A Confirmation of Liberty
Posted: Monday, June 29, 2009
by Ted Gragg
Myrtle Beach Shooting Range
The morning mist began to thin. They stood there, atop the hill, no uniformity of dress, in a ragged line, facing toward Boston miles away. They stood there, bold in the fear of the unknown, resolute in the awareness that all men are created equal by God to chart their own destiny, and bound by determination to exercise the freedom of Liberty .
"The Regulars are coming out! The Regulars are coming out!" Paul Revere's cry echoed throughout the Middlesex County arousing other couriers who dashed away on horseback, alerting the militia. The British troops of General Gage were marching secretly to seize the mess bowls, powder, foodstuffs, cannon, and ball sequestered at Concord and Lexington .
The British line, six companies strong advanced, soldiers marching in unison, buttons gleaming, scarlet uniforms bearing white clayed crossbelts, all in perfect order and harmony, assured in their prowess, training, and arms, resplendent in the aura of the mighty British Empire and King George III.
The militia stood firm, all forty of them, led by Captain John Park. They presented arms.
"Dont fire unless you are fired on." Park ordered. "But if they want war, it may as well begin here!"
"Damn you!" Shouted British commander Major John Pitcairn. "Disperse, you rebels! Disperse!"
Forty hammers cocked in unison broke the stilted silence. Forty muskets still held in readiness at present arms. Forty men, patriots all, stood yards away from the assembled might of the British Empire . Forty men, united, bound by freedom's desire, resolute in their action, stood unmoving, firm, for Liberty .
The British soldiers raised their muskets into firing position.
The Forty stood firm. They did not disperse.
Major Pitcairn, the British commander, paused, looked left, then right, raised his sword, and shouted. "Fire!"
Eighteen Patriots of the original forty fell that morning. The Patriot commander Park ordered the survivors to scatter and defend themselves. These troops began to return a sultry fire on the British soldiers from behind stone walls, trees, and haystacks. They were soon joined by other militiamen from the county who began to fire from seclusion on the British troops. This fire continued to harass the Kings soldiers as they began their withdrawal toward Boston . Forty-nine patriots died that day and thirty-nine were wounded. The British force suffered seventy-three killed and one hundred seventy-four wounded as they marched back to Boston . They had destroyed only half of the stores of the new provisional government. Their mission to quell the rebellion had ended in failure.
Liberty had prevailed. The birth of a new nation founded by free men upon freedom's precepts had stood firm while being assailed by the strongest foe on earth. They were we. We are they. Liberty . Then, now, and tomorrow!
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Top-level comments on this article: (8 total)Happening on this site for someone else, I find Ted Gragg and smile - boy, I've missed your writings! As I've told you a million times, you've the gift of drawing your reader into your world and in this ending tears filled my eyes as I read, "...Liberty had prevailed. The birth of a new nation founded by free men upon freedom's precepts had stood firm while being assailed by the strongest foe on earth. They were we. We are they. Liberty . Then, now, and tomorrow!" - You can't stop penning, Ted - never-ever!Keep the faith, Baby. We're coming back. It is just too much fun and I have missed it. Thanks for the support and your friendship. T
What happened so long ago seems to have so little resemblance to today's America. I guess we are nostalgic. It's like some man long ago invented the steam engine, and his trust fund descendants many generations forward fancy themselves geniuses, as they spend his continued royalties money.
Yesterday's liberty can be ours today as long as we remember to hold its precepts dear and to stand forthright against tyranny. Our government was not designed to be governed from the ivory towers created by a political party, but by the nation's citizens.
» left by Ken McCreless
from Event Horizon 2 years 324 days ago.
84 fans. Follow Ken McCreless on twitter!What an exciting story, beautifully written and inspiring.Thank you, Ken. I am glad that you enjoyed the article. Isn't it great to be an American!
Outstanding!! Remembering the victory over oppression and tyranny should be foremost in our thoughts at all times. Our ancestors, yours and mine, fought and won the first, lost the second, but, with a Patriot's heart, we will win the current struggle to reclaim our individual liberties. Keep up the good work.Hello, Ronnie. Heard that you presented an excellent address this past week. And yes, our ancestors have carried the colors for both Americas, North and South. We must continue to remind all Americans that American Liberty is priceless. Thanks for the comment.
God bless you and God Bless the USA thanks for writing this you are an inspiration and these stories will help motivate the new generation of patriotsThank you, Mr. Rogers, and thanks for loving your country. Ted
I can't decide which is best - the article or your comment about not governing from ivory towers. It's wonderful to hear that you are a writer! Best of luck for your continuing success.
Still valid, today more than ever!
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