War Of Independence Battle Mapped Out By Radar

Archaelogists have been using ground-penetrating radar to map out the exact locations of combatants during a pivotal skirmish at the start of the War of Independence.

Parker's Revenge, as the battle is known, occurred on 19 April, 1775, after the battles of Lexington and Concord as the redcoats retreated to Boston.

Captain John Parker, commander of the Lexington militia, had fought the 700-strong British column on Lexington Green at 5.30am, with eight of his 77 men killed during the battle.

Despite his losses, Cpt Parker positioned his remaining men on a rocky hillside on the border of Lexington and Lincoln to await the return of the British.

Bob Morris, president of the Friends of Minute Man National Park which contains the battle site, said: "Parker met a force approximately 10 times his size and took 20% casualties on the green, then made the choice to go after them.

"It's the kind of heroism that cries out to be researched and memorialised."

Using radar, metal detectors and other modern technology, archaeologists and volunteers have uncovered several musket balls as well as a cast copper waistcoat button in the 44-acre site.

Some of the musket balls were unfired, indicating where someone was stood during the battle, according to Dr Meg Watters who is leading the team of archaeologists and volunteers.

Others had been damaged or flattened, indicating they had struck a rock, tree or even a person after being fired.

The nine musket balls recovered so far were discovered in an area within 80 yards of each other, showing just how close the armies were.

Describing the copper button, Dr Watters said: "It is gorgeous. It has a fox, a windmill, a bridge on it, and to think something this delicate has been sitting here for so long is incredible."

The project is expected to continue into November.

The park will install placards at the Parker's Revenge site and could even restore the wooded landscape so it more closely resembles the battlefield in 1775.

Park superintendent Nancy Nelson said: "This project goes a long way to completing the park's story about what's basically a forgotten battle.

"It was a significant and poignant story."