Battle of Lexington

What do you know about the Battle of Lexington during the American Revolutionary War? Try the U.S. History Made Easy Trivia quiz. "Check Your Answers" at the end of the page.

1) When did the British regulars' advance guard under Major Pitcairn enter Lexington on April 19, 1775?

• Sunrise
• Noon
• Sunset

2) 77 Lexington militiamen emerged from a local tavern and stood in ranks on the village common watching the British troops, and between 40 and 100 spectators watched from along the side of the road. What was the name of the tavern?

• Taylor Tavern
• Lexington Tavern
• Buckman Tavern

3) The Lexington militiamen leader was Captain John Parker, a veteran of the French and Indian War, who was suffering from tuberculosis and was at times difficult to hear. Of the militiamen who lined up, nine had the surname Harrington, seven Munroe, four Parker, three Tidd, three Locke, and three Reed. Fully one quarter of them were related to Captain Parker in some way.

• True or False?

4) Captain Parker was clearly aware that he was outmatched in the confrontation and was not prepared to risk his forces. Parker was later supposed to have made a statement that is now engraved in stone at the site of the battle: "Stand your ground; don't fire unless fired upon, but if they mean to have a war, let it begin here."

• True or False?

5) Rather than turn left towards Concord, a British Marine Lieutenant, who was at the leader of the head of the advance guard, decided on his own to protect the flank of the troops by first turning right and then leading the companies down the common itself in a confused effort to surround and disarm the militia. These men ran towards the Lexington militia loudly crying "Huzzah!" to rouse themselves and to confuse the militia, as they formed a battle line on the common. Who was the leader of the advanced guard?

• Jesse Adair
• Norman Coleman
• John Rogers

6) Both Parker and Pitcairn ordered their men to hold fire, but a shot was fired from an unknown source. Who fired the first shot?

• No one knows
• Lt. Aaron Burr
• Capt. Roger Moore

7) The regulars then charged forward with bayonets. Captain Parker's cousin was run through. Who was Captain Parker's cousin?

• Jonas
• Patrick
• Moses

8) One wounded man, Prince Estabrook, was a black slave who was serving in the militia.

• True or False?

9) Jonathon Harrington, fatally wounded by a British musket ball, managed to crawl back to his home, and died on his own doorstep.

• True or False?

10) The grenadiers arrived shortly thereafter, and, once order was restored, the light infantry were then permitted to fire a victory volley, after which the column was reformed and marched on. Where were they headed toward?

• Concord
• Boston
• Albany