Patriots of the Past

Emily Geiger – July 17, 1781

May 29, 2024March 11, 2024 - by Vcytv - Leave a Comment

Lexington, Massachusetts, April 19, 1775..In the early hours of April 19, 1775, Captain John Parker was alerted to mobilize the Lexington Company of the Middlesex, County Brigade, Massachusetts Militia in anticipation of a British 700 man force which was marching to Concord to capture provincial arms. By 2 a.m. Parker had mustered his company on the Lexington Green. The Lexington Company of militia was typical of the period. The youngest militiaman was 18, the oldest 63; eight fathers and sons served together. Most were farmers while some were veterans of the French and Indian War. Just after sunrise Parker and his 77 militiamen stood in defiance of the British advance guard. "Stand your ground," Parker ordered. "Don't fire until fired upon. But if they want to have a war let it begin here." Major John Pitcairn, commander of the British advance guard, ordered the militiamen to lay down their arms. Realizing that his company was outnumbered, Parker ordered his men to disperse. As the militiamen began to break ranks, a British officer fired his pistol. Without orders, the British troops opened fire. Although greatly outnumbered, the militiamen returned the fire. The battle went on for several minutes all around the Green. When it was over eight Americans lay dead and nine were wounded. The British quickly resumed their march. Later that morning, Captain Parker reorganized his unit and marched to Concord. The Lexington Company would later fight in the Battle of Bunker Hill and form a company for service in the Continental Army. However, few of its members on that fateful April morning realized that the Battle of Lexington would lead to the Revolutionary War and American independence. The Lexington Company and the Middlesex County Brigade are perpetuated by the 181st and 182nd Infantry Regiments, Massachusetts Army National Guard.

Experience the American dream with today’s Patriot of the Past interview. I’m your host, John Gillespie.

It’s July 17, 1781. I’m in South Carolina on horseback alongside 16-year-old Emily Geiger.

JG: “Emily, why are you in such a hurry?”

EG: “John, General Greene’s Continental Army is in trouble. He needs to get a letter to General Sumpter before the British corner his army and destroy it.”

Emily rode like the wind as she risked her life delivering the Patriot message. She was caught but ate the letter. Luckily, she had memorized the message, and when released, she faithfully delivered the urgent message to General Sumpter, saving his army.

Read more about Emily Geiger and her heroics.

John and Jan Gillespie are the founders of the Rawhide Boys’ Ranch; they have fostered 351 teenagers and wrote the book Our 351 Sons; they have also assisted numerous churches in developing youth programs and expanding their total church ministries. After running for U.S. Senate, John founded 1776 American Dream, which exists to demonstrate the vision of our founding fathers and help our generation of youth passionately embrace those values.

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