The Battles of Concord and Lexington

British General Gage ordered a march on Concord to seize the stockpile of arms and ammunition the colonists kept there. On April 19, 1775, after learning of the British march, a group of militiamen quickly formed in Lexington to hold off the British attack. The British advanced on the men and a shot was fired. After the smoke cleared, the British suffered only one wounded. Eight Minutemen died under Captain Parker.

The British continued on toward Concord. They secured the roads leading into the town and started destroying the weapons. Parker's Minutemen arrived at Lexington and saw the smoke. They attacked the British, killing many men. The British then retreated and marched back to Boston.