The towns represented in strength were Concord, Acton, Lincoln and Bedford.Īccording to veterrans from Acton, upon taking his place at the head of his company, Captain Isaac Davis said 'I haven't a man who is afraid to go!' Thus the column of 400 men began to march off 'in double file' towards the British soldiers waiting for them at North Bridge. According to one British officer, they did so 'in a very military manner.' Colonel James Barrett, in overall command of the minute men and militia, ordered his combined force 'to march to said bridge and pass the same, but not to fire on the King's troops unless they were first fired upon.' The colonial soldiers then formed with the minute men at the head of the column (Davis' Company from Acton was first) followed by the militia. the militiamen, believing the town was being set on fire, marched down upon the bridge. The colonial militia, with over 400 men, occupied the high ground overlooking the bridge. This is the side where the Minute Man Statue now stands. When the British first deployed at the North Bridge, they were positioned on the west side of the river. Four companies, (about 125 men) under Captain Lawrence Parsons continued west to search the Barrett farm. Therefore, three companies, 96 men, under Captain Walter Laurie remained to guard North Bridge (LI companies from the 4th, 10th and 43rd regiments). If they were to swoop down and take the bridge, the British soldiers at Barrett's farm would be cut off. Colonel Smith sent seven companies of light infantry (about 220 men) across the North Bridge with orders to search for supplies and artillery known to be hidden at Barrett's farm, about a mile west of the bridge.Īt that time, the colonists occupied the high ground overlooking the bridge. Securing the bridges was necessary to prevent rebels from slipping across from remote parts of town to threaten the mission. 'You will observe.that it will be necessary to secure the two bridges as soon as possible.' Colonel Smith, commander of the Britsh expedition to Concord, directed him to take control of the two bridges in town, the South Bridge and the North Bridge. Your graves send courage forth, and might. What then? With heart and hand they wrought,ĭice charged with fates beyond their ken, What earthquake rifts would shoot and run

They came three thousand miles, and died,

7 days to die drawbridge dimensions