Author's Note

Focal Figure: John Parker
Historic Event: Battle of Lexington and Concord

First Shot of War

The morning came almost too quickly for Sunset and Rarity as they struggled to stay asleep in the early morning sun. Finally, Sunset awoke – still drowsy and annoyed – as she looked out the window of the tavern… to see militiamen stirring about outside. “Huh. Looks interesting.” she smiled as she dipped back into the window and tapped Rarity. “Rarity, wake up. We’ve got work to do.”

Rarity groaned as she struggled to consciousness. “Five more minutes, Darling.” she moaned sleepily.

“Suit yourself.” Sunset shrugged as she quickly got dressed and stumbled downstairs to the sergeant from the night before, happy she’d learned his name last night. “Sergeant Munroe!” The sergeant turned to the young lady in what appeared to be surprise. “Samantha Stokes, Pennsylvania Gazette. What’s going on?”

“I should expect you’d know, young lady,” Munroe noted. “You yourself rode into Lexington with Paul Revere last night and news that the Regulars were on their way.”

Sunset couldn’t help but chuckle at that memory. “So I did. Sorry, long night last night.” she shrugged. “Anyway, who’s in command of this militia?”

“Well, there are actually two separate companies here, Ms. Stokes; the local Minutemen company and the Powder Alarms,” Munroe answered, pointing across the square. “Our leader is over there at the green.”

“Who is he?” Sunset asked, her gaze following Munroe’s finger as Rarity finally leaned out the window.

“A veteran of the French and Indian Wars; Captain John Parker.” Rarity was impressed; she’d once seen a statue said to represent Parker but had no idea how close it was to life, especially considering no real portrait of him was known to exist.

Though he did look a bit pale, and while Sunset could clearly see the captain speaking to one of his men, his voice sounded… quiet and raspy. “Is he okay? I can barely hear him,” she asked Munroe.

“I’m afraid he’s got consumption; makes it very difficult for him to raise his voice,” Munroe answered simply.

“I manage now and then, Sergeant,” Parker remarked as he walked over. “But yes, today is a rather difficult day for me. May I ask your companion’s name?”

“Samantha Stokes, Captain. Pennsylvania Gazette. My associate Rachel Belle is upstairs, getting dressed.” Sunset answered quickly, pointing to where Rarity had just been. “What was that about?”

Suddenly church bells from all over the town started ringing. “That,” Parker answered, trying his best to raise his voice over the bells. “We announce to General Gage and his troop of Regulars that we know they’re approaching.”

“How dire is the situation?” Sunset asked as Rarity stumbled down the stairs.

“Quite, I should say,” Munroe noted. “If Bowman’s report this morning is to be believed, the Regulars have us outnumbered almost 10-to-1.”

“Which is why I’ll not sacrifice the men without good reason,” Parker assured. “All the munitions at Concord have been well hidden and no war has been formally declared. I know full well that the Regulars have gone hunting for colonial munitions outside Boston before, but they’ve found nothing. I expect much the same here; Gage and his men will march on Concord, find nothing, and return to Boston exhausted and empty-handed. And I intend to assure that they are, in fact, empty-handed.” With that, he turned to Munroe. “Sergeant, have the men prepare to move out.”

“Right away, Captain.” Munroe saluted and moved to follow his orders.

Parker did the same as he acknowledged a few of his men. “Please form into your respective companies, gentlemen.” he rasped. “We move in parade formation, but no one attack; we only act to demonstrate our might and will. There will be no act to impede the Regulars’ march.” The soldiers all nodded and moved to follow their orders, as Parker was suddenly taken by a coughing fit, forced to balance on his musket and cover his mouth with a small cloth.

“You alright, Captain?” Sunset asked as she and Rarity walked over.

Parker sighed as his coughing subsided. “As well as can be expected. If not a Redcoat musket ball, then this illness will surely be the death of me,” he remarked, putting the cloth back in his pocket. “Now I must ask you both to return to the tavern and take cover. The battlefield is no place for young ladies such as you.”

“Perhaps not, but the people must know what happens here. ‘The pen is mightier than the sword’, as they say.” Rarity noted as she held up her pencil. “We’ll join to tell the people of what occurs here.”

Parker couldn’t help but smile. “A writer printing the right things is worth a thousand soldiers,” he noted… before they heard a horse whinny from over the hill.

“You may wish to amend that statement, Captain.” Rarity noted as they saw the British troops marching forward.

“Sound to arms!” Parker called as best he could, suddenly overtaken by coughing again as he carefully marched to the head of the military parade-like column of his men. “Stand your ground; do not fire unless fired upon, but if they mean to have a war, then let it begin here.” With that sentiment in mind, Sunset and Rarity very wisely took cover behind a low wall nearby.

The British march was slow and firm as they approached the militiamen, a mounted officer riding to the head of the column. “Lay down your arms, you damned rebels!” he barked, waving his sword. “Disperse and you will not be harmed!”

Sunset could see Parker saying something, but there was so much yelling that she could barely hear his raspy voice. The British major turned to his men. “Soldiers, don’t fire. Keep your ranks, form and surround them!” he called.

The panicked and chaotic yelling continued as Sunset and Rarity watched this madness unfold until Rarity saw something. “Sunset, look,” she said quickly, pointing to a few men behind the tavern leap the wall with rifles, one of whom took aim at the British lines and fired, the sudden noise making the major’s horse rear up and whinny in fear. However, Sunset noticed a look of pain on its face as well, as though it had been hit by something.

None of the soldiers seemed to know where the shot came from, but it was too late; both lines of men started firing randomly with no clear sense of order to the shots. “Get down!” Sunset yelled as she pulled Rarity behind the wall, where they both hid as musket balls sailed through the air in all directions.

Sunset peeked over the wall just in time to see the Regulars charge with bayonets. “Fall back! Fall back!” Parker ordered, his men quickly dispersing… though one wasn’t so lucky as a bayonet pierced his belly. “Jonas!” Parker couldn’t worry about him as he fell back with his men, the girls quickly following him as the British officers barked for the firing to stop.

As they hiked down the streets, Parker was overcome by coughing again, though this fit was far briefer and allowed him to speak. “Does anyone know how many casualties there were?”

“I counted at least seven dead, Captain,” Sunset answered quickly. “Eleven wounded. I think I only saw one man go down from their lines.”

“That Jonas fellow was among the dead, Captain. Who was he?” Rarity asked.

“My cousin, God rest his soul,” Parker said sorrowfully. “A shame he should die like this.”

“Shame indeed.” Sunset nodded. “I’m sorry for your loss, Captain.”

“Thank you, Ms. Stokes.” Parker nodded.

“Perhaps you noticed who fired first? I could hardly tell.” Munroe noted.

“No such luck, sir. I didn’t see.” Sunset shrugged, though Rarity was surprised at this lie.

“It doesn’t matter either way.” Parker sighed mournfully. “Whomever fired that shot, it has brought us to war.”

“One that no one wanted, I should say.” Rarity agreed as she and Sunset stepped away from the column for a minute. “Why didn’t you tell him, Sunset? We both saw that militiaman fire.”

“Unprompted and without orders,” Sunset argued. “That makes him a traitor. And between you and me, I doubt we were the only ones who saw him. For now, let’s just focus on getting to Concord.”

By the time they arrived at Concord, they saw a large mass of men awaiting. “Who is in command here?” Parker asked.

“That would be my honor.” a man in a blue uniform stepped forward. “May I inquire as to who is asking the question?”

“John Parker, sir. I led the men at Lexington but gave them explicit orders not to fire unless fired upon,” he answered.

“A shame it would seem the Regulars were not under the same orders.” the officer nodded, shaking the captain’s hand. “Colonel James Barrett, at your service Captain.”

“Sir.” Parker saluted firmly. “I see the men of Concord wasted no time in preparing for action.”

“The men of Lincoln as well.” Barrett nodded. “Our only debate is to be over strategy. As far as I see things, we have three options: await reinforcements from the other towns, stand and fight, or retreat east.”

“I believe I have a suggestion, colonel.” another soldier marched over.

“My aide, Major John Buttrick.” Barrett introduced.

Sunset couldn’t help but giggle quietly at the name. “Oh, very mature, darling.” Rarity whispered with a roll of her eyes.

“What have you to suggest, Major?” Barrett asked.

“I have a column of men prepared to go forth and meet the Redcoats’ lines,” Buttrick explained. “Just give the order, Colonel.”

“How many men in this company, Major?” Barrett asked.

“Nearly 250, sir,” Buttrick answered.

“I fear that may not be enough.” Parker rasped. “No doubt the Regulars have gained reinforcements by this point and outnumber us once again.”

“If that is the case, then I expect them to turn about and return to town on the double.” Barrett pointed out. “Is that clear, Major Buttrick?”

“Explicitly, sir.” the major saluted before he left, sending his men out of town.

Barrett watched the soldiers leave before his gaze fell on the girls. “And whom might our fairer companions here be, Captain Parker?”

“Journalists, Colonel. From the Pennsylvania Gazette.” Parker answered.

“Dr. Franklin’s newspaper,” Barrett remembered.

“Yes, sir. Samantha Stokes and Rachel Belle, at your service.” Sunset introduced. “We’re here to tell the story of what happens here to all the people of the Colonies.”

“A story I’m sure the people will be eager to hear.” the colonel noted. “Very well. But I cannot, in good conscience, allow young women such as yourselves to be harmed in any way.”

“I harbor substantial doubts that the British will fire on two defenseless young girls, Colonel.” Rarity pointed out.

“That may well be, but our muskets are very inaccurate over long-range; if firing were to start again, they could hit anyone or miss everyone.” Barrett pointed out. “Therefore, if you’re to tell the story of what happens here, I want you to do it from a safe distance.”

“Believe me, Colonel; we’re in no rush to get shot,” Sunset assured. “If you want us to stay back, we’ll do it no questions asked.”

“Excellent. All we need to do now is plan our next move.” Barrett noted as he examined a map.

The officers planned for a further few minutes until the column Buttrick had sent out returned. “What have you to report, men?” the major asked.

“We’re heavily outnumbered, sir.” one man reported. “Easily 700 regulars march on the town, grenadiers among them under Colonel Francis Smith’s command.”

“Smith. I’d heard he was in the area.” Barrett noted as he rolled up the choice. “Right. No choice then. Have the men pack up and prepare to move over the North Bridge.”

“We would give them the city center, sir?” Buttrick asked.

“We’ve no choice. They have us dreadfully outnumbered.” Barrett ordered. “Prepare the men to move.”

“Yes sir.” the major saluted in defeat. With no further instruction, Sunset and Rarity gladly followed the soldiers north across the bridge to the top of the hill overlooking it. Given the sheer number of reinforcements that joined them from surrounding towns, this was clearly a fortuitous step.

As time passed, the militia watched the British forces raid the surrounding area of Concord for weapons. A small party passed by the militia’s impromptu camp and were clearly a bit put off by how many men there were now – nearly 700 riflemen. The only big matter was when a fire started in the meetinghouse began to spread, but it was out almost immediately.

Then came something truly major, as Sunset quickly saw smoke rising from down the hill. “Colonel Barrett! There’s a fire in the town square!” she called.

Barrett was at her side in an instant as he looked down the hill. “Cannon carriages. They’ve taken the munitions.” he scowled, turning to his soldiers. “Major Buttrick! Ready the men to march!”

“Yes sir!” the major saluted and rallied all the men.

“All companies, march to the North Bridge but hold your fire!” Barrett ordered. “We’ll not fire on the king’s troops unless fired upon first!” The men gladly marched down the hill as Sunset and Rarity watched from the hill. It was difficult to tell what was truly happening from their positions, but the girls could clearly see both the militia and the British yelling at each other before the British took position to fire.

Then the North Bridge opened up in musket fire, gun smoke filling the air. Faintly Sunset heard Major Buttrick yell “Fire, for God’s sake, fellow soldiers, fire!” And fire they did, taking down an impressive number of British forces before the Redcoats finally broke off their attack, abandoning their wounded and retreating back to Concord as the militiamen cheered.

The British continued to search the town before finally leaving at around noon empty-handed, just as Parker had predicted. Not long after that, Sunset and Rarity managed to find passage back south to Pennsylvania.

And their timing was quite fortuitous as they saw the familiar face on the ship coming into the harbor in town a few days later. “Dr. Franklin! Over here!” Twilight had gone to welcome the good doctor at the docks, along with Rainbow and Applejack.

“Tara, my dear. It’s good to see you again.” the good doctor called from the ship.

“How’s London, Doctor?” Applejack called up to him.

“Far away. Both geographically and politically.” Dr. Franklin smirked. He gave the girls a firm hug as he disembarked before they got to business.

“We have news for you, doctor,” Twilight noted.

“As I have for you, my friends.” Dr. Franklin nodded, clearly a bit depressed. “Tara, I used to love England. Its beauty, its culture, its people… I had hoped we could find some manner of compromise, under which the Colonies and the Crown could coexist in peace. But my dears, I – and our interests – were met with indifference, disrespect- contempt, even. And in what was supposed to be a meeting about recalling the governor of Massachusetts, my British friends tried to humiliate me.”

“With little success, I imagine.” Twilight grinned.

“Not for lack of trying on Mr. Weddebrun’s part.” Dr. Franklin agreed. “But unfortunately, my time in England has convinced me that conflict between the colonies and the crown is now inevitable.”

“Hate to say it, sir, but bein’ here would’ve convinced you of the exact same thing,” Applejack remarked.

“Oh?” Franklin asked in intrigue.

“The British fired on colonial militia forces at Lexington and Concord,” Twilight explained sadly.

Dr. Franklin was quite surprised. “The crown’s men fired upon her own subjects?” he asked in shock.

“I’m afraid so.” Twilight nodded.

Dr. Franklin rubbed his forehead in concern. “Lord on high, this is unthinkable. Please, my friends, tell me everything.”

“No need, I’m afraid.” Rainbow shrugged, handing Franklin a paper from under her arm. “Today’s edition, hot off the press.”

Dr. Franklin took the paper and looked it over. “‘The Shot Heard ‘Round the World’ by Samantha Stokes and Rachel Belle. Fine work for such a dark topic.” he noted, his gaze steeling. “And now, my friends, we must prepare for war.” And it would be a war to be remembered.