The Spirit of April 19 1775 ( The start of the Revolution )

[son of the revolution]

With all the Tea Party demonstrations , and talk about the possibilty/necessity of a 2nd Revolution , thought I'd share this article that was in the most recent issue of one of the Gun Rags I pick up when I see it at the news stands .

Section ( Enemy at The Gate )

Author Stewart Rhodes

The Spirit of April 19, 1775


Each April 19th , do you honor the farmers who stood in defiance at Lexington and Concord and then beat the hell out of the British Regulars all the way back to Boston ?
Perhaps you've heard the name Isaac Davis , the militia captain and gunsmith who fell in the first volley at Concord Bridge , leaving behind a wife and four ill children . Davis was convinced that he would die if it came to a fight because a few days before the battle , a large owl , a symbol of death , had flown into his home and perched on his favorite gun . And yet, as his wife recalled , " the alarm was given early in the morning , and my husband lost no time in making ready to go to Concord with his company. My husband said but little that morning . He seemed serious and thoughtful , but never seemed to hesitate . He only said " take good care of the children " and was soon out of sight ."
Those were his last words to his wife . However , despite his premonition of death, when Davis was asked if he was afraid to march down into Concord to defend the town , he replied " No, I am not and I have'nt a man that is ! "


When 80 year old farmer Samuel Whittemore , a veteran of the French and Indian War, saw the approaching British Regulars , he left his plow and , to the astonishment of his family, strapped on his prized dueling pistols and a captured French sword , grabbed his musket , and stepped out to make war one last time.
Whittemore ambushed the column at close range , firing first with his musket , and then drawing his dueling pistols. He fired a total of five shots, killing three regulars and wounding another before being overrun . He then drew his sword and counterattacked . He was shot in the face at close range , bayoneted thirteen times and left for dead . When his greiving family came to collect his body , they were amazed to find him still alive and attempting to reload his musket for a parting shot at the now distant company .
Whittemore said he fought because he wanted his children to live with out being subject to a distant king. Some have questioned his tactics,but never his resolve. Despite his grevious wounds, he survived and lived another 18 years, dying of natural causes at the age of 98. At Bunker( Breeds ) Hill , another " dangerous old man " was overheard saying a prayer before the Regulars made their first charge . Was the old man asking God to keep him safe in the coming battle ? No. He was down on his knees thanking God for preserving him long enough so that he could fight that day. That is the spirit of a free man who understands the big picture - - - that what counts most is whether we leave our children free.


Some say we modern Americans have lost our hardness,our fire, and are not the men our forefathers were. They say we are no longer willing to pay the price of freedom and will go out with a whimper rather then a bang in the face of tyranny . Such critics are making the same mistakes our enemies have made throughout our history ------confusing the American love of peace,prosperity, and our respect for the law, with weakness .

Parliament and the British Officer Corps made that mistake back in 1775, convinced that the colonists were " cowardly and never fight the Crown " .
Major General Alured Clarke famously declared, " that with a thousand British grenadiers he would undertake to go from one end of America to the other and geld all males, partly by force and partly with a little coaxing."

General Hugh Percy shared that opinion ------ until he experienced the wrath of the Americans swarming around him during the retreat from Lexington . Afterward , he wrote to General Harvey in England : " ......during the whole affair the Rebels attacked us in a very scattered, irregular manner, but with perserverance and resolution, nor did they ever dare to form into any regular body. Indeed , they knew to well what was proper, to do so.
Whoever looks upon them as an irregular mob, will find himself much mistaken. They have amongst them who know very well what they are about , having been employed as Rangers against the Indians and Canadians and this country being much covered with wood,and hilly, is very advantageous for their method of fighting ....."
Likewise , the Imperial Japanese Army and the Nazis thought the 1940's generation of Americans was soft and weak, only to find themselves very much mistaken. Simply because we love life and the blessings of prosperity does not mean we will not fight-------and fight hard !


Some think we no longer have it in us because we have put up with so much the the Founding Generation would not have tolerated. But remember , for two full decades before Lexington and Concord, the colonists tried to peaceably reconcile their disagreements with Parliament------ protesting,petitioningand filing court cases. As our Declaration says , " mankind are more disposed to suffer , while evils are sufferable,then to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed."
The Founding Generation exhausted all peaceful means of redress----- they tried to work within the system. But " when a long train of abuses and usurpations ,pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right , it is their duty , to throw off such Government , and provide new protectors for thier future security."
And that is precisely what they did when Parliament attempted to disarm them.
Today , we too are striving to preserve our rights by peaceful means,working within the system,despite a " long train of abuses."
But that should not be mistaken for weakness or a lack of resolve .
Just as the Founding Generation contained combat veterans who had learned much in the way of irregular warfare from their Indian foes, we too have among us tens of thousands of combat vets who have learned similar lessons and "who know very well what they are about ." Though many are aging, they are still most assuredly dangerous old men who should not be taken lightly.
This April 19th, remember your heritage and remember your own worth and measure. And remind yourself of what really matters most -------- that your children inherit a free Country .

[wa3ra]

Rep for the reminder.

"Better we should have strife in our times, that our children shall live free."

[tail pipe todd]

Best post ever. If this revolution has an anthem, it will be we're not gonna take it by twisted sister.

[mooney]

Why not celebrate on April 19th and show your belief in what our forefathers stood for by attending one of the best shooting and Rev War heritage events available in America. It's even coming to PA and a range near you:

www.appleseedinfo.org

Range: Reade Range

Address: Allemans, PA

Website: http://www.readerange.org/

When: April 18-19 2009

Range Fee: TBA

Camping available: Primitive camping on site, in designated area.

Hotels: Closest - Sleepy Valley Motel 814-687-4247

Food: Closest - Sir Barneys 814-687-9235

Directions: This is a remote area and tricky to find the first time. Check and double check your maps. Cell phone connection is questionable. When you think you are lost, you are almost there. Range is gated. If coming to camp on friday contact me for access.
From I 80-- Leave I 80 at Milesburg, go South n Rt. 220 to Tyrone. At Tyrone, take Rt. 453 West to Rt. 253. Turn South on Rt. 253 to town of Allemans. In center of town, turn right (West) and travel ½ mile to top of hill (Church and cemetery on right). Turn left at cemetery on dirt road. Follow signs to Range.

From Rt. 22 for Western shooters. Turn North on Rt. 53 at town of Cresson. Follow Rt. 53 to town of Van Ormer. Turn right on Rt. 253 to Allemans. Turn Left (West) in center of town and proceed as above.

From Rt. 22 for Eastern shooters. Turn North on Rt. 22O at Hollidaysburg. Proceed on Rt. 220 to Bellwood. Turn left on Rt. 865 at Bellwood and follow Rt. 865 to Glasgow. At Glasgow turn right on Rt. 253 to Allemans. Turn left in center of town and proceed as above.

State Laws to be aware of: Check State Laws. www.attorneygeneral.gov

Misc: This event location can offer actual distance shooting out to 1000 yards, bring the 22 for the bulk of the instruction and the centerfire for some actual distance shooting if skills permit.

This is a very nice range, the "golf course" quality location that every community should have. Come on out and experience a great range, some quality rifle marksmanship instruction and American Heritage!

For more information contact: Herb Mooney
pa@appleseedinfo.org
717-580-6151

For range/camping information: Tom Ferraro
Range President
724-352-0234

Registration Link: http://www.eventbrite.com/event/187141746

There will be other events in PA, but April 19th is the day to stand up and show your support for what these forefathers did for Liberty and this country.

I hope to see you on the firing line.

[Spishack357]

Well written, thanks for typing all that up.

[Water-Man]

All the talking should be just about over!