Concord

= = =__The Battle of Concord__=
 * toc**

The battle of Concord was fought on April 19,1775. The battle was fought at the town of Concord Massachusetts. The battle was fought shortly after the battle of Lexington. The battle was fought between British and rebelling colonists. The objective of the battle was for the British to wipe out the rebels at Lexington and Concord.

__Cause of the battle__
On the night of April 18, 1775, Dr. Samuel Prescott alerted the town of Concord of the British advance. Concord was the major weapons facility for the minute men. As daylight rose, the redcoats were heading to Lexington. At Lexington, there was a force of 75 minutemen waiting for them there. As the British approached them, the minutemen were told to step aside. They were about to do so when someone (believed to be an American) fired a shot into the air. After this, the British opened fire on the minutemen. At the end of Lexington, one Redcoat was injured and eight minute men were dead.

**__April 19, 1775__**
On the morning of April 19, 1775, after defeating the minutemen at the battle of Lexington, the British marched to the nearby town of Concord to destroy the militia arsenal there. The British marched to Concord to destroy the weapons, and eat breakfast. Along with that, some searched some of the homes in the town to see if they could find anything. Outside the town, a force of 400 minutemen were gathering. From where they were standing, they could see smoke rising from different parts of the town. Soon afterward, the minutemen left the hilltop and marched to the town. At the North Bridge over the Concord River. At first, several shots rang out but no one was killed or injured. At this, the Americans believed that the British were merely trying to intimidate the band of rebels. They quickly learned otherwise. The British opened fire and two Americans were killed. The minutemen imediatly returned fire. At this, the British broke ranks and retreated back to the town. They sent for reinforcements. The British waited till noon but soon learned that the reinforcements hadn't left till 91m and were still miles away.
 * The March to Concord**
 * The North Bridge**

After learning of the distance of the reinforcements, the British made the decision to retreat back to Boston. The British marched out of the town. Afterward, churchbells started ringing signalling farmers and others nearby to pick up their muskets and follow the British. As the British marched back to Boston, sharpshooters setup in the trees and other secluded places and started taking down the open targets. As the British marched, more colonists from nearby started shooting down the British. After it was all over, it was a glorious success for the Americans killing 73 and wounding 147, and missing 26. The Americans only sustained 49 losses and 39 wounded. Along with that, five of their own were missing.
 * The Retreat Back to Boston**



__Aftermath of the battle__
After the battle of Lexington and Concord, the Revolutionary war had definately begun. The war would continue through 1863 to the British surrender and the birth of a new nation. The battle of concord was in deed a mark in history. The battle was mainly a true message to King George that the colonists were rebelling. Many don't know about the battle. If the minutemen hadn't stopped the british and turned them back to Boston, it could have been a completely different outcome.

**__Influences__**
The Battle of Concord was one of the most influencial battles of the American Revolution. This would be and insperation that would bring on one of the most historical revoloutions in history. It was a battle that brought realization of the need of freedom and would bring on the birth of a new nation. A nation which today is the true symbol of freedom.

__References__
www.britishbattles.com http://www.britishbattles.com/concord-lexington.htm**

(The Battle of Concord)www.us history.com http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h655.html**

Garraty,John A. Copywright 1994,1991 by Holt,Rinehart and Winston,Inc.**