The Revolution began on April 19, 1775. I contend that we became a country in the battle, but not at Lexington and Concord. They were vital. But they were essentially defensive actions, something that members of the Unorganized Militia may wish to keep in mind in this day.
As the British retreated from Concord, and through Lexington; they had to make the turn towards Boston at a place called Merriam's Corner, named for the owner of the house there. At Merriam's Corner, the militias of all the villages around, which had not been threatened or attacked, began arriving and engaging the British, chasing them back to Boston and besieging them there. They became the American Army.
For the militias from the surrounding villages to march for miles to take on the most powerful military of the age, they had to have a reason. It had to include the concept that the British and Americans were no longer the same people, and THEY were attacking US. And an attack on US at Concord and Lexington required a response from Lincoln, and Mystic, and Malden, and Salem, and other towns. Because, their brother and sister Americans . . . of whatever origin, had been attacked by a foreign enemy.
If it had been just Concord and Lexington standing against the British, eventually the British would have returned and they would have been surrounded and ground down. But being surrounded themselves by patriots from all over, the British attempts at forcing submission were doomed. As I said, a lesson for the Unorganized Militia today.
The Revolution began on April 19, 1775. I contend that we became a country in the battle, but not at Lexington and Concord. They were vital. But they were essentially defensive actions, something that members of the Unorganized Militia may wish to keep in mind in this day.
ReplyDeleteAs the British retreated from Concord, and through Lexington; they had to make the turn towards Boston at a place called Merriam's Corner, named for the owner of the house there. At Merriam's Corner, the militias of all the villages around, which had not been threatened or attacked, began arriving and engaging the British, chasing them back to Boston and besieging them there. They became the American Army.
For the militias from the surrounding villages to march for miles to take on the most powerful military of the age, they had to have a reason. It had to include the concept that the British and Americans were no longer the same people, and THEY were attacking US. And an attack on US at Concord and Lexington required a response from Lincoln, and Mystic, and Malden, and Salem, and other towns. Because, their brother and sister Americans . . . of whatever origin, had been attacked by a foreign enemy.
If it had been just Concord and Lexington standing against the British, eventually the British would have returned and they would have been surrounded and ground down. But being surrounded themselves by patriots from all over, the British attempts at forcing submission were doomed. As I said, a lesson for the Unorganized Militia today.
Subotai Bahadur
Well said
ReplyDelete