The Redcoats arrived at Lexington, Massachusetts in the early dawn of April 19, 1775. Captain John Parker and his band of minutemen faced them on the village green. “Don’t fire unless fired on,” Parker commanded, “but if they mean to have war, let it begin here.” No one knows who fired the first shot but eight colonialists were killed and ten were wounded. One British soldier was wounded.
After the clash at Lexington, the British continued on to Concord, six miles beyond, intent on destroying the armory there. They were met at Concord Bridge by the militia. The militia was pushed back and the armory was destroyed. On the return trip to Boston, the British were confronted by hundreds of Americans who fired at the British from all sides. The British, led by Lt. Colonel Francis Smith, in retreat, eventually made it back to Charles Town near Boston. The British suffered 273 casualties and the Americans, 95.
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