THE CORNFIELD ESCAPE AND THE POWDER CRISIS Colleague Patrick O'Donnell. Patrick O'Donnell introduces the Marblehead leadership during the critical nights of April 1775. As the British marched toward Lexington and Concord to seize gunpowder, three key Patr

THE CORNFIELD ESCAPE AND THE POWDER CRISIS Colleague Patrick O'Donnell. Patrick O'Donnellintroduces the Marblehead leadership during the critical nights of April 1775. As the British marched toward Lexingtonand Concord to seize gunpowder, three key Patriot leaders—Elbridge Gerry, Azor Orne, and Jeremiah Lee—were forced to flee the Blackhorse Tavern and hide in a cornfield to avoid arrest. O'Donnell emphasizes that the conflict was initially a civil war over resources, specifically black powder, which the Marbleheaders had been smuggling in from Spain. The British aim was to disarm the rebels by seizing these munitions, sparking the events at Lexington. NUMBER 1
1780