Shot, while not heard around the world, definitely heard in Salem, MA
February 1775, Salem, MA – A British force under command of Alexander Leslie was sent to Salem, MA to search for contraband artillery. The British were delayed by a standoff of Patriot militia led by Timothy Pickering on a bridge outside of Salem. By meeting the British at the bridge, the Patriots bought time to rid Salem of contraband material. As the Patriots were standing down, withdrawing from the bridge and letting the British pass, a shot was accidentally fired from the British side wounding an American. Shocked and in no position to confront the British, Pickering continued to stand down and withdraw.
He stated to his militia units to save their anger for their fallen friend for another day at another time when they would have the upper hand. For if the Patriots militia would have engaged, a lot more of them would have been injured for a single incident. They would have died in vain. As a result of the Salem Bridge Incident, as it would be remembered throughout American history, the Minutemen of Salem and Marblehead drilled more intensely, they became a more cohesive unit under Pickering. They were waiting their time to strike back. Word spread throughout New England of the British atrocity. It was another example of British force against the colonists.
February 1775, Salem, MA – A British force under command of Alexander Leslie was sent to Salem, MA to search for contraband artillery. The British were delayed by a standoff of Patriot militia led by Timothy Pickering on a bridge outside of Salem. By meeting the British at the bridge, the Patriots bought time to rid Salem of contraband material. As the Patriots were standing down, withdrawing from the bridge and letting the British pass, a shot was accidentally fired from the British side wounding an American. Shocked and in no position to confront the British, Pickering continued to stand down and withdraw.
He stated to his militia units to save their anger for their fallen friend for another day at another time when they would have the upper hand. For if the Patriots militia would have engaged, a lot more of them would have been injured for a single incident. They would have died in vain. As a result of the Salem Bridge Incident, as it would be remembered throughout American history, the Minutemen of Salem and Marblehead drilled more intensely, they became a more cohesive unit under Pickering. They were waiting their time to strike back. Word spread throughout New England of the British atrocity. It was another example of British force against the colonists.
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