In April, 1775, the British Army launched an effort to confiscate Colonial arms in Concord, Massachusetts. On the way, at the town of Lexington, they encountered a company of colonial militia on the town green. A shot was fired, leading to a short engagement on the morning of April 19, 1775. The Battle of Lexington and Concord launched the American Revolution. In response to the Lexington engagement, patriots raised the Lexington Alarm throughout the colonies to mobilize for war.
To commemorate the 250th anniversary of the beginning of the Revolutionary War, we publish the Lexington Alarm raised by the patriots at that historic moment.
TO ALL FRIENDS of AMERICAN
L I B E R T Y.
BE IT KNOWN, that this Morning, before Break of Day, a Brigade, consisting of about 1000 or 1200 men, landed at Phip’s Farm, at Cambridge, and marched to Lexington, where they found a Company of our Colony Militia in Arms, upon whom they fired, without any Provocation, and killed 6 men, and wounded 4 others.
By an Express from Boston, we find, that another Brigade, are now upon their March from Boston, supposed to be about 1000. – The Bearer, Tryal Russell, is charged to alarm the Country, quite to Connecticut : And all Persons are desired to furnish him with fresh horses, as may be needed. I have spoken with several who have been seen the deceased and wounded. Pray let the Delegates from this Colony to Connecticut, see this : they know Col. Foster, of Brookfield, one of the Delegates.
J. PALMER
one of the Committee of S——y
A true Copy taken from the Original,
By Order of the Committee of Correspondence.
Attest, NATHAN BALDING, Town Clk,
Worcester, April 19, 1775.
We encourage all Americans to reflect on the sacrifices made by these patriots in 1775.
