The Shot Heard Round the World
by R.C. Fleshman
Greetings, friend. You look weary. Sit with me by the fire. Are you hungry? Share my stew. How are ye called? I am William Greensfield from Lexington. I have been here in Concord for a week. There is much happening here. Are ye part of the militia? I thought from the looks of yourself ye must. How long have ye been traveling? Yes, it is a long way to Concord from Brookline. News? There is much news from these parts. On the nineteenth of April, this year of 1775, we saw the dreaded British, those redcoats, advancing upon us. Since none of us had really expected to fight, Captain Parker, our commander, gave the order to fall back. But someone to my left fired at the lobster-backs. It echoed along the hills, real eerie-like, kinda like a dream. I shall never forget it. The redcoats opened fire, and killed eight of our men and wounded ten more before the day was through. We then moved on to Concord, where we joined with more minutemen. We met the British as they marched toward North Bridge. We fired volley after volley at them, but they just kept coming. The redcoats searched through the city for supplies, but us Yankee Doodles had already moved them to a safe place. I guess we are pretty handy, huh? But anyway, as they marched back towards Boston, we ran along side firing shots at them from behind trees and rocks. By sunset, we picked off 293 of the blasted lobster-backs. But 93 of our own were also counted among the deceased. I think we made our point. Must ye go so soon? I've not heard of your travels yet. Yes, I understand. Godspeed and may the good Lord protect ye from the battles you are seeking.
Questions
- Name two cities that played a major part in this story.
- Who was commander of the minutemen?
- How many minutemen died in Concord?
- Why was the single shot at Lexington so vivid in the mind of William?
- How would you feel if you were William?
Outline
I. Introductions
II. The First Day
A. The coming of the British
B. Orders from the Captain
C. The shot heard
III. The Next Time
A. Meeting at North Bridge
B. Where are the supplies?
C. Undercover fighting
IV. Partings
Props
three cornered hat
musket
Revolutionary War uniform or outfit
tripod with stew kettle
"bullet wound"
Sources
Conlin, Joseph. Our land, Our time. Coronado Publishers, 1987.
Divine, et al. America, The People and the Dream, Scott, Foresman, and Company,