An old axiom (oft called "Murphy's Law") reads, "Whatever can go wrong will go wrong". These words could aptly be applied to events of 19 April 1775 when problems plagued both the colonists and the British army.

To counter any movement of British units out of Boston, the well-meaning Provincial Congress organized Concord area minute and militia companies into two regiments each with their own command structures. This concept went awry in the turmoil of the Regular's descent into Concord.

As the senior officer present, Col. James Barrett (militia) inherited a disjointed force of minute, militia and officers. He appointed Maj. John Buttrick (minute) his field commander who in turn chose a reluctant Lt. Joseph Hosmer (horse troop) his adjutant. These Concord men were responsible for organizing a rapidly growing group of some 10 mixed companies plus unattached individuals (including LTC Robinson, Westford, with no men) into a military force.

Scrambling to retreat from Concord center and reform above North Bridge to await reenforcements, Barrett's army would be joined by women, children, civilians and dogs - some fleeing the British and some curious. Time had to be spent ushering the non-combatants to a safe location.

In the midst of this confusion, a Lincoln minuteman - James Nichols - said, "I will go down and talk with them (soldiers at the Bridge)". He returned after a short time, gathered his musket and went home, unsure if he wished to participate in any of the day's possibilities. Questions of resolve filtered through the ranks.

When the moment "to march into the middle of the town for its defense" arrived, uncertainty arose as to who would lead. Allegedly a Concord captain declined the honor and while Lincoln's Capt. Smith volunteered, he was overlooked. Capt. Davis jumped forward and his Acton company was selected to march into history.

After the Bridge was forced, the colonists should have reorganized and prepared for further actions. Instead command dissolved perhaps in part due to Davis' death. Some units stayed together; some seperated and individuals went home. "Everyone appeared to be his own commander."

Smith's plans to quickly, secretly march a force of British Regulars to Concord and destroy military stores was not immune to "Murphy's Law". A shortage of boats, delays awaiting provisions and a high tide caused the expedition crossing the Charles River to be hours late and wet when departing Cambridge. Timing and surprise were also impacted by an illogical skirmish on Lexington Green and the escape of an alarm rider who would warn Concord.

As with Barrett's force, the British expedition was an unusual mixture of units (light infantry and grenadiers from each regiment in Boston) serving under officers unfamiliar to the troops. This would lead to a fracturing of discipline and command both at Lexington Green and North Bridge.

At Concord, instead of simply smashing discovered martial stores, the soldiers set them afire touching off a blaze on the Town House roof, the dousing of which caused unusual smoke leading the colonials to march in belief that the town was being burned. Had the fire and smoke not occurred, would a confrontation at North Bridge and the bloody retreat to Boston have taken place?

British Capt. Laurie, watching the rebels move to the Bridge, sent for reenforcements (arrived too late) and prepared for a defense. He planned to employ "street firing", a common technique and simple to enact. However, due to lack of experience, discipline and drill, plus command by unfamiliar officers, the maneuver failed. Laurie's force retreated, abandoning the Bridge and thus his fellow companions still at Barrett's farm.

The rendering of historical events tends to dwell on the heroic, romantic and positive often ignoring facts and problems. Yet when real people are involved, it is most likely that a part of the actual equation even in victory will be "whatever can go wrong will go wrong". Such was the case on 19 April 1775 when two simple plans by the British regulars and the colonials interacted with "Murphy's Law" and changed the course of history.