After brief battles at Lexington Green and Concord’s North Bridge, Colonists and British soldiers clashed at Meriam’s Corner, where the Battle Road began. Colonial militia and minute men coming from the North Bridge fight were joined by companies from Reading. As the Colonists watched from the cover of the Meriam house and barn, British flankers protecting the main column of troops came in to cross the small bridge over Mill Brook, weakening the British position. Musket shots rang out and began a six-hour running battle all the way to Boston harbor, as Colonists discharged their vengeance at British troops along the old highway known today as Battle Road. At 12:30 p.m. on April 19, 1775, about 400 Colonial militia faced 700 British regulars there, with 16 miles and 6 1/2 hours remaining to Boston.
