Minute Men

The Minute Men' were patriots who prepared for war as the British government denied more and more rights and liberties in the early 1770s. Based on local militias, they were elite, well-trained units prepared to assemble at a minute's notice.

The planning worked well, for when the British in Boston sent out an elite regiment of 800 men to capture American leaders and supplies at Concord, the Minute Men were ready. Alerted by Paul revere and other riders, several thousand Minute Men assembled in the night at pre-assigned places. The attacked the British column as it retreated back to Boston. Gaining the better of the fight, they nearly destroyed the British until rescuers arrived.

The Minute Men became iconic heroes of patriotism and civic duty in terms of American Republicanism

Further reading

• Fischer, David Hackett. Paul Revere's Ride (1994), outstanding history online edition