History of Patriot's Day

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" width=200 BGCOLOR="#006633" TEXT="#F7F7FF" background="175d6c00ddvuru.jpg"> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="7287f780.jpg" border=0 width="127" height="376" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </td> <td valign="top" BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#0066FF" FACE="Arial" ><B>Colonial Acton</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#333399" FACE="Arial" >    </FONT> |     <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Colonial Acton"><U>home</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id100.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Acton Genealogies"><U>Acton Genealogies</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id17.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Town of Acton"><U>Town of Acton</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id63.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Landmarks"><U>Landmarks</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id141.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="1774 The Prelude to War"><U>1774 The Prelude to War</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id25.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Acton Minutemen and Militia Companies "><U>Acton Minutemen and Militia Companies </U></A>   |   <A HREF="id32.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="April 19, 1775"><U>April 19, 1775</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id140.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Isaac Davis Trail"><U>Isaac Davis Trail</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id170.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Davis Monument"><U>Davis Monument</U></A>   |   <B>History of Patriot's Day</B>   |   <A HREF="id176.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Acton Cemeteries"><U>Acton Cemeteries</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id177.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Town Clerks Report"><U>Town Clerk's Report</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id173.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Stories, Poems and Songs"><U>Stories, Poems and Songs</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id175.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Footprints of Acton Patriots"><U>Footprints of Acton Patriots</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id22.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Related Links"><U>Related Links</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id174.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact Me"><U>Contact Me</U></A></div> <div> History of Patriot's Day</div> <div> <I><B>click on topic:</B></I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Century Schoolbook" ><B><IMG SRC="721d9140.png" border=0 width="217" height="276" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#a_legal_holiday" TITLE="History of Patriots Day"><U><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">A LEGAL HOLIDAY</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="#patriots_day_replaces_fast_day" TITLE="History of Patriots Day"><U><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Patriots Day Replaces Fast Day</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="#say_s_acton_s_part_ignored" TITLE="History of Patriots Day"><U><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Say's Acton's Part Ignored</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="#patriots_day_in_acton_" TITLE="History of Patriots Day"><U><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Patriots Day in Acton </B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="#isaac_davis_trail___why_we_march" TITLE="History of Patriots Day"><U><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Isaac Davis Trail - Why We March</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="#ray_shamel_presents_scout_campfire" TITLE="History of Patriots Day"><U><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Ray Shamel Presents </B></U></A><B> ~</B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Bookman Old Style" ><I>Scout Campfire Address</I></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#memorial_stones_" TITLE="History of Patriots Day"><U><B>MEMORIAL STONES</B></U></A><B>- April 19, 1895</B></div> <div> <A HREF="#captain_joseph_robbins__on_the_face_of" TITLE="History of Patriots Day"><U><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Captain Joseph Robbins. </B></U></A></div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">H</B><A HREF="#home_of_the_hosmers_and_blanchard_s_" TITLE="History of Patriots Day"><U><B>ome of the Hosmers and Blanchard's.</B></U></A></div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">P</B><A HREF="#premises_of_captain_davis__the_house_of" TITLE="History of Patriots Day"><U><B>remises of Captain Davis</B></U></A><B> Home</B></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Commonwealth of Massachusetts</B></div> <bR> <div> BY HIS EXCELLENCY</div> <bR> <div> FREDERIC T. GREENHALGE,</div> <div> <I>GOVERNOR</I></div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="722a9de0.jpg" border=0 width="169" height="222" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> A PROCLAMATION</div> <bR> <div> <B>NINETEENTH DAY OF APRIL</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>HAS BEEN MADE</B></div> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="a_legal_holiday"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>A LEGAL HOLIDAY</B></div> <bR> <div> This is a day rich with historical and significant events, which are precious in the eyes of patriots. It may well be called Patriots' Day, On this day in 1775, at Lexington and Concord, was begun the great War of the Revolution: on this day in 1783, just eight years afterward, the cessation of the war and the triumph of independence was formally proclaimed; and on this day in 1861 the first blood was shed in the war for the Union. Thus the day 'is grand with the memories of the mighty struggle which in one instance brought Liberty and in the other Union to the country, It is fitting, therefore, that the day should be celebrated 'as the anniversary of the birth of Liberty and Union.</div> <bR> <div> Let the day be dedicated, then, to solemn, religious and patriotic services, which may adequately express our deep sense of the trials and tribulations of the patriots of the earlier and of the latter days and especially our gratitude to Almighty God, who crowned the heroic struggles of the founders and preservers of our country with victory and peace.</div> <bR> <div> Given at the Executive Chamber, in Boston, this eleventh day of April in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and ninety for and of the independence of the United States of America the one hundred and eighteenth.</div> <div> <B>FREDERIC T. GREENHALGE</B>.</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> By His Excellency the Governor</div> <div>                                           WILLIAM M. OLIN</div> <div> Secretary of the Commonwealth</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> God save the Commonwealth of Massachusetts</div> <bR> <div> 1894- “Courtesy- American Antiquarian Society” - 1974</div> <bR> <div> <I><B> <A NAME="patriots_day_replaces_fast_day"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></I><FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Century Schoolbook" ><I><B>Patriots Day Replaces Fast Day</B></I></FONT></div> <bR> <div> This article describing the passage of the bill making April 19 a legal holiday appeared in the Worcester Evening Gazette, Saturday, March 17, 1894, on page 3 under Legislature. This year marks the 80th Anniversary of the proclamation.</div> <bR> <div> "Boston, March 17,1974 -The bill to abolish Fast Day and substitute April 19 as a legal holiday was enacted in the Senate just before adjournment yesterday afternoon. Senator Buckley of Holyoke had risen to make a motion to adjourn, whim President Butler asked him to give way for a moment, as there was an important bill which he wished to put through the enactment stage. The President then read the title of the Fast Day bill, and it was passed to be enacted without dissent. Executive Clerk Hamlin was waiting in the Senate to take the bill to the Governor for his signature. Governor Greenhalge signed the bill with an eagle's 'quill furnished' for the  'purpose by 'the' Lexington Historical Society. The quill will be returned to the Society and' placed on exhibition in their rooms. (The Governor's full name was Frederic Thomas Greenhalge. He was the first governor of the Commonwealth not born in the United States having' come from Britain)" </div> <bR> <div> A quote from the Worcester Evening Post, Aprili'18, 1906 shows that Alfred S. Roe, was responsible FOR PUTTING THE BILL THROUGH OVER OPPOSITION, MAKING April 19 a legal holiday. </div> <bR> <div> His biography reveals that Alfred Seelye Roe was born in Wayne Co., N.Y in 1844 the son of a Methodist minister. In the Civil War he served in Co. A of the N.Y. Heavy Artillery and was in the Battle of Monocacy. He graduated from Wesleyan 1870 and started an educational career as principal of the Ashland High School. Roe came to Worcester in 1875 as teacher of the old Worcester High ' School, where he was principal, from 1800-1890. In 1891 he was elected for the first, of three terms as representative to the General Court, (the office he held when he guided the Patriots' day bill to passage) and one term as State' Senator 1896-8, when he served on numerous committees. He wrote a great many articles on the Civil War and biographies of " Worcester men. Most notable for our purpose here is a 19 page article titled "Three April Days 1689; 1775, and 1861", published in "Collections of the Worcester Society of Antiquities vol.5 (1881)”. This shows that Roe had been interested in Patriots Day establishment from the time that he first came</div> <div> to Worcester.</div> <div> <B>   </B></div> <div>       When he died in 1917 there were long obituaries and the statement that he left two daughters, Marie Davis Hunt since learned that one of these daughters 'is Miss Harriet Roof who lives in the Lincoln Nursing Home. The Roe home was at 5 Dix St. and they were members of Grace Methodist Church.</div> <bR> <div> The research for this article done by Made Davis Hunt, well known historian for' the Capt:, Isaac Davis Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Acton. </div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I><B> <A NAME="history_of_patriot_s_day"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></I><FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Century Schoolbook" ><B>History of Patriot's Day</B></FONT></div> <div> Marie Davis Hunt, </div> <div> Great, Great Granddaughter of Capt. Isaac Davis and </div> <div> Historian for the Capt. Isaac Davis Chapter, </div> <div> Daughters of the American Revolution, Acton</div> <bR> <div> The War was scarcely a half century away….The Centennial with its reenactments….The rebuilt Old North Bridge at Concord and dedication of the Daniel Chester French Statue at he spot where Captain Isaac Davis of the Acton Minutemen fell with the first volley of the British as he led the column to face the mighty forces of the British Crown on April 19,1775 the British had come from Boston <I>to </I>destroy the cannons, guns and ammunition that was believed <I>to </I>be hidden there. </div> <bR> <div> Patriotism was riding high. In many a small village nearly everyone was descendent of a Revolutionary War soldier, Minuteman or militiaman. In 1861 thousands of men had <I>gone </I>at President Lincoln's call <I>to </I>preserve the Union. The Massachusetts Sixth Regiment answered so promptly that they were the first <I>to </I>arrive in Philadelphia and Baltimore on April 19, 1861. They lost 4 men in skirmishes designed <I>to </I>repel them.</div> <bR> <div> Even as the Acton Minutemen led at the' Old North Bridge on April 19, 1775, so again in 1861 were the Davis Guards first <I>to </I>PRESERVE THE UNION that they had helped to<I> </I>establish.</div> <bR> <div> Patriotic Societies were being formed <I>to </I>preserve the knowledge of our heritage, even then in danger of not<I> </I>being remembered and respected by our children and grandchildren. The National Society <I>of </I>the Sons <I>of </I>the American Revolution was formed in Washington in 1889 and the Daughters <I>of </I>the American Revolution in 1890 with Mrs. Benjamin Harrison, wife of<I> </I>President Harrison their first President General.</div> <bR> <div> In 1893 California's first society of the American Revolution, the Sequoia Society, planted a Liberty (Sequoia) Tree in honor of the Battle of Lexington (SO' NAMED BY Isaah Thomas on MAY'2, 1775) when he listed the first injured and killed on. 'April 19 in the Massachusetts Spy" to be seen at the American Antiquarian society in Worcester, wherein 1775, Thomas had removed his printing press from Boston and the British who arrived there on April 19, 1775</div> <bR> <div> Today 1974 <B>I, </B>a great great granddaughter of Captain Isaac Davis, have been able to put together a remarkable story, and I have a picture of this 80th Anniversary of the GiantSequoia planted in Golden Gate Park near the Conservatory 80 years ago with soil from famous Patriots graves to nourish its roots. Among them the Marquis de Lafayette.., and Captain Isaac Davis first commissioned officer to fall in our struggle for independence on April 19, 1775, at the Old North Bridge…. The tree has flourished and is now very tall with spreading branches and a bronze plaque proclaiming it's planting by the Sequoia Chapter, Daughter of the American Revolution. My pictures of it contains that of my youngest sister Charlotte, April 19, 1894, who, when all other attempts to find the tree and obtain a picture of it had failed, inquired of the Superintendent, who took them to the tree, and they sent a picture of it back to New England to complete the story</div> <bR> <div> We now know, too, when the FIRST Patriot's Day Proclamation was signed: it was in March of 1894 that Fast Day, by legislative action, became Patriot's Day. The work .of the Sons of the, American Revolution included bound volumes of each years' records of Activities in the field of marking of Soldiers Graves and listing their activities which I included the suggesting of marking the Revolutionary, graves (Reuben Law Read of Acton).  The first marking of graves in Acton and Stow. Was down by placing simple wooden crosses in 1892. The crosses were replaced in 1894 with official SAR markers with Minutemen Statues in the middle of the marker. These markers are identical today….     </div> <div>      </div> <div> The Massachusetts Sons of the American Revolution have placed many, many thousands of these markets and are still doing it, always with respect and gratitude for those who served or gave their lives that<I> </I>we might live in liberty in a free world.</div> <bR> <div> This Bicenterinial Project of the Capt. Isaac Davis Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution is to make available and known all that Alfred Roe's called the “3 April Days." These days are important to 200 million people now living in these United States, so many of them welcomed by the Statue of Liberty into this country since the 1840's when so many from Ireland and parts of Southern Europe were flocking to our Shores as to a promise Land; important to their children and grandchildren, many of whom would now like to change the. LAND OF OPPORTUNITY whose aid and assistance in so many, many ways has become their RIGHT….     In the word of John F. Kennedy's Inaugural address, is it now time for all and each of us to say “WHAT CAN I DO FOR MY COUNTRY? Not what can my country do for me?</div> <bR> <div>      MARIE DAVIS HUNT</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div>     </div> <div> <B> <A NAME="say_s_acton_s_part_ignored"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Century Schoolbook" ><B>Say's Acton's Part Ignored</B></FONT></div> <div> <I>Fitzgerald Tells Town Its Heroes Fires Shot Heard Round the World</I></div> <bR> <div> <B>Hall Crowd at Celebration</B></div> <bR> <div> (Special Dispatch to the Herald)</div> <bR> <div> Acton, April 19 - Former Mayor John F. Fitzgerald of Boston, addressing here today in connection with the town's observance of the 150<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >th</FONT> anniversary of the battle of North Bridge, roundly scored the citizens of Concord and Lexington for “studiously ignoring” the part Acton should have played in the genday.</div> <bR> <div> eral celebration and noted that neither the United States nor the state government made any appropriation for Acton to have a red letter </div> <div>      But Acton had its celebration independent of Concord - Lexington affair, and its former resident their friends and state dignitaries were present to lend their aid in putting over the schedule of events. Never before has the town been stormed by such a throng as tried to get within its walls to listen to the patriotic addresses, while 400 children crowded into the Congregational church in Acton Centre to learn the historical significance of the day they celebrated.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>MEMORY OF HEROES HONORED</B></div> <bR> <div>      The deeds of Capt. Isaac Davis, the first to fall in the revolution and Priv. Abner Hosmer, the only other American to die at the battle of North Bridge in their stand against British Invasion are historical facts in this town. The memory of these men was honored in conjunction with the general observance of the day.</div> <bR> <div>      Concerning the slight on the town of Acton, Mr. Fitzgerald said in part. “Little has been said in the public press during the past few months concerning the part that the town of Acton took in the uprising of April 19, 1775. The celebration of the 150<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >th</FONT> anniversary of the firing of the `shot heard round the world' has been heralded as a Concord and Lexington celebration.</div> <bR> <div>      “Both the United States Congress and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts have appropriated money for the Concord and Lexington celebration; not a word about Acton, and it was not until a few days ago that Concord even extended the courtesy of an invitation to anybody in Acton to join in the celebration.</div> <bR> <div>      “Acton part in that celebration has been studiously ignored by both Concord and Lexington. For what purpose I do not know. Certainly there is no one that would attempt to deny the part that the men of Concord and Lexington took in the revolution. The fact that the supplies of the provincial army were stored in part of Concord shows the loyalty of the people of that town to principles underlying the revolt against Great Britain.</div> <bR> <div>       “It is a fact, however that cannot be denied that not a single victim in any of the casualties that occurred on April 19, 1775 was from Concord or Lexington. There were but two men killed at the Old North Bridge in Concord - Capt. Isaac Davis, at the head of his company and Priv. Abner Hosmer, both of Acton. These were the only casualties of that so-called memorable battle.”</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>QUOTES STORY OF BATTLE</B></div> <bR> <div>      Mr. Fitzgerald quoted from Frank Warren Coburn's book, “The Historical Work of the Battle of April 19, 1775.” In this, the speaker said the writer recites; “Col James Barrett summoned the subordinate officers for a council of war, the first one of the American revolution and while they were engaged, Capt. Isaac Davis and his company of Minute Men from Acton arrived and marched to a position on the left of the line, as they had been accustomed to in training days.</div> <bR> <div>      “After halting his little company, Capt. Isaac Davis joined his brother officers in their council of war. Col. Barrett of Concord then gave the order to Maj. John Buttrick of Concord to lead an advance over the bridge to the centre of the town. Maj. Buttrick choice for a company to lead was naturally one from Concord, but the captain of that one replied that would rather not go. We wonder at the reason, for Concord seemed to be most deeply concerned just at that hour. However, it could not have been for lack of courage for the Concord companies were a part of that advance. Then Maj. Buttrick turned to Capt. Davis of Acton and asked him if he was afraid to go. Davis promptly responded, “No I am not, and there isn't a man in my company that is.”</div> <bR> <div>      “He immediately gave the command to march and the men of Acton wheeled from the left of the line their customary position in drilling, to the right, and were the first to march upon the invaders. They soon came nearly to the bridge when a sudden volley from the British indicated their serious intention to check the American advance. Luther Blanchard, the fifer from Acton, was slightly wounded.</div> <bR> <div>      Maj. Buttrick heard his cry of anguish and almost jumping into the air, exclaimed, “Fire for God's sake, fire.” The order was obeyed; the British responded killing Capt. Davis and one of his privates, Abner Hosmer.</div> <bR> <div>      “The opening volley of the Americans was also effective, killing two of the British soldiers. This was the end of the fight at the Old North Bridge.</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>SHOT FIRED BY ACTON MEN</B></div> <bR> <div>      “This is the whole story of the baptism on Concord soil with the blood of its brave defenders,” exclaimed Mr. Fitzgerald. “It shows that the shot fired at Concord and heard round the world was fired by the men of Acton, who entitled to the glory of this great achievement.”</div> <bR> <div>      Mr. Fitzgerald said that the words of Capt. Davis, “No I am not afraid, and there isn't a man in my company that is.” Inspired the American soldiers on every field of battle during the succeeding days of the revolution.</div> <bR> <div>      Gov. Alvan T. Fuller, the Rev. Frederick Brooks and Allen Brooks Parker, chairman of the celebration committee, were among the speakers. The Rev. Ralph A. Barker opened the celebration with prayer. The Groton YD band furnished the music.</div> <bR> <div>      Tomorrow the Acton minute men will take part in the Concord-Lexington celebration and there will be a float from this town depicting the count of officers before the fight.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B> <A NAME="isaac_davis_trail___why_we_march"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>Isaac Davis Trail - Why We March</B></div> <bR> <div> The Isaac Davis Trail was first retraced, after much researching, by ten members of Troop No.1 Acton Boy Scouts of America under the leadership of Scoutmaster Ivan Wold and Assistant Scoutmaster Frank Putnam. They hiked the little more than six miles over this trail that you walk to the Concord Bridge and the Town of Concord.</div> <bR> <div> In January 1959, the Captain Isaac Davis Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution voted this project:</div> <bR> <div> "To preserve and perpetuate the Line of March of the Acton Minutemen from the home of Captain Isaac Davis to the old North Bridge in Concord, to retrace it annually to the tune of the "White Cockade", to mark it, to have bells rung again, and to have it a town wide celebration."</div> <bR> <div> On that fateful morning of April 19, 1775, the Minutemen, having been summoned during the night by a three musket shot signal, mustered at the home of their Captain; Isaac Davis.</div> <bR> <div> Then at the head of his company Davis gave the order to march, to the tune of fife and drum playing the "White Cockade", the little more than six miles over the old roads to the agreed-upon rendezvous at the Muster Field in Concord.     </div> <bR> <div> There, after a conference of officers, Captain Davis was heard to say, "I haven't a man afraid to go." He then wheeled his men to the right of the column and with Major Buttrick of Concord and Lt. Col. Robinson of Westford, led his men in columns of two to meet the British Regulars at the North Bridge in Concord. Captain Davis and Abner Hosmer standing side by side were shot by the British volley. Thus the War for Independence was on.</div> <bR> <div>                  On the day of the Concord celebrations, the Acton Minutemen walk the "Captain Isaac Davis Trail" (the road the Acton patriots took), which was mapped out many decades ago by some scouts from ACTON  TROOP 1 of the Boy Scouts.  Dozens of boy scout troops come each year for a Scout rally on the weekend of the reenactments held on land along Route 2 – in Acton.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B> <A NAME="patriots_day_in_acton_"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>Patriots Day in Acton and The Captain Isaac Davis Trail</B></div> <div> By Frank Putnam</div> <bR> <div> The month of April in the year 1775 was unseasonably warm, attesting to an early spring. Because of this pleasant weather, the British military authorities in Boston town decided to march to Concord in April to seize a cache of muskets and powder, which the colonials had stored at Barrett's Mill.</div> <bR> <div> With the proceeding events of the Boston Massacre, the Boston Tea Party, and the closing of the port of Boston by the British, many of the towns in Middlesex County had raised militia units or Minuteman Companies as they came to be called.</div> <bR> <div> At a town meeting in 1773, the residents of the Town of Acton, which had been incorporated as a town in 1735, voted to organize a minuteman company. Because of his occupation as a gunsmith, they chose Isaac Davis as their captain.</div> <bR> <div> Like their counterparts in the neighboring towns and villages, these men were farmers, shopkeepers or artisans. They drilled on their own time, at their own expense and with their own muskets. Possibly many of them hand crafted by their captain, Isaac Davis. They had no uniforms as such, however, as a distinguishing mark each member of the Acton Company wore a white cockade on his tricon hat.</div> <bR> <div> Earlier in the year, Paul Revere, a young silversmith in Boston had learned of the British plan to march to Concord and seize the military stores. He thus devised the well-known plan of signal lanterns to be shown from the bell tower of the old North Church. Immortalized by Longfellow's poem. ”One if by land and two if by sea, and I on the opposite shore will be; ready to ride and spread the alarm, to every Middlesex village and farm.”</div> <bR> <div> On the'18<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >th</FONT> of April 1775, as the British troops prepared to depart from Boston, Paul Revere and his fellow patriots observed the activity. Revere stationed himself all the Charlestown side of the river where he could observe the steeple of the old North Church. In spite of waiting until after dark to help conceal their movements, the British departure was observed and Revere's compatriot lit the lamps in the steeple. Thus in the pre-dawn hours of April 19, 1775, Paul Revere started his now-famous ride through the Middlesex countryside. Much of his ride followed what is today Route 2A from Cambridge, through Arlington, which was at that time, called Menotomy, Lexington, and on to Concord. However, Revere never got beyond Lexington where he was captured by a British patrol.</div> <bR> <div>               Dr. Samuel Prescott, some say he was visiting a lady friend in Lexington, took to horse and brought the news to Concord and then on to Acton. Dr. Prescott arrived in Acton at the home of Captain John Robbins (1) Young John Robbins, using one of the family's plow horses, rode to the home of Isaac Davis to inform him that the British were marching to Concord. Through a pre-arranged signal of musket volleys, the members of Acton's Minuteman Company were alerted and gathered at the home of their captain. (2) At dawn on the morning of April 19, 1775, the thirty seven man company of Acton Minutemen under the command of Captain Isaac Davis, commenced their march from the Captain Davis' home to Concord.</div> <bR> <div> Arriving at the Muster Field overlooking the North Bridge, the Acton Company joined with minuteman companies from Concord, Carlisle, Bedford, Lincoln, and other neighboring towns.</div> <bR> <div> The British troops after a skirmish with the minutemen in Lexington had continued to Concord The British Regiment, under the command of Major Pitcairn, left Concord Town, in the area where Wright's Tavern now stands, and were advancing toward the North Bridge which they had to cross in order to reach Barrett's Mill, where the muskets and powder were stored.</div> <div> The minutemen aware of this decided that the British must not be allowed to advance over the bridge. (3)</div> <bR> <div> After some moments of indecision as to which Minuteman Company would be the first to face the British Regulars, Captain Davis was heard to make the statement, “I haven't a man who is afraid to go.” With that, he wheeled his company to the right, and marched down the hillside, (4) taking up a position c the bridge approximately where the statue of the minuteman stands today. (5) They were followed by the other minuteman companies.</div> <bR> <div> When the smoke from the first British volley had cleared, Captain Isaac Davis (6) lay dead and his drummer Abner Hosmer was mortally wounded. Major Buttrick, of Concord shouted, “Fire, fellow soldiers! For God's sake, fire! The minutemen stood their ground and returned the-British fire, killing two and wounding ten other British regulars in their first volley. Out numbered and poorly deployed, the British, seeing the colonials about to charge across the British, broke ranks and ran.</div> <bR> <div> As the British beat a disorganized retreat back toward Boston, the minutemen followed, shooting at them Indian style from behind trees and stone walls, inflicting heavy casualties. (7) Many military tacticians agree that had the minutemen been better trained and more organized they would have completely annihilated the British Regiment. (See note below)</div> <bR> <div> This small battle, which marked the start of the Revolutionary War, moved the poet Ralph Waldo Emerson, to pen this noted stanza from the Concord Hymn:</div> <bR> <div> “By the rude bridge that arched the flood, </div> <div> Their flag to April's breeze unfurled; </div> <div> Here once the embattled farmers stood,</div> <div> And fired the shot heard round the world.”</div> <bR> <div> <I>1) Today there is a large stone marker on Concord Road in Acton, marking the site of the Robbins homestead.</I></div> <div> <I>(2) The Isaac Davis homestead still stands on Hayward Road in Acton.</I></div> <div> <I>(3) In the event that the British were able to reach Barrett's Mill, the muskets had been wrapped in cloth and laid in the newly plowed furrows of a nearby farm and the sod rolled back over them.</I></div> <div> <I>(4) Historians tell us that with the bayonets, and were therefore because the colonials were afraid rather than give.</I></div> <div> <I>Acton Company were the only ones equipped picked by Major Butterick to face the Brit that the British would charge with bayonet:</I></div> <div> <I>(5) This is now part of the Minuteman National Historical Park.</I></div> <div> <I>(6) Tho first American soldier to give his life in defense of the freedoms we hold so dear today.</I></div> <div> <I>(7) In this fighting, a third Acton, James Hayward, fell from a British musket ball. Captain Davis, Abner Hosmer, and James Hayward are all buried under the Isaac Davis monument in Acton Center.</I></div> <bR> <div> Note: It is interesting to note that certain guns have made history almost as much as the men who carried them into battle. The hand crafted Scottish pistols were such guns. Major John Pitcairn of the Royal Marines carried a fine pair of Scottish pistols in his saddle holsters when he rode to Concord and Lexington. He lost his guns to an American militiaman when his horse bolted. The captured pistols were later given to General Israel Putnam of the Continental Army who carried them throughout the war.</div> <bR> <div> Except for a few brief periods in history the events of that fateful day in 1775, were all but forgotten by the townspeople of Acton, the nation, and American historians, until in 1957, the Scoutmaster of the local Boy Scout Troop, took his troop on a hike. </div> <bR> <div> Scoutmaster Ivan Wold, after his retirement from the United States Merchant Marine, settled in Acton with his wife Dorothy. Ivan soon became the Scoutmaster of Troop 1, in Acton. One day in April of 1957, Ivan called me and asked if I would like to take a hike with the Troop on April nineteenth. I was his assistant scoutmaster at the time. He proceeded to explain that he and Dorothy had done considerable research of the route, which the Acton Minutemen took from the Captain Isaac Davis homestead to the Concord Bridge. </div> <bR> <div> On April 19, 1957, Scoutmaster Ivan Wold, ten members of troop 1 of Acton and I started out from the Isaac Davis homestead at 6:00 a.m. Following the original route as much as possible, we retraced the six and a half mile line of march arriving at the Concord Bridge in time to see the parade and Concord ceremonies. (l) We planned this hike as an annual affair more to teach the scouts some local history and patriotism than for any other reason. However, as word got around, more and more people became interested and joined the scout troop in its annual hike. </div> <bR> <div> In 1959, the Captain Isaac Davis chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution recognized the historical significance of what the Boy Scouts had started. They had a beautiful scroll designed, depicting the line of March super-imposed over an old map of Acton. The following year, one of these scrolls was presented to everyone who had retraced the footsteps of the minutemen. </div> <bR> <div> Also in 1960, thanks to the urgings of a true patriot, Doctor Francis MacDonald of Concord, the Town of Concord formally recognized the original members of the Troop 1 whose modest beginning had caused an infectious rebirth of patriotism in the citizens of Acton and renewed interest in the events of that historical day played by Acton men. This certificate hangs proudly on my wall next to a lithograph copy of an oil painting of the Acton Minuteman Company leaving the Isaac Davis homestead. The original of this painting, done by Arthur Davis, a noted local painter, and former Acton librarian, hangs in the Acton memorial library. </div> <bR> <div> Soon the town fathers became interested and the Public Ceremonies and Celebrations Committee added some organization and significant ceremony to the events of the day. In fact, in 1965, the Town of Acton won a Freedoms Foundation Award for its Patriots Day celebration and activities.</div> <bR> <div> In 1963, the Acton Minutemen were reorganized. (There had been a minuteman company organized at the time of the l50th Anniversary, but this group did not remain active.) Prior to this, only Lexington and Concord had active minutemen companies. Subsequently, many other towns in the area have organized minuteman companies. Uniformed in the colonial dress of the period, the distinctive White Cockade atop their tricons and shouldering flintlock muskets similar to those used by the minutemen of 1775, the Acton Minutemen playa fitting and important part in the observance of this and other patriotic holidays and events.</div> <div>  </div> <div> Little did Scoutmaster Ivan Wold realize that his original idea would grow to the magnitude it has today. </div> <bR> <div> The Isaac Davis Trail has become recognized by the National Council, Boy Scouts of America, as an historical trail thus making scout units who hike the trail eligible for the National Historic Trails Award. </div> <bR> <div> In recent years, the scout leaders of the various units in Acton have organized an annual Boy Scout camporee, which starts on April 18 and culminates with the hike over the trail on the morning of April 19. There have been in past years, as many as 3,000 to 4,000 scouts and their leaders attending this camporee who have hiked over the trail. Also, in recent years the troops from the Army Security Agency training regiment at Fort Devens, Massachusetts, assembled at the Isaac Davis Agency training regiment at Fort Devens, Massachusetts, assembled at the Isaac Davis Acton Boxborough Regional High School band, and hundreds of citizens for brief ceremonies before stepping out on the six and a half mile trek over the trail to Concord. After the ceremonies, the Acton Minuteman Company is the first to commence the march, leading the throng of thousands to the stirring music of their fifes and drums, playing the tune, "The White Cockade". (2) Some of us who had a part in starting this patriotic rebirth, noticing how much it has grown from the original troop of ten Boy Scouts and two leaders could not help wondering if it has grown this big in such a short time, what is it going to be like on April 19, 1975, the 200th anniversary? Will the patriotic feeling aroused by the simple ceremony and the historic significance of the trail be preserved, or will it be lost in the throngs of thousands who will undoubtedly invade Acton and Concord. </div> <bR> <div> The citizens of Acton and other communities who turn out now on the nineteenth of April have a sincere interest in the activities and are well aware of their significance in commemorating an important event in American history. Will those present in 1975 feel the same patriotic lump in their throat as the ceremonies progress? I certainly hope so. If I am right, true patriotism is not dead it is only lying dormant. It is our job to awaken it in the hearts and minds of all Americans. </div> <bR> <div> <I>1 The Town of Concord has always observed Patriots Day with a parade and ceremonies at the bridge. </I></div> <div> <I>2 This tune was played by the fife and drummer of the Acton Minuteman Company in 1775 as they marched to Concord</I>.</div> <bR> <div> About the Author</div> <div>  </div> <div> A 1953 graduate of Acton High School, Mr. Putnam is a native Actonian and former Eagle Scout in Troop 1, Acton. He was the Assistant Scoutmaster of the Troop 1 in 1957. He graduated from the University of Massachusetts in 1958. </div> <bR> <div> The granite used in the Isaac Davis Monument, which stands in Acton Center, came from what was Mr. Putnam's father's farm on Woodbury Lane. The farmhouse was the home of Reverend Woodbury who stood in his front yard and wished the minutemen well as they marched by.</div> <bR> <div> Mr. Putnam is a descendant of General Israel Putnam, the Revolutionary War hero who commanded the Connecticut Troops at Bunker Hill and who is credited with the command, "Don't fire 'til you see the whites of their eyes.”</div> <bR> <div> Mr. Putnam, himself a modern day minuteman, was an officer in the Massachusetts National Guard for over ten years. He is now a captain in the United States Army Reserves. He is a former commanding officer of Co. C. 1st Battalion 11Oth Armor, 26th (Yankee) Infantry Division.This company, based in Concord, Massachusetts traces its military lineage back to the Concord Minutemen of 1775.</div> <bR> <div> Mr. Putnam was also a charter member of the Acton Minutemen when they were reorganized in 1963.</div> <bR> <div> He was a member of the Acton Public Ceremonies at Celebrations Committee.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I><B> <A NAME="memorial_stones_"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></I><I><B>MEMORIAL STONES.</B></I></div> <bR> <div> AT a meeting of the MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL SOCIETY, in Boston, on Thursday, May 9, 1895,</div> <div>  Rev. EDWARD G. PORTER communicated an account of a visit to Acton on occasion of the recent </div> <div> Commemoration of the events of April 19, 1775, in substance as follows:</div> <bR> <div> Having accepted an invitation from the town of Acton to participate in its special observance of the nineteenth of April this year, I improved the opportunity to copy the inscriptions carved upon the three memorial stones, which were dedicated with appropriate ceremonies.</div> <bR> <div> The weather was exceptionally fine, and from an early hour the citizens from all the outlying districts came pouring into the town in teams, on bicycles, and on foot. It was a genuine old-fashioned celebration; such as we do not see any more in our larger towns. It suggested, in some of its features, the traditional college Commencement. Enterprising traders had pitched their tents around the spacious green, and catered to the varied wants of every passer-by. Beside" the eatables and drinkables, there was an imposing display of dry goods, hardware, and all sorts of "notions." Some of these itinerants, I noticed, had sold out their entire stock before the celebration was over.</div> <bR> <div> The Acton houses were gayly decorated, - even some of the farmhouses in remote parts of the town - showing the popular interest in the observances of the day. At nine o'clock some of the military and other guests arrived at the nearest station, - about a mile east from the village. The procession comprised the Salem Cadet Band, the Isaac Davis Post and the Concord Post, G. A. R., the Dunstable Band and one hundred and thirty-five members of the old Sixth Regiment, M. V. M.</div> <bR> <div> The first halt was made at the old Robbins farm, about a quarter of a mile from Nashoba Brook. Here a boulder, eight feet long, and weighing several tons, had been placed by the wayside, in front of the cellar-hole of the old house in which lived  <A NAME="captain_joseph_robbins__on_the_face_of"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>Captain Joseph Robbins. On the face of the stone is sunk a deep rough panel, inscribed in large plain letters, as follows: </div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> SITE OF HOUSE WHERE FIRST</div> <div> ALARM WAS GIVEN IN ACTON!</div> <div> MORNING OF 19" OF APRIL 1775.</div> <div> "CAPT. ROBBINS! CAPT. ROBBINS!</div> <div> THE REGULARS ARE COMING!!"</div> <bR> <div> The house had two stories in front, with a pitch-roof behind. It was painted red, and was said to have been the first painted house in the town. It was burned about 1863. The estate has descended from father to son for five generations without a deed of transfer. I talked with a lady born near by in 1811, - one of nine children.</div> <bR> <div> The dedicatory exercises consisted of prayer by Mr. Wood, and addresses by Luther Conant, president of the day, and Moses Taylor.</div> <bR> <div> The company then proceeded to the neighboring cemetery, a large and attractive spot, well-shaded and well cared for, the old and the new in one enclosure. Here, under the fluttering flags, rest more than a hundred Revolutionary soldiers, - a larger, number than can be found in any rural cemetery with which I am familiar. This shows the remarkable stability of the population of Acton. Her sons have generally chosen to remain on the ancestral acres. Here they have lived and here they have died, - a homogeneous, industrious, contented people.     </div> <bR> <div> After patriotic exercises among the graves, conveyances were furnished for citizens and guests to go about two miles through the village, to the southwest-central part of the town, to dedicate another monument. This was placed on the greensward in front of the house now owned by H. A. Gould, a little south of the Harvard turnpike. It is an old dwelling, but in good repair, and was once the  <A NAME="home_of_the_hosmers_and_blanchard_s_"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>home of the Hosmers and Blanchard's. The boulder is large and well shaped, like the other, and bears the following inscription: </div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> FROM THIS FARM WENT</div> <div> CALVIN AND LUTHER BLANCHARD</div> <div> TO CONCORD FIGHT AND BUNKER HILL</div> <div> SONS OF SIMON BLANCHARD WHO WAS</div> <div> KILLED AT THE BATTLE OF QUEBEC 1759</div> <div> LUTHER WAS THE FIRST MAN HIT BY A</div> <div> BRITISH BALL AT THE OLD NORTH BRIDGE</div> <div> AND DIED IN THE SERVICE OF HIS COUNTRY</div> <div> A FEW MONTHS LATER</div> <bR> <div> On the rear of the stone, in a small panel, are the words:</div> <bR> <div> ERECTED 1895 BY LUKE BLANCHARD</div> <div> GRANDSON OF CALVIN</div> <bR> <div> Here two ministers of the town, Messrs. Buxton and Lindh, conducted the brief memorial exercises.</div> <bR> <div> An additional inscription ought to be placed here, stating that this was also the home of Abner Hosmer, the Acton patriot who shared with Captain Davis the honor of being the first to fall at Concord Bridge.</div> <bR> <div> About halfway back to the village, on the other road to West Acton, we dedicated the third stone, which had been set up to commemorate the day. This was in front of the  <A NAME="premises_of_captain_davis__the_house_of"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>premises of Captain Davis. The house of his day is gone, but portions of it, we are told, appear in the present buildings. The flat stone doorstep now in use is undoubtedly the original.</div> <bR> <div> Few spots in the town have more interest to the student of history. Here, in the early morning, about six o'clock, were assembled the brave minute company, - mostly young fellows, - eager to place themselves under the command of their chosen leader, ready for service, but knowing not just where or just what it was to be.</div> <bR> <div> Davis was a gunsmith, and in his little shop, under the apple-trees near the well sweep, he had that winter examined many of their flintlocks and put them in good order. He himself carried a musket as well as a sword that morning as they went forth, keeping step to the tune of the" White Cockade." They followed the lane by the parsonage west of the present village, and came out by the old meetinghouse; thence they turned down over Nashoba brook, and along the old Strawberry Hill road into Concord near Colonel Barrett's.</div> <bR> <div> The following Sunday another and a very different scene was witnessed at the Davis homestead. Perhaps Acton, in all its history, has not been so profoundly moved as on this occasion, when the bodies of Davis, Hosmer, and Hayward were brought hither for the funeral solemnities. The whole town was in mourning; and the agonizing appeal to heaven uttered by the Rev. John Swift, and then in the last year of his long ministry, found a tender response in every heart.</div> <bR> <div> It is fitting that this spot should be marked by an enduring memorial in honor of the first American officer who fell in the Revolutionary War.     </div> <bR> <div> The stone is rounded at the corners, and inscribed as follows: </div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> DAVIS HOME.</div> <div> OF CAPT. ISAAC DAVIS</div> <div> WHO WAS KILLED IN BATTLE</div> <div> BY THE BRITISH AT</div> <div> THE OLD NORTH BRIDGE IN CONCORD APRIL 19th</div> <div> 1775</div> <bR> <div> and on the other face:</div> <bR> <div> ERECTED 1895</div> <div> BY</div> <div> CHARLES WHEELER</div> <bR> <div> Mr. Wheeler is the present owner of the estate. The exercises here consisted of an address by Mr. Clark, of West Acton, and prayer by Mr. Porter.</div> <bR> <div> An excellent dinner was then served by the ladies in the Town Hall, after which addresses were given in the adjoining tent, which was filled with listeners. Mr. Copping, the pastor of Acton Centre, officiated as chaplain. The chairman, Mr. Conant, welcomed the guests, and introduced as speakers Governor Greenhalge, ex-Governor Boutwell, Colonel Olin, Secretary of State, Colonel Watson of the Sixth Regiment, Captain Adams, Congressman Fitzgerald, and others. Mr. Porter responded for Lexington.</div> <bR> <div> Everyone was glad to welcome Mr. Boutwell, of Groton, as he was the Governor of the Commonwealth, and a most efficient helper, when the Battle Monument on' the village green was dedicated in 1851. His presence on that occasion is gratefully remembered by the town.</div> <bR> <div> Two other venerable guests received special honor. These were the surviving sons of men who fought at Concord Bridge, - Mr. Luke Smith, son of Solomon Smith, and Mr. James Miller Ed wards, son of Ebenezer Edwards. So far as is known, there is only one other man living who can claim this distinction, and he is a brother of Mr. Ed wards, - all three, therefore, sons of Acton.</div> <bR> <div> It is proposed to erect a memorial stone next April at the home of James Hayward in West Acton. Lexington has already placed a tablet at the spot where he fell within her borders, while in pursuit of the British on their retreat early in the afternoon.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I><B> <A NAME="ray_shamel_presents_scout_campfire"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></I><I><B>Ray Shamel Presents Scout Campfire Address</B></I></div> <div> Assabet Valley Beacon</div> <div> Thursday April 22, 1971</div> <bR> <div> ACTON - Raymond Shamel, former Chairman of the Acton Public Ceremonies and Celebrations Committee, who was instrumental in developing the annual Acton observance of Patriot's Day, addressed the Patriot's eve scout camporee at the 8 p.m. campfire.</div> <bR> <div> Speaking to over 1800 scouts who had gathered from as far as Michigan and as close as Acton, Shamel made the following statement:</div> <bR> <div> "Welcome to this most historic area. This is the beginning of the second decade of the public celebration of Patriot's Day in Acton, which I organized in 1961. I congratulate you on being here to reenact the march of Captain Isaac Davis and the Acton Minutemen from Acton to the Old North Bridge in Concord. There they led the first organized armed resistance to the British Crown. There they fired 'the shot heard 'round the world' which has ever since been the inspiration of oppressed people everywhere who have fought for freedom. Since 1775, whenever there has been a blow struck or a shot fired in the cause of liberty, it has been but an echo of the shot fired by the Acton Minutemen at the Old North Bridge on April 19th, 1775.</div> <bR> <div> I understand that your scoutmaster has discussed with you the information supplied to each troop accepted to this great camporee - so you are familiar with the midnight ride of William Dawes, Paul Revere, Doctor Prescott and young John Robbins of Acton who, on his thirteenth birthday, carried the alarm that 'the British are coming' to Captain Isaac Davis. Tomorrow you will hike from Capt. Davis' home over the very same trail, at the same time and to the same place (the Old North Bridge) where Captain Davis - when others refused to be first - said, 'I haven't a man who is afraid to go' and so led the Acton Minutemen to the head of the column and down to the Old North Bridge and into the pages of history. In this first organized encounter Captain Davis was killed, the first officer of what was to become the United States Army, to be killed in action, to give his life for his country. Before the day was over the British were making a hasty retreat to Boston. Of the 1800 British involved, 65 had been killed, 180 wounded, and 27 missing. Of the 3300 colonists involved, 49 were killed, 42 wounded, and five were missing.</div> <bR> <div> "So April the 19th was the day of decision - the day that created this nation. After April 19th there could be no turning back. Boston was changed in one heroic day from a British conquest to a British prison, encircled by a united, aroused, and determined colonial militia. Cambridge became an armed camp of angry Americans. Two months later the British awoke one morning to find that during the night the colonists had dug fortifications on Breed's Hill overlooking the British stronghold of Boston. The battle of Bunker Hill followed. In the first charge of the British, marching 700 abreast, the colonists held their fire until they could see the whites of British eyes and then they fired with such effect that the British retreated leaving piles of dead and wounded. In their second attack the British grenadiers and light infantry lost 3/4ths, and some units lost 9/ 10ths, of their men. The British General Howe stood in shock among his dead and dying men. Almost his entire personal staff had been killed. Now, however, the Americans Were running out of gunpowder and musket balls so on the third charge the British reached the American entrenchments and hand-to-hand fighting followed. Clubbed muskets were used against swords, and stones against bayonets, and fists when nothing else was available. The Americans were forced to retreat and the British took Breed's Hill. However the British losses were staggering. Nearly half the Redcoats were casualties, including a disproportionate number of officers, picked off by Yankee marksmen. A British officer wrote 'A dearly bought victoryanother such would ruin us.'</div> <bR> <div> "How bravely those few Americans fought to gain the freedoms you enjoy today! Certainly they were men of great courage and patriotism. Perhaps in the minds of those men at the Old North Bridge and at Breed's Hill, the words of Patrick Henry were still alive when he said, 'Is life so dear - or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it almighty God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death! '</div> <div>      </div> <div> "These few events I have mentioned are a. small part of your - your very own American heritage. I urge you to read more about it - for again, as Patrick Henry said, 'I have but one lamp to guide my feet, and that is the lamp of experience. I know no way to judge the future - but by the past.' America needs you to know your past, your great American heritage, so that you as a citizen voter can guide America's future.</div> <bR> <div> "For no matter where you were born, or your parents or grandparents were born, so long as you are a good American citizen, this American heritage you will experience tomorrow and much more belongs to you. The benefits of the American Revolution belong to you, and in effect, you are a son of the American Revolution."</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>