Old North Bridge

The Massachusetts Militia was told by the British Army that they were going to seize and destroy military supplies. The men were able to warn their fellow colonists of the impending attack after they learned of it.

The British troops arrived in the early hours of the morning. The provincial militia retreated after a small skirmish. British regulars went to Concord to look for weapons and supplies.

The regulars were able to stop the militiamen from seizing the Old North Bridge. After firing a few warning shots, British troops fired a full volley at the militia. Three of Buttrick's men were killed and nine others were wounded when they returned fire after seeing the dead and wounded.

After being alarmed by the lethal resolve of the provincials, the British retreated from Concord and began a retreat back into Boston. British troops were under heavy fire and had to march over 16 miles to reach the city. The Old North Bridge skirmish in the American Revolutionary War became known as the "shot heard around the world" because it was written into a poem by the author.

The Old North Bridge has been restored and rebuilt many times. It is located next to The Minute Man statue and other important locations from that fateful day in Minute Man National Historical Park. For anyone interested in the American Revolution, this is the place to go. If one closes their eyes and quiets their mind, they can see and hear troops marching, drums and fifes playing, and the roar of gunfire that will lead to a new nation.