How Do You Probe The Truth Behind The Midnight Ride Of Paul Revere?
Paul Revere was turned into a legend by the 1861 poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, “The Ride of Paul Revere.” But the poem contains many inaccuracies. Here is the truth behind the patriot’s famous ride. Understand the basic facts. Paul Revere was indeed a messenger who sounded the warning of British troop movements on the night of April 18, 1775 before the Battles of Lexington and Concord. Realize that the poem is incorrect to only credit Revere. Revere did instruct Old North Church Sexton Robert Newman to place one lantern in the steeple if the British were traveling by land and two lanterns in the steeple if they were moving via the Charles River. But both he and William Dawes began the journey on horseback. Consider that the primary mission of Revere and Dawes was to inform fellow patriots John Hancock and Samuel Adams of the movements of the British Army, which was planning on arresting Hancock and Adams and seizing weapons that had been stored in Concord. Study the ride itself.
