Sacred Ground - North Bridge, Battle Road, Lexington Green, and Menotomy, (Arlington).

Two years ago the hogfamily became volunteers with the Revolutionary War Veterans Association Project Appleseed. (You can find several Appleseed posts in our blog)

Project Appleseed teaches rifle marksmanship and the history of the start of the American Revolutionary War.

Project Appleseed is a great family activity. Hogdaddy and hogboy Travis are in the process of becoming Appleseed instructors and the rest of the hogfamily are Appleseed Blue Hats.

On breaks during the marksmanship training we tell the true history of why the Revolutionary War started and the events of April 19, 1775 with what we call the Three Strikes of the Match. We also tell the stories of Dangerous old Men and Dangerous Women

When deciding on where to go on our summer adventure Lexington, Concord, Battle Road, and Boston were at the top of our list. 

Our first Revolutionary War History adventure started at North Bridge where the "Shot Heard 'round the World" took place on April 19, 1775.

          "By the rude bridge that arched the flood, 

     Their flag to April's breeze unfurled,  

        Here once the embattled farmers stood,

            And fired the shot heard round the world."

"In the field beyond, colonist held their first council of war of the American Revolution. There, on the high ground above the North Bridge, stood 400 citizen-soldiers  -  the assembled ranks of the colonial militia from Concord and surrounding towns. They were determined to maintain their liberty by force of arms if necessary.

With smoke rising from the center of town and the bridge held by 96 British Regulars, they made the decision to march into the town to save it. Under strict orders not to fire first, the Colonist began their march in a “very military manner” towards the Regulars at the bridge below."

“We determined to march to the center of town for its defence or die in the attempt”

 

                         "They came three thousand miles and died, 
                           To keep the past upon its throne.

                           Unheard beyond the ocean tide, 

                           Their English mother made her moan"
                                              April 19, 1775

 

 North Bridge (link)

“This is a piece of the original North Bridge, site of the “shot heard heard round the world.” It was recovered from the Concord riverbed in 1874.”…

It was amazing, emotional, and humbling to actually stand on the ground that our Patriot's blood was shed so that we can enjoy the freedoms that we do today.
  
"Posterity! You will never know how much it cost the present Generation to preserve your Freedom! I hope you will make good use of it. If you do not, I shall repent in Heaven, that I ever took half the Pains to preserve it."  
 -John Adams

  
A few days later, (on the suggestion of an East Coast Appleseed Instructor), we returned to North Bridge to collect some Concord River Water that had flowed under North Bridge to "bless" the Appleseed Rifleman Patches that will be earned during Alaska Appleseed Marksmanship Clinics.

Next we walked Battle Road Trail.

"Battle Road Trail, Minute Man National Historic Park - This 5 1/2 mile pathway for walking, bicycle, or wheelchair follows a part of the route taken by the British Regulars on their march from Boston to Concord and back. The trail parallels route 2A in Lexington, Lincoln, and Concord and Lexington Road in Concord. Along the trail are historic houses, farmlands, wetlands, and fields. Highlights include the the Bloody Angle where the Battle Road made sharp turns providing ambush points for the colonists, the site of Paul Revere's capture during his famous ride, the restored 18th-century house of Captain William Smith of the Lincoln Minute Men, and the Ephraim Hartwell Tavern (now an interpretive site) where travelers were offered bed and board."

Battle Road Trail  (link) 

 Hartwell Tavern.

National Park guides provide a musket demonstration

and a muster drill where you can learn British Military battle formations... it was quite entertaining to watch...

There are several markers on Battle Road Trail that are placed near British Soldier's graves.

The next day we went to the Bedford Public Library to see the Bedford Flag. A family friend and fellow Appleseed Instructor has an interest in the flag so we had to check it out and take a few photos of the flag.

Next stop Lexington Green.


"Lay down your arms, you damned rebels..."

 

Captain Parker and his militia gathered in Buckman Tavern in the early morning hours of April 19, 1775 to await the oncoming British Redcoats.

Musket ball hole in the original Buckman Tavern door fired the morning of April 19 1775.

 A few monuments in Menotomy, (Arlington).

  To be continued...Boston!