Alexander Cain
“We Could Easily Trace the March of Troops from the Smoke Which Arose Over Them”
The Battles of Lexington and Concord are often depicted as a spontaneous clash between rugged farmers and British troops, but the reality is far more gripping. Join historian Alexander Cain as he dismantles the myth of the lone patriot and reveals the true story of a well-prepared and strategically organized resistance. Long before April 19, 1775, New England communities had been stockpiling arms, drilling their militias, and laying the groundwork for rebellion. Through a fresh examination of battlefield tactics, Cain will uncover how both patriot and British forces leveraged terrain, executed coordinated maneuvers, and adapted to the chaos of combat. He will also shine a light on a frequently ignored aspect of the day—the role of loyalists in the field and their influence on the unfolding conflict. Beyond the fighting, this lecture will explore the raw brutality of the day and its devastating impact on civilians caught in the crossfire.
Alexander R. Cain, JD, (mcalpin77@gmail.com | historicalnerdery.com | LinkedIn) graduated from Merrimack College in 1993 with a degree in economics and from New England School of Law in 1996 with a juris doctorate. He currently serves as the academic dean at a vocational college in Massachusetts. Alex is a well-respected and highly sought-after speaker who frequently lectures on the military and social influences of April 19, 1775. He has published multiple research articles that have shed new light on the Battles of Lexington and Concord, privateer operations during the Siege of Boston and the loyalist refugee experience during the American Revolution. Alex has also published two books: We Stood Our Ground: Lexington in the First Year of the American Revolution and I See Nothing but the Horrors of a Civil War; and is the author of the blog and podcast “Historical Nerdery.” He resides in Massachusetts with his wife, Paula, and his two children, John and Abigail.
