Paul Revere: The Shot Heard Round the World & Sybil Ludington
“April comes with gush of bird-song, a patter of dew, a cloud and a rainbow, sunshine and perfect blue.” – Harriet Spofford
…and Revolution!!!
On April 18, Dr. Joseph Warren, doctor, patriot and spy, learned the British were planning to march on Concord. He took the message to silversmith, Paul Revere, setting the famous ride in motion. Using an elaborate warning system devised by the S0ns of Liberty, William Dawes and Dr. Samuel Prescott were recruited to carry the message to militia men (minutemen) throughout the countryside with Revere.
Revere was posted near the Old North Church awaiting news of the manner of travel the British would use – two lanterns in the tower indicated by sea, one lantern indicated by land.
When the lanterns appeared indicating the British were marching on land, William Dawes was sent on one route, a longer one, to reach militia in those locations, Dawes accompanied Revere, and they all set out for Concord.
Revere was captured by the British just outside of Lexington, but Dawes and Prescott got their messages delivered. Militias sprang into action, armed themselves and headed for Concord.
On the “Battle Road” (Lexington to Concord) the two forces met and THE SHOT HEARD ROUND THE WORLD rang out.
No one really knows who actually fired the first shot. British soldiers were not accustomed to surprise, out of rank warfare. Militia men harassed the British all the way back to Boston, peppering the marching Redcoats with musket fire. When the smoke of fired muskets had cleared, a very clear message appeared…….the American Revolution had begun!
Sybil Ludington
Paul Revere was made famous by the poet Longfellow, but a sixteen-year-old girl out rode and out rallied the famous Revere just a few weeks later.
On April 26, 1777, Sybil Ludington, made her own night-time ride. Her father, Colonel Ludington, commander of the local militias in New York and nearby Connecticut, learned from a messenger that Danbury, where American weapons were being stored, was under British attack.
He needed someone to rally the minutemen. He needed to stay home to organize those who answered the call. Without his permission, Sybil leaped on a horse and rode through the dark woods all night, some 20 to 40 miles in the rain. She managed to rally nearly 400 men who raced to Danbury, routed the British and harassed them for miles as they marched back to Boston. Alone, without a saddle, and using only a hemp-style rope for a rein, she and her horse rode into history.
Sybil Ludington Memorial Statue, Carmel, NY