Revere’s Ride

Paul Revere of Boston in the Colony of Massachusetts Bay in New England of lawful age doth testify and say that I was in Boston on the evening of the 18th of April, 1775,” Paul Revere began his testimony about the night when speed became his sword and shield.

Revere explained that Dr. Joseph Warren had given him a special assignment. “[Warren] desired me ‘to go to Lexington, and inform Mr. Samuel Adams, and the Honorable John Hancock. Esq. that there was a number of Soldiers . . . marching to the bottom of the Common, where was a number of boats to receive them. It was supposed that they were going to Lexington, by the way of Cambridge River, to take them [Adams and Hancock] or go to Concord, to destroy the Colony stores [of ammunition].’”

Messaging missions were nothing new for the silversmith. He had ridden great distances many times. The selectmen of Boston had called on him in 1773 to spread the news of the Boston Tea Party to New Yorkers. He had also carried messages calling for a meeting of a Continental Congress to New York and Philadelphia in 1774. The mission of April 18, 1775, however, required supernatural speed.

“I proceeded immediately, and was put across Charles River, in a boat and landed near Charlestown Battery, went in to the town, and there got a horse,” Revere testified, explaining he rode much of the way in a full gallop under a bright moon.

After alarming Adams and Hancock that British soldiers were traveling to Lexington, Revere headed for Concord to catch up with the other messengers who were also spreading the news. “In an instant I saw four officers who rode up to me, with their pistols in their hands,” Revere reported. These British regulars threatened his life if he did not stop. Racing into the nearby woods, Revere tried to escape to an adjacent pasture.

“Just as I reached it, out started six officers, [seized] my bridle; put their pistols to my breast, ordered me to dismount, which I did. One of them, who appeared to have the command there; and much of a gentleman, asked me where I came from. I told him. He asked what time I left it. I told him [10:00 p.m.]. He seemed surprised,” Revere reported of how impressed the officer was with his (Revere’s) speed that night.

Revere described how the soldiers threatened his life if he did not tell the truth. Making him a prisoner, they led him back to Lexington and let him go. He then speedily returned to the meetinghouse to warn Hancock and Adams that the British weren’t merely coming, they had come.

Paul Revere waved the warning flag that night. And he did it with all deliberate speed.

PRAYER

God, become my banner today. I know you do not delay, you come swiftly to answer my cries.