Gardner's Regiment

The Jason Russell House dates to 1740 and is located in the Town of Arlington, Massachusetts.  At that time, the Town was known as Menotomy.

On April 19, 1775, the remnants of a 700 man expeditionary force, supported by 1000 reinforcements, were in retreat from the famous battles of Lexington and Concord.  As the King's Forces headed back to Cambridge along what is now Massachusetts Avenue, they were ambushed by thousands of Colonial Militia acting mostly in small groups.

In order to protect his main column, Lord Percy ordered troops to provide flanking coverage along the sides of the route of march.  They were ordered to clear adjoining dwellings of snipers.  Homes were ransacked, plundered and burned by British Light Infantry. 

As the Regulars approached, 59 year old Jason Russell was at his home joined by Militia from the Towns of Beverly, Danvers, Lynn, Salem, Dedham and Needham.  Trapped between the flankers and the main column, the Jason Russell House became the scene of the bloodiest fighting of the day - the first day of the American Revolution!

The flankers surrounded the farm house from behind and eleven Patriots were killed on the grounds and in the house.  Jason Russell was shot and bayoneted on his front step.  Two Redcoats were also killed.  The total estimate of Patriots killed in Menotomy run as high as 25 and an additional 40 Redcoats.

It is for this reason that Jason Russell House has been referred to as a "Revolutionary Shrine".

On April 20, 2008 Gardner's Regiment was, for the first time, the guest of the Menotomy Minute Men in the re-enactment of the battle of Jason Russell House.

To our delight we were allowed to engage in a running battle down Massachusetts Avenue, ultimately ending at the Jason Russell House. Hundreds of onlookers surrounded the area as the Light Infantry marched and fired it's way toward Arlington Center.

Following the battle, both the Colonials and the Regulars enjoyed meeting and speaking with the spectators.

Please go to our Links Page to enjoy references to the Arlington Historical Society and the Jason Russell House, as well as our friends in the Menotomy Minute Men Militia Group who helped us make this re enactment a part of our Campaign Schedule.

To enjoy more photos of this event please click here.  To join us at future events you may go to our Campaign page or Contact us about joining Gardner's Regiment !