By D. Michael Ryan, the Concord and Lincoln Minute Men Historian, an 18th Century volunteer history interpreter with the National Park Service and Associate Dean of Students at Boston College.
At the exact moment that the colonial column reached the North Bridge on April 19, 1775, four companies of British Regulars returning from Barrett's farm arrived on the field. Assessing the situation and realizing the danger to his comrades attempting to hold the river crossing, Capt. Lawrence Parsons maneuvered his Light Infantry from column to line and halted some 100 yards to the right and rear of the rebels. Word rapidly spread through the provincial ranks that they had been surprised and flanked. Fear led to panic and a hasty withdrawal.
Obviously this scenario never occurred. But what if Parsons' units had not paused for refreshment at the Widow Brown's tavern a mile or so from the North Bridge but had instead returned directly to the bridge arriving just as the epic skirmish was unfolding? How might the day and history have been changed?
Events that defined that April morning in Concord were impacted by human judgement, circumstances and personal actions. In any one of several scenarios during and surrounding the Bridge fight, had some small aspect changed or another decision been reached, the outcome might have been different. Though true of most historic events, it still does not lessen the fascination or imagination aroused in pondering answers to the question, "What if?"
As the number of colonial minute and militia increased above the North Bridge, an officers' gathering was convened to discuss the crisis and possible courses of action. Indecision and caution seemed to prevail. Suddenly, multiple plumes of smoke arose from Concord center and it was feared that the King's soldiers were sacking the village. A decision was made to march into town and thus into history. But what if the Red Coats had destroyed materials without burning them? What if the Court House roof had not caught fire and the extinguishing had not led to billows of smoke? Without the purpose of saving the town, would the rebels have marched on the Bridge? Or might they have passively remained on the hill observing and thus have avoided the fight and history?
But the colonials did descended from Buttrick's farm to their destiny. They marched with strict orders not to fire unless fired upon first. The Regulars did volley and the rebels returned it with dead and wounded on both sides. What if the King's soldiers had instead charged bayonets (even though outnumbered) with the hope of surprising, frightening and routing their attackers? Would the colonials have stopped, retreated, continued forward or fired? Was the provincial vanguard Acton minute company -- armed with bayonets -- trained and prepared to handle such a charge from the Red Coats?
Lt. Col. Francis Smith sent three companies of Light Infantry Regulars to defend the Bridge, and four to visit Barrett's farm in search of military stores and supplies. If five companies had been left at the Bridge, this might have allowed for two (with 65 men) to guard the structure while three (with 95 men) went forward to the high ground? Would an advancing provincial column have been willing to face a defense in echelon?
Also to be asked, what if British Capt. Walter Laurie's plans to defend the Bridge had been more ordered, understood and executed? Soldiers of one company would have dispersed into fields on either side of the Bridge while two companies formed in ranks to conduct street firing tactics, a feasible defense tactic for the situation. This latter action would allow one section (one kneeling and one or two standing) to fire, retire to the rear to reload while another moved forward to fire. The Bridge could have been held until the enemy retreated, reinforcements arrived or ammunition expired. Would the colonials have continued an attack under these circumstances, especially if taking heavy casualties?
A purposeful, active command structure seemed to be lacking in the provincial force. Once Capt. Isaac Davis of Acton was killed, it appears that heart was lost and no officer took charge, though Maj. John Buttrick did rally some 200 men behind a wall later to move onward to Meriam's Corner. What if Davis had survived? Would the Americans have pursued the soldiers toward Concord center? If the full colonial force (about 400) had remained intact and under one commander's control, might it have captured the four British companies returning from Barrett's farm, or the two grenadier relief companies with Lt. Col. Smith responding to the Bridge?
Finally, what if Col. James Barrett, over-all provincial field commander, had consolidated his troops near the North Bridge, and the hundreds of colonials responding from Sudbury and Framingham had taken up positions near South Bridge? This would have left Smith with only one exit from Concord, and at Meriam's Corner hundreds of minute and militia were already gathering. Surrounded and outnumbered, might Smith have had to consider surrendering his command rather than lose it? He already realized that the relief column from Boston that was to arrive for his support was late and nowhere to be seen.
When in search of history, any analysis of what occurred and why relative to a particular event must include such factors as personal judgement and action plus uncontrollable circumstances. In some instances, the final truth to the question ³why" can never be discovered. Yet as with the 19th of April 1775 in Concord, it is still intriguing to ponder the facts, as they are known, then ask..."what if?"
Sources:
- "Day of Concord and Lexington" by Allen French, 1925.
- "General Gage's Informers" by Allen French, 1932
- "The Nineteenth of April 1775" by Harold Murdock, 1925.
- "We Were There" by Vincent J-R Kehoe, 1974.
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