Opening of the War of the Revolution

Essential Facts

• Date: Clarke delivered this address as part of his sermon on April 19, 1776.
• Title: Opening of the War of the Revolution, 19th of April 1775: A Brief Narrative of the Principal Transactions of the Day
• Topic: The Battles of Lexington and Concord
• Location: Church of Christ, Lexington, Massachusetts

Key Details

• Jonas Clarke was a clergyman and Patriot who graduated from Harvard College (1752) and was the third pastor of the Church of Christ in Lexington, Massachusetts. He married Lucy Bowles. John Hancock was her cousin.
• Clarke’s home is known as the Hancock-Clarke House because it was built by the Hancock Family, and John Hancock lived there as a child.
• On the night of April 18–19, 1775, Samuel Adams and John Hancock were staying with Reverend Clarke at his home in Lexington in between sessions of the Massachusetts Provincial Congress.
• On April 14, 1775, General Thomas Gage received a letter from his superiors in London, instructing him to take action.
• Gage responded by making preparations to send troops to Concord to find, seize, and destroy military supplies he had been told by his spies were hidden there.
• Patriot spies in Boston noticed changes in troop movements as the British prepared to march to Concord and notified Joseph Warren, head of the Committee of Safety.
• Warren sent a message to Adams and Hancock, warning them of the potential danger, with one of his best Express Riders, Paul Revere.
• Revere delivered the message, and on his way back to Boston, he stopped in Charlestown, where he made arrangements with Colonel William Conant for the famous signal lanterns indicating “One if by land, Two if by sea.”
• Revere returned to Lexington early in the morning of April 19, where we warned Adams and Hancock that the British were marching to Concord.

Narrative

Following the Battles of Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts Militia forces started the Siege of Boston, which lasted until March 17, 1776. When British forces sailed away from Boston Harbor, they never returned. A little over a month later, Reverend Jonas Clarke delivered a sermon to his congregation at Christ Church and added his narrative of the events of April 19, 1775.

Please note that we have made minor text corrections and edits but have not changed the author’s meaning or intent. These changes have been made to help readers, particularly younger ones, understand the text. We have also added spacing and section headings to help readers scan the text and added notes for context.

Clark’s Narrative of the April 19, 1775

As it was not consistent with the limits of a single discourse to give a full account of the particulars of this most savage and murderous affair, the following plain and faithful narrative of facts, as they appeared to us in this place, may be a matter of satisfaction.

April 18

On the evening of the eighteenth of April, 1775, we received two messages; the first verbal, the other by express, in writing, from the committee of safety, who were then sitting in the westerly part of Cambridge, directed to the Honorable John Hancock, Esq; (who, with the Honorable Samuel Adams, Esq; was then providentially with us) informing, “that eight or nine officers of the king’s troops were seen, just before night, passing the road towards Lexington, in a musing, contemplative posture; and it was suspected they were out upon some evil design.”

AHC Notes

• General Thomas Gage sent a contingent of British officers on horses to patrol the roads. They were tasked with keeping the roads clear so the British Expedition could march to Concord unmolested and with as little warning as possible.
• The Committee of Safety met at the Black Horse Tavern in Menotomy, the “western part of Cambridge.”
• Richard Devens and Abraham Watson, members of the Committee of Safety, were returning to their homes in Charlestown when they saw the British Patrol. They returned to the Black Horse Tavern and warned the other members of the Committee.
• Elbridge Gerry sent an Express Rider to Lexington with a message warning Adams and Hancock that British soldiers were on the road.
• 18-year-old Solomon Brown was returning to Lexington when he saw the British Patrol. Brown went to Munroe Tavern in Lexington and reported what he had seen to Sergeant William Munroe.

As both these gentlemen had been frequently and even publicly, threatened, by the enemies of this people, both in England and America, with the vengeance of the British administration: — And as Mr. Hancock in particular had been, more than once, personally insulted, by some officers of the troops, in Boston; it was not without some just grounds supposed, that under cover of the darkness, sudden arrest, if not assassination might be attempted, by these instruments of tyranny!

To prevent anything of this kind, ten or twelve men were immediately collected, in arms, to guard my house through the night.

• AHC Note — After he was notified by Brown, Munroe gathered men from his militia company and had them guard Clarke’s house.

The British Patrol Passes Through Lexington

In the meantime, said officers passed through this town, on the road towards Concord: It was therefore thought expedient to watch their motions, and if possible make some discovery of their intentions. 

Accordingly, about 10 o’clock in the evening, three men on horses were dispatched for this purpose. As they were peaceably passing the road towards Concord, in the borders of Lincoln, they were suddenly stopped by said officers, who rode up to them, and putting pistols to their breasts and seizing their horses bridles, swore, if they stirred another step, they should be all dead men!

The officers detained them several hours, as prisoners, examined, searched, abused, and insulted them; and in their hasty return (supposing themselves discovered), they left them in Lexington.

• AHC Note — The three men were Solomon Brown, Jonathan Loring, and Elijah Sanderson. Their testimony is found in Deposition #1, given to the Massachusetts Provincial Congress.

Said officers also took into custody, abused, and threatened with their lives several other persons; some of whom they met peaceably passing on the road, others even at the doors of their dwellings, without the least provocation, on the part of the inhabitants, or so much as a question asked by them.

The Midnight Riders

Between the hours of twelve and one, on the morning of the nineteenth of April, we received intelligence, by express, from the Honorable Joseph Warren, Esq; at Boston, “that a large body of the king’s troops (supposed to be a brigade of about 12, or 1500) were embarked in boats from Boston, and gone over to land on Lechmere’s Point (so called) in Cambridge: And that it was shrewdly suspected, that they were ordered to seize and destroy the stores, belonging to the colony, then deposited at Concord,” in consequence of General Gage’s unjustifiable seizure of the provincial magazine of powder at Medford, and other colony stores in several other places.

AHC Notes

• The “express” sent by Warren was delivered by Paul Revere and William Dawes. Warren sent two riders, hoping at least one of them would avoid capture on the road and make it to Lexington.
• After delivering the messages, Revere and Dawes rested their horses and then started for Concord. They were joined on the road by Samuel Prescott, who Revere called a “high Son of Liberty” in his report, which is memorialized in “Paul Revere’s Ride.” Revere recounted the events of the night again in 1798 in a letter he wrote to Reverend Jeremy Belknap.
• The British Patrol stopped them on the road just west of Lexington. Dawes and Prescott escaped, but Revere was taken as a prisoner and held with Brown, Loring, and Sanderson.

The Lexington Militia Assembles

Upon this intelhgence, as also upon information of the conduct of the officers as above-mentioned, the militia of this town were alarmed, and ordered to meet on the usual place of parade; not with any design of commencing hostilities upon the king’s troops, but to consult what might be done for our own and the people’s safety: And also to be ready for whatever service providence might call us out to, upon this alarming occasion, in case overt acts of violence, or open hostilities should be committed by this mercenary band of armed and blood-thirsty oppressors.

• AHC Note — Captain John Parker led the Lexington Militia.

About the same time, two persons were sent express to Cambridge, if possible, to gain intelligence of the motions of the troops and what route they took.

The militia met according to order and waited for the return of the messengers, that they might order their measures as occasion should require. Between 3 and 4 o’clock, one of the expresses returned, informing that there was no appearance of the troops on the roads, either from Cambridge or Charlestown, and that it was supposed that the movements in the army the evening before were only a feint to alarm the people.

Upon this, therefore, the militia company were dismissed for the present but with orders to be within call of the drum — waiting the return of the other messenger, who was expected in about an hour, or sooner, if any discovery should be made of the motions of the troops.

• AHC Note — Some of the men returned home, while others went to Buckman’s Tavern.

But he was prevented by their silent and sudden arrival at the place where he was, waiting for intelligence. So that, after all this precaution, we had no notice of their approach, ‘till the brigade was actually in the town, and upon a quick march within about a mile and a quarter of the meeting house and place of parade.

The Alarm Sounds in Lexington

However, the commanding officer thought best to call the company together — not with any design of opposing so superior a force, much less of commencing hostilities, but only with a view to determine what to do, when and where to meet, and to dismiss and disperse.

Accordingly, about half an hour after four o’clock, alarm guns were fired, and the drums beat to arms, and the militia were collecting together. Some, to the number of about 50, or 60, or possibly more, were on the parade; others were coming towards it. 

In the meantime, the troops, having thus stolen a march upon us, and to prevent any intelligence of their approach, having seized and held prisoners several persons whom they met unarmed upon the road, seemed to come determined for murder and bloodshed; and that whether provoked to it, or not!

The British Expedition Prepares for Hostilities

When within about half a quarter of a mile of the meeting-house, they halted, and the command was given to prime and load; which being done, they marched on ‘till they came up to the east end of said meeting-house, in sight of our militia (collecting as aforesaid) who were about 12, or 13 rods distant.

AHC Notes

• The British stopped near Vine Brook. When the march resumed, Major John Pitcairn rode at the head of the column.
• A “rod” is a unit of measurement, approximately 16.5 feet (5.5 yards).
• 13 rods is about 214.5 feet (71.5 yards)

Parker Orders the Militia to Disperse

Immediately upon their appearing so suddenly and so nigh, Captain Parker, who commanded the militia company, ordered the men to disperse and take care of themselves and not to fire. 

Upon this, our men dispersed — but, many of them, not so speedily as they might have done, not having the most distant idea of such brutal barbarity and more than savage cruelty from the troops of a British King, as they immediately experienced!

• AHC Note — Despite what Clarke says here, legend says Captain Parker first told his men, “Stand your ground, do not fire unless fired upon…If they mean to have a war, let it begin here.”

The Battle of Lexington

For, no sooner did they come in sight ight of our company, but one of them, supposed to be an officer of rank, was heard to say to the troops, “Damn them; we will have them!” Upon which the troops shouted aloud, huzza’d, and rushed furiously towards our men. 

About the same time, three officers (supposed to be Col. Smith, Major Pitcairn and another officer) advanced, on horse back, to the front of the body, and coming within 5 or 6 rods of the militia, one of them cried out, “ye villains, ye Rebels, disperse; Damn you, disperse!” — or words to this effect.

One of them (whether the same, or not, is not easily determined) said, “Lay down your arms; Damn you, why don’t you lay down your arms!” The second of these officers, about this time, fired a pistol towards the militia as they were dispersing.

The foremost, who was within a few yards of our men, brandishing his sword, and then pointing towards them, with a loud voice said to the troops, “Fire! — By God, fire!”’ — which was instantly followed by a discharge of arms from the said troops, succeeded by a very heavy and close fire upon our party, dispersing, so long as any of them were within reach.

AHC Notes

• Clarke says the British were about 99 feet (33 yards) from the Lexington Militia.
• According to Deposition #4, Captain Parker responded to Pitcairn by ordering his men to disperse. 
• While the Lexington Militia dispersed, many took their weapons with them, refusing to leave them for the British to confiscate.
• William Draper was visiting Lexington and testified in Deposition #11 that “…the Commanding Officer of the troops (as I took him) gave the command to the troops to ‘fire! Fire! Dam you fire!’…”
• Timothy Fessenden testified in Deposition #12 that a British officer brandished his sword and “…pointed it Down towards said Militia, and immediately on which the said Regulars fired a Volley at the Militia…”
• Lieutenant Colonel Francis Smith was the commanding officer of the British Expedition. However, he was not in Lexington when the battle occurred. Earlier in the march, he sent Pitcairn and some troops ahead of the main column. Pitcairn was supposed to go ahead to Concord and secure the bridges. When Smith heard the shots being fired in Lexington, he sped up the march and arrived soon after.

Eight were left dead upon the ground! Ten were wounded. The rest of the company, through divine goodness, were (to a miracle) preserved unhurt in this murderous action!

• AHC Notes — See Battles of Lexington and Concord and Battle of Lexington for more details about the British Expedition and the events that took place.

The First Shot

As to the question, “Who fired first?” — if it can be a question with any; we may observe, that though General Gage hath been pleased to tell the world, in his account of this savage transaction, “that the troops were fired upon by the rebels out of the meeting-house, and the neighbouring houses, as well as by those that were in the field; and that the troops only returned the fire, and passed on their way to Concord;” — yet nothing can be more certain than the contrary, and nothing more false, weak or wicked, than such a representation.

To say nothing of the absurdity of the supposition, that 50, 60, or even 70 men, should, in the open field, commence hostilities with 12, or 1500, of the best troops of Britain (*), nor of the known determination of this small party of Americans, upon no consideration whatever, to begin the scene of blood (**).

Author Notes

• (*) — 1,200 or 1,500, was the number we then supposed the brigade to consist of: though afterwards, by the best accounts, it appeared, that there were but about 800.
• (**) — From a most intimate acquaintance with the sentiments of the inhabitants of this town, then collected in arms, I think I may boldly assert, that it was their known determination not to commence hostilities, upon the king’s troops, though they were equally determined to stand by their rights to the last.

A cloud of witnesses, whose veracity cannot be justly disputed, upon oath have declared, in the most express and positive terms, that the British troops fired first (*).

• Author Note (*) — See narrative and depositions, published by authority.
• AHC Note — Following the Battles of Lexington and Concord, the Massachusetts Provincial Congress had eyewitnesses interviewed so a report could be compiled and sent to the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia and officials in London. A total of 23 depositions were taken.

And I think, we may safely add, without the least reason or provocation — Nor was there opportunity given, for our men to have saved themselves, either by laying down their arms, or dispersing, as directed, had they been disposed to; as the command to fire upon them was given almost at the same instant, that they were ordered, by the British officers, to disperse, to lay down their arms, etc.

In short, so far from firing first upon the king’s troops; upon the most careful inquiry, it appears, that but very few of our people fired at all; and even they did not fire ‘till after being fired upon by the troops, they were wounded themselves, or saw others killed, or wounded by them, and looked upon it next to impossible for them to escape.

As to any firing from the meeting-house, as Gage represents; it is certain, that there were but four men in the meeting house, when the troops came up: and they were then getting some ammunition, from the town stock, and had not so much as loaded their guns (except one, who never discharged it) when the troops fired upon the militia. 

• AHC Note — In his report, General Gage said, “…several Shots were fired from a Meeting-House on the left…” According to Gage, his men only fired on the Lexington Militia after provincials fired on them from the Meeting House and other places.

And as to the neighbouring houses, it is equally certain that there was no firing from them unless after the dispersion of our men, some, who had fled to them for shelter, might fire from them upon the troops.

The British Celebrate Their “Victory”

One circumstance more, before the brigade quitted Lexington, I beg leave to mention, as what may give a further specimen of the spirit and character, of the officers and men, of this body of troops. After the militia company were dispersed and the firing ceased, the troops drew up and formed in a body on the common, fired a volley, and gave three huzzas by way of triumph and as expressive of the joy of victory and glory of conquest!

Of this transaction, I was a witness, having, at that time, a fair view of their motions and being at the distance of not more than 70 or 80 rods from them.

• AHC Note — 80 rods is 1,320 feet (440 yards) and one-quarter mile. Clarke does not give his exact location in relation to Lexington Common, where the battle took place.

Whether this step was honorary to the detachment, or agreeable to the rules of war — or how far it was expressive of bravery, heroism and true military glory, for 800 disciplined troops of Great Britain, without notice or provocation, to fall upon 60, or 70, undisciplined Americans, who neither opposed nor molested them, and murder some and disperse the rest, and then to give the shout and make the triumph of victory, is not for me to determine; but must be submitted to the impartial world to judge.

That “there is a God with whom is the power, and the glory, and the victory,” is certain: but whether he will set his seal to the triumph, made upon this most peculiar occasion, by following it with further successes, and finally giving up this people into the hands of those, that have thus cruelly commenced hostilities against them, must be left to time to discover. 

But to return from this digression, if it may be called a digression.

The British March to Concord

Having thus vanquished the party in Lexington, the troops marched on for Concord to execute their orders in destroying the stores belonging to the colony deposited there. They met with no interruption in their march to Concord. But by some means or other, the people of Concord had notice of their approach and designs, and were alarmed about break of day; and collecting as soon, and as many as possible, improved the time they had before the troops came upon them, to the best advantage, both for concealing and securing as many of the public stores as they could, and in preparing for defence. By the stop of the troops at Lexington, many thousands were saved to the colony, and they were, in a great measure, frustrated in their design.

• AHC Note — See Battle of Concord for more information on the events that unfolded there.

American Militia Forces Gather North of Concord

When the troops made their approach to the easterly part of the town, the provincials of Concord and some neighbouring towns, were collected and collecting in an advantageous post, on a hill, a little distance from the meeting-house, north of the road, to the number of about 150, or 200: but finding the troops to be more than three times as many, they wisely retreated, first to a hill about 80 rods further north, and then over the north-bridge (so-called) about a mile from the town: and there they waited the coming of the militia of the towns adjacent, to their assistance.

• AHC Note — 80 rods is 1,320 feet (440 yards) and one-quarter mile.

The British Search Concord

In the meantime, the British detachment marched into the center of the town. A party of about 200, was ordered to take possession of said bridge, other parties were dispatched to various parts of the town, in search of public stores, while the remainder were employed in seizing and destroying, whatever they could find in the town-house, and other places, where stores had been lodged. But before they had accomplished their design, they were interrupted by a discharge of arms at said bridge.

It seems that of the party above-mentioned, as ordered to take possession of the bridge, one-half were marched on about two miles in search of stores at Col. Barret’s and that part of the town while the other half, consisting of towards 100 men, under Capt. Lawrie, were left to guard the bridge. 

Americans Move to the North Bridge

The provincials, who were in sight of the bridge, observing the troops attempting to take up the planks of said bridge, thought it necessary to dislodge them and gain possession of the bridge. They accordingly marched, but with express orders not to fire unless first fired upon by the King’s troops. 

• AHC Note — The American militia forces were gathered on Punkatasset Hill. From there, they saw smoke rising over Concord because the British were burning some of the supplies they found. The Americans thought the British were burning the town, so they moved down to the North Bridge to cross the river and march into town.

The Battle of Concord

Upon their approach towards the bridge, Capt. Lawrie’s party fired upon them, killed Capt. Davis and another man dead upon the spot and wounded several others. Upon this, our militia rushed on with a spirit becoming free-born Americans, returned the fire upon the enemy, killed 2, wounded several and drove them from the bridge, and pursued them towards the town ‘till they were covered by a reinforcement from the main body. The provincials then took post on a hill, at some distance, north of the town, and as their numbers were continually increasing, they were preparing to give the troops a proper discharge on their departure from the town.

AHC Notes

• The British troops who were guarding the bridge retreated upon the approach of the Americans. After crossing, they started to remove the planks.
• When the Americans were about 80 yards away, the British fired three warning shots.
• Major John Buttrick of Concord became the first American officer to order his men to fire on British troops when he shouted, “Fire, fellow-soldiers! For God’s sake, fire!”
• The Americans fired on the British. This is what is known as the “Shot Heard ‘Round the World” and is memorialized in Ralph Waldo Emerson’s poem, Concord Hymn.

The British Return to Boston

In the meantime, the King’s troops collected and, having dressed their wounded, destroyed what stores they could find, and insulted and plundered a number of the inhabitants, prepared for a retreat.

“While at Concord, the troops disabled two 24 pounders; destroyed their 2 carriages, and seven wheels for the same, with their limbers. Sixteen wheels for brass 3 pounders, and 2 carriages with limber and wheels for two 4 pounders. They threw into the river, wells, &c. about 500 weight of ball: and stove about 60 barrels of flour; but not having time to perfect their work, one half of the flour was afterwards saved. (*)”

• Author Note (*) — See Rev. Mr. Gordon’s account.
• AHC Note — Clarke is referring to Reverend William Gordon, who started documenting the war in mid-1775, including the Battles of Lexington and Concord. In 1783, Gordon completed The History of the Rise, Progress, and Establishment, of the Independence of the United States of America, which was published in England.

The troops began a hasty retreat about the middle of the day and were no sooner out of the town, but they began to meet the effects of the just resentments of this injured people. 

The Battle Road

The provincials fired upon them from various quarters and pursued them (though without any military order) with a firmness and intrepidity beyond what could have been expected on the first onset and in such a day of confusion and distress!

The fire was returned, for a time, with great fury, by the troops as they retreated, though (through divine goodness) with but little execution. — This scene continued, with but little intermission, till they returned to Lexington; when it was evident that, having lost numbers in killed, wounded, and prisoners that fell into our hands, they began to be not only fatigued but greatly disheartened. And it is supposed they must have soon surrendered at discretion, had they not been reinforced. 

• AHC Note — The Americans attacked the British at several locations along the road back to Lexington. Captain Parker and his men were waiting on the British on the west side of Lexington, near the border with Lincoln. They were hiding along the road and opened fire on the British when they marched into sight. This attack on the king’s troops is known as “Parker’s Revenge.”

British Reinforcements

But Lord Percy’s arrival with another brigade of about 1,000 men and 2 field pieces, about half a mile from Lexington meetinghouse, towards Cambridge, gave them a seasonable respite. The coming of the reinforcement, with the cannon (which our people were not so well acquainted with then, as they have been since) put the provincials also to a pause, for a time.

• AHC Note — General Hugh Percy led the reinforcements that met Smith and his men in Lexington. Around the same time, William Heath and Joseph Warren joined the American forces near Lexington. Heath took command and organized the pursuit from Lexington to Boston.

The Pursuit Continues and the British Escape

But no sooner were the king’s troops in motion, but our men renewed the pursuit with equal, and even greater ardor and intrepidity than before, and the firing on both sides continued, with but little intermission, to the close of the day, when the troops entered Charlestown, where the provincials could not follow them, without exposing the worthy inhabitants of that truly patriotic town, to their rage and revenge.

That night and the next day, they were conveyed in boats, over Charles River to Boston, glad to secure themselves, under the cover of the shipping, and by strengthening and perfecting the fortifications, at every part, against the further attacks of a justly incensed people, who, upon intelligence of the murderous transactions of this fatal day, were collecting in arms, round the town, in great numbers, and from every quarter.

British Atrocities

In the retreat of the king’s troops from Concord to Lexington, they ravaged and plundered, as they had opportunity, more or less, in most of the houses that were upon the road. But after they were joined by Percy’s brigade in Lexington, it seemed as if all the little remains of humanity had left them, and rage and revenge had taken the reins and knew no bounds! 

Clothing, furniture, provisions, goods, plundered, broken, carried off, or destroyed! Buildings (especially dwelling-houses) abused, defaced, battered, shattered, and almost ruined! And as if this had not been enough, numbers of them doomed to the flames! — Three dwelling houses, two shops, and a barn were laid in ashes in Lexington (*)!

• Author Note (*) — Deacon Loring’s house and barn, Mrs. Lydia Mulliken’s house, her son’s shop, and Mr. Joshua Bond’s house and shop.

Many others were set on fire, in this town, in Cambridge, &c. and must have shared the same fate, had not the close pursuit of the provincials prevented, and the flames been seasonably quenched!

Add to all this, the unarmed, the aged and infirm, who were unable to flee, are inhumanly stabbed and murdered in their habitations! Yea, even women in child-bed, with their helpless babes in their arms, do not escape the horrid alternative of being either cruelly murdered in their beds, burnt in their habitations, or turned into the streets to perish with cold, nakedness, and distress! 

But I forbear — words are too insignificant to express the horrid barbarities of that distressing day!

Casualties

Our loss, in the several actions of that day, was 49 killed, 34 wounded, and five missing, who were taken prisoners and have since been exchanged. The enemy’s loss, according to the best accounts, in killed, wounded, and missing — about 300.

Aftermath

As the war was thus begun with savage cruelty in the aggressors, so it has been carried on with the same temper and spirit by the enemy in but too many instances. Witness the wanton cruelty, discovered in burning Charlestown, Norfolk, Falmouth, &c. But as events which have taken place since the ever memorable nineteenth of April 1775 do not properly come within the compass of this narrative, they must be left for some abler pen to relate.

AHC Notes

• The Burning of Charlestown occurred on June 17, 1775, while American and British forces were involved in the Battle of Bunker Hill.
• The Burning of Falmouth, also known as “Mowat’s Revenge,” was a British naval attack on the town of Falmouth, Massachusetts — present-day Portland, Maine — that took place on October 18, 1775. The British fleet destroyed much of the town but failed to end Patriot resistance in the area.
• Following the Battle of Great Bridge (December 9, 1775), American forces occupied Norfolk, Virginia. John Murray, Lord Dunmore, and the Royal Governor of Virginia, responded by bombarding the town and sending landing parties to burn the buildings. However, American forces escalated the fires during the Burning of Norfolk (January 1, 1776), which was downplayed by the Virginia Convention.

Significance

The events of April 18–19, 1775, include some of the most historic — and legendary — moments in American History. Many of the details about the events are found in the letters and depositions written at the time and have been used by many historians as the basis for articles and books about the Battles of Lexington and Concord.

However, interesting details that can be found in the histories of the towns that responded to the Midnight Riders and the Lexington Alarm are often overlooked. This includes contemporary eyewitness accounts, such as this one.

This entry featuring Jonas Clarke’s narrative is part of “The Shot Heard ‘Round the World,” a collection of entries, images, and objects covering the events of April 18–19, 1775.