"I think Michigan does a lot more to remember the Battles of Lexington & Concord then the state that they actually happened in! The only thing that the Massachusetts media wants to talk about is the Boston Marathon!! They even have the nerve to call it Marathon Monday instead of Patriots' Day!! If I'm lucky one of the local stations might mention the reenactments going on in Concord and Lexington but that is it, the Battles have become a footnote as far as the media is concerned and I don't think it's right!"
Quoted from a Massachusetts friend
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| I am so very thankful to all of the reenactors who participated in making this historical dream of mine come true. My cocked hat is off to everyone here! |
As I type this on my home computer on the morning following the Patriot's Day event, it is raining.
No, in fact, it's pouring! Just as it did two days earlier, on Friday.
But on Saturday - the day of the big event - the reenactment of the Battles of Lexington and Concord - there was no rain, and even a sunshine-filled afternoon!
I call it a blessing.
And because there was no rain, it was a go with our Michigan version of this great historical happening that began the Revolutionary War. Even though the threat of rain scared both spectators and many reenactors off, those of us who took part all put our best foot forward and had truly an amazing day, filled with history, musket fire, and what many consider to be the first reenactment of the year.
Here is a picture-filled post commemorating it - - I was not the only photographer there, for a few friends took some pretty awesome pictures as well, which I'd like to share with you today:
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| The Cady Inn once again substituted for Buckman's Tavern. Even though it was originally built in 1831, it can still quite easily pass as a "publick house" of the 18th century. The building received a new paint job - if you recall, it used to be painted red! |
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| A couple of minutemen preparing for the day - - "The Redcoats seem to be in movement today - perhaps they're up to something." |
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| Inside the tavern, our serving wenches were ready just in case there might be some excitement. |
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Redcoats and militia mix and mingle. |
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| I very much love how this 1831 inn can readily become a tavern from 1775. |
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In fact, here is the inside of the actual Buckman's Tavern~ Taverns were the pulse of 18th century urban life, and their importance to the local community cannot be overstated. These "publick houses" (or 'ordinaries,' as they were also known) have played an important part in social, political, and even military life, though we see them taking more of a back seat in their role in our Nation's history. |
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| We brought along a few period games in case anyone wanted to have a bit of fun, including "Shut the Box" - the game seen here. |
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| Larry had a fine brewing display for visitors. Yes, display only lol~ And what better place to set up than in a tavern! |
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| From inside the inn looking out. |
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| While behind the tavern the militia and minutemen of town were forming up in the case there might be an invasion of sorts. That's Tony Gerring of the 1st Pennsylvania heading up this group. |
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| That is my beautiful wife standing on "her" porch. |
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| Obviously one can tell from the architectural style this is not a colonial-era home. It was built in Northville in 1851. But it works for our purpose, especially when one enters the front door... |
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| ...and sees my lovely wife knitting and also spinning upon her spinning wheel. |
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| Neighbors were always stopping by. ~I've come to look for America! |
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| Right next to the house my wife was in saw the Regulars forming up. That's Doug Lee of the 49th Regiment Of Foot in command. |
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| Barbara took this picture of me strolling along the road. This is actually one of my favorite shots! |
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| Norm, our preacher, took part once again. He is standing in front of the New School Church, built in 1845. |
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| I appreciate the fact that he takes part in our events, including out at the cabin where we do a more immersive presentation (mostly for ourselves). |
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| Jennifer showed up as well, along with her son. Here you see them watching the blacksmith. |
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| Jennifer and I. |
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| The Plymouth Fife & Drum Corps! |
These kids were amazing!
"The Plymouth Fife and Drum Corps consists of students, ranging in ages 12 – 18, who gather from Plymouth and surrounding communities year round in preparation for their performance season."
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| From what I have heard, today was the current group of member's first performance. They were impressive. |
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| Given the fact that they have period clothing added greatly over suits and tuxedos worn by some of the other groups I've seen. |
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| I was honored to have them join us, and I mentioned to them to plan to take part again next year. |
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| Ringing the bell! The Regulars are Coming Out! |
It's been my hope and dream since I began planning this event in 2018 that it would grow into a large, patriotic historical reenactment, rivaling any other out there (except for the one actually held in Lexington & Concord itself). So far it has not grown into a major event yet, but I am proud to say we have kept historical as best we can, for not actually being at the real Lexington or Concord.
And I believe it will grow,
About a half hour before the skirmish/battle took place, the Plymouth Fife & Drum Corp performed period numbers for the visitors, which drew a sizeable crowd. After they ended, I had the opportunity to speak to the audience before they dispersed and told them of the upcoming Lexington reenactment - giving them a little historical background on it - and I mentioned that when they heard the church bell ringing that would be the signal from Paul Revere that the Redcoats were on the march.
So, in Paul Revere form, I rang the church bell to signal the militia inside our version of Lexington's Buckman Tavern that the Regulars were coming out - that they were marching into our town. It also, as mentioned, signaled the visitors of Mill Race that the skirmish was about to take place: the shot heard 'round the world.
I'm so glad Lynn came into the church vestibule to capture this image of me ringing the bell.
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| The Redcoats as they marched into Lexington. Bells were a-ringing!  |
The first shots of the American Revolution occurred at roughly 5:30 in the morning, April 19, 1775. Unfortunately, we cannot replicate the actual time due to
a) can you imagine the folks in the nearby houses awakening to musket fire at such an early hour?
b) what reenactor, except for diehards (such as me lol) would be awake and ready at such an hour?
c) I am sure there would be zero visitors/audience/spectators there to watch.
Still...it would be cool...
So, alas, our Lexington took place at about 11:30 a.m.
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| According to Captain John Parker, head of the Lexington militia: “We gathered on the green in said Lexington to consult what to do, and concluded not to be discovered nor meddle nor make with the soldiers unless they should insult us. Upon their sudden approach I immediately ordered my company to disperse and not to fire.” |
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| About then, Maj. John Pitcairn, commander of the British advance guard, ordered the militiamen to lay down their arms: "Disperse, ye rebels, disperse," or "Lay down your arms, you damned rebels, and disperse," or "Throw down your arms, ye villains, ye Rebels." |
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"Stand your ground," Parker ordered.
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No one knows who fired the first shot, but it was described as "the shot heard round the world" because of the importance the Revolutionary War and the United States would have in world history.
Some of the militia fired back, and the British made a bayonet charge and routed them. Lieutenant Colonel Smith heard the shots and rode into Lexington where he restored order. The fighting lasted for about 10 minutes. Eight Americans were killed and 10 were wounded. |
| The redcoats discharged a volley and charged with fixed bayonets. |
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| Yes, I realize we don't have nearly as many Regulars as I would like, but we're working on that. And those we had did such a fine job indeed! The same for our militia - we truly gave a good history lesson to the visitors. |
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| Most of those rebels were already scrambling to get out of the way. Fifty signed a deposition saying: "Whilst our backs were turned on the troops, we were fired on by them. . . ." |
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| I narrated for the visitors about what was happening. Being that I am a high school classroom parapro, the teacher in me came out and I began asking questions and threatening bad grades - the people seemed to enjoy it as well as the history lesson. |
And as I said to the crowd of visitors, in the space of no more than a few minutes life for the people of Lexington had changed forever. Eight of their neighbors and relatives were dead and ten were wounded.
But that was what happened at Lexington.
Next up - - Concord.
Paul Revere, Billy Dawes, and especially for this particular battle in Concord, Samuel Prescott, the Redcoats were not at all prepared for the amount of militia - Americans - who showed up to fight.
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| The Redcoats entering Concord on the morning hours of April 19, 1775. Arriving in Concord at approximately 8:00 a.m., first thing about 220 Redcoats were ordered to secure the North Bridge across the Concord River and then to continue on another mile to the Barrett Farm, where a cache of arms and powder was presumably located. |
The militia had moved most of the supplies they knew the Regulars were after, and when the Redcoats came, the two groups met, and a shot rang out, followed by shooting on both sides.
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| They were not quite prepared for what was about to happen, especially after the easy move through Lexington. |
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| Try as I may I rarely seem to get a good "flame out of the barrel" photo. Lynn, however, captured a few of them!
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| A growing assembly of close to 400 militia from Concord and the surrounding towns gathered on the high ground where they see smoke rising from Concord. Mistakenly assuming the Redcoats were torching the town, the militia companies advanced. |
As the Minute Men march down the hill, the red-coated soldiers, intimidated by their numbers and orderly advance, retreated to the opposite shore and prepared to defend themselves.
Without these amazing military reenactors on both sides of the line (and all of the civilians/townsfolk, of course), none of this would be possible.
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| The Acton (Massachusetts) Company were at the head. When asked if his men were prepared to confront the Regular troops, Capt. Isaac Davis said, “I haven’t a man afraid to go.” |
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| When Davis’s company came within range, the Redcoats opened fire, killing Davis and another Acton Minute Man. |
Major Buttrick of Concord shouted, “For God’s sake, fire!” and the Minute Men responded, killing three British soldiers and wounding nine others. This volley sent the Regular Army retreating back to town.
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The minutemen hid behind houses and trees and fences. |
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| The militia and minutemen of Concord pushed the Redcoats back. |
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| Smith and Pitcairn ordered a return to Boston, which devolved as the Redcoats are attacked from all sides by swarms of angry Minute Men along what is now known as Battle Road. |
When they reached Lexington on their return, Parker’s men took their revenge for the violence suffered that morning, firing on the Regulars from behind cover. For the next 12 miles, the King's soldiers were continually ambushed by Minute Men shooting from behind trees, rock walls, and buildings. The reinforcements sent by General Gage reached Smith and Pitcairn’s men on the eastern outskirts of Lexington, but the Minute Men continued their pursuit as the Redcoats retreated back to Boston, bedraggled.
At Concord, Massachusetts colonists defied British authority, outnumbered and outfought the Redcoats, and embarked on a lengthy war to earn their independence. This day was politically disastrous for King George and his Regulars, for it inadvertently persuaded many Americans to take up arms and support the cause of independence.
Totals of 1,700 British Regulars and over 4,000 Colonial Militia took part on this day in 1775.
British Casualties totaled 273; 73 Killed, 174 wounded, 26 missing.
Colonial casualties totaled 96; 49 killed, 41 wounded, and 5 missing.
And after the battle had ended:
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| Redcoats The ground was wet and the road was a bit muddy, but the rain stopped early on! |
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| The Militia and Minutemen. |
As for the rest of the day - - -
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| Preacher Gerring, Mrs. Buckman, and all-around good-guy Mark. |
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| Mr. Franklin and Jackie. Ben Franklin was not on American soil during this day back in 1775. In fact, he was not on any soil; he was on a ship crossing the Atlantic from England to America and would arrive in May. |
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| Christy visited my wife. |
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| I am almost silhouetted in this photo. But I do like the look of it. |
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Dr. Bloodsworth - the town physician.
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| Dr. Tripp - the Regular Army's physician. |
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| Knute and myself~ Aside from the benches and lamppost, not a modernism in sight. |
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| A few militia participants. The drummer and the fifer for both sides of the conflict were also members of the Plymouth Fife & Drum Corp. They were awesome! |
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| Dr. Franklin (aka Bob Stark). This man is a Franklin myth-buster. So many of the stories you hear about Ben Franklin simply are not true but have been repeated so often that fiction and stories have replaced truth & fact. |
I am proud of this event. I came up with the idea around 2017 and began planning it over the following two years and held my first one in 2019.
It went so well!
Unfortunately, the following two years - 2020 and 2021 - were years that covid reared its ugly head and we could not have the reenactment. But 2022 found us back and growing stronger!
So here we are in 2023 - the 248th anniversary of the "shot heard 'round the world" - and we did our third commemoration of this important event in our nation's history.
Monday: rain predicted for Saturday
Tuesday: rain predicted for Saturday
Wednesday: rain predicted for Saturday
Thursday: light rain showers predicted for Saturday. Reenactors begin calling off.
Friday: off and on showers predicted for Saturday. More reenactors begin to call off.
Saturday: no rain (except in the very early hours of the day), and even afternoon sunshine! And perfect temperatures for reenacting! Those who came out all told me they had a great time and are looking forward to next year!
There is something special about showing history amidst historic buildings, even if those buildings are not necessarily of the time portrayed. You make do with what you have, and we certainly do!
First off, the Cady Inn, built in 1831, has the architectural style of a building 50 or more years earlier, both inside and out.
Aside from the inn and even the church (built in 1845, but looks so much older), the other structures all resemble their Victorian style. But we have a way of almost magically collectively transforming them into a New England colonial hamlet, as we do on this day and then again on the 4th of July.
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| Many, many thanks must go to Mill Race Village for allowing us to put on such an event! Mill Race is a wonderful historic open-air museum to visit. Click HERE to learn more about it. |
So many thanks to all who came out to make this day such a success: Mill Race Village, the interested guests, and, most of all, the participants who were willing to brave the inclement weather that never happened! lol
Without each, none of this would have taken place.
By the way, the 250th anniversary of Lexington and Concord is nigh---only two years away. It is my fervent wish and hope that we can make this into quite the historical event - one that will be noted with the best of them. Of course, weather can make all the difference so, if you are so inclined, prayers for good weather in advance would be much appreciated!
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| A few of us went to the local Leo's Coney Island Island Restaurant where we ordered decidedly very un-18th century food - love me some good old American Coney Dogs and Burgers! |
Until next time, see you in time.
Thank you to Lynn Anderson, Charlotte Bauer, Barbara Buttery Hierholzer, and Norman Gerring for allowing me to use some of their wonderful photos - mixed with my own pictures - for this post. I do very much appreciate it!
For more information about Lexington & Concord, please click "Buried Treasure: Stories of the Founding Generation"
Sources for this post:
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