What is the real story behind Paul Revere's ride?
What really happened during Paul Revere's ride is different than what we have all been taught. At this time, word of war between the American colonists and the British was spreading like wildfire. It was on the night of April 18, 1775 that Dr. Joseph Warren instructed Revere to ride to Lexington, Massachusetts to warn Samuel Adams and John Hancock that the British troops were coming to arrest them. Revere instructed his friend Robert Newman to hang two lanterns in the church tower. He left Charlestown to begin his ride to Lexington.
There was another man, William Dawes, who had been sent out on the same task. The two of them took different routes in case one of them encountered a problem.
We are taught today that Revere called out "the British are coming" as he rode through towns, but in reality he called out "the regulars are coming out".
Revere arrived in Lexington around midnight and delivered his message to Samuel Adams and John Hancock. Here he met up with William Dawes and they decided to continue riding to Concord Massachusetts where weapons were hidden. They were joined by a third rider, Samuel Prescott.
Near the beginning of their ride they were arrested by the British. Prescott and Dawes escaped, but Revere was held. He was let go after they heard shots fire in the distance. The battle of Lexington then had begun, which started the Revolutionary War.
The popular poem that we all know was actually written nearly 90 years after Paul Revere's ride. It differs from what really happened. For example, Paul Revere was not the only rider that night. The poem also makes it seem as though the lanterns were meant for Paul Revere, but in reality the lanterns were lit as a warning for the citizens of Charlestown. The poem also tells of Revere arriving in Concord, but in reality he was captured before he ever got that far.
There was another man, William Dawes, who had been sent out on the same task. The two of them took different routes in case one of them encountered a problem.
We are taught today that Revere called out "the British are coming" as he rode through towns, but in reality he called out "the regulars are coming out".
Revere arrived in Lexington around midnight and delivered his message to Samuel Adams and John Hancock. Here he met up with William Dawes and they decided to continue riding to Concord Massachusetts where weapons were hidden. They were joined by a third rider, Samuel Prescott.
Near the beginning of their ride they were arrested by the British. Prescott and Dawes escaped, but Revere was held. He was let go after they heard shots fire in the distance. The battle of Lexington then had begun, which started the Revolutionary War.
The popular poem that we all know was actually written nearly 90 years after Paul Revere's ride. It differs from what really happened. For example, Paul Revere was not the only rider that night. The poem also makes it seem as though the lanterns were meant for Paul Revere, but in reality the lanterns were lit as a warning for the citizens of Charlestown. The poem also tells of Revere arriving in Concord, but in reality he was captured before he ever got that far.