Cool post. Can we still bookmark threads? I'd like to add this one.
Good Post...would his actions be acceptable today??.. or would this be considered racial provileng?
In Provincial Congress, Watertown, April 23, 1775. RESOLVED, That the Selectmen of each Town in this Colony be, and hereby are directed to furnish each non-commissioned Officer and private Soldier that shall be inlisted in the Province Service, from their Towns respectively, with a good and sufficient Blanket, and lay their Accounts thereof before the Committee of Supplies, who are hereby impowered and directed to give said Selectmen an Order on the Colony Treasurer for the same.
JOSEPH WARREN, President P. T.
Attest...........SAMUEL FREEMAN, Secretary P. T.
In Congress, at Watertown, April 30, 1775.
Gentlemen,
THE barbarous Murders on our innocent Brethren o? Wednesday the 19th Instant, has made it absolutely necessary that we immediately raise an Army to defend our Wives and our Children from the butchering Hands of an inhuman Soldiery, who, incensed at the Obstacles they met with in their bloody Progress and enraged at being repulsed from the Field of Slaughter; will without the least doubt take the first Opportunity in their Power to ravage this devoted Country with Fire and Sword: We conjure you, therefore, by all that is dear, by all that is sacred, that you give all Assistance possible in forming an Army: Our all is at Stake, Death and Devastation are the certain Consequences of Delay, every Moment is infinitely precious, an Hour lost may deluge your Country in Blood, and entail perpetual Slavery upon the few of your Posterity, who may survive the Carnage. We beg and entreat, as you will answer it to your Country, to your own Consciences, and above all as you will answer to God himself, that you will hasten and encourage by all possible Means, the Inlistment of Men to form the Army, and send them forward to Head-Quarters, at Cambridge, with that Expedition, which the vast Importance and instant Urgency of the Affair demands.
JOSEPH WARREN, President, P. T.
In Provincial Congress, Watertown, May 9th, 1775.
WHEREAS a few of the Inhabitants of this Colony, who are inlisted into its Service, are destitute of Fire-Arms, Bayonets, and other Accoutrements:
RESOLVED, That the Selectmen of the several Towns and Districts, in this Colony, be, and hereby are directed and impowered to examine into the State of the Equipment of such Inhabitants of their respective Towns and Districts, as are or may be inlisted into the Service of the Colony; and where any are deficient in Arms or Accoutrements, as aforesaid, it is recommended to the Selectmen to supply them out of the Town Stock; and in cafe of a Deficiency there, to apply to such Inhabitants of their respective Towns and Districts as, in their Opinion, can best spare their Arms or Accoutrements, and to borrow or purchase the same for the Use of said Inhabitants so inlisted.--And the Selectmen are also directed to take a Bill from such Persons as shall fell their Arms and Accoutrements, in the Name of this Colony, and Receipts from the Soldiers, to whom they shall cause them to be delivered, and render the same to the Committee of Supplies for this Colony: And each Soldier, so supplied, shall pay for the Use of such Arms and Accoutrements out of his Wages, the Sum of Six Shillings; and if he does not return the said Arms and Accoutrements, there shall be deducted from his Wages, at the Time of making up the Muster-Roll, the full Value of said Arms and Accoutrements, as apprized by the Selectmen at the Time of borrowing or purchasing the same: And it is strongly recommended to such Inhabitants of the Colony, as the Selectmen as aforesaid shall apply to for Arms or Accoutrements, that they supply the Colony with the same.
And as many Arms in this Colony, which are now useless, may, by small Repairs, be rendered fit for Service:--RESOLVED, That a sufficient Number of Armourers, not exceeding Twenty, be appointed by the Committee of Safety, to mend and repair such Arms as shall be brought to them by the Soldiers inlisted into the Massachusetts Army.
JOSEPH WARREN, President P. T.
Attest,..........SAMUEL FREEMAN, Secretary P. T.
Journals Cont. Cong.--THURSDAY, MAY 11, 1775
Mr. [John] Hancock produced and laid before the Congress a Letter from the provincial Congress of Massachusetts bay, together with certain resolutions formed by Sd. Congress, and a Copy of a letter, sent by Sd. Congress to their agent in England, and an address to the inhabitants of Gt.-Bn, on the late engagement between the troops under Genl. Gage, and the inhabitants of Massachusetts bay; on Wednesday 18 ult: also a number of depositions, duly attested, relative to the commencement of hostilities, all which were read, and are as follows: [here insert them]
In Provincial Congress, Watertown, May 3, 1775.
To the Honorable American Continental Congress, to be conven'd at Philadelphia, on the tenth of May Instant.
May it please your honours,
The Congress of this colony, impressed with the deepest Concern for their Country, under the present critical and alarming state of its public Affairs, beg leave, with the most respectful submission, whilst acting in support of the Cause of America, to request the direction and assistance of your respectable Assembly.
The inclosed Packet, containing Copies of the Depositions, which we have despatched for London, also an Address to the Inhabitants of Great Britain, and a Letter to our Colony Agent, Benjamin Franklin, Esqr. are humbly submitted to your Consideration.
The sanguinary Zeal of the ministerial Army, to ruin and destroy the Inhabitants of this Colony, in the Opinion of this Congress, hath rendered the Establishment of an Army indispensably necessary. We have accordingly passed an unanimous Resolve for thirteen thousand six hundred Men, to be forth with raised by this Colony; and proposals are made by us to the Congress of New Hampshire, and Governments of Rhode Island and Connecticut Colonies, for furnishing men in the same proportion. The sudden Exigency of our public Affairs, precluded the possibility of waiting for your direction in these important measures; more especially, as a considerable Reinforcement from Great Britain is daily expected in this Colony, and we are now reduced to the sad alternative of defending ourselves by arms, or submitting to be slaughtered.
With the greatest deference, we beg leave to suggest, that a power full Army, on the side of America, hath been consider'd, by this Congress, as the only mean left to stem the rapid Progress of a tyrannical Ministry. Without a force, superior to our Enemies, we must reasonably expect to become the Victims of their relentless fury: With such a force, we may still have hopes of seeing an immediate End put to the inhuman Ravages of mercenary Troops in America, and the wicked authors of our Miseries, brought to condign punishment, by the just Indignation of our Brethren in Great Britain.
We hope that this Colony will, at all Times, be ready to spend and be spent in the Cause of America. It is, nevertheless, a Misfortune greatly operating to its Disadvantage, that it has a great Number of Sea Port Towns, exposed to the approach of the Enemy by Sea; from many of which, the Inhabitants have removed, and are now removing their Families and Effects, to avoid Destruction from Ships of War: These, we apprehend, will be generally distressed from want of subsistence, and disabled from contributing Aid for supporting the Forces of the Colony; but we have the greatest Confidence in the wisdom and ability of the Continent to support us, so far as it shall appear necessary for supporting the common cause of the American Colonies.
We also inclose several Resolves for impowering and directing our Receiver General to borrow the Sum of one hundred thousand Pounds, Lawful Money, and to issue his Notes for the same; it being the only measure, which we cou'd have recourse to, for supporting our Forces; And we request your assistance in rendring our measures effectual, by giving our Notes a currency through the Continent.
Joseph Warren, President, P. T
In Provincial Congress, Watertown, April 26, 1775.
Sir,
From the entire Confidence we Repose in your faithfulness and Abilities, we consider it the happiness of this Colony, that the important trust of Agency for it, in this day of unequalled Distress, is devolved on your hands, and we doubt not, your Attachment to the Cause and liberties of Mankind, will make every possible Exertion in our behalf, a Pleasure to you; altho' our circumstances will compell us often to Interrupt your repose, by Matters that will surely give you Pain. A singular instance hereof is the Occasion of the present letter. The Contents of this Packet, will be our Apology for Troubling you with it.
From these, you will see, how and by whom we are at last Plunged into the horrors of a most unnatural war.
Our enemies, we are told, have despatched to G[reat] Britain a fallacious Account of the Tragedy they have begun; to prevent the operation of which, to the Publick injury, we have engaged the Vessel that conveys this to you, as a Packet in the service of this Colony, and we Request your Assistance in supplying Captain Derby, who commands her, with such Necessaries as he shall want, on the Credit of your Constituents in Massachusetts Bay.
But we most ardently wish, that the several papers herewith Inclosed, may be immediately printed, and Disperced thro' every Town in England, and especially communicated to the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Common Council of the city of London, that they may take such Order thereon, as they may think Proper. And we are Confident your fidelity will make such improvement of them, as shall convince all, who are not determined to be in everlasting blandness, that it is the united efforts of both Englands, that must save either. But that whatever Price our Brethren in the one, may he pleased to put on their constitutional liberties, we are authorized to assure you, that the inhabitants of the other, with the Greatest Unanimity, are inflexibly resolved to sell theirs only at the Price of their lives.
Sign'd by order of the Provincial Congress,
Joseph Warren, President, P. T.
In Provincial Congress, Watertown, April 26th, 1775.
To the Inhabitants of Great Britain.
Friends and Fellow Subjects,
Hostilities are at length commenced in this Colony by the Troops under the Command of General Gage, and It being of the greatest Importance, that an early, true, and authentic Account of this inhuman proceeding should be known to you, the Congress of this Colony have transmitted the same, and from Want of a Session of the hone. continental Congress, think it proper to address you on this alarming Occasion.
By the clearest Depositions, relative to this Transaction, It will appear that, on the Night preceding the nineteenth of April instant, a Body of the King's Troops, under the Command of Colonel Smith, were secretly landed at Cambridge, with an apparent Design to take or destroy the military and other stores, provided for the Defence of this Colony, and deposited at Concord: that some Inhabitants of the Colony, on the Night aforesaid, whilst travelling peaceably on the Road between Boston and Concord, were seized and greatly abused by armed Men, who appeared to be Officers of General Gage's army: that the Town of Lexington, by these Means, was alarmed, and a Company of the Inhabitants mustered on the Occasion: that the regular Troops, on their Way to Concord, marched into the said Town of Lexington, and the said Company, on their Approach, began to disperse: that, notwithstanding this, the Regulars rushed on with great Violence; and first began Hostilities, by firing on said Lexington Company, whereby they killed eight and wounded several others: that the regulars continued their Fire, untill those of said Company, who were neither killed nor wounded, had made their Escape: that Colo. Smith, with the Detachment, then marched to Concord, where a Number of provincials were again fired on by the Troops, two of them killed and several wounded, before the provincials fired on them: and that these hostile Measures of the Troops, produced an Engagement that lasted thro' the Day, in which many of the provincials, and more of the regular Troops, were killed and wounded.
To give a particular Account of the Ravages of the Troops, as they retreated from Concord to Charlestown, would be very difficult, if not impracticable. Let it suffice to say, that a great Number of the Houses on the road were plundered, and rendered unfit for Use; several were burnt; Women in child bed were driven, by the Soldiery, naked into the Streets: old Men, peaceably in their Houses, were shot dead; and such Scenes exhibited as would disgrace the annals of the most uncivilized Nation.
These, Brethren, are Marks of ministerial Vengeance against this Colony, for refusing, with her Sister Colonies, a Submission to Slavery: but they have not yet detached us from our royal Sovereign. We profess to be his loyal and dutiful Subjects, and so hardly dealt with as we have been, are still ready, with our Lives and Fortunes, to defend his person, Family, Crown, and Dignity. Nevertheless, to the persecution and Tyranny of his cruel Ministry, we will not tamely submit. Appealing to Heaven for the Justice of our Cause, we determine to die or be free.
We cannot think that the Honour, Wisdom, and Valour of Britons, will suffer them to be longer inactive Spectators of Measures, in which they themselves are so deeply interested: Measures pursued in Opposition to the solemn protests of many noble Lords, and [the] express'd sense of conspicuous Commoners, whose Knowledge and Virtue have long characterized them as some of the greatest Men in the Nation: Measures executing contrary to the Interest, Petitions and Resolves of many large, respectable and opulent Counties, Cities and Boroughs in Great Britain: Measures highly incompatible with Justice, but still pursued with a specious pretence of easing the Nation of its Burthens: Measures which, if successful, must end in the ruin and Slavery of Britain, as well as the persecuted American Colonies.
We sincerely hope, that the great Sovereign of the Universe, who hath so often appeared for the english Nation, will support you in every rational and manly Exertion with these Colonies, for saving it from ruin, and that, in a constitutional Connection with the Mother Country, we shall soon be altogether a free and happy people.
Per order, Joseph Warren, President, P. T.
Journals Cont. Cong.--TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 1777
Ordered, That it be taken into consideration on Thursday next. The committee, to whom it was referred to devise what honours should be paid to the memories of Generals Warren and Mercer, brought in a report, which, being read, was agreed to as follows:
That a monument be erected to the memory of General Warren, in the town of Boston, with the following inscription:
In honour of
JOSEPH WARREN, Major General of Massachusetts bay:
He devoted his life to the liberties
Of his country;
And, in bravely defending them, fell
An early victim,
In the battle of Bunker's Hill,
June 17, 1775.
The Congress of the United States, As an acknowledgement of his services,
And distinguished merit,
Have erected this monument
To his memory.
That a monument be erected to the memory of General Mercer, in Fredericksburg, in the State of Virginia, with the following inscription:
Sacred to the memory of
HUGH MERCER,
Brigadier General in the army of
The United States;
He died on the 12 of January, 1777, of the
Wounds he received on the 3d of the same month,
Near Princetown, in New Jersey,
Bravely defending the
Liberties of America.
The Congress of the United States,
In testimony of his virtues, and their gratitude,
Have caused this monument to be erected.
That the eldest son of General Warren, and the youngest son of General Mercer, be educated, from this time, at the expence of the United States.1
[Note 1: 1 This report, in the writing of Benjamin Rush, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 19, V, folio 151.]
The case of Dr. Joseph Warren is one where American Freemasons should drop their vows of secrecy, stand up and take a well-deserved bow.
Journals Cont. Cong.--THURSDAY, MAY 11, 1775
A true Copy from the original Minutes,
Samuel Freeman, Secretary, P. T.
The depositions relative to the commencement of hostilities, are as follows:
No. 1.Lexington, April 25, 1775.
We, Solomon Brown, Jonathan Loring, and Elijah Sanderson, all of lawful Age, and of Lexington, in the County of Middlesex, and Collony of the Massachusett Bay, in New England, do testifie and declare, that on the evening of the Eighteenth of April, Instant, being on the Road between Concord and Lexington, and all of us mounted on Horses, we were, about ten of the Clock, suddenly surprized by nine Persons, whom we took to be Regular Officers, who Rode up to us, mounted and armed, each having a Pistol in His Hand, and after Putting Pistols to our Breasts, and seizing the Bridles of our Horses, they swore, that if we stirred another step, we should be all Dead Men, upon which we surrendered our selves. They Detained us until Two o'Clock the next morning, in which time they searched and greatly abused us; having first enquired about the Magazine at Concord, whether any Guards were posted there, and whether the bridges were up, and said four or five Regiments of Regulars would be in Possession of the stores soon; they then brought us back to Lexington, eat the Horses Bridles and Girts, turned them Loose, and then Left us.
Solomon Brown,
Jonathan Loring,
Elijah Sanderson.
Middlesex, ff. April 25, 1775.
Jonn Loring, Solomon Brown, and Elijah Sanderson, being duly cautioned to Testify the whole Truth, made solemn Oath to the Truth of the above Deposition by them subscribed.
Coram
Just. Pacis. - William Reed
- Josiah Johnson
- William Stickney
Lexington, April 25, 1775. I, Elijah Saunderson, above named, do further testifie and declare, that I was on Lexington Common, the Morning of the Nineteenth of April, aforesaid, having been dismissed by the Officers abovementioned, and saw a Large Body of Regular Troops advancing toward Lexington Company, many of whom were then dispersing. I heard one of the Regulars, whom I took to be an officer, say, "Damn them, we will have them," and immediately the Regulars shouted aloud, Run and fired upon the Lexington Company, which did not fire a Gun before the Regulars Discharged on them; Eight of the Lexington Company were killed while they were dispersing, and at a Considerable Distance from each other, and Many wounded, and altho' a spectator, I narrowly Escaped with my Life.
Elijah Saunderson.
Middlesex, ff. April 25, 1775.
Elijah Saunderson, above named, being Duly Cautioned to Testify the whole Truth, made Solemn Oath to the Truth of the above Deposition by him subscribed.
Coram.
- William Reed
- Josiah Johnson
- William Stickney
- Just. Pacis.
No. 2.Lexington, April 23, 1775.
I, Thomas Rice Willard, of lawful age, do Testify and Declare, that being in the House of Daniel Harrington, of said Lexington, on the Nineteenth Instant, in the morning, about half an hour before sunrise, [I] looked out at the window of said house, and saw (as I suppose) about four hundred Regulars in one Body, coming up the road, and marched toward the north part of the Common, back of the meeting-house of said Lexington; and as soon as said Regulars were against the east end of the meeting-house, the Commanding Officer said something, what I know not; but upon that the Regulars ran till they came within about eight or nine rods of about an Hundred of the Militia of Lexington, who were collected on said Common, at which time the Militia of Lexington dispersed; then the Officers made an huzza, and the private Soldiers succeeded them: Directly after this, an officer rode before the Regulars to the other side of the body, and hallooed after the Militia of said Lexington, and said, "Lay Down your Arms, Damn you, why Don't you lay Down your arms?" and that there was not a Gun fired till the Militia of Lexington were Dispersed; and further saith not.
Thomas Rice Willard.
No. 3.Lexington, April 25, 1775.
Simon Winship, of Lexington, in the County of Middlesex, and province of Massachusetts Bay, New England, being of lawful age, testifieth and saith, that on the Nineteenth of April Instant, about four o'Clock in the Morning, as he was passing the Publick Road in said Lexington, peaceably and unarmed, about two miles and an half distant from the meeting-House in said Lexington, he was met by a Body of the Kings regular Troops, and being stop'd by some Officers of said Troops, was Commanded to Dismount; upon asking why he must dismount, he was obliged by force to Quit his Horse, and ordered to march in the midst of the Body, and being Examined whether he had been Warning the Minute Men, he answered No, but had been out, and was then returning to his fathers. Said Winship further testifies, that he marched with said Troops, untill he came within about half-a-Quarter of a Mile of said meeting-House, where an Officer commanded the Troops to halt, and then to prime and load: this being done, the said Troops marched on till they came within a few Rods of Captain Parkers Company, who were partly collected on the place of parade, when said Winship observed an Officer at the head of said Troops, flourishing his Sword, and with a Loud Voice, giving the word fire, fire, which was instantly followed by a Discharge of Arms from said regular Troops, and said Winship is positive, and in the most solemn manner declares, that there was no Discharge of arms on either side, till the word fire was given, by the said Officer as above.
Simon Winship.
No. 4.Lexington, April 25, 1775.
I, John Parker, of lawful Age, and Commander of the Militia in Lexington, do testify and declare, that on the 19th Instant in the Morning, about one of the Clock, being informed that there were a Number of Regular Officers, riding up and down the Road, stopping and insulting People as they passed the Road; and also was informed that a Number of Regular Troops were on their March from Boston in order to take the Province Stores at Concord, ordered our Militia to meet on the Common in said Lexington to consult what to do, and concluded not to be discovered, nor meddle or make with said Regular Troops (if they should approach) unless they should insult or molest us; and, upon their sudden Approach, I immediately ordered our Militia to disperse, and not to fire:--Immediately said Troops made their appearance and rushed furiously, fired upon, and killed eight of our Party without receiving any Provocation therefor from us.
John Parker.
No. 5.Lexington, April 24, 1775.
I, John Robins, being of lawful Age, do Testifye and say, that on the Nineteenth Instant, the Company under the Command of Captain John Parker, being drawn up (sometime before sun Rise) on the Green or Common, and I being in the front Rank, there suddenly appear'd a Number of the Kings Troops, about a Thousand, as I thought, at the distance of about 60 or 70 yards from us Huzzaing, and on a quick pace towards us, with three Officers in their front on Horse Back, and on full Gallop towards us, the foremost of which cryed, throw down your Arms ye Villains, ye Rebels! upon which said Company Dispersing, the foremost of the three Officers order'd their Men, saying, fire, by God, fire! at which Moment we received a very heavy and close fire from them, at which Instant, being wounded, I fell, and several of our men were shot Dead by me. Captain Parker's men I believe had not then fired a Gun, and further the Deponent saith not.
John Robins.
No. 6.Lexington, April 25, 1775.
We, Benjamin Tidd, of Lexington, and Joseph Abbot, of Lincoln, in the County of Middlesex, and Colony of Massachusetts Bay, in New England, of lawful age, do testify and Declare that, on the morning of the Nineteenth of April Instant, about 5 o'Clock, being on Lexington Common, and mounted on Horses, we saw a Body of regular Troops Marching up to the Lexington Company, which was then dispersing: Soon after, the regulars fired, first, a few guns, which we took to be pistols from some of the Regulars who were mounted on Horses, and then the said Regulars fired a Volley or two before any guns were fired by the Lexington Company; our Horses immediately started, and we rode off. And further say not.
Benjamin Tidd,
Joseph Abbot.
No. 7.Lexington, April 25, 1775.
We, Nathaniel Mullikin, Phillip Russell, Moses Harrington, jun. Thomas and Daniel Harrington, William Grimes, William Tidd, Isaac Hastings, Jonas Stone, jun. James Wyman, Thaddeus Harrington, John Chandler, Joshua Reed, jun. Joseph Simonds, Phineas Smith, John Chandler, jun. Reuben Lock, Joel Viles, Nathan Reed, Samuel Tidd, Benjamin Lock, Thomas Winship, Simeon Snow, John Smith, Moses Harrington the 3d, Joshua Reed, Ebenezer Parker, John Harrington, Enoch Wellington, John Hosmer, Isaac Green, Phineas Stearns, Isaac Durant, and Thomas Headley, jun. all of Lawful age, and Inhabitants of Lexington in the County of Middlesex, and Colony of the Massachusetts Bay, in New England, do testify and declare, that on the 19th of April instant, about one or two o'Clock in the morning, being Informed that several officers of the Regulars had, the evening before, been riding up and down the Road, and had detained and Insulted the Inhabitants passing the same; and also understanding that a body of Regulars were marching from Boston towards Concord, with intent (as it was supposed) to take the Stores, belonging to the Colony, in that town, we were alarmed, and having met at the place of our Company's Parade, were dismissed by our Captain, John Parker, for the Present, with orders to be ready to attend at the beat of the drum. We further testify and declare, that about five o'Clock in the morning, hearing our drum heat, we proceeded towards the Parade, and soon found that a Large body of troops were marching towards us: Some of our Company were coming up to the Parade, and others had reached it; at which time the Company began to disperse: Whilst our backs were Turned on the Troops, we were fired on by them, and a number of our men were Instantly killed and wounded. Not a Gun was fired, by any Person in our Company, on the Regulars, to our knowledge, before they fired on us, and they continued Firing untill we had all made our Escape.
[Signed by each of the above deponents.]
No. 8.Lexington, April 25, 1775.
We, Nathanael Parkhurst, Jonas Parker, John Munroe, jun. John Winship, Solomon Pierce, John Muzzy, Abner Meeds, John Bridge, jun. Ebenezer Bowman, William Munroe the 3d, Micah Hager, Samuel Saunderson, Samuel Hastings, and James Brown, of Lexington, in the County of Middlesex, and Colony of the Massachusetts Bay, in New England, and all of Lawfull age, do Testify and Say, that, on the Morning of the Nineteenth of April Instant, about one or two o'Clock, being informed, that a Number of Regular Officers had been Riding up and down the Road the evening and night preceding, and that some of the Inhabitants, as they were passing, had been Insulted by the Officers, and stopped by them; and being also Informed, that the Regular Troops were on their March from Boston, in order (as it was said) to take the Colony Stores, then Deposited at Concord, we met on the Parade of our Company in this town; After the Company had Collected, we were Ordered, by Captain Parker, (who Commanded us) to Disperse for the Present, and to be Ready to attend the beat of the Drum, and Accordingly the Company went into houses near the place of Parade. We further Testify and Say, that, about five o'Clock in the morning, we attended the beat of our Drum, and were formed on the Parade; we were faced towards the Regulars then marching up to us, and some of our Company were comeing to the parade with their backs towards the Troops, and Others on the parade, began to Disperse when the Regulars fired on the Company, before a Gun was fired by any of our company on them. They killed eight of our company, and wounded several, and continued their fire, untill we had all made our escape.
[Signed by each of the deponents.]
No. 9.Lexington, April 25, 1775.
I, Timothy Smith, of Lexington, in the County of Middlesex, and Colony of Massachusetts bay, in New England, being of lawful age, do testify and declare, that, on the morning of the nineteenth of April instant, being at Lexington Common, as a spectator, I saw a large body of regular troops marching up towards the Lexington company, then dispersing, and likewise saw the regular troops fire on the Lexington company, before the latter fired a gun; I immediately ran, and a volley was discharged at me, which put me in imminent danger of losing my life; I soon returned to the Common, and saw eight of the Lexington men who were killed, and lay bleeding at a considerable distance from each other; and several were wounded: And further saith not.
Timothy Smith.
No. 10.Lexington, April 25, 1775.
We, Levi Mead and Levi Harrington, both of Lexington, in the County of Middlesex, and Colony of the Massachusetts bay, in New England, and of lawfull age, do Testify and Declare, that on the morning of the Nineteenth of April, being on Lexington Common, as spectators, we saw a Large body of Regular Troops marching up towards the Lexington Company, and some of the Regulars, on Horses, whom we took to be officers, Fired a Pistol or two on the Lexington Company, which were then dispersing: These were the First Guns that were Fired, and they were immediately followed by several volleys from the Regulars, by which Eight men, belonging to said Company, were killed, and several wounded.
Levi Harrington,
Levi Mead.
No. 11.Lexington, April 25, 1775.
I, William Draper, of lawful Age, and an Inhabitant of Colrain, in the County of Hampshire, and Colony of Massachusetts Bay, in New England, do testify and Declare, that, being on the Parade of said Lexington, April 19th Instant, about half an hour before sunrise, the King's Regular Troops appeared at the meeting House of Lexington. Captain Parkers Company, who were drawn up back of said meeting house on the Parade, turned from said Troops, making their escape, by dispersing; in the mean time, the Regular Troops made an huzza, and ran towards Captain Parkers Company, who were dispersing, and, immediately after the huzza was made, the Commanding Officer of said troops (as I took him) gave the command to the said troops, "fire! fire! damn you, fire!" and immediately, they fired before any of Captain Parkers Company fired, I then being within three or four Rods of said Regular Troops: And further say not.
William Draper.
No. 12. Lexington, April 23, 1775.
I, Thomas Fessenden, of Lawful age, testify and Declare, that, being in a Pasture near the meeting house, at said Lexington, on Wednesday last, at about half an hour before sunrise, I saw a number of Regular troops pass speedily by said meeting house, on their way towards a Company of Militia of said Lexington, who were assembled to the number of about one hundred in a company, at the Distance of eighteen or twenty rods from said meeting house; and after they had passed by said meeting house, I saw three Officers, on horseback, advance to the front of said Regulars, when one of them, being within six rods of the said Militia, cryed out, "Disperse, you Rebels, immediately," on which he Brandished his sword over his head three times; meanwhiles the second Officer, who was about two rods behind him, fired a Pistol, pointed at said Militia, and the Regulars kept huzzaing till he had finished brandishing his sword, and when he had thus finished brandishing his sword, he pointed it Down towards said Militia, and immediately on which the said Regulars fired a Volley at the Militia, and then I ran off as fast as I could, while they continued firing, till I got out of their reach. I further testify, that as soon as ever the officer Cryed "Disperse, you rebels," the said Company of Militia dispersed every way, as fast as they could, and, while they were Dispersing, the regulars kept firing at them incessantly: And further saith not.
Thomas Fessenden.
No. 13. Lincoln, April 23, 1775.
I, John Bateman, belonging to the fifty-second regiment, commanded by Colonel Jones, on Wednesday morning, on the nineteenth Day of April instant, was in the Party marching to Concord, being at Lexington, in the County of Middlesex, being nigh the meeting house in said Lexington, there was a small party of men gathered together in that place, when our said troops marched by, and I Testify and Declare, that I heard the word of command given to the Troops to fire, and some of said Troops Did fire, and I saw one of said small party lay Dead on the ground nigh said meeting house; and I testify, that I never heard any of the Inhabitants so much as fire one gun on said Troops.
John Bateman.
No. 14.Lexington, April 23, 1775.
We, John Hoar, John Whithead, Abraham Garfield, Benjamin Munroe, Isaac Parks, William Hosmer, John Adams, Gregory Stone, all of Lincoln, in the County of Middlesex, Massachusetts Bay, all of lawfull age, do testify and say, that, on Wednesday last, we were assembled at Concord, in the morning of said Day, in Consequence of information received, that a Brigade of Regular Troops were on their march to the said town of Concord, who had killed six men at the Town of Lexington; About an hour afterwards we saw them approaching, to the Number, as we Apprehended, of about Twelve hundred, on which we retreated to a Hill about Eighty Rods back, and the said Troops then took Possession of the Hill, where we were first Posted; presently after this, we saw the Troops moving towards the North Bridge, about one Mile from the said Concord Meeting House; we then immediately went before them and passed the Bridge just before a party of them, to the Number of about two hundred, arrived; They there left about one half of their two hundred at the Bridge, and proceeded, with the rest, towards Col. Barretts, about two Miles from the said Bridge; we then seeing several fires in the Town, thought the Houses in Concord were in danger, and Marched towards the said Bridge; and the Troops that were stationed there, observing our approach, marched back over the Bridge and then took up some of the Plank; we then hastened our March towards the Bridge, and when we had got near the Bridge, they fired on our men, first three Guns, one after the other, and then a Considerable Number more; and then, and not before (having orders from our Commanding Officers not to fire till we were fired upon) we fired upon the Regulars and they Retreated. On their Retreat through the Town of Lexington to Charlestown, they Ravaged and destroyed private property, and burnt three Houses one Barn and one Shop.
[Signed by each of the above dependents.]
No. 15.Lexington, April 23, 1775.
We, Nathan Barrett, Captain; Jonathan Farrar, Joseph Butler, and Francis Wheeler, Lieutenants; John Barrett, Ensign; John Brown, Silas Walker, Ephraim Melvin, Nathan Buttrick, Stephen Hosmer, Junr. Samuel Barrett, Thomas Jones, Joseph Chandler, Peter Wheeler, Nathan Peirce, and Edward Richardson, all of Concord, in the County of Middlesex, in the province of the Massachusetts Bay, of Lawfull Age, Testify and Declare, that on Wednesday, the Nineteenth Instant, about an Hour after sun rise, we Assembled on a Hill near the meeting House, in Concord aforesaid, in consequence of an information, that a number of regular Troops had killed six of our Countrymen, at Lexington, and were on their march to said Concord; and about an Hour afterwards, we saw them approaching, to the number, as we Imagine, of about Twelve Hundred; on which we retreated to a Hill about Eighty rods back, and the aforesaid Troops then took possession of a Hill where we were first posted. Presently after this, we saw them moving towards the North Bridge, about one mile from the said meeting House; we then immediately went before them, and passed the bridge just before a party of them, to the number of about Two Hundred, arrived. They there left about one half of these two Hundred at the bridge, and proceeded with the rest towards Colonel Barret's, about two miles from the said bridge. We then seing several fires in the Town, thought our houses were in Danger, and immediately march'd back towards said bridge, and the troops who were station'd there, observing our approach, march'd back over the bridge, and then took up some of the planks. We then hastened our Steps towards the bridge, and when we had got near the bridge, they fir'd on our men, first three guns, one after the other, and then a Considerable number more; upon which, and not before, (having orders from our Commanding Officer not to fire till we were fired upon) we fir'd upon the regulars, and they retreated. At Concord, and on their retreat thro' Lexington, they plunder'd many houses, burnt three at Lexington, together with a shop and barn, and committed damage, more or less, to almost every House from Concord to Charlestown.
[Signed by the above deponents.]
We, Joseph Butler, and Ephraim Melvin, do testify and declare, that when the regular troops fir'd upon our people, at the North Bridge, in Concord, as related in the foregoing depositions, they shot one, and we believe two, of our people before we fir'd a single gun at them.
Joseph Butler,
Ephraim Melvin.
No. 16.Concord, April 23, 1775.
I, Timothy Minot, Junr. of Concord, on the ninteenth day of this Instant, April, after that I had heard of the regular troops firing upon Lexington men, and fearing that hostillities might be Committed at Concord, thought it my incumbent Duty to Secure my family. After I had Secured my family, some Time after that, returning towards my own Dwelling, and finding that the bridge on the Northern part of said Concord, were guarded by regular troops, being a Spectator of what had happened at said bridge, declare, that the regular troops Stationed on [said] bridge, after they saw the men that were collected on the westerly side of said Bridge, marched towards said bridge, then the Troops returned towards the easterly side of said bridge, and formed themselves, as I thought, for regular fight: after that they fired one gun, then two or three more, before the men that were stationed on the westerly part of said bridge fired on them.
Timothy Minot, Jun.
No. 17.Lexington, April 23, 1775.
I, James Barrett of Concord Colonel of a Regiment of Militia in the County of Middlesex Do testify and say that on Wednesday Morning last about Day-break I was informed of the approach of a number of the Regular Troops to the Town of Concord where was some Magazines belonging to this Province, when there was assembled some of the Militia of this and the neighbouring Towns, when I order'd them to march to the North Bridge (so called) which they had passed and were taking up, I ordered said Militia to march to said bridge and pass the same, but not to fire on the King's Troops unless they were first fired upon. We advanced neer said bridge, when the said troops fired upon our Militia, and killed two Men dead on the Spot and wounded several others, which was the first firing of Guns in the town of Concord. My Detachment then returned the fire which killed and wounded several of the King's Troops.
James Barrett
No. 18.Lexington, April 23, 1775.
We, Bradbury Robinson, Samuel Spring, Thaddeus Bancroft, all of Concord; and James Adams, of Lexington, all in the County of Middlesex, all of Lawful age, do testifie and say, that on Wednesday morning last, near ten of the Clock, we saw near one Hundred of the Regular Troops, being in the Town of Concord, at the North Bridge in said Town (so called) and having passed the same, they were taking up said bridge, when about three Hundred of our Militia were advancing toward said bridge, in Order to pass said Bridge, when, without saying any thing to us, they Discharged a Number of guns on us, which killed two men Dead on the spot, and wounded several others; when we returned the fire on them, which killed two of them, and wounded several, which was the Beginning of hostilities in the Town of Concord.
Bradbury Robinson,
Samuel Spring,
Thaddeus Bancroft,
James Adams.
Worcester, April 26, 1775.
Hannah Bradish, of that part of Cambridge, called Menotomy, and daughter of timothy Paine, of Worcester, in the county of Worcester, esq. of lawful age, testifies and says, that about five o'clock on Wednesday last, afternoon, being in her bed-chamber, with her infant child, about eight days old, she was surprised by the firing of the king's troops and our people, on their return from Concord. She being weak and unable to go out of her house, in order to secure herself and family, they all retired into the kitchen, in the back part of the house. She soon found the house surrounded with the king's troops; that upon observation made, at least seventy bullets were shot into the front part of the house; several bullets lodged in the kitchen where she was, and one passed through an easy chair she had just gone from. The door of the front part of the house was broken open; she did not see any soldiers in the house, but supposed, by the noise, they were in the front. After the troops had gone off, she missed the following things, which, she verily believes, were taken out of the house by the king's troops, viz: one rich brocade gown, called a negligée, one lutestring gown, one white quilt, one pair of brocade shoes, three shifts, eight white aprons, three caps, one case of ivory knives and forks, and several other small articles.
Hannah Bradish.
Province of the Massachusetts Bay,
Worcester, ss. April 26, 1775.
Mrs. Hannah Bradish, the above deponent, maketh oath before us, the subscribers, two of his majesty's justices of the peace, for the county of Worcester, and of the quorum, that the above deposition, according to her best recollection, is the truth. Which deposition is taken in perpetuam rei memoriam.
Thomas Steel,
Timothy Paine.
No. 19.Concord, April 23, 1775.
I, James Marr, of Lawful age, Testify and Say, that in the evening of the Eighteenth Instant, I Received Orders from George Hutchinson, Adjutant of the fourth Regiment of the Regular Troops Stationed at Boston, to prepare and march: to which Order I attended, and marched to Concord, where I was ordered by an officer with about one Hundred Men, to guard a certain Bridge there; while attending that service, a Number of People came along, in Order, as I suppose, to Cross said Bridge, at which Time a Number of the Regular Troops first fired upon them.
James Marr.
No. 20.Medford, April 25, 1775.
I, Edward Thoroton Gould, of his Majesty's own Regiment of Foot, being of lawful Age, do testify and declare, that on the Evening of the 18th. Instant, under the Orders of General Gage, I embarked with the Light infantry and Grenadiers of the Line, commanded by Colonel Smith, and landed on the Marshes of Cambridge, from whence we proceeded to Lexington; On our arrival at that place, we saw a Body of provincial Troops armed, to the Number of about sixty or seventy Men; on our Approach, they dispersed, and soon after firing began, but which party fired first, I cannot exactly say, as our Troops rush'd on shouting, and huzzaing, previous to the firing, which was continued by our Troops, so long as any of the provincials were to be seen. From thence we marched to Concord. On a Hill near the Entrance of the Town, we saw another Body of provincials assembled; the light Infantry Companies were ordered up the Hill to disperse them; on our approach, they retreated towards Concord; the Grenadiers continued the Road under the Hill towards the Town. Six Companies of light Infantry were ordered down to take possession of the Bridge, which the provincials retreated over; the Company I commanded was one: three Companies of the above Detachment went forwards about Two Miles; in the mean Time, the provincial Troops returned, to the number of about three or four hundred: We drew up on the Concord side [of] the Bridge, the provincials came down upon us, upon which we engaged and gave the first Fire; This was the first Engagement after the one at Lexington; a continued firing from both parties lasted thro' the whole Day; I myself was wounded at the Attack of the Bridge, and am now treated with the greatest Humanity, and taken all possible Care of by the provincials at Medford.
Edward Thoroton Gould,
Lieut. King's own Regiment.
