Listen, my friends, and I’m sure you’ll agree,

Major Pedrick’s ride was for you and for me.

‘Twas the second month of ‘75

And the North Shore folks had the will and the drive

To fight for the freedom they all could foresee.

The British had learned that the colonists here

Had set up a Congress defying King George.

In Salem an ordinance depot stored gear

And cannon and parts for new weapons to forge.

General Gage told his colonel, Leslie, by name,

"Lead your troops, in secret, to quench rebel flame.

By ship, sail to Marblehead, out of view.

The townsfolk will think it’s the usual crew,

If you hide aboard until Sunday at two."

They left Boston by night on the twenty-fifth

To Homan’s Cove by morn on the twenty-sixth.

"By two P.M. in each North Shore town

Hardly a citizen will be found.

They’ll all be in church, "Gage said to Leslie.

He knew the New Englanders’ piety.

But he never guessed how watchful they’d be.

"Two is the time for you to debark

And march on to Salem to quench that spark."

Patriots watched from behind walls and trees.

Gage should have known the New England folk

Would be alert when they were provoked.

Leslie’s troops were counted as they came ashore

And lined up to march in twos and threes.

All the facts were noted as they spoke

To Major John Pedrick to spread alongshore.

Pedrick had told the patriots in town,

"If you need me to ride, in the day or the night,

I’m with you, my friends and I’m willing to fight.

Know I no longer side with the crown."

They were pleased to have him on their side

A patriot now, whom they’d trust to ride

To spread the alarm, "The Redcoats have come."

The call to arms was sounded by drums,

From all church doors and mansion stoops

When out of hearing were Leslie’s troops.

And Major Pedrick was ready, by gum!

Though the Redcoats marched at a speedy pace,

John Pedrick’s horse galloped hell-bent

And soon came in sight of the regiment.

Then Pedrick and Leslie were face to face.

He had slowed his horse, down to a walk.

Enough that they managed a casual talk.

Major Pedrick seemed out for a Sunday ride

And still was assumed to be on the King’s side.

Indeed, what else would Leslie think,

Having dined at the Pedrick’s or stopped by for a drink.

After this pause for a pleasant talk

Leslie ordered his troops, "File to the side."

To make the way clear for Pedrick to ride.

Staying calm, on he went at an easy pace

Till out of sight, then began to race.

Once in Salem he clattered through each empty street

To the North Meetinghouse, where he leaped to his feet,

Interrupted the sermon to spread the news.

Each Minuteman there sprang out of his seat

And the Reverend Barnard looked at empty pews.

Daland rushed to saddle his fastest horse

To spread the alarm to the Danvers force.

Pickering sent forty brave Minutemen

To Foster’s for the cannon to be well hidden.

There was no snow that could disappoint

The hiding of weapons at nearby Orne’s Point.

Richard Derby, the owner of many a gun

Stayed with Mason and Foster, not to be outdone.

As the last gun was moved, the Redcoats arrived.

The drawbridge was raised, Colonel Leslie was stunned.

"Let down that bridge! We will not be deprived."

General Gage had told Leslie the site of the forge.

And the North River Bridge was the way to go.

Colonel Leslie wanted all to know

He was going to cross that bridge, by George.

His face grew red, he stamped his foot.

"Up with such nonsense, we will not put.

We could stomp these peasants underfoot.

Lower that bridge!" he shouted with an oath.

"It’s the King’s Highway. That you must know."

All churches had emptied, folks gathered around

Most knew nothing of the cannon, but they’d stand their ground.

They heard Joseph Barr calmly state, "No, Sire.

Both road and bridge and all in your sights

Are private, you know, and those folks have their rights."

Leslie called, "Let it down or my men will fire."

At that ship owner John Felt shouted out,

"You’ve no order for that. If you fire, you’re dead."

Mason added to that, "Think what you’re about.

Our Minutemen have spread the alarm,

Militia are coming from each village and farm,

Such as Danvers, Amesbury, and Marblehead.

Colonel Leslie thought deeply, "How can this be solved,

To keep my men safe and back to the ship?"

Then what did he see? An idea had evolved.

Not long to sunset, he still could save face.

Drawn up on the bank was a sizable scow.

"That will get us across if we seize it right now."

Captain Felt and his friends beat them all in that race,

Their axes and crowbars made for no ridership.

Beyond lay another that looked like fair game.

The owner, Joseph Sprague, made that one his goal,

Calling on Whicher, who was set to take aim.

This man, more than happy to do his part,

Dealt one mighty blow, a work of art.

Just one strike with his mattock produced a huge hole.

The Redcoats had run with bayonets low

Right at the Patriots, but again were too late.

A great cheer from the crowd, and the future would know

They had foiled General Gage, and sealed Leslie’s fate.

With a cry of defiance and not of fear

John Whicher, proud of his act and the cheer,

Sprang to the bow, tore open his shirt,

"There’s not one of us now that you dare hurt."

One Redcoat up close made just a slight jab,

And for years Whicher boasted how he had been stabbed.

‘Twas only a scratch but Oh! How it bled!

So all Salem witnessed when the first blood was shed.

Pedrick who had stayed at the back of the crowd,

Urged Reverend Barnard, "Bid them go back to Marblehead.

And all must keep from more blood being shed."

But… "to cross this bridge," Colonel Leslie had vowed.

"Just that?" asked Barnard, "And then turn back?"

"I swear," promised Leslie, "I will not attack."

Captain Felt told the crowd, "There is no other way

For each side to end this, to make peace this day."

They lowered the bridge, the Redcoats marched north.

With purple face, Leslie turned and they marched in retreat.

To save face he’d tell Gage, "No guns at the forge."

And Colonists know not the word "defeat."

1. See how many of the names of the military and colonists mentioned in this story are still in use on the North Shore of Boston today, and in what capacity?

2. What line is taken directly from "Paul Revere’s Ride"?

3. A greater challenge: What line would be based on a quote from Winston Churchill? Hint: It has to do with grammar.

If you choose to accept these challenges, send your responses to www.celeste@tltree.com