"The Secrets Buried at Lexington Green " Topic

Of possible interest?

redcoat.me.uk/Secrets.htm

Amicalement
Armand

Not one of your better post sir. The first part, with changing illustrations of the fight at Lexington green is taken (stolen?) From Harold Murdock's essay "Historic Doubts on the Battle of Lexington Green." Really well written, for the 1930's. I really dislike when people take stuff already written and pass it off as their own.

B6- The author of the article cites Murdock immediately after the illustrations.

I wish he had blamed Sam Adams directly for the shot, instead of indirectly.

"But why would a militia force commence hostilities when outnumbered ten to one?"

Perhaps because they had been hanging out in a tavern all night drinking, waiting for the British to arrive.

As I recall, Murdoch's argument was that the Militia didn't, but that Adams persuaded a third party to "instigate" trouble in order to ensure that the war started.

I like the similarities and comparisons between the Boston Massacre and Lexington.
In this case, the "Could it be that…..?" argument makes sense.

I have post worst… (smile)

Amicalement
Armand

Yes. You have.

While working toward a MA in history from George Mason, I wrote a paper about this very subject for a class. I concluded a British officer, while riding onto the green, discharged his pistol and demanded that the colonials disperse immediately.

(smile)

Amicalement
Armand

So what did you base your conclusion on?

I have no real proof, but I've always felt Sam Adams was behind the first shot being fired. I only base this on a gut feeling from what I've read.

Trying to find the name of the British officer who reported a militia member tried to shoot him prior to the main force arriving at Lexington. I recall reading he was mounted and riding in advance when he came upon a militia member. The militia member fired at him, but his musket misfired. The British Officer rode back and reported the man had "burned powder" at him. I took this to mean only the powder in the pan sparked.

>So what did you base your conclusion on?

I'm still trying to figure out where this idea comes from that infantry officers carried around pistols as a regular part of their equipage.

VT – Mounted officers would have had a pair in the holsters under the sheepskin cover at the front of the saddle. The Lexington Historical Society have, or at least had, a pair that it claimed belonged to Major Pitcairn – possibly the only candidate for DJCoaltrain's surmise, since he is known to have called on the Rebels to disperse.

Eyewitness to History.

link

link

The entire class (Graduate level history) studied the Reports submitted by Pitcairn and Smith. We also studied the statements made by the colonials immediately after the encounter, and those they made 50 years later. The professor teaching the class relied on a postscript scribbled on the edge of an official report were-in a British officer claims a colonial fired at the column marching toward the green, but it was a flash in the pan. The professor's logic was idiotic, he argued that the British Officer wouldn't lie in an official report. What an idiot. I asserted that it was Major Pitcairn. Yes,he was mounted.

Very interesting article

When, as a very young boy, and first heard of "The Shot Heard Around The World" I imagined an extremely LOUD blast. It would have had to be if it was heard all the way around the world, right? Shows how literal a child's mind can be.

"I asserted that it was Major Pitcairn. Yes,he was mounted."

Knowing Pitcairn as we do from the historical record, that thesis is lacking a bit in justification.

Amongst the various statements made by the militia are accounts of the Major demanding the colonists disperse. Some allege that he discharged a pistol into the air as to emphasize his demands. He was mounted, by his own admission, and would have had access to the brace of pistols on the mount. Based upon other testimony he also gave an order for the regulars to engage the colonists and to open fire. Also, Major Pitcairn was the officer commanding, which makes him responsible for the actions of the regulars. Captain Parker gave no order to the militia to fire, and according to statements he had already given the command to disperse when general firing commenced from the regulars. Any fire from colonists not among the militia on the green should be regarded as a criminal activity.

I should also say that the answer is highly subjective and cannot be known for a fact. I acknowledge that there are many positions to be staked out in the debate. No one is much better than any other, which makes it fertile ground for discussion.