MA, USA
British Retreat Begins
April 19, 1775
After the confrontation at North Bridge and the return of search parties from Barrett's farm, Lieutenant Colonel Smith realized his position was becoming untenable. Militia continued to arrive from surrounding towns. His wounded needed care. The road back to Boston passed through increasingly hostile territory.
Around noon, Smith ordered the retreat. What followed was a nightmare: a sixteen-mile running battle as hundreds, then thousands of colonial militia fired on the column from behind walls, trees, houses, and hedgerows. The British, trained for European-style warfare, had no effective response to this swarming, decentralized resistance.
Only the arrival of reinforcements under Brigadier General Hugh Percy near Lexington—with artillery that forced the militia to keep distance—prevented the annihilation of Smith's command. Even so, British casualties were severe: 73 killed, 174 wounded, 26 missing. The myth of British invincibility died on the Concord road.
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.