The colonists who settled in Massachusetts were mostly British subjects. Fearing that a regular army would interfere with their rights they established instead local militias. These militiamen practiced on the the weekends on the village greens to be ready at a minute’s notice to fight to protect their people and property. They were the predecessors of today’s “weekend warriors” a.k.a The National Guard.
But King George, having decided to tax the colonists sent part of his regular army to Boston which scared the colonists. So the colonists watched and prepared in case they needed to defend themselves, I won’t say against the British since they still considered themselves British at that point in time.
The regulars brought in some brass cannon which the colonists coveted.
To put it in terms a local might have used at the time. “We stole their cannon. They attacked us. We whupped them.”
Where does Paul Revere fit into all this? Well, not quite where Henry Wadsworth Longfellow would have it but close. He was one of two riders sent from Boston to Concord, where the cannon were hidden, to warn the militias along the way that the regulars were on the move. He was captured before he got to Concord, though. And, Dawes, the other guy sent from Boston turned tail and ran back home. They guy who actually got through was a doctor who had been out courting and was returning to his home in Concord.
History depends on who is writing the story.
TTYL,
Linda
Sure wish there was time to visit more of these Revolutionary War sites but not going to happen this trip. I had no idea that Paul got himself captured. I must have slept through history class that day.
I’ve been reading everyone’s adventures retracing the steps of history. I want to do this. Maybe next year ………… maybe.