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Paul Revere's Ride

You may think you know what happened in April 1775, but if you haven't read this book you probably know only some of the story.

There's a lot in this book, including some background of the events and a realistic look at our ancestors and their worldview. These people risked everything, fought and died for freedom and independence... not simply for themselves... but for to uphold what their ancestors had given them and for their unborn descendants.

There are a lot of entertaining stories and once the battle gets going you can't put the book down.

This book should be mandatory reading for both high school students and foreign college students.

I visited Boston and had an American history buff with me. He took me to Lexington Concord bridge. But most interesting is the trail the Redcoats took to get there and back. It is all very well preserved.

The rebel colonists had a turkey shoot. Redcoats marched down a trail with woods on either side, lots of large boulders for cover too. Trail followed a small creek that was at bottom of ravine that went 5 miles. So colonists had high ground with a crossfire that they couldn’t shoot each other even if they tried.

It must have been horrible for the Redcoats amazing any of them made it back to Boson.


“The British, realizing their vulnerability, decided to return to Boston. Their retreat turned into a rout, however, as thousands of militiamen attacked the British column from all sides. Shooting from behind trees, rocks, and buildings, the Patriots inflicted heavy casualties on the retreating Redcoats.”

The Redcoats were very lucky to make it back alive. After the bridge was torn down in Cambridge, Percy was smart enough to make a rapid turn to Charlestown and safety. General Gage didn't dare send anymore reinforcements as he was afraid of a revolt in the city of Boston itself.

I love some of the quotes in the book... before the action the professional soldiers of 'the King' "laughed contemptuously at the awkward drill, hooting at the clumsy marching..."

Major John Pitcairn of the Royal Marines bragged "If I draw my sword but half out of my scabbard, the whole banditti of Massachusetts will run away."

Those same men were at times running for their lives on April 19th... Major Pitcairn being unhorsed and injured... then shot in the face a few months later at Bunker Hill... Pitcairn was a Marine and one of the Redcoats better commanders... and the war didn't end quite like he thought...

"The British are coming, the British are coming!" is supposedly what Paul Revere said to alert others.

But at that time, "Americans" were still "British".

IIRC, he actually warned "The regulars are coming, the regulars are coming", meaning uniformed British Army personnel.

SIA

surprise_i'm_armed wrote: ↑Tue Jan 11, 2022 1:52 pm "The British are coming, the British are coming!" is supposedly what Paul Revere said to alert others.

But at that time, "Americans" were still "British".

IIRC, he actually warned "The regulars are coming, the regulars are coming", meaning uniformed British Army personnel.

SIA

True!

And the colonists actually helped and incentivized the regulars to desert

Johnny Tremain by Ester Forbes is a novel for teens. Walt Disney made a mini series about the book a long time ago. It is about this time in Boston. Johnny works as an apprentice for Paul Revere.

I had a chance to read it, as an adult. It takes like two hours to read.

You will never take your rifle for granted ever again after you read it. If you don't have a rifle you will go and get one.

You would also ask yourself would I be a rebel or would I be a loyalist? After watching the Walt Disney mini series, I'm sure I said Rebel.

It was a tough question after reading the book.

We have been to Revere’s house and the North Church. Paul Revere signaled from the church. The church is still active and the members give the talks and tours. The tower has two staircases leading up to the belfry. They are both cordoned off so no entry to the belfry. I offered the speaker $300.00 cash for their collection to allow me access to the belfry to photograph. They refused.