IntroductionThe battles of Lexington and Concord were fought on April 19, 1775, between British regulars and Patriot militia, also known today as Americans, in the towns of Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts. “The battles of Lexington and Concord are often referred to as 'the shot heard round the world' and the beginning of the American War of Independence” (Fischer, 1994). The battles of Lexington and Concord were fought over four events: the skirmish at Lexington between British regulars and the Lexington Training Band, the search and seizure of arms, ammunition and military stores at Concord, the fighting between the regulars and the militias during the march of the Regulars towards Boston and its environs by the American militias. The overall mission is that British regulars went to these towns to collect and destroy American military supplies, while the Americans tried to maintain their weapons and way of life that would evolve toward their independence from the English crown. This period leading up to the Battles of Lexington and Concord was truly the starting point for the use of intelligence collection/dissemination and intelligence operations for the Americans. The British regulars used very strict intelligence gathering in preparing the battlefield for their operations. The Americans implemented an “amoeba-like” form of intelligence collection, the collective goal being their independence. Unfortunately, on both sides of the coin, the lack of operational security provided both sides with an operational view of how each side conducted its affairs. The British Road to War The British regulars were commanded by Lieutenant General Thomas Gage. The British regulars versus... middle of paper ...... The regulars were misdirected by locals and away from the small militia supply caches that remained in the town. While the search was being conducted in the town of Concord, two companies of regulars were attempting to maintain the North Bridge. The regulars were engaged by around 400 militiamen. After the engagement, the regulars retreated towards the town of Concord. Lieutenant Colonel Smith heard the gunfire coming from the North Bridge area and sent two companies of grenadiers to reinforce the infantry companies at North Bridge. The two companies of grenadiers managed to join the three decimated infantry companies. This action left the companies of regulars carrying out the search isolated and the road to Concord unprotected. At this time, Lieutenant Colonel Smith gave the order to begin the march towards Boston..