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As the column of British Regulars approached Concord at around 6:15 a.m., the town’s Minute company shadowed them on the road. Two of the Militia companies were holding the high ground on Arrowhead Ridge, both sides eyeing each other warily. The two sides were so close that the drums and fifes picked up the same cadence.


Militia Snare Drum

Drum, Musical instrument, Membranophone, Serveware

A View of the Town of Concord

 In the foreground are Lieutenant Colonel Smith on the right and Major Pitcairn on the left observing the Provincial troops at the North Bridge. In the middle ground is the column of 700 Regular troops, and in the background a detachment throws Provincial supplies into the mill pond.

The tension of that morning must have been unbearable. The Regulars were surely shocked because of the events of Lexington but Smith pressed on to Concord. The militia and minute companies of that town knew very little of what had happened in Lexington. An uneasy peace reigned over the region.

“[we marched] before them with our drums and fifes agoing and also [those of] the British. We had grand musick. We marched into town and then over the North Bridge a little more than half a mile and then on a hill not far from the bridge where we could see and hear what was agoing on.”

-Amos Barrett, Capt. David Brown’s Company of Concord Minutemen

Galvin, The Minute Men, 147

Image Sources(Click to expand)

National Museum of the United States Army

Concord Museum