You often see the numbers 419 on patriot types blogs. Heck, I’ve even noticed them on my son’s HALO game. What do these three simple numbers stand for? Is it some secret code? A cryptic message that only Patriots know? Yes and at the same time, a resounding No! 419 refers to April 15, 1775. This is a red letter day in American History and for patriots all over the world. That was the day the shot was fired that was heard around the World. The day that the Battle of Lexington and Concord was fought.
For those of you that slept through your American History class in High School, I’ll give you a refresher. The Militia in Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts had been stockpiling weapons and the British Military didn’t like it. 700 British Army Regulars, under the Command of Lt. Colonel Francis Smith, were dispatched from Boston to confiscate these weapons.
Yes, gun confiscation has happened before in America, and it can happen again.
The word leaked out and Paul Revere and William Dawes were sent out to warn the local Militias. Just as the sun rose that fateful morning the first shots of the American Revolution rang out. The Lexington Militia, badly outnumbered, fell back toward Concord. Word of the battle spread like wildfire and, by the time the British Army arrived in Concord, they were met by several hundred Colonial Militiamen. They clashed again at the Old North Bridge in Concord. Several Hundred Militiamen defeated three companies of the Kings Troops. Farmers defeated the best Army in the world that day.
In the poem “Concord Hymn” by Ralph Waldo Emerson it describes the battle like this.
Concord Hymn
By the rude bridge that arched the flood,
Their flag to April’s breeze unfurled,
Here once the embattled farmers stood,
And fired the shot heard round the world.The foe long since in silence slept;
Alike the conqueror silent sleeps;
And Time the ruined bridge has swept
Down the dark stream which seaward creeps.On this green bank, by this soft stream,
We set to-day a votive stone;
That memory may their deed redeem,
When, like our sires, our sons are gone.Spirit, that made those heroes dare,
To die, and leave their children free,
Bid Time and Nature gently spare
The shaft we raise to them and thee.
I’ve often wondered who first fired that shot heard ’round the world. Was it fired by a youthful Militiaman nervous at the prospect facing the British Redcoats? Was it an overeager British Infantryman? I have a friend who believes that somebody slammed a door and all hell broke out. I have my own theory and If you don’t like it then tough; its my theory and I like it. I am a Christian and I believe that America is a land ordained by God to be a bastion of Freedom for all faiths where they can worship, How, Where, and What they may!
I have been accused of taking the Bible to literal at times, so bear with me. Do you remember John the Apostle of Jesus who desired to tarry on the earth until Jesus returns again. I can imagine him standing in the background, watching the events unwind. He can see the Militia wavering. He knows that America needs to be free for Christians to worship freely, so he draws a flintlock pistol from his waistband and pointing it skyward…fires. The rest is history. You don’t need to believe my theory; but it is kind of fun.
Remember Lexington and Concord!
419
