National Museum of the United States Army

The regulars’ poorly-aimed volley was met with ragged but continuous and accurate fire from the minutemen—the “shot heard round the world”—which wounded four of the eight regular officers and cut down seven of their troops.

This rapid response threw the light infantry into a panic and many men began to break for the rear.

"I imagine myself, that a man of my company (afterwards killed) did first fire his piece, tho’ Mr. Sutherland has since assured me, that the country people first fired,” remembered Capt. Walter Laurie, 43d Regiment of Foot. “A general popping from them ensued. The company of the 4th Regiment gave afire, as did a few of my own from the flanks, after which the whole went to the right about, in spite of all that could be done to prevent them. "

Capt. Walter Laurie, 43d Regiment of Foot.

Despite the entreaties of officers and sergeants, the Light Infantry panicked at the sight of their dead and wounded comrades, broke ranks, and fled.

Sources

First: “Concord’s North Bridge. National Park Service, https://www.nps.gov/places/concord-s-north-bridge.htm.

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