On this day in history:
The Battle of Lexington and Concord was fought in 1775. Today is the 250 anniversary of what was considered the first major battle against British regulars in the American War for Independence.
This series of skirmish-esque battles was fought in the early hours (roughly dawn) in Lexington before the Patriot militia retreated searching for supplies (and having had advance warning of said supplies were going to be confiscated by the British, they moved them to different locations). The next battle fought was on the Old North Bridge around 11am in Concord where the British forces retreated and regrouped with the main body in Lexington.
By this time, word had been spread so that the surrounding towns, villages and across state lines were starting to send their militias, swelling the Patriot forces and the British retreated back to Charlestown and through that, Boston.
In the end, this started the Siege of Boston. The accumulated Patriot militia forces would eventually be joined by General George Washington after the Battle of Bunker Hill (Battle of Breed's Hill) on June 17, 1775. There are no conclusive evidence that members of the 2nd Continental Light Dragoons served during this time in various militia, but it would stand to reason that they did answer the call to come to Lexington and Concord while the initial Patriot forces were engaged. Some did participate in the Siege of Boston (like Samuel B. Webb - who was not part of the 2DL, but b/c he features in my novels prominently, it would be a disservice not to include him; Nathan Hale, Elisha Sheldon, Ezekiel Belden, etc.). Tellingly, Benjamin Tallmadge did not join the militia or serve during the Siege of Boston - only joining after he and his friends visited the site (as mentioned in the 1st novel). But he did encourage his best friend Nathan Hale to join before him - citing his own duties and responsibilities that prevented him from joining at that time.
Samuel B. Webb joined during the Siege as part of the Wethersfield Militia as an ensign, and he and the rest of his company led by Captain John Chester (the same one that Tallmadge will eventually serve under in his first posting), were probably one of the very few with actual uniforms. They did feature in the Battle of Bunker Hill/Breed's Hill, rear guard and acquitted themselves well during the battle.
I'll be posting more come Battle of Bunker Hill/Breed's Hill anniversary (June 17th)!