Missing from archives and the historical record, this little-known tale was told to Barrow Bookstore by Winnie-the-Pooh and friends when the beloved characters recently revisited Concord during the events commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord.
Chapter 1: Crossing the Ocean
Enticed by the promise of daily rations of honey-based mead, Winnie-the-Pooh, Eeyore, Tigger, and Piglet joined the British Army in 1773. Following the Boston Tea Party on December 16, 1773, the four deployed with His Majesty’s troops to the Province of Massachusetts Bay to reinforce the 10th Regiment of Foot.
The Atlantic crossing was difficult—their fleet got caught in storms and blown off course. Rations ran low, and fellow soldiers began eyeing Piglet in a curious manner. For Piglet’s safety, the lieutenant ordered him to the crow’s nest where his cry of “Land ho!” soon resolved the concerning situation.
They landed in Boston on May 2, 1774, and joined British soldiers under the command of Massachusetts’ military governor, Thomas Gage.
Chapter 2: The Scouting Mission
Over the next year, Pooh and friends drilled daily with their regiment. Pooh found the long marches a good addition to his stoutness exercises. Pooh’s dedication and Tigger’s enthusiasm quickly earned them the trust and respect of their officers, and they were selected to go on scouting missions through the countryside.
On one of these expeditions, in March 1775, Pooh and Tigger came to Barrett’s Farm in Concord where they were warmly greeted by Colonel James Barrett’s wife, Rebeckah. Rebeckah served Pooh and Tigger bowls of sweet honey and gave them a tour of her honey storeroom and multiple beehives on the farm. Pooh happily returned to camp in Boston copiously praising “the wonderful stockpile” at Barrett’s Farm.
Chapter 3: The Order Is Given
Based on Pooh’s story, word of “supplies being stockpiled at Barrett’s Farm” spread across the land and expanded over time, at last reaching the desk of Governor Thomas Gage. A target was identified!
On April 18, 1775, Governor Gage ordered Lieutenant Colonel Smith of the 10th Regiment of Foot to “March . . . with the utmost expedition and secrecy to Concord, where you will seize and destroy all [stores] whatsoever.”
As the 10th Regiment of Foot and others began assembling in the dark, Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore, and Piglet hastily met.
“What have I done?” Pooh asked. “Did I accidentally send the King’s Army to Concord?”
“We must do something,” the four friends agreed. “We must warn Mrs. Barrett and our friends in Concord!”
Chapter 4: The Midnight Ride
Listen, my children, and you shall hear of the midnight ride of Piglet and Eeyore!
Heaved up by Pooh and Tigger, Piglet got onto Eeyore’s back. As the 10th Regiment of Foot assembled with Lieutenant Colonel Smith’s column, Eeyore donkey-paddled across the Charles River. “Hang on, Piglet!” he shouted.
Meanwhile, back in the mobilizing camp, Pooh and Tigger quickly fell in line with their fellow soldiers and made excuses for Piglet’s and Eeyore’s absence, citing Piglet’s small bladder and Eeyore’s looking for his tail—again.
Piglet and Eeyore reached the Cambridge shore just as the king’s troops launched their boats. Off Piglet and Eeyore galloped, heading to Concord town, Piglet shouting, “Awake! Awake! The regulars are coming out!”
Chapter 5: Stopped in Lexington!
Arriving in Lexington near midnight, Eeyore was suddenly stopped in his hooves by three horsemen.
“Halt! Who goes there?” shouted one of the unknown riders in the dark.
“It’s me! Piglet!” squeaked Piglet. “We must get to Concord with an important message! The regulars are coming out!”
“But you are dressed in His Majesty’s uniforms!” stated another of the shadowy riders. But judging that the friendly pig and breathless donkey must indeed be well-intentioned, the horsemen advised Piglet and Eeyore to shed their uniforms and passed their own hats to them so no other colonists would stop them. “Good speed, friends!” said one of the riders. “Should you be stopped by colonists, tell them you are friends of Paul, William, and Samuel.”
And away rode Piglet and Eeyore. Onward to Concord town!
Chapter 6: Drama in Concord
Near 4:00 a.m., Piglet and Eeyore crossed Concord’s North Bridge and traveled onward to Barrett’s Farm where they warned Mrs. Barrett to make haste and hide the honey! Exhausted, Eeyore fell to the ground in a deep slumber. Piglet and Rebeckah covered him in hay to keep him warm and then worked together to move items from the house. “These barrels are very heavy for honey!” thought Piglet as he helped roll barrels from the house to the woods.
Miles behind them, Smith’s column was marching toward Lexington. By 9:00 a.m., the British column had reached Concord Center. The day’s drama and confusion began to unfold. Pooh and Tigger got separated from their regiment and ended up leading the bucket brigade of British soldiers trying to extinguish the town house fire.
Chapter 7: Aftermath
Following the Battles of Lexington and Concord, Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore, and Piglet returned to Boston with their regiment. Understanding only the concepts of love and friendship, the four friends continued to be kind to everyone and carried on their mission of spreading peace however they could.
In 1777, the four friends were sent home to England when relief troops arrived to take their place. They returned to their home in the Hundred Acre Wood where, it is said, a grateful Mrs. Barrett was able to send them a hive of her best bees as a thank-you for their friendship.
Although it is not documented anywhere, it is believed the bees you see in E. H. Shepard’s illustrations in the Winnie-the-Pooh series depict bees descended from Rebeckah Barrett’s Concord bees.
Sources:
• Letter from Thomas Gage to Lieutenant Colonel Smith. “Orders to Lieut. Colonel Smith, 10th Regiment ’Foot.” April 18, 1775.
• Milne, Alexander A. Winnie-the-Pooh. Methuen & Co., 1926.
• Shattuck, Lemuel. A History of the Town of Concord, Middlesex County, Massachusetts. Russell, Odiorne and Company, 1835.
• Oral interview by Barrow Bookstore with Winnie-the-Pooh, Eeyore, Tigger, and Piglet too! April 19, 2025.
All illustrations: E. H. Shepard original illustrations from The House at Pooh Corner. Project Gutenberg.
