Lexington

I remember it vividly. We were fighting for our freedom. There was a battle at Lexington, and the news of Lexington spread everywhere, producing wild excitement. My father and I got ready to join the new army. It was as if the world was different that day. Everyone would go to Boston to join the army. Imagine you were there. 

Every village and every farmhouse helped to swell the number. Men came from all over, even from tiny towns. In Connecticut, an old man was plowing his field and proclaimed, “This is my fight, too.” He unyoked his oxen, left his plow in the furrow, and, leaping to his saddle, raced to join the army. Just picture what that was like. 

Fiery Ethan Allen, at the head of his Green Mountain Boys, was eager to join us, but he stopped with his Green Mountain Boys to take over a fort. The soldiers did not expect them at all. Despite the fact that the Green Mountain Boys had not fought before, they were extremely brave, and the British gave up without a fight. 

Day by day the army grew, until thirty thousand men were encamped around Boston, from Charlestown Neck to Dorchester. We were all terribly excited and determined. I was afraid, too, but I decided that I needed to remain strong and brave. Just imagine what it was like then. 

The patriot leaders were beginning to grow impatient. It was now the middle of June, and they had decided the time had finally come to fight. They chose a place for the battle; the location selected was the highland on the Charlestown peninsula known as Bunker Hill. They chose the date of June 16th. How do you think we felt? 

The battle of Bunker Hill was a great fight. Never in my life had I witnessed such bravery on behalf of so many men. No one gave up, everyone fought hard, and we all worked together. Although it was a struggle, we remained strong. I really believe that with that one battle, our nation was born. We all felt different after the battle of Bunker Hill. We were Americans. I hope you can experience the feelings that I felt then. 

I can recall that great battle clearly, and I remember the ones after that as well. Although it took much longer than I had initially anticipated, it was well worth it. It was difficult, and I became exhausted, but then we won and freed our country. We were a new nation. Now, each year on the fourth of July, I remember those days and smile. I hope you do, too.