On Wednesday, April 19, 1775, British Regulars under the command of a Major John Pitcairn had been sent ahead by his commanding officer Lt. Colonel Francis Smith on the road to Concord, Massachusetts. The British had heard reports that American rebels were caching weapons at Concord, and their purpose was to find and seize those weapons.

However, as they approached the small village of Lexington, Maj. Pitcairn heard the sound of drums and small arms fire up ahead. He received reports of hostile American rebels waiting for him. The major ordered his men to load and be prepared. Pitcairn’s men came onto the Lexington Green and saw before them 60-70 American rebels under the command of Capt. John Parker arrayed in formation.

“Stand your ground,” exclaimed Parker; “’don’t fire unless fired upon. But if they want to have a war let it begin here!”

Parker’s men were still turning out to join their fellows when, with huzzas and shouts, Pitcairn’s men broke ranks and “rushed furiously” forward to face Captain Parker’s men. Major Pitcairn rode forward on his horse and from the left flank ordered Parker’s men to surrender their weapons. There was no reply from Parker or his men.

Why were they there? Was it to start a war? No. They were there as citizen defenders of their homes and families, merely to observe the actions of the British forces. Seeing the overwhelming force arrayed against him, Parker ordered his men not to fire, but to disperse.

Still retaining their arms, Parker’s men slowly began to back away. At that moment a shot rang out—who fired it and from which side—has never been concluded, but it was enough. The British soldiers opened fire into the Americans. Men fell dead and wounded.

Some of Parker’s men began to scatter and run for cover, but others immediately returned fire. One of these was Jonas Parker, the Captain’s cousin. At the first volley, Parker emptied his rifle. A second volley thundered and Jonas Parker was wounded. Witnesses record that Parker raised his hand and shouted, “I will not run!” he threw his hat to the ground and into it his flints, and was in the act of reloading his rifle when the British rushed forward and bayoneted him through.

In the bedlam of smoke, shouting and shooting, the Redcoats pursued every American in sight. When the battle was over 8 Americans lay dead and 15 wounded. And the American War of Independence had begun, its first casualty—Jonas Parker.

With all that we face today, is it not time to remember Jonas Parker, where we started and why we are here?

Source: The Day of Lexington and Concord, Allen French, 1925, p. 100-113, 119, 136, 143 https://archive.org/stream/battleofapril19100cobu/battleofapril19100cobu_djvu.txt

Glenn Rawson is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and he resides in Blackfoot. Watch Glenn Rawson on KPVI Channel 6 at 8:30 a.m. Sundays or listen to his stories on EZ Rock 95.3 from 5 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.