The Lexington Minute Men, Inc.

Transcription

1 The Lexington Minute Men, Inc. (Member of the Centennial Legion of Historic Military Commands, Inc.) The 2 nd Battle of Lexington Parker s Revenge Contact: Henry Liu Lexington Minute Men Event Coordinator Phone: (Cell) hliu55@yahoo.com PRESS RELEASE: For immediate publication Pest Office Box1775 Lexington, Massachusetts Lexington, MA (March 7, 2013,) --- The '2nd Battle of Lexington' is the skirmish that took place on the first day Of the American War for Independence but that history has largely forgotten. For almost 240 years, the sacrifice made by the Lexington Minute Men in the afternoon of Apri119, 1775 has largely been ignored. This year, on April13, 2013, the skirmish known as The 2nd Battle of Lexington or Parker's Revenge' will be reenacted where Captain John Parker and the men of his Lexington Company launched a surprise ambush against the British forces on their return from Concord. It will be commemorated with a wreath laying and musket salute at 1:30 PM followed by a reenactment of the engagement at 2:00 PM at the Parker's Revenge site near Minute Man National Historical Park Visitors Center in Lexington on Rte. 2A. It is important to commemorate this action, says Bill Poole, Captain of the Lexington Minute Men, because it celebrates the ability of the men of the Lexington Militia Company to somehow summon the courage to take up pursuit of the Regulars despite the horrific scenes they had witnessed on the Morning of April 19, 1775 when they saw eight of their neighbors, friends, cousins, brothers 2

2 fathers and sons shot dead before their eyes and nine others wounded. This was perhaps the most courageous act of the men from Lexington on that day. For as they marched off in pursuit of the King s troops they were the only militia company of all those that mustered and went forth that day that day who knew what war was really like. During the afternoon action at Parker s Revenge two more of Captain Parker s Company were killed, Jedediah Munroe and Nathaniel Wyman, while Sgt. Francis Brown was wounded. This brought the casualty total for the day for Lexington to ten men killed and ten wounded, the greatest sacrifice of any town whose militia responded on that April 19 th, The Lexington Minute Men have a full day on April 14, 2013 starting with the Company gathering on Lexington Common at 10:00 AM. Then, at 10:30 the Company will form up and be addressed by the Reverend Jonas Clarke, minister to the people of Lexington, portrayed by the Reverend Peter Hunt Meek, and by Captain John Parker, Captain of the Lexington Militia Company, portrayed by William Poole, present Captain of the Lexington Minute Men. It was Reverend Clarke and Captain Parker who were able to inspire the men of Lexington to set off in pursuit of the King s troops despite their fears. It was believed that the Regulars would most likely return from Concord through Lexington and commit further depredations. Some wished to abandon their homes and flee to safety. Reverend Clarke and Captain Parker perhaps argued that the militia would actually be defending the town by attacking the returning troops and either capturing them or forcing a hasty retreat. Following the addresses the Company will be inspected and march off to the sound of fifes and drums to Minute Man National Historic Park and the ceremony and Reenactment.

3 After the engagement at Parker s Revenge, the Lexington Minute Men and other reenactors from British and Colonial units will board busses to be transported back to Lexington in order to take part in the another reenactment that will take place \at 4:00 PM at Tower Park located about one and one quarter miles east of Lexington Center. There the retreat of the British from Lexington toward Boston will be recreated. The engagement will also feature cannons and mounted horsemen. The weekend of April 13 through 15 will be a busy one for the Lexington Minute Men. Following the two engagements on April 13th the Minute Men will take part in the parade commemorating Lexington s 300 th Anniversary to be held at 2:00 PM Sunday, April 14 th. Then, at 11:30 PM at the Hancock/Clarke House located on Hancock Street in Lexington, members of the Minute Men will take part in the play Paul Revere s Ride featuring the arrival on horseback of Paul Revere and William Dawes to bring the alarm to Lexington and to Patriots John Hancock and Samuel Adams The play concludes on Lexington Common with the sounding of the alarm bell on Belfry Hill and the mustering of the militia. The following day, April 15 th is Patriots Day and will feature the reenactment of the engagement on Lexington Common that took place two hundred and thirty eight years ago on April 19, Spectators frequently begin to arrive at Lexington Common at 3:30 AM in order to find a good place to view the action. Some even stay overnight to get a prime spot for the event that begins with the alarm bell sounding in the Old Belfry at 5:30 Am. Yes, that s 5:30 AM. The reenactment of the 'Battle of Lexington' is just one event in which the Lexington Minute Men will participate on Patriot's Day - April 15, The Minute Men also take part in the Lexington Sunrise Youth Parade at 7:30 AM, and in additional ceremonies honoring those who served on board

4 the USS Lexington in World War II., as well as commemorating with the Daughters of the American Revolution those who fell on April 19, The Lexington Minute Men is a civic re-enactment organization dedicated to honoring the brave Patriots who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our Nation's freedom. The Minute Men have a long proud history, from the militia that fought on Lexington Common in 1775, to providing men to fight throughout the American Revolution. The Lexington Company gained attention again during the Centennial Celebration of 1876, when President U.S. Grant saluted the men who fought and died on April 19, In the past 125 years, the Minute Men have been involved in a number of ceremonial, educational, and civic functions. During the Bicentennial, the Minute Men served as honor guards for President Ford and Queen Elizabeth. The Company is currently under the command of Captain William Poole. For more information on the Lexington Minute Men visit

5 2 "Stand your ground -Don't fire unless fired upon; But if they mean to have a war Let it begin here. " -April 19, Captain Parker

6 3 "Stand your ground -Don't fire unless fired upon; But if they mean to have a war Let it begin here. -April 19, Captain Parker