Breed Hill Training Field

55 Winthrop St, Charlestown, MA 02129

American colonist formed militias for protection and trained in open fields also known as commons. The militia was a part time army in colonial Massachusetts responsible for the colony’s defense. Every town was expected to maintain at least one company (approx. 60 men) commanded by a captain. Beginning in 1636 regiments were formed by region and country comprising of several companies with their designated geographic area. Many formed their own company flags. In times of war, the militia served as the immediate defense during an attack, or as a pool of available soldiers to be drafted for extended service.

By law nearly all men between the ages of 16 and 60 were required to serve, keep arms, and train with exceptions for political leaders, judges, Ministers, and similar public servants, as well as those “disabled in body, Indians, and Negroes” (See Politics Racism and the Revolutionary War for more) Even exceptions were required to keep arms and have them inspected twice per year and to turn out in an emergency.

Charlestown Training Field dates from the 1640s after the town's 1629 settlement. It played a part in the American Revolution when colonial troops marched on Charlestown to prevent the advance of British soldiers and hastily built earthworks on Breed's Hill, just upslope of this Training Field. (see Minutemen for more examples of militia companies and men)

This shocked the British Soldiers as told in their own words as they wrote letters and poems recorded in the last link.

Except from pg 60

THE seventeenth, at break of day,

The Yankees did surprise us

With the strong works they had thrown up,

To burn the town and drive us.

But soon we had an order come,

An order to defeat them;

With three good flints and sixty rounds,

Each soldier hoped to beat them.

At noon we marched to the Long Wharf,

Where boats were ready waiting

With expedition we embarked,

Our ships kept cannonading.

And soon our boats all filled were.

With officers and soldiers,

With as good troops as England had,

T' oppose who dared control us.

And when our boats all filled were,

We rowed in line of battle

With grenadiers and infantry.

While grape-shot loud did rattle.

And when we landed on the shore,

We formed in line together;

The Yankee boys then manned their works,

And swore we shouldn't come thither.

Brave General Howe, on our right wing,

Cried, " Boys, fight on like thunder;

You soon shall see these rebels flee,

With great amaze and wonder."

But such stout Whigs I never saw;

To hang them all I'd rather,

Than mow their hay with musket balls

And buck-shot mixed together.

As for their king, that John Hancock,

And Adams, if they're taken.

Their heads for signs we'll raise aloft

Upon their hill called Beacon.

But our conductor, he got broke,

For his misconduct, sure, sir;

The shot he sent for twelve-pound guns

Were made for twenty-fours, sir.

-Source Links-

https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=115250

https://www.nps.gov/mima/learn/historyculture/the-militia-and-minute-men-of-1775.htm

https://tile.loc.gov/storage-services/public/gdcmassbookdig/bunkerhillstoryt00drak/bunkerhillstoryt00drak.pdf