CHASING AMERICAN LEGENDS

Ep6 Teaser

Episode 6 – Who Shot First?

 

Ep6 Behind the Scenes Bonus Specials

Extended Scene at the Hancock-Clarke House

 

 

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Who Shot First?

When I found out we were going to Lexington, Massachusetts to watch the re-enactment of the Battle of Lexington and see Paul Revere ride down the road on his horse warning everyone that the British were coming, I was really excited. I’ve heard my dad tell this story a thousand times, but honestly there’s nothing compared to actually going there and watching these guys dress up and act it out. When we got there, I heard that there was also going to be a 10 mile march in the middle of the night like the real Stow Minutemen did, and I knew that was what I wanted to do because it sounded so cool. The people even offered colonial clothes for us to wear (I’m so glad I don’t have to dress like that) and I had to convince my mom that Brad and I could handle it. She finally agreed when Reagan said he would go too, to keep Brad and me out of trouble. Note so self: Listen to my mom next time, because she knows best! 🙂 We also got to visit Reverend Jonas Clark’s home. That’s where we all got to give our opinion of who we thought shot first, and my dad came prepared with one of Reverend Clark’s sermons that pretty much answered the question for us. I’m really glad I got to experience seeing all of the re-enactments, because now when my dad tells the story of the first shot, I can visualize the whole story.

—Rhett Green

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The Facts:
The Lexington Minutemen and the British Regulars faced off in the early morning hours of April 19, 1775. Even to this day, there is much debate about who fired that first shot that was heard around the world.

The Myth:
Did rabble rouser rebels start this battle out of anger? Did someone fire from a hidden position? Or did the British fire first, setting off a course of events they would later regret?

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Patriot’s Day
Patriot’s Day is a Massachusetts state holiday that takes place every April commemorating the first battle of the American Revolution fought on April 19th, 1775 in Lexington, Massachusetts. We highly recommend taking your family and witnessing all of the different re-enactments, celebrations, and parades that take place during the week at all times ofthe day and night. Participating in the festivities and seeing first hand all of the different events that led up to the “first shot,” really brought history to life for us! For our family, this was like going to Disneyworld! There was so much to see and experience and take in with all the re-enactments, that we were practically giddy, feeling like we had stepped back in history! Hopefully, We will make another trip to Patriot’s Day in the future, because one time is definitely not enough! 🙂

Hancock – Clark House
We start and end this episode at the historic home often described as a rallying point for patriots, the house of the Reverend Jonas Clark in Lexington, Massachusetts. Members of the Provincial Congress often visited Pastor Clark’s home after they began to meet in Concord. It has been known as

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an emblem of patriotism since the night of April 18th, 1775. The midnight re-enactment of that famous evening is the beginning of our episode as our family and Brad Stine gathers outside awaiting the arrival of Paul Revere to this specific house to warn Reverend Clark and his very special houseguests, John Hancock and Sam Adams. It is impossible to describe how much we felt transported back in time as we heard the galloping hooves and then Revere’s voice ringing out “THE REGULARS ARE OUT!”
(or as the famous poem said, “The British are coming!”) As the midnight scene unfolds, Brad Stine asks the big question, “who shot first” to start the war and our quest for an answer began!

The Battle of Lexington
It was only a few hours later in the pre-dawn of April 19th, 1775 when the sound of drums called to arms the men of the

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Lexington Militia and they gathered at the triangle shaped common area called “The Green.” Captain John Parker, who led the Minutemen, famously told them, “Don’t fire unless fired upon, but if they mean to have war, let it begin here.” They stood in the chilling dawn outnumbered 10 to 1 as 800 of His Majesty’s Marines, led by Major John Pitcairn, lined up open field. The British troops were on their before them on the same way to Concord to seize arms and ammunition kept there. For a small farming town with a population of about 800, the British Regulars were an imposing sight. After the seemingly mysterious first shot, the two groups opened

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fire on each other. By the time the fight was over, 8 Minutemen were killed and 10 wounded. The Lexington Minutemen, although beat, would later rally together to ambush the British, along with Minutemen from other towns, at a spot now known as “Parker’s Revenge.”

Reverend Jonas Clark
Reverend Jonas Clark was actively involved in the political workings of our nation prior to the famous battle at the Lexington Green, even going so far as to persuade his parishioners to burn their tea on the Lexington Green in protest to the Stamp Act, three days before the now famous Boston Tea Party! He was known as a leading patriot minister, and was respected by the leaders of the revolution. Many say it was his fiery sermons on liberty that primed the guns of the Revolution. It was because of his passionate patriotism that men like John Hancock and Samuel Adams sought safety within his home. Because of his dedication to our country, Rev. Clark was given the honor of delivering the Election sermon to the legislature elected in 1781 under the new constitution.

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Rev. Clark’s sermon on the one-year anniversary of the “shot heard round the world” is a detailed and thorough defense of the Minutemen, and he makes a very strong case for the British being the ones to have fired first.

Excerpted from Rev. Clark’s Sermon:
As to the question, “Who fired first?,” if it can be a question with anyone; we may observe, that though General Gage hath been pleased to tell the world in his account of this savage transaction, “that the troops were fired upon by the rebels out of the meetinghouse and the neighbouring houses, as well as by those that were in the field; and that the troops only returned the fire and passed on their way to Concord;” yet nothing can be more certain than the contrary, and nothing more false, weak, or wicked than such a representation. To say nothing of the absurdity of the supposition, “that 50, 60, or even 70 men, should, in the open field, commence hostilities with 1200 or 1500 of the best troops of Britain,” nor of the known determination of this small party of Americans, upon no consideration whatever, to begin the scene of blood. A cloud express and positive of witnesses, whose veracity cannot be justly disputed, upon oath have declared in the most terms, “that the British troops fired first.”

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And, I think, we may safely add, without the least reason or provocation. Nor was there opportunity given for our men to have saved themselves, either by laying down their arms or dispersing, as directed, had they been disposed to; as the command to fire upon them was given almost at the same instant that they were ordered, by the British officers, to disperse and to lay down their arms, &c. In short, so far from firing first upon the king’s troops; upon the most careful enquiry, it appears that but very few of our people fired at all; and even they did not fire ’till after being fired upon by the troops, they were wounded themselves, or saw others killed or wounded by them, and looked upon it next to impossible for them to escape. As to any firing from in the meetinghouse when the troops were then getting the meetinghouse, as Gage represents; it is certain, that there were but four men came up: and they some ammunition from the town stock and had not so much as loaded their guns (except one, who never discharged it) when the troops fired upon the militia. And as to the neighbouring houses, it is equally

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certain that there was no firing from them, unless, after the dispersion of our men, some who had fled to them for shelter, might fire from them upon the troops. One circumstance more, before the brigade quitted Lexington, I beg leave to mention, as what may give a further specimen of the spirit and character, of the officers and men of this body of troops. After the militia company were dispersed and the firing ceased, the troops drew up and formed in a body on the common, fired a volley and gave three huzzas by way of triumph and as expressive of the joy of victory and glory of conquest! Of this transaction I was a witness, having at that time a fair view of their motions and being at the distance of not more than 70 or 80 rods from them. Whether this step was honorary to the detachment, or agreeable to the rules of war, or how far it was expressive of bravery, heroism and true military glory, for 800 disciplined troops of Great Britain, without notice or provocation, to fall upon 60 or 70 undisciplined Americans, who neither opposed nor molested them, and murder some and disperse the rest, and then to give the shout and make the triumph of victory, is not for me to determine, but must be submitted to the impartial world to judge. That “there is a God with whom is the power, and the glory, and the victory,” is certain: but whether He will set His seal to the triumph made upon this most peculiar occasion, by following it with further successes and, finally giving up this people into the hands of those that have thus cruelly commenced hostilities against them, must be left to time to discover.

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If you’d like a copy of Rev. Clark’s full sermon, Nordskog Publishing has a paperback and Kindle version available under the title, The Battle of Lexington: A Sermon and Eyewitness Narrative, and it can be purchased at NordskogPublishing.com.

Stow Minutemen
While Trey, Kamryn, Rick, & Kara were waiting in the early morning darkness for the Lexington re-nactment to begin, Rhett, Reagan, and Brad were literally marching all night with another group of Minutemen re-enactors for the 10 mile walk to Concord. Before the revolutionary war began, The Provincial Congress requested that 1/3-1/2 of each town’s militia be selected to serve and be called upon at a minutes notice in the case of an emergency, giving them the name “Minutemen.” Although little can be confirmed from that night, what is known is that 80 men of Stow grouped together to face the British at the Battle of Concord, with hope of avenging their brothers from Lexington. While the Green boys and Brad didn’t get much sleep, they got a first hand lesson in marching

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for freedom and even learned a little about the modern day infringements on the 2nd Amendment.

Captain John Parker
John Parker was born on July 13th, 1729, in Lexington, Massachusetts. As a veteran of the French and Indian War, Parker was dedicated to his country and volunteered to lead the local minutemen in Lexington. After the French and Indian War, Parker was a farmer, mechanic, and held various local political positions. Although he participated in the beginning of the Revolutionary War, little is known about his activities or the particular battles in which he fought. He passed away from illness on September 17th, 1775.

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What I Learned:

It must have been hard for those Minutemen to leave the warmth and comfort of their homes in the middle of the night, knowing that they were marching to stand against a powerful army. It was hard enough on us just marching in the cold and taking breaks to drink hot chocolate! I also really liked learning about Pastor Clark and how he was the one that inspired the local people to understand why liberty was worth fighting for. Finally, I learned that Uncle Brad would not have been a very good Minuteman unless he had some minions like Reagan and me to carry him everywhere.

—Rhett Green

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Rick’s Final Thoughts:

1. The Minutemen were literally ready to lay down their lives at a moment’s notice. They didn’t complain, they didn’t give excuses, they just followed orders and did what needed to be done.Sometimes we are asked to simply move into action quickly when called upon, so it’s better to make up our minds now that we will do what needs to be done when the time comes.

2. Sometimes we don’t see the fruits of our actions. We may not enjoy the reward for which we are sacrificing. For the 8 men who died at Lexington, some at the time very well might have thought that they died for nothing; but history shows us that their sacrifice was the beginning of our revolution.

3. Being prepared helps! The Minutemen were only able to take a stand and fight the British Regulars off at Concord because they had taken time out of their lives to train and prepare. We need to be willing to train ourselves in whatever our calling is, so that we can step up when needed.

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Discussion Questions

Essay Questions