The City of Salem announces a series of events commemorating the 250th anniversary of “Leslie’s Retreat,” the first armed resistance to British authority in the lead up to the American Revolution.
On Feb. 26, 1775, British Lt. Col. Alexander Leslie’s attempted seizure of colonial weapons in Salem resulted in a peaceful resolution through negotiation – just weeks before the battles of Lexington and Concord. While bloodshed was narrowly avoided in Salem, the confrontation was the first active resistance by the colonists during the war.
Alexander Leslie
While Salem community members have commemorated the anniversary of Leslie’s Retreat every February, this year’s events are particularly momentous. They mark the start of Rev250 and the 250th commemoration of the American Revolution and the nation’s independence. Leslie’s Retreat 250 is a cooperative partnership between Salem 400+, the City’s quadricentennial commemoration and the Leslie’s Retreat SR Steering Committee. Together they spearhead and work in cooperation with individuals and institutions to present a series of community events to mark the 250th anniversary of Leslie’s Retreat.
“Leslie’s Retreat represents a crucial moment in Salem’s and America’s history,” said Virginia “Gini” Cherol, coordinator for Salem 400+. “This commemoration honors the courage and wisdom of our predecessors while highlighting the importance of diplomatic resolution.”
“The events of Feb. 26, 1775, are of enormous historical significance for Salem and for our nation,” said Salem Mayor Dominick Pangallo. “They reflect the resilience and strength of this community and of the colonists more broadly. I want to thank all the organizers who helped make February’s celebrations possible, and I invite everyone to join us as we commemorate this important chapter of America’s story here in Salem!”
On February 26, 1775, just weeks before the shots at Lexington and Concord, Salem witnessed what could have been the first battle of the American Revolution. When British Lt. Col. Alexander Leslie and his troops attempted to seize colonial weapons, they were met with remarkable resistance at Salem’s North Bridge. Courage, diplomacy and level-headed leadership prevented bloodshed but demonstrated American resolve.
The first event on Feb. 15, Leslie’s Retreat Forum and Discussion, takes place at the Pickering House. Event organizers,
invite you to join them for an afternoon discussing one of the lesser-known skirmishes of the early Revolutionary War. Colonel Timothy Pickering was present on that day and at his home 250 years later, they’ll gather together local historians and pull out objects from their archives and more as they discuss the events of that storied day and Pickering’s role in it.
Salem 400+ commemorates Salem’s quadricentennial while acknowledging the preexisting indigenous community. It also explores the opportunities and connections of Salem’s multifaceted history while crafting a vision for current and future generations.
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Learn more about Revolutionary history in this complete guide to Revolutionary War sites in New England. Brought to you by the New England Historical Society. Click here to order your copy in paperback, here to order an ebook.
Image: Pickering House By Fletcher – Own work, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=89739886.