Originally posted by syrinx high priest
the revolution was more about currency than taxes
most americans don't understand currency, so no, there will not be a revolution like the founding fathers
The American Revolution was the result of King George instructing his army to march to Concord for the sole purpose of confiscating guns. Re-writing
Having received Intelligence, that a Quantity of Ammunition, Provision, Artillery, Tents and small Arms, have been collected at Concord,
for the Avowed Purpose of raising and supporting a Rebellion against His Majesty, you will March with the Corps of Grenadiers and Light Infantry, put
under your Command, with utmost expedition and Secrecy to Concord, where you will seize and destroy all Artillery, Ammunition, Provisions, Tents,
Small Arms, and all Military Stores whatever - Per Order of General Gage to Lt. Colonel F. Smith, of the Kings Troops
At seven o’clock in the morning on April 19th, 1775 the 900 British soldiers reached their main objective, the tiny village of Concord. The Redcoats
occupied the village center and proceded to march a few hundred yards west to the Concord River, in an effort to seize the Old North Bridge. The
British suspected the farm houses on the opposite side of the river to be harboring the arsenal of illegal rebel arms.
However, as the British massed their troops upon the bridge, they were not alone. The Redcoats were being watched. About 250 armed farmers gathered
on Punkatasset hill above the Old North Bridge, about 300 yards away. These men were lead by their representative, Colonel James Barrett, a Concord
farmer and veteran of the French and Indian war.
As the Minutemen observed the King's men from the hill, something else caught their watchful eye. A pale column of smoke rose over the trees. The
British were burning Concord, which lay past the British held side of the river. Joseph Hosmer, Colonel Barrett's second in command turned to Barrett
and exclaimed, "Will you let them burn the town down?"
Local militia leader, Isaac Davis drew his sword, and, turning to Barret, said: "I
haven't a man that's afraid to go."
Colonel Barrett gave the order to march in defense of Concord. These men resolved to march over the bridge into the middle of the village to defend
their homes, or die in the attempt. These defenders of Concordia, farmers, fisherman, woodsman; mostly fathers and their adolescent sons, marched down
from the hill toward the bridge.
The British were immensely surprised, not only to see a small band of farmers on the hill, but to their shock, they were advancing! The Redcoats
withdrew to the village side of the bridge and massed around the narrow span. They had to hold the bridge. Colonel Smith had his orders from General
Gage, and he meant to carry them out. With their hundreds of glistening guns pointed toward the river, the American kept coming. A single shot rang
out. The shot heard 'round the world.
A rag-tag band of farmers confronted the King's best soldiers... and beat them.
As the British retreated, they were astonished to find 6,000 Minutemen from local villages had descended upon the outskirts of Concord. The Minutemen
waited for the British until they reached Merriams Corner, where they sprung upon them. Thus began the bloody retreat back to Boston. The Minutemen
hid behind trees and stone fences to attack the British from both sides of the "King's" road. They were harried every step of the way. The British
mission was a failure. The rebel leaders were safe and the colonists had salvaged their cache of arms.
edit on 19-1-2013 by METACOMET because:
(no reason given)