Concord Fight Plaque

The Concord Fight Plaque recognizes the significance of the engagement on April 19, 1775 that began the American Revolution. Upon receiving the alarm warning of the advance of British regulars, colonial militia and minute companies quickly gathered at the North Bridge in Concord and succeeded in driving the British back into Charlestown.

Erected by the Town of Concord to replace a wooden sign from 1925, the Concord Fight Plaque features a bronze tablet mounted on an uncut granite boulder. Its inscription shares the same narrative that appeared on the original sign. The text, written by Concord resident and historian Allen French, recalls the events of April 19th and the noteworthy words and deeds of the Patriots who played key roles there.

It reads:

CONCORD FIGHT

ON THE MORNING OF APRIL NINETEENTH, 1775, WHILE THE BRITISH
HELD THIS BRIDGE, THE MINUTE-MEN AND MILITIA OF CONCORD AND
NEIGHBORING TOWNS GATHERED ON THE HILL ACROSS THE RIVER.
THERE THE CONCORD ADJUTANT, JOSEPH HOSMER, DEMANDED, “WILL
YOU LET THEM BURN THE TOWN DOWN?” THERE THE LINCOLN CAPTAIN,
WILLIAM SMITH, OFFERED TO DISLODGE THE BRITISH. THE ACTON
CAPTAIN, ISAAC DAVIS, SAID, “I HAVEN’T A MAN THAT’S AFRAID TO GO!”
AND THE CONCORD COLONEL, JAMES BARRETT ORDERED THE ATTACK
ON THE REGULARS.

THE COLUMN WAS LED BY MAJOR JOHN BUTTRICK, MARCHING FROM
HIS OWN FARM. HIS AIDE WAS LT. COLONEL JOHN ROBINSON OF WESTFORD.
THE MINUTE-MEN OF ACTON, CONCORD, LINCOLN AND BEDFORD FOLLOWED.
AFTER THEM CAME THE MILITIA. AT THE BRITISH VOLLEY ISAAC DAVIS
FELL. BUTTRICK CRIED, “FIRE, FELLOW-SOLDIERS, FOR GOD’S SAKE FIRE!”
AND HIMSELF FIRED FIRST. THE BRITISH FLED; AND HERE BEGAN THE
SEPARATION OF TWO KINDRED NATIONS, NOW HAPPILY LONG UNITED
IN PEACE.

ALLEN FRENCH