Why do you think the british commander decided to retreat even though he had a larger army?

Question

In the battle of Lexington.

Answer 1

Because once firing began on Lexington Green, the Colonists reacted in a natural way. Not the way a trained European Army would act. Traditionally trained tactics for the time were to form up in lines and bring your weapons to bear on the enemy. Stand and fire and reload. The colonists broke ranks and ran for cover in every direction. The took cover behind trees, walls, and anything else they could find. There was no distinct position for the British to move against. They considered the actions of the colonists as uncivilized and a violation of the common courtesies of war. They withdrew from the field of battle and reformed away from the onslaught of fire from varying positions. This whole episode was a precurser of what was to occur in many different skirmishes throughout the war.

Answer 2

His garrison was in Boston, and the entire population of Massachusetts was arming to fight after that battle, so his force would not be the largest for long and without supplies, he would be fighting a losing battle if he had tried to hold his ground. He returned to Boston to prepare for a siege.