Lexington and Concord: April 18–19, 1775
Lexington and Concord: April 18–19, 1775
Massachusetts families living between Boston and Concord prepared to remove to safer locations, and militiamen readied themselves to answer the alarm. But when and by what route would the redcoats march? American rebels scrutinized and reported on activity in Boston. Outside the city, vigilant eyes kept watch. Paul Revere made arrangements with Col. Conant at Charlestown to hang lanterns in the North Church steeple indicating when the Regulars moved and whether they went along Boston Neck (one if by land) or across the Charles River (two if by sea).
Early in the day on April 18, Thomas Gage sent out 20 officers on horseback to patrol and stop intelligence leaving the city. The effort instead roused suspicion. At 9:00 p.m., John Hancock wrote a note from Lexington to his fellow committeeman Elbridge Gerry, reporting that a group of Regular officers had passed and moved on to the Concord Road [ITEM 9]. He was in agreement with Gerry that their next actions should be fully committed ones.
![Page 1 and Signatory Page of John Hancock autograph letter signed to Elbridge Gerry, 9:00 p. m., April 18, 1775; Lexington, [Province of Massachusetts Bay]. Manuscript Letter.](https://clements.umich.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/9.1-gm-loan-john-hancock-to-elbridge-gerry-april-18-1775-pp.1-scaled.jpg "9.1 gm loan-john hancock to elbridge gerry april 18, 1775-pp.1")
[Item 9]. John Hancock autograph letter signed to Elbridge Gerry, 9:00 p. m., April 18, 1775; Lexington, [Province of Massachusetts Bay]. From the collection of Dr. Gary Milan, loaned in memory of Joyce Kliger.
Access the full letter, transcription, and audio recording here.
In the afternoon, Thomas Gage wrote an order to Lt. Col. Francis Smith, who commanded a light infantry and grenadier unit detached days earlier. The draft of the order reveals Gage’s mind at work, with insertions, revisions, and intelligence about locations of stores at Concord [ITEM 10]. The draft is shown beside a later, delicate miniature painted portrait of Thomas Gage in his 11th Light Dragoon uniform [ITEM 11].
![Page 3 of [Thomas Gage] autograph draft of an order to [Francis Smith, April 18, 1775; Boston, Province of Massachusetts Bay]. Manuscript Letter.](https://clements.umich.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/10.3-00022981-scaled.jpg "10.3 00022981")
[Item 10]. [Thomas Gage] autograph draft of an order to [Francis Smith, April 18, 1775; Boston, Province of Massachusetts Bay]. From the Thomas Gage Papers, American Series.
Access the full letter, transcription, and audio recording here.
[Item 11]. Thomas Gage, oval miniature portrait painted by artist Jeremiah Meyer (1735-1789) on ivory, rose gold rim, pin back, necklace chain holes, cobalt blue backing, ca. 1785–1787. Discovered by Christopher Bryant and acquired by the Clements Library, 2022, thanks to the generosity of Benjamin and Bonnie Upton, and Margaret Trumbull.
![Page 1 of R[ichar]d Lechmere autograph letter signed to “Dear Sir”, [April 25, 177]5; Boston, [Province of Massachusetts Bay]. Manuscript Letter](https://clements.umich.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/12.1-gm-loan-lechmere-events-of-april-18-19-1775-pp.1.jpg "12.1 gm loan-lechmere events of april 18, 19 1775-pp.1")
[Item 12]. R[ichar]d Lechmere autograph letter signed to “Dear Sir”, [April 25, 177]5; Boston, [Province of Massachusetts Bay]. From the collection of Dr. Gary Milan, loaned in memory of Joyce Kliger.
Access the full letter, transcription, and audio recording here.
Lt. Col. Smith began to move at around 9:30 p.m., landing at Phipps Farm/Lechmere Point. Crown supporter and merchant Richard Lechmere afterward wrote a detailed letter [ITEM 12] describing the landing of troops on his property and what he had overheard British Army officers saying about the expedition.
After the opening shots at Lexington at daybreak, the destruction of remaining stores and armed engagements at Concord throughout the morning, and the first miles of the return trek, Smith’s men were exhausted. Despite the arrival of over 1,000 reinforcements commanded by Hugh, Earl Percy, at around 2:00 p.m. [ITEM 13], growing numbers of militiamen exceeded the strength of the combined Army forces. One of Percy’s officers related the harrowing experience and his pride in the bravery of His Majesty’s soldiers in a lengthy letter of April 22 [ITEM 14].
![Page 1 and Signatory Page of [Thomas Gage] autograph draft to [Hugh, Lord] Percy, April 19, 1775; Boston, [Province of Massachusetts Bay]. Manuscript Letter.](https://clements.umich.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/13.1-00022995-scaled.jpg "13.1 00022995")
[Item 13]. [Thomas Gage] autograph draft to [Hugh, Lord] Percy, April 19, 1775; Boston, [Province of Massachusetts Bay]. From the Thomas Gage Papers, American Series.
Access the full letter, transcription, and audio recording here.
![Page 1 of Autograph letter to “Dear Sir”, April 22-23, 1775; Boston, [Province of Massachusetts Bay]. Manuscript Letter.](https://clements.umich.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/14.3-gm-loan-a-letter-from-boston-april-22-1775-pp.3-scaled.jpg "14.3 gm loan-a letter from boston, april 22, 1775-pp.3")
[Item 14]. Autograph letter to “Dear Sir”, April 22-23, 1775; Boston, [Province of Massachusetts Bay]. From the collection of Dr. Gary Milan, loaned in memory of Joyce Kliger.
Access the full letter, transcription, and audio recording here.
