MA, USA
British Expedition Reaches Concord
April 19, 1775
After the brief, bloody encounter at Lexington, Lieutenant Colonel Francis Smith's column continued its march to Concord, the expedition's primary objective. The British arrived around 7:00 AM to find the town largely deserted—warned residents had fled or hidden.
Smith divided his forces. Light infantry companies under Captain Lawrence Parsons crossed North Bridge to search for supplies at Colonel James Barrett's farm. Other units searched the town center, finding some gun carriages, which they burned, and flour, which they dumped. The smoke from burning supplies would trigger the confrontation at North Bridge.
The colonists had prepared well. Most military supplies had been hidden overnight in fields, behind woodpiles, in freshly turned earth, and in neighboring towns. The British found far less than intelligence had promised. Their mission was already failing before the shooting started.
People Involved
Commander of the British expedition to Concord. His slow, cautious approach gave the colonists time to prepare—and his retreat became a disaster.
Senior militia officer in Concord whose farm was the primary target of the British expedition. His family hid supplies overnight while he commanded militia at Punkatasset Hill.
Concord minuteman who fought at North Bridge and later wrote a detailed memoir of the day. His account is among the most valuable eyewitness sources.