How, why & where the first land battle of the American Revolution could have happened at Salem’s North Bridge in February 1775 instead of in Lexington and at Concord’s North Bridge on April 19th.
Less than two months before April 19th in 1775, the American Revolution’s first land battle could have taken place in Marblehead and/or Salem instead of in Lexington and Concord, in the exact same scenario. The “Salem Alarm” event that occurred in Salem on February 26th, 1775 and later became known as “Leslie’s Retreat,” is now quite familiar — especially after the big 250th anniversary reenactment a few weeks ago, and several educational events about it.
Here in Danvers on April 23, an illustrated program will explore the human side of the near-miss episode, along with its geographical and social context.
Who was the “Leslie” of “Leslie’s Retreat” ? — Why did he and his Regular Army troops march through the crowded and volatile metropolis of Marblehead to march into Salem? — And where in Marblehead did they land?
Detail of a painting by J.O.J. Frost (1920s), depicting the landing of Colonel Leslie’s troops at a cove in Marblehead Harbor. Marblehead Museum collection.
