Amos Doolittle and the Engravings of the Battles of Lexington and Concord
Amos Doolittle (1754–1832) was a silversmith and engraver from Cheshire, Connecticut. In 1775, he was enlisted in the “Governor’s Guards,” a militia company commanded by Captain Benedict Arnold. When news of the Battles of Lexington and Concord reached New Haven, Connecticut, Arnold mustered his company and marched to Cambridge, joining the New England Army at the Siege of Boston around April 29.
While the Siege of Boston carried on, Doolittle received a leave of absence and traveled to Lexington and Concord. Doolittle was accompanied by his friend, Ralph Earl, a landscape artist who was also a Loyalist. Together, they interviewed eyewitnesses and Earl made sketches of the landscape. Afterward, Doolittle used the interviews and sketches to create a series of engravings. In December 1775, Doolittle offered the engravings for sale in the Connecticut Journal. The advertisement read:
“THIS DAY PUBLISHED, and to be SOLD at the STORE of Mr. JAMES LOCKWOOD, near the College, in New-Haven. Four different views of the BATTLES of LEXINGTON, CONCORD, etc. on the 19th of April 1775.”
The four plates are the only contemporary illustrations that were made regarding the events of April 19, 1775, and the first battles of the American Revolutionary War.
Plate I — The Battle of Lexington, April 19th, 1775
This engraving depicts the British advance force, under the command of Major John Pitcairn (seen on his horse, behind the British line) firing on the Lexington Militia, which was under the command of Captain John Parker. See Doolittle Engravings, Plate I for more details.
Plate II — A View of the Town of Concord
This engraving depicts British troops marching in Concord and searching for military supplies while Lieutenant Colonel Francis Smith and Major Pitcairn observe Massachusetts Militia forces gathering east of Concord. See Doolittle Engravings, Plate 2 for more details.
Plate III — The Engagement at the North Bridge in Concord
This engraving depicts the Concord Fight at the North Bridge. See Doolittle Engravings, Plate III for more details.
Plate IV — A View of the South Part of Lexington
This engraving depicts British forces in Lexington, on their way back to Boston. It shows the British reinforcements, led by General Hugh Percy, meeting Smith’s expedition. Upon the return to Lexington, the British set fire to buildings while American forces continued to fire on them from behind the walls and trees that lined the road. See Doolittle Engravings, Plate IV for more information.
