The rest fired a few random shots and dispersed.
The English pressed on to Concord.
The people had quietly removed most of the ammunition, and the English found but little worth taking. They started to sack the town.
While they were doing this the Minute Men had rallied and began to assemble from all quarters.
A company of English guarded the bridge over Concord River. They were attacked by the Minute Men and two English soldiers were killed. The Minute Men captured the bridge, and the enemy began a retreat into the town, and then on the road to Lexington.
On every side the patriots assembled. For six miles the battle waged.
Every tree, every house and barn sheltered the patriots, who poured a murderous fire into the ranks of the retreating English.
Had it not been for the arrival of reinforcements under Lord Percy, the English army would have been completely routed.
The fight continued right up to Charlestown, and only ceased because the people feared the fleet would burn the city.
The first battle had been fought.