Leslie's retreat: Difference between revisions
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On Feb. 26, 1775, the first armed resistance by the colonies to British authority occurred at North Bridge in Salem. When reports that a cannon and ammunition had been hidden in North Fields, (now North Salem) General Gage sent Colonel Leslie and 300 British soldiers from Boston to Marblehead by ship. | On Feb. 26, 1775, the first armed resistance by the colonies to British authority occurred at North Bridge in Salem. When reports that a cannon and ammunition had been hidden in North Fields, (now North Salem) General Gage sent Colonel Leslie and 300 British soldiers from Boston to Marblehead by ship. | ||
The citizens of Salem had been forewarned of the approaching British forces gathered at the North | The citizens of Salem had been forewarned of the approaching British forces gathered at the North | ||
Bridge and raised the draw. What might have been the first battle of the Revolutionary War was | |||
averted because of a compromise that was made by Colonel Timothy Pickering and Colonel David Mason | |||
of the local militia and Colonel Leslie. Rev. Thomas Barnard of the North Church helped bring about the compromise. | |||
The draw was lowered and Colonel Leslie and his men marched a short distance beyond, turned and | |||
headed back to Marblehead. The British soldiers under Leslie numbered approximately 140. American | |||
soldiers under Pickering numbered approximately 50. A reenactment takes place yearly on the anniversary. | |||
*In April of 2026, a monument was erected at the corner of North and Lynde streets on the grounds of the Wesley United Methodist Church to honor the resistance to British authority. The monument was donated by Salem High graduate, Ed Lavoie and was made by Gabriel Rossi Jr. of O’Rourke Brothers Memorials. | *In April of 2026, a monument was erected at the corner of North and Lynde streets on the grounds of the Wesley United Methodist Church to honor the resistance to British authority. The monument was donated by Salem High graduate, Ed Lavoie and was made by Gabriel Rossi Jr. of O’Rourke Brothers Memorials. | ||
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*"Salem Celebrates First Muster, Leslie's Retreat Dedication", ''Patch'', April 6, 2026 | *"Salem Celebrates First Muster, Leslie's Retreat Dedication", ''Patch'', April 6, 2026 | ||
*"New monument marks 251st anniversary of Leslie’s Retreat", | *"New monument marks 251st anniversary of Leslie’s Retreat", ''Salem Evening News'', April 13, 2026 | ||
[[Category:Browse Index]] | [[Category:Browse Index]] | ||
[[Category:Events]] | [[Category:Events]] | ||
Latest revision as of 16:44, 28 April 2026
On Feb. 26, 1775, the first armed resistance by the colonies to British authority occurred at North Bridge in Salem. When reports that a cannon and ammunition had been hidden in North Fields, (now North Salem) General Gage sent Colonel Leslie and 300 British soldiers from Boston to Marblehead by ship.
The citizens of Salem had been forewarned of the approaching British forces gathered at the North
Bridge and raised the draw. What might have been the first battle of the Revolutionary War was
averted because of a compromise that was made by Colonel Timothy Pickering and Colonel David Mason
of the local militia and Colonel Leslie. Rev. Thomas Barnard of the North Church helped bring about the compromise.
The draw was lowered and Colonel Leslie and his men marched a short distance beyond, turned and
headed back to Marblehead. The British soldiers under Leslie numbered approximately 140. American
soldiers under Pickering numbered approximately 50. A reenactment takes place yearly on the anniversary.
- In April of 2026, a monument was erected at the corner of North and Lynde streets on the grounds of the Wesley United Methodist Church to honor the resistance to British authority. The monument was donated by Salem High graduate, Ed Lavoie and was made by Gabriel Rossi Jr. of O’Rourke Brothers Memorials.
See Also
- Vertical File in Salem Collection - Leslie's Retreat
- Old Naumkeag by C.H. Webber, p.176-177.
- Account of Leslie's Retreat at the North Bridge in Salem Lib. of Congress
- Historical sketch of Salem by Charles S. Osgood, p. 47-
- A County in Revolution: Essex County at the dawning of independence Ronald N. Tagney, p. 139-145
- Salem in the Eighteenth Century by James Duncan Phillips, p. 352-360.
- First Armed Resistance (Leslie's Retreat) Historical Marker Historical Marker Database
- "Park may be named for patriot's first stand" Salem Evening News, April 11, 2002 , p.A2
- Hidden History of Salem S. Saville p.18-26
- Celebration at North Bridge; July 4, 1862 George B. Loring
- Resistance and retreat in Salem 1775 Streets of Salem blog
- Re-engaging with Leslie's Retreat Streets of Salem blog
- "Salem Celebrates First Muster, Leslie's Retreat Dedication", Patch, April 6, 2026
- "New monument marks 251st anniversary of Leslie’s Retreat", Salem Evening News, April 13, 2026
