Paul Revere Was Captured Before He Reached Concord

Paul Revere’s ride is remembered as a dash that ended in triumph. The account given by the Paul Revere House, the museum in his former home, is less tidy. Revere was sent to Lexington, Massachusetts, with the news that British soldiers were about to march into the countryside. He reached Lexington, where his warning is given as “The regulars are coming out!” He and William Dawes then decided to continue on to Concord, joined by Samuel Prescott. A short time later, a British patrol intercepted all three men. Prescott and Dawes escaped. Revere was held for some time, questioned and let go, but his horse was confiscated to replace the tired mount of a British sergeant. Left alone on the road, Revere returned to Lexington on foot, in time to witness part of the battle on Lexington Green.