14. Paul Revere’s Ride

One of the leaders in the Boston Tea Party, on December 16, 1773, was Paul Revere. He was a copper-plate engraver in Boston, greatly interested in the rights of the colonists. When the King of England heard how the people of Boston had treated his tea, he ordered Boston Harbor to be closed, not allowing ships to go in or out. He also forbade their holding town meetings lest they should talk and plan mischief against him, and he determined to hang the leaders of the tea-party, if he could catch them. He appointed a new governor, who at once asked the king for more soldiers, which were sent. The Boston people watched these soldiers closely, and had spies to find out all their plans. One of these spies was Paul Revere. Secretly the Americans stored guns and powder and bullets at Concord, about twenty miles from Boston. They were afraid the British would march from Boston and take these stores which were for their use in case of trouble. Samuel Adams and John Hancock had gone to Lexington because they were not safe in Boston. So the new general secretly ordered eight hundred soldiers to go and arrest these two leaders at Lexington and take the supplies from Concord. When Paul Revere learned of this plan he told a friend to watch their movements. If they started to go by land, his friend was to hang one lantern in the tower of Old North Church. If they went by boat he was to hang up two lanterns. Then Paul Revere silently rowed across the river and saddled his horse ready to start. He saw that every strap and buckle was in place, and quietly waited for the light. At last he thought he saw a spark, so he sprang into the saddle. Then he waited a little. Yes, there were two lights in the old bell-tower. They were going by sea. Off he dashed, faster and faster, over bridges and through towns, stopping at every house to cry out, “Awake, the British are coming!” A bell rang out at Lexington to help arouse the people. The “Minute Men” from all the country round came with their guns. When the British got there they found their secret was out. Just at sunrise the redcoats met the “Minute Men.” The English major cried, “Disperse!” They did not move. He then commanded his soldiers to fire. Eight were killed. Men with muskets sprang up on all sides. This was the first battle of the great Revolutionary war that made America free from England. Through all our history to the last, the American people will never forget

STONE MARKING THE LINE OF THE MINUTE MEN AT LEXINGTON