SAR Honors 250th Anniversary of Revolution’s First Battle

On April 19, 1775 Colonial militiamen faced off against about 700 British Regular Army troops on the village green at Lexington, Massachusetts. Warned by Paul Revere and friends, Militia from all over Massachusetts poured into the area to prevent the British from Seizing munitions and powder and attempting to capture Colonial leaders.

On the 250 th Anniversary of that fateful day, the Sgt Maj John Champe Chapter, Virginia Sons of the American Revolution sponsored a commemoration at Champ Farm near the village of Aldie.

A highlight of the event was participation by two Regular British Army reenactors representing His Majesty’s 65 th Regiment of Foot. Bernie Way dressed as a Lieutenant and Lloyd Harting dressed as a Sergeant, provided Red Coat Color and a British perspective of events as they read part of the program script.

Five SAR Chapters and four DAR chapters participated, with nine militiamen carrying reproduction muskets. The company of musket men simulating events at Lexington fired the “Shot Heard around the World,” followed shortly by a volley in unison then individual random fire. The Company then moved to “Concord” where they fired a second volley in unison followed by random fire.

For more information on the Sgt Maj John Champe Chapter go to johnchampe-sar.org.