Minute Man Nat'l Hist Park, Mass

Some of the most intense fighting on April 19, 1775 occurred in this area, which later became known as “Bloody Angle.” Unlike most of the 18th-century Battle Road landscape, which was open farmland, this site had woods and bends in the road which allowed the Colonists to set up an ambush.

“Upon our ascending the height to the road” said British Lt. Sutherland, “[the Woburn Militia] gave us a very heavy fire, but some shot from the left hand drew my attention that way when I saw a much larger body drawn up to my left . . .”

These were the men who had crossed the farm fields from Meriam’s Corner. The British troops were caught in a cross-fire from both sides of the road.

“We arrived just in time to meet the enemy. These were then on the opposite side of the road, a young growth of wood well filled with Americans. The enemy was now completely between two fires, renewed and briskly kept up. They ordered out a flank guard on the left to dislodge the Americans from their posts behind larger trees, but they only became a better mark to be shot at. A short but sharp contest ensued, at which the enemy received more deadly injury than at any one place from Concord to Charleston. Eight or more of their number were killed on the spot, and no doubt, many wounded.”

- Edmund Foster, Reading Minute Man

1:00 p.m. April 19, 1775 Bloody Angle

Colonial Militia 1500 Men

British Regulars 700 Men

14¼ miles & 6 hours to Boston

Marker is at the intersection of Bedford Lane and Battle Road, on the left when traveling north on Bedford Lane.

Courtesy hmdb.org

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