History

This commemoration marks the assembly and actions of militia and minuteman units that arrived at Meriam’s Corner during the British retreat from Concord, April 19th, 1775. After the Regulars’ withdrawal from the North Bridge where they had engaged with more than 400 Minutemen, they began a retreat back to Boston. By the time the Regulars arrived at this spot at half past noon, there were reported to be about 1,100 Minutemen in the area from more than a dozen towns. A challenge by the Regulars started a classic guerilla action, which continued for many hours as the outnumbered British retreated towards Boston. At least two British privates were killed and several others wounded here during that initial exchange. By the time the day was over, 49 Colonials had died, 73 British troops were killed, plus 173 wounded and missing.

Thus began a war that would not end until Yorktown, more than 6 long years later, and thus our nation was born.