Colonial-Era Musket Balls Uncovered in Massachusetts

News July 15, 2024

Musket ball, Minute Man National Historical Park, Massachusetts
Minute Man National Historical Park
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CONCORD, MASSACHUSETTS—According to a WBUR report, five musket balls were unearthed near the North Bridge at Minute Man National Historical Park, marked as the site of the beginning of the Revolutionary War. On April 19, 1775, British troops opened fire on colonial militia members who were crossing the North Bridge. The militia members returned fire and charged under the orders of Major John Buttrick of Concord, routing the British troops. The recovered musket balls are thought to have been fired by the colonial militia during the short battle. “It’s incredible that we can stand here and hold what amounts to just a few seconds of history that changed the world almost 250 years ago,” said historic weapons specialist Jarrad Fuoss of Minute Man National Historical Park. For more on archaeological sites in the park, go to "Finding Parker's Revenge."

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