What did Paul Revere do when he saw the British crossing the Charles River in Boston?

Question

Lucy Abney · Accepted Answer

Paul Revere never saw the British crossing. But here is what he did.

Paul Revere was situated at a location on the shore of the Charles River to see if one lantern or two were placed in the steeple of the North Church. That was done as soon as the spy on the Boston side had ascertained for sure which direction the British were moving. Revere saw two, so he and his partner Dawes, set out for Lexington to warn John Hancock and company of the British movement. His ride took him through Cambridge, Medford and Menotomy (Arlington) before he reached Lexington. Along the way he informed certain town officials of the British advance. They in turn sent out riders to other towns. In fact, the British had split their troops sending the infantry via water and their artillery via land, down the "neck of Boston" to Dorchester and then through Watertown to Lexington.

Zoe Anderson · Answer

undefined When Paul Revere saw the British crossing the Charles River in Boston, he rode on horseback to alert the American militia that the British were approaching. He famously made his midnight ride on April 18, 1775, warning the colonial militias of the impending British movements towards Lexington and Concord. This warning allowed the militias to prepare for the battles of Lexington and Concord, which marked the beginning of the American Revolutionary War.