Though Paul Revere performed bravely and well numerous patriotic duties
assigned to him, most early historians of the Revolution forgot even to
mention his name in recounting the crucial events of April, 1775. He
lives in our memory today chiefly because one valorous deed of his, in
that month of valorous deeds, was made the subject of a popular poem.
Nearly ninety years after the Ride, Longfellow rescued the Midnight
Messenger from oblivion, and gave him a place among Revolutionary
heroes.
Apollos Rivoire, father of Paul, was a native of the Island of
Guernsey, and came of Huguenot stock. A fugitive in search of freedom,
he found a home in Boston, where on January 1, 1735 (new style), the
son was born who was to establish in the annals of his country the
Anglicized name of liberty-loving French ancestors. Father and son were
metal craftsmen and wrought fine tableware, many examples of which are
still in existence. Paul was a skilful designer, and a cartoonist of
wit and imagination. But of far greater importance to his associates,
he was an up-and-ready sort of person, keen for any task that gave vent
to an ardent nature--always in the thick of everything. He was a moving
spirit in various secret organizations, had an active part in the Tea
Party, and because he was bold and dependable was chosen to carry the
news of Boston’s successful exploit to sympathizers in New York, and
speed it on to Philadelphia. Following a ride of Revere’s in December,
1774, to Durham and Portsmouth, the provincials secured powder and
ammunition from Fort William and Mary that actually saved the day at
the Battle of Bunker Hill.
Early in 1775 Revere engaged with other patriots to patrol the Boston
streets and keep advised as to the movements of the redcoats. On April
15th they reported the British camp unwontedly astir. The next day,
Sunday, Revere took a message from Dr. Warren to Lexington, where
Hancock and Adams, on whose heads a price had been set by the king,
were lodging. Upon receiving the messenger’s news of British activities
the adjourned Provincial Congress re-assembled in Concord and began
immediate preparation against attack on the colony’s stores. Here let
us read the account of “the express” himself, an account at variance
with the familiar rhymed version, especially in respect to the lantern
signals, and his arrival at the journey’s end.
“On Tuesday evening, the 18th, it was observed that a number of
soldiers were marching towards the bottom of the Common (thus
indicating to Revere and his fellow-watchers that the troops were
about to leave Boston by water). About ten o’clock Dr. Warren sent in
great haste for me, and begged that I would immediately set off for
Lexington, where Messrs. Hancock and Adams were.… When I got to Dr.
Warren’s house, I found he had sent an express by land to Lexington, a
Mr. William Dawes.… The Sunday before.… I agreed with a Colonel Conant
(at Charlestown, across the river from Boston) that if the British went
out by water we would shew two lanthorns in the North Church steeple:
and if by land, one, as a signal.… I left Dr. Warren, called upon a
friend, and desired him to make the signals.… Two friends rowed me
across Charles River, a little to the eastward where the _Somerset_
man-of-war lay.… I met Colonel Conant, and several others; they said
they had seen our signals.… I set off upon a very good horse; it was
then about eleven o’clock, and very pleasant.” It is plain that the
signals were not for the messenger, as related by Longfellow, but were
intended to flash the intelligence to the people and militia that the
British were advancing.
Revere was in constant danger of being overtaken by the entire force,
which had embarked at Boston almost at the moment he was reaching the
Charlestown shore. Riding at top speed he reached Medford. “I awaked
the captain of the Minute Men; and after that I alarmed almost every
house, till I got to Lexington. I found Messrs. Hancock and Adams at
the Rev. Mr. Clarke’s; I told them my errand, and inquired for Mr.
Dawes.”
When the latter arrived, the two set out for Concord, six miles
distant. On the road they were overtaken by a young Dr. Prescott, and
all three proceeded to wake the sleeping households along the highway.
Suddenly, Revere, riding ahead, was surrounded by four armed redcoats.
With William Dawes he was forced into a pasture and detained, while
Dr. Prescott, “jumped his horse over a low stone wall, and got to
Concord.” Revere was led back toward Lexington, but at the sound of
guns his captors seized his mount and let him continue alone on foot.
In Lexington he saved important papers of Hancock’s, and witnessed the
first exchange of shots between the provincials and the British.
“Old North Church,” Boston, still stands on the original ground where
it was erected in 1723. From “the highest window in the wall” the
sexton hung the warning lights. The face of the tower bears a tablet to
the memory of the dauntless and resourceful Messenger of Liberty.
“Through the gloom and the light
The Fate of a nation was riding that night;
And the spark struck out by that steed, in his flight
Kindled the land into flame with its heat.”
PREPARED BY THE EDITORIAL STAFF OF THE MENTOR ASSOCIATION
ILLUSTRATION FOR THE MENTOR, VOL. 6, No. 10, SERIAL No. 158
COPYRIGHT, 1918, BY THE MENTOR ASSOCIATION, INC.
[Illustration: THE LINE OF THE MINUTE MEN, LEXINGTON, MASS.]
_THE CRADLE OF LIBERTY_
_Lexington Green_