THE MIDNIGHT RIDE In 1774 and the Spring of 1775 Paul Revere was employed by the Boston Committee of Correspondence and the Massachusetts Committee of Safety as an express rider to carry news, messages, and copies of resolutions as far away as New York and Philadelphia. On the evening of April 18, 1775, Paul Revere was sent for by Dr. Joseph Warren and instructed to ride to Lexington, Massachusetts, to warn Samuel Adams and John Hancock that British troops were marching to arrest them. After being rowed across the Charles River to Charlestown by two associates, Paul Revere borrowed a horse from his friend Deacon John Larkin. While in Charlestown, he verified that the local "Sons of Liberty" committee had seen his pre-arranged signals. (Two lanterns had been hung briefly in the bell-tower of Christ Church in Boston, indicating that troops would row "by sea" across the Charles River to Cambridge, rather than marching "by land" out Boston Neck. Revere had arranged for these signals the previous weekend, as he was afraid that he might be prevented from leaving Boston).

On the way to Lexington, Revere "alarmed" the country-side, stopping at each house, and arrived in Lexington about midnight. As he approached the house where Adams and Hancock were staying, a sentry asked that he not make so much noise. "Noise!" cried Revere, "You'll have noise enough before long. The regulars are coming out!" After delivering his message, Revere was joined by a second rider, William Dawes, who had been sent on the same errand by a different route. Deciding on their own to continue on to Concord, Massachusetts, where weapons and supplies were hidden, Revere and Dawes were joined by a third rider, Dr. Samuel Prescott. Soon after, all three were arrested by a British patrol. Prescott escaped almost immediately, and Dawes soon after. Revere was held for some time and then released. Left without a horse, Revere returned to Lexington in time to witness part of the battle on the Lexington Green.

DIRECTIONS TO COLOR THE MAP REVERE’S ROUTE Color Paul Revere’s route blue. Revere’s route starts in Charlestown Color the path blue that starts in Charlestown to the first “Y”/split in the road. Color the path left at the “Y”/split until he runs into the British Patrol. Color the path back at the “Y” this time to the right. Revere’s direction will change to the west (left at the Isaac Hall House.) After Revere passes Medford to his north his direction will change to the south. Color Revere’s route blue south to Menotomy. Revere will ride simultaneously with Dawes from Menotomy past the Buckman Tavern to the north until they reach the Hancock-Clark House in Lexington. (Be sure you show both Revere’s blue and Dawe’s green path for this portion of the ride. Both Revere and Dawes will travel together away from Lexington towards Concord Color the simultaneous blue/green path just past the “Y” split towards Concord Revere will join up with Dr. Samuel Prescott from just past the split until they run into the British patrol. This should be a tri-colored path of blue/green/purple Since Revere never makes it Concord, his blue path should end at the British patrol

DIRECTIONS TO COLOR THE MAP DAWES’ ROUTE Color William Dawes’ route green Dawe’s route starts in Boston Color the path green that starts in Boston to the first “Y”/split in the road Color the path to the right at the “Y” split Dawes will travel north crossing the Charles river and Cambridge to the west Continue to color Dawes’ route green until Dawe’s meets Revere at Menotomy Dawes will ride simultaneously with Revere from Menotomy past the Buckman Tavern to the north until they reach the Hancock-Clark House in Lexington. (be sure you show both Dawes’ green and Revere’s blue path for this portion of the ride. Both Revere and Dawes will travel together away from Lexington towards Concord Color the simultaneous blue/green path just past the “Y” split towards Concord Revere will join up with Dr. Samuel Prescott from just past the split until they run into the British patrol. This should be a tri-colored path of blue/green/purple Since Dawes never makes it Concord, his green path should end at the British patrol

DIRECTIONS TO COLOR THE MAP PRESCOTT’S ROUTE Color Dr. Samuel Prescott’s route purple Prescott’s route starts just after meeting Revere and Dawes on the path to Concord. Prescott will join up with Revere and Dawes from just past the Concord/Lexington “Y”split until they run into the British patrol. This should be a tri-colored path of blue/green/purple Only Dr. Samuel Prescott makes it the entire way to Concord; so color a purple path from the British Patrol on the road to Concord west to the edge of the map (This represents the continued road to Concord)