THE BATTLES THAT MADE THE UNITED STATES

From the first shots at Lexington and Concord, to the surrender at Yorktown, we explore the most important clashes of the war

LEXINGTON AND CONCORD: 19 APR 1775

PATRIOT VICTORY 3,960 patriots v 1,500 British

ESTIMATED CASUALTIES 94 patriots and 272 British

The first exchange of fire during the American Revolutionary War actually arose out of a failed attempt to try and prevent conflict.

In April 1775, as tensions rose between the two sides and frustrated American colonists began to form militias, stories started circulating that patriot weapons were being stockpiled in the town of Concord. When the rumours reached the ears of Massachusetts governor MajorGeneral Thomas Gage, he quickly ordered Lieutenant-Colonel Francis Smith to travel to Concord with an 800-strong force to seize the cache of arms and ammunition.

The colonists, however, were one ahead and had already been tipped off about the incoming British forces. Several patriots are said to have ridden through the night on horseback to alert the local militia, giving them time to mobilise and intercept the British troops.

Therefore, on the morning of 19 April, a group of armed patriots - largely made up of tradesmen and farmers - confronted Smith and his men at Lexington Green, some seven miles from Concord. Spotting the gathered militia ahead, Major John Pitcairn and his light infantry were sent forward, leaving Smith behind with the bulk of the forces. Pitcairn demanded that the militia disband, but before long - despite both sides having had orders not to shoot - the air was filled with the sound of gunfire. Who fired the first shot is still debated today, but British troops eventually charged towards the patriots, killing eight militiamen and injuring 10 more. Just one redcoat was injured.