100 British Army regulars reached the Old North Bridge, north of Concord. There they were met by 400 Minutemen, as a dozen local militias had amassed together.

The militia were ordered not to fire until fired upon, but they were ordered to advance. The British guarding the bridge were ordered to retreat across to the other side of the bridge and hold their ground. When the militia had got about 50 yards from the Army, a shot rang out. It’s unclear who exactly fired the first shot, it was likely a warning shot fired by a panicked British soldier. A few more volleys followed, despite their being no order to “fire.” Two Minutemen who were leading the line marching to the bridge, fell and died instantly. At that point, militia commander Major John Buttrick yelled out “Fire, for God’s sake, fellow soldiers, fire!” 

The revolution had begun.

Overwhelmed by the initial onslaught of the Minutemen and realizing they were vastly outnumbered, the British army at the Old North Bridge fell back and began a tactical withdrawal. As the British Army retreated out of Concord, they were constantly harassed by the guerrilla tactics of the Minutemen, firing in seclusion along the roads, in the brush, in the trees, behind the fences and walls, inside barns and homes. Incredibly, the mighty British were being routed. By the time the Redcoats reached Lexington on their retreat, they were reinforced by Brigadier General Hugh Percy with nearly 1,000 men. However, at that point the orders were clear: cut losses and continue the tactical withdrawal to Boston. 

The Army eventually made it back safely to Boston, but with the Minutemen in pursuit the whole way. Outside of town, the militia constructed defenses and began to lay siege (*which the British were able to lift at the Battle of Bunker Hill - see last week’s post for further details*). By the end of the fighting, the Americans had 49 dead and 39 wounded, but the British suffered more with 73 dead and 174 wounded.

The colonists were frankly stunned that they had been able to drive the powerful British Army off the field of battle. And now that open hostilities had occurred between the armed militia and the British regular army, they realized that there would be no turning back and no compromise. For many living in the colonies, independence would be the only resolution to the war. John Adams, who had been somewhat reluctant to support armed revolution, realized that there would be no other way at this point and commented that “the Die was cast, the Rubicon crossed.” Thomas Paine, a passionate advocate for self-rule, upon hearing news of the battle rejoiced that the colonies had “rejected the hardened, sullen-tempered Pharaoh of England forever.” 

Indeed, the battles at Lexington and Concord eventually led the colonies to establish their own independence. A nation bereft of monarchy and founded on the principles of representative democracy, a constitutional republic guaranteeing unalienable rights, freedom, and equality for all mankind, ever striving to become a more perfect Union. The reverberations of this brazen experiment led to similar popular revolutions all over the globe. The little militia on the hills outside of Boston had truly fired the “shot heard round the world.”

Today this hallowed ground is preserved as the Minute Man National Historical Park. The highlight is the field of that first confrontation in Concord at the Old North Bridge. The bridge there today is a replica of the original, which had been torn down and replaced in 1788, built in 1956.

Here you will also find the Minute Man statue, which captures the spirit, tenacity, and resolve of these brave rebels, who put down their plow to take up arms against tyranny and fight for freedom, independence, and liberty. It was sculpted by Daniel Chester French in 1874. The podium of the statue is inscribed with Emerson’s famous stanza from the “Concord Hymn.” It is a beautiful statue and a place that everyone should visit.

Unfortunately, we were short on time and only stopped at this battlefield, which is just one small part of the larger park. The Park also contains a number of other historical sites: The Wayside - the home of Minuteman leader Samuel Whitney and later the home of authors Louisa May Alcott, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Margaret Sidney; Lexington Battle Green, Barrett’s Farm, Hartwell Tavern, the spot where Paul Revere was captured during his “Midnight Ride”, and the five-mile “Battle Road Trail” which connects Lexington with Concord and approximates the route of the British’s withdrawal while skirmishing with the militia. There are also plenty of ranger programs, and we got to see some re-enactors (British and Patriots) 😀 in character at the Old North Bridge.

Tara and I were so thrilled to visit this place of monumental importance to American history, and cannot wait to go back and visit again. For more info: https://www.nps.gov/mima/index.htm

Boston National Historical Park

Visited: June 2017

Nearby city: Boston, MA

“He said to his friend, If the British march by land or sea from the town tonight

Hang a lantern aloft in the belfry arch of the North Church tower as a signal light —

One, if by land, and two, if by sea;

And I on the opposite shore will be,

Ready to ride and spread the alarm

Through every Middlesex village and farm,

For the country folk to be up and to arm.”

-from “Paul Revere’s Ride” (1860) by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Beantown, the City on a Hill, The Cradle of Liberty...Boston. The story of Boston is the story of American independence, revolution and the birthplace of our country. The Boston National Historical Park protects a number of areas in the city that were important and pivotal in the founding of the nation. These sites are connected by the Freedom Trail, a pleasant 2.5 mile walking path, marked with red brick that makes it easy for tourists to follow.

The sites along the path are: Boston Common, Massachusetts State House, Park Street Church, Granary Burying Ground, King’s Chapel and Burying Ground, Benjamin Franklin statue and former site of Boston Latin School, Old Corner Bookstore, Old South Meeting House, Old State House, site of the Boston Massacre, Faneuil Hall, Paul Revere House, Old North Church, Copp’s Hill Burying Ground, the USS Constitution, and the Bunker Hill Monument.

Most of these sites are free, but the Old South Meeting House, the Old State House, and the Paul Revere House charge admission. 

Settled in 1630 by Puritans from Charlestown searching for a fresh water source, Boston is one of the oldest towns in the country. Boston’s setting on a natural harbor where the Charles River empties into the Massachusetts Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, made it a key trading hub and a center for the shipping and fishing industries. Boston was the largest city in the British colonies in North America until the mid 1700s when it was surpassed by New York City and Philadelphia. 

Boston is a must-visit for anyone who loves American history. We walked the Freedom Trail, it was great to learn about the story of the American revolution, and walk in the footsteps of such luminaries as Paul Revere and other Founding Fathers. We started our day in the Boston Common, a beautiful city park, and the beginning of the Freedom Trail.

Established in 1634, Boston Common is the oldest city park in the United States. Just across the street from the park, is the famous spot that served as the exterior shot for the bar in the TV sitcom “Cheers.” Although not part of the NPS, it’s a cool spot and I’m a big fan of the show. Take some time to see the place where “everybody knows your name.” 😀😀

The next stop is the Massachusetts State House, built in 1798. It contains the offices of the Governor and other important executive officials, and is where the State House and State Senate meet.

Next up is the Park Street House. Built in 1809, it is a Conservative Congregational Church and was the tallest building in the United States from 1810 to 1828. The Church is right next to the Granary Burying Ground, the final resting place for many patriots, such as Paul Revere, and three signers of the Declaration of Independence: John Hancock (who famously signed in large letters so that King George could see it without putting on his spectacles), Samuel Adams, and Robert Treat Paine.

King’s Chapel, completed in 1754, is one of the great examples of colonial architecture and designed by noted architect Peter Harrison. Known as the “Stone Chapel” during the revolution, it was the meeting place for a Christian Unitarian congregation. 

The Old South Meeting House, built in 1729, served as a Congregational Church. It was the famous meeting point where the Boston Tea Party was organized on December 16, 1773.

Next up is one of the highlights of the Freedom Trail, the Old State House. Built in 1713, it was the seat of the Massachusetts General Court, and is one of the oldest public buildings in the country. The building was also home to the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court and the Massachusetts Assembly. After the revolution, the building served as the seat of state government until 1798.

On March 5, 1770 the Boston Massacre occurred in front of the building. Tensions between colonists and British soldiers stationed in Boston had been building for years. It’s not entirely known how the violence started, but a mob of colonists started to form around a British soldier standing guard at the Old State House. Other soldiers arrived and tried to disperse the crowd. The crowd started to throw snowballs and other objects at the soldiers and taunting them to fire. Finally, a thrown object struck British Private Montgomery, knocking him down to the ground and causing him to drop his musket. Montgomery recovered his weapon and yelled “Damn you, fire!” and fired indiscriminately into the gathered crowd. More volleys from the British soldiers followed. At the end of the day, 5 colonists had died, and 6 wounded. Among the dead was Crispus Attucks, a freed slave of African and Native American descent. Contemporaries considered him a martyr in the cause of freedom, and he is usually considered the first casualty of the Revolution.

Eight British soldiers and their commanding officer, Captain Preston, were charged and indicted with murder. No attorney in Boston had any interest in defending the soldiers on these charges, but John Adams bravely took the challenge. John Adams was a prominent attorney and was a well-known opponent of the Stamp Act and other taxes enacted by the British authorities. Although Adams generally supported independence and knew taking the case would likely damage his reputation, Adams had a strong belief that those accused of a crime had a right to zealous representation and a fair trial. During opening arguments to the jury, Adams pleaded that “facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passion, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence.” Six of the soldiers and Capt. Preston were acquitted by the jury, and two were convicted on a lesser charge of manslaughter. Patriots respected Adams’ integrity in conducting the defense, and Adams would be a strong proponent for liberty and independence in the Revolution, and would go on to serve as the first Vice President and second President of the United States.

Samuel Adams, John Adams’s cousin and a bit more of a firebrand than him, referred to the incident as the “Boston Massacre” and made sure that the event would not leave the public consciousness by holding annual commemorations. The Boston Massacre was crucial to turning colonial sentiment against British authority and fostered support for the Patriot cause.

On July 18, 1776, the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence was done on the balcony of the Old State House. This site might be one of the most important places in the birth of the nation.

The balcony where the Declaration of Independence was first proclaimed to jubilant crowds.

The next stop is Faneuil Hall. Built in 1743, it functioned as a marketplace and meeting hall. It was the site of many speeches by Samuel Adams, James Otis (who coined the phrase “Taxation without Representation is tyranny”) and other champions of liberty and independence.

Take some time to shop and get lunch in the marketplace. We ate at the Bell in Hand Tavern. Built in 1795, it is perhaps the oldest operating bar and eatery in the entire country. We cooled down from the hot summer sun with drinks and oysters, just like the patriots of yesteryear did.

Next up is the home of Paul Revere. Paul Revere was a silversmith and member of the Sons of Liberty, a secret organization that protested British taxation measures and championed the cause of freedom and independence. 

The home was built sometime around 1680. No pictures allowed inside the home, but make sure to take the tour.

By April 1775, the Sons of Liberty got word that the British Army was planning to crackdown on the rebellious Massachusetts Provincial Congress, meeting in the town of nearby Concord. Paul Revere and William Dawes were assigned to alert the militia (the “minutemen”) when British forces began the march. They planned for Robert Newman, a sexton at the nearby Old North Church, to light a lantern in the Church’s tower (one light if the British forces advanced by land; and two if by sea). Once they saw the light, Revere and Dawes ferociously rode their horses on a “midnight ride” to alert colonists in Charlestown that “the British are coming! The British are coming!” (This is of course the popular phrase used by Longfellow, Revere actually said something along the lines of “the Regulars are coming out!”). Thanks to Revere’s effort, the Patriots were ready to engage with the British Army at Lexington and Concord, the first battles of the Revolutionary War.

The Old North Church was built in 1723 and is the oldest standing church building in Boston. The church is a mission of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts. It’s a beautiful building inside, take some time to go through the pews. One of the pews was famously visited by Theodore Roosevelt.

Now cross the river and see the USS Constitution (aka “Old Ironsides”). The Constitution is a wooden hulled, three-masted heavy frigate. The ship was launched in 1797, one of the six original frigates of the US Navy. She is the oldest commissioned naval vessel in the entire world that is still afloat. It saw action in the Barbary Wars and the War of 1812 (where she defeated 5 British warships), and was retired from active service in 1881. To this day, she is served by a crew of 60 active-duty officers and sailors. The ship now serves as a “floating museum” and is well worth a visit.

The last stop on the Freedom Trail is the memorial to the Battle of Bunker Hill. The earliest major battle of the Revolutionary War, fought on June 17, 1775. British troops in Boston started to venture out to nearby hills outside of Boston, in order to secure control of the entire harbor. Colonist forces had constructed a redoubt on Breed’s Hill on Charlestown peninsula, north of town. *(most of the fighting occurred on Breed’s Hill, but for whatever reason, the battle was named after nearby Bunker Hill)*

The militia was low on supplies and ammo, so as the British approached, William Prescott famously ordered the colonists not to fire until they could see “the whites of their eyes.” The Patriots fought valiantly, but they were pushed off the hills outside Boston and retreated. However, the British victory was costly. They had lost 1,054 compared to the 450 lost on the American side. After the battle, the British knew that the upstart, rag-tag colonists would be a formidable foe.

No visit to Boston would be complete without walking the entirety of the Freedom Trail to learn about the history of our great nation. More info here: https://www.nps.gov/bost/index.htm