Paul Revere was an American patriot who, in 1775, carried news to Lexington of
the approach of the British. He warned the patriot leaders, Samuel Adams and
Johh Hancock of their danger and called the citizens of the countryside to arms.
This was the inspirations of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem "Paul
Revere's Ride". (Martin 266-267) In 1175, King George III instructed
General Thomas Gage, the British commander in chief in Massachusetts, to enforce
order among the rebellious colonist. Gage then orders Lieutenant Colonel Francis
Smith to move to Concord with a detachment of 700 men. Once there they were to
destroy supplies and arrest Adams and Hancock for Treason. On the evening of
April 18, 1775 Smith assembled his force on the British Common. His orders were
secret, but the patriots had learned of them. Revere and William Dawes were sent
to warn Adams and Hancock in Lexington and the patriots in Concord. An
arrangement was made for a signal to be flashed from the Old North Church in
Boston. Two lanterns meant that the British would be coming by water, and one,
by land. Revere directed this signal to be sent to friend in Boston. ("Paul
Revere's Ride: Explanation:) Revere borrowed a horse and left Boston around 10
p.m. He arrived in Lexington at midnight. Around 1 a.m. Revere Dawes, and Dr.
Samuel Prescott left for Concord. On their way they were surprised by the
British Calvary patrol. Prescoot and Dawes escaped, but Revere was captured.
Only Prescoot got to Concord. Revere was released, without his horse, and
returned to 1 Lexington. There he joined Adams and Hancock, and they fled to
safety in Burlington. Revere returned to Lexington to rescue valuable papers in
Hancock's trunk. On April 19, when the British arrived in Lexington they found
the minutemen waiting. "Paul Revere's Ride" was published 88 years
after the actual event. Longfellow suggests that we are dealing with the stuff
of a legend. Although, the poem is close to the actual event, there are a few
differences. The poem suggests that Revere will be awaiting the signal outside
of Boston. However, it was Revere who brought word to Newman that the British
were coming by water. Revere left Boston and began his ride after speaking to
Newman. Newman's signal light was actually intended for Dawes. Longfellow
combined the roles of Revere and Dawes to emphasize Revere's heroic statute. No
matter how the story is told, the ride of Paul Revere is important in American
history and literature. Longfellow, suggests that Revere's message will continue
to inspire Americans to defend the cause of liberty. ("Paul Revere's Ride:
Explonation") Paul Revere Paul Revere was an American patriot who, in 1775,
carried news to Lexington of the approach of the British. He warned the patriot
leaders, Samuel Adams and Johh Hancock of their danger and called the citizens
of the countryside to arms. This was the inspirations of Henry Wadsworth
Longfellow's poem "Paul Revere's Ride". (Martin 266-267) In 1175, King
George III instructed General Thomas Gage, the British commander in chief in
Massachusetts, to enforce order among the rebellious colonist. Gage then orders
Lieutenant Colonel Francis Smith to move to Concord with a detachment of 700
men. Once there they were to destroy supplies and arrest Adams and Hancock for
Treason. On the evening of April 18, 1775 Smith assembled his force on the
British Common. His orders were secret, but the patriots had learned of them.
Revere and William Dawes were sent to warn Adams and Hancock in Lexington and
the patriots in Concord. An arrangement was made for a signal to be flashed from
the Old North Church in Boston. Two lanterns meant that the British would be
coming by water, and one, by land. Revere directed this signal to be sent to
friend in Boston. ("Paul Revere's Ride: Explanation:) Revere borrowed a
horse and left Boston around 10 p.m. He arrived in Lexington at midnight. Around
1 a.m. Revere Dawes, and Dr. Samuel Prescott left for Concord. On their way they
were surprised by the British Calvary patrol. Prescoot and Dawes escaped, but
Revere was captured. Only Prescoot got to Concord. Revere was released, without
his horse, and returned to 1 Lexington. There he joined Adams and Hancock, and
they fled to safety in Burlington. Revere returned to Lexington to rescue
valuable papers in Hancock's trunk. On April 19, when the British arrived in
Lexington they found the minutemen waiting. "Paul Revere's Ride" was
published 88 years after the actual event. Longfellow suggests that we are
dealing with the stuff of a legend. Although, the poem is close to the actual
event, there are a few differences. The poem suggests that Revere will be
awaiting the signal outside of Boston. However, it was Revere who brought word
to Newman that the British were coming by water. Revere left Boston and began
his ride after speaking to Newman. Newman's signal light was actually intended
for Dawes. Longfellow combined the roles of Revere and Dawes to emphasize
Revere's heroic statute. No matter how the story is told, the ride of Paul
Revere is important in American history and literature. Longfellow, suggests
that Revere's message will continue to inspire Americans to defend the cause of
liberty. ("Paul Revere's Ride: Explonation")