Archeologists find the musket balls fired in the first shots of the Revolutionary War
Archeologists digging at Concord discover what they think are five musket balls fired in the first shots of the Revolutionary War.
Archeologists believe five musket balls unearthed in Concord’s Minute Man National Historical Park were fired by colonial militia in the famed battle moments that sparked the Revolutionary War. The 250-year-old musket balls were discovered in an area inside the park where historians believe British troops faced colonial forces at the North Bridge.
Analysis of the artifacts indicates they were fired by colonial militia members from across the river, and not dropped from British weapons when troops were reloading.
Since the Minute Men fired over a period of time, routing the British troops, there is no way to know if these musket balls were the first fired, or among the later rounds. Nonetheless, these artifacts are an actual piece of a moment of history that literally changed all of human history.
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Archeologists digging at Concord discover what they think are five musket balls fired in the first shots of the Revolutionary War.
Archeologists believe five musket balls unearthed in Concord’s Minute Man National Historical Park were fired by colonial militia in the famed battle moments that sparked the Revolutionary War. The 250-year-old musket balls were discovered in an area inside the park where historians believe British troops faced colonial forces at the North Bridge.
Analysis of the artifacts indicates they were fired by colonial militia members from across the river, and not dropped from British weapons when troops were reloading.
Since the Minute Men fired over a period of time, routing the British troops, there is no way to know if these musket balls were the first fired, or among the later rounds. Nonetheless, these artifacts are an actual piece of a moment of history that literally changed all of human history.
Readers!
Please consider supporting my work here at Behind the Black. Your support allows me the freedom and ability to analyze objectively the ongoing renaissance in space, as well as the cultural changes -- for good or ill -- that are happening across America. Fourteen years ago I wrote that SLS and Orion were a bad ideas, a waste of money, would be years behind schedule, and better replaced by commercial private enterprise. Only now does it appear that Washington might finally recognize this reality.
In 2020 when the world panicked over COVID I wrote that the panic was unnecessary, that the virus was apparently simply a variation of the flu, that masks were not simply pointless but if worn incorrectly were a health threat, that the lockdowns were a disaster and did nothing to stop the spread of COVID. Only in the past year have some of our so-called experts in the health field have begun to recognize these facts.
Your help allows me to do this kind of intelligent analysis. I take no advertising or sponsors, so my reporting isn't influenced by donations by established space or drug companies. Instead, I rely entirely on donations and subscriptions from my readers, which gives me the freedom to write what I think, unencumbered by outside influences.
You can support me either by giving a one-time contribution or a regular subscription. There are four ways of doing so:
1. Zelle: This is the only internet method that charges no fees. All you have to do is use the Zelle link at your internet bank and give my name and email address (zimmerman at nasw dot org). What you donate is what I get.
2. Patreon: Go to my website there and pick one of five monthly subscription amounts, or by making a one-time donation.
3. A Paypal Donation or subscription:
4. Donate by check, payable to Robert Zimmerman and mailed to
Behind The Black
c/o Robert Zimmerman
P.O.Box 1262
Cortaro, AZ 85652
You can also support me by buying one of my books, as noted in the boxes interspersed throughout the webpage or shown in the menu above.
These may be the musket balls fired … but you can go to this place
https://www.nmmv.org/
and see the rifle that fired the first shot.
C https://cowboystatedaily.com/2022/10/27/with-musket-that-fired-first-shot-at-bunker-hill-wyoming-military-museum-more-than-a-novelty/
To see this rifle is not the only reason to visit the National Museum of Military Vehicles in Dubois WY. The museum itself is WELL WORTH the 3 plus hour drive from Yellowstone.
(The area has a great reputation for fly fishing as well)
The museum is easily “Smithsonian class” in its presentation of the vehicles that have served US troops through our wars and conflicts. The displays are truly impressive and awe inspiring. This private museum is free of charge to veterans.
If you have the chance to go, you should, it is well worth the time.
Chris, There is a difference between a musket and rifle – by definition a musket has no rifling (spiral grooves inside the barrel to gyroscopically stabilize the bullet). Contrary to myth, few troops on either side carried rifles,, the most numerous Continental long arm being the Mle 1766 “Charleville” Musket supplied by France
Thank you Colonel. I am aware of the difference in the types of firearm. I will try to choose my descriptions and words more carefully.
That said, my point was to direct interest to the rifle at the museum and to plug the museum itself. It is truly worth the drive.
I’d love to make a trip—my low-pay scuzzball employers won’t allow for it.