USA > Massachusetts > Commonwealth history of Massachusetts, colony, province and state, volume 2 > Part 51
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Romanticists cherish the idea that Gage was betrayed by his wife, basing their belief on his statement that he told the plans to only one other person besides Lord Percy, and on the fact that she was an American. True, Mrs. Gage may have been the "other person," and woman's gossip might well account for much. But she was in all other things loyal to Gage, and there is no reason to suppose that she would knowingly betray him in this.
THE WARNINGS FROM BOSTON
No, the General's preparations were plain to the dullest Whig observer. What was the meaning of the assembling of the boats of the fleet, and the putting of the grenadiers and light infantry off duty? These unconcealed preparations put the provincials on their guard; and when the preparatory
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THE NINETEENTH OF APRIL, 1775
movements of the troops began, positive news was brought to Joseph Warren in Boston. When Lord Percy, walking on the Common in the dark, discovered from the talk of lounging Americans that the secret was out, he secured from Gage orders to close the Neck and Charlestown Ferry, but it was too late. Warren's messengers were already gone westward.
These two men were trusted Whigs and men of experience. They left Boston by the alternative routes. William Dawes, always purposely on friendly terms with many of the soldiers, jogged past the guard at the Neck, and was gone in the gloom. Paul Revere's task was harder, for the ferry ceased to ply at nightfall, and all private boats had been sequestered by the terms of the Port Bill-all, that is, that had not been concealed. It is true that available for Revere was a hidden boat. It is true also that on his last return from Concord he had arranged for a signal to give the news to watchers in Charlestown. But it was important that he should cross if possible, knowing best the roads and being deepest in the confidence of the Whig leaders. He went, therefore, to a friend and directed him to hang two lanterns in the belfry of the North Church-the signal that the British were to cross that night in their boats. Next, Revere, with two other friends, attempted the crossing of the river Charles.
Admiral Graves took to himself much credit that he had found that the ship Somerset could anchor in the ferry way, with room to swing with the tides, commanding Charlestown and the passage of the river. By the light of the rising moon Revere watched the ship anxiously. His boat must go between it and the moon; the ship was winding with the young flood tide; an alert sentry should have seen him. But he passed and reached the Charlestown shore, was welcomed and assisted by watching friends, and so, well horsed, started for Lexington.
PAUL REVERE'S RIDE
He had scarcely left Charlestown before he was intercepted. Out of the shadows, where the road passed Charlestown Common, started two mounted British officers, attempting to seize him. Turning back, Revere avoided them, shook off
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WARNING TO THE PATRIOTS
their pursuit, and at full gallop took the road to Medford. There he roused the captain of the minute-men, and all the rest of the way to Lexington he alarmed almost every house. "About midnight," it is recorded, he reached Lexington, and rode straight to the house of Parson Jonas Clarke, where (as he knew) were staying the patriot leaders, Samuel Adams and John Hancock. At the door William Munroe, first ser- geant of the minute-men, had placed himself with a guard, because of earlier but uncertain news. He requested Revere to make no noise. "Noise?" answered the messenger. "You will have noise enough before long. The regulars are coming out !"
Hancock, not yet asleep, recognized Revere's voice and called him in. His news set the household into dispute. The fiery Hancock was for staying to fight; he began furbishing his arms, and neither the reasoning of Adams nor the en- treaties of, his fiancée could move him. Revere, now joined by Dawes, started on toward Concord, and together with a young Dr. Prescott of that town, again began rousing the houses along the way.
THE BRITISH EXPEDITION
Meanwhile at Boston the slow process of ferrying the troops across the Charles had been completed, and at the hour when Revere arrived at Lexington, some seven hundred troops were on Lechmere Point, just across the river, waiting for rations to be brought. The place was chosen because of its remoteness. Hence, while the commander might hear the mid- night bells of Boston, he could not yet know of the tolling from the inland steeples. Neither the need of haste, nor the fact that the secret of the expedition had been penetrated, was yet brought home to him.
This commander was Lieutenant-colonel Francis Smith, of the 10th Regiment of Foot, chosen apparently because he was next for duty. No other reason qualified him for the responsi- bility; for though he had served in America, and had in fact been commandant at Fort Niagara, he had not yet learned the need of swiftness in any military expedition, nor of per- sonal superintendence of its details. We know from the
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THE NINETEENTH OF APRIL, 1775
diary of Frederick Mackenzie, who marched the flank com- panies of the Welsh Fusiliers to the beach at Boston Common where the expedition embarked, that Smith was late at the rendezvous. There is nothing in the whole history of the day to show that he was in thorough command of any situa- tion, except when he sent to Gage a call for help.
His second in command was John Pitcairn, major of marines, a man of vigor and outstanding personality. After his untimely death at Bunker Hill, there was forthcoming good American testimony to the effect that Pitcairn was a man of humanity and good feeling, capable of justice to his opponents. This is to be remembered in considering the story of the day, wherein Smith, except for the great factor of his dilatoriness, was but a cipher, while Pitcairn appears in action.
BRITISH MARCH TO LEXINGTON
The men of this detachment were the flank companies of the various battalions-that is, the heavy and the agile men of infantry and marines, organized into grenadier and light- infantry companies. Picked men, Gage had ordered them on a special duty, as if foreseeing that there might be needed all their best qualities. Accompanying the detachment were certain civilian guides and such volunteers as, hearing of the expedition, could get permission to go. In advance had been sent groups of officers, to stop travel on the road to Concord, and by preventing an alarm, to make sure that there would be no rousing of the minute-men.
When at last the little expedition was ready to start, the hour was probably well past midnight, and the tide had made Lechmere Point so much of an island that the men had to wade. The water was above their knees, the night was cold, and the subsequent quick march must have been a relief to the soldiers, many of whom threw away the rations which later in the day they would have been glad to eat. At first through byways, but soon on better roads, they passed through the open farming country which now is Somerville. Avoid- ing the neighborhood of the village of Cambridge with Har- vard College, they reached what is now North Cambridge,
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THE MINUTE MEN
and at length were on the main highway to Concord, along the present-day Massachusetts Avenue.
THE MINUTE-MEN
Following his instructions, Smith detached six companies of light infantry, and putting them under Pitcairn, sent them in advance, to seize the Concord bridges. Then as Smith followed he heard in the night the sounds of church bells and of guns, telling that the country was alarmed against him. Uneasy, he sent a messenger to Gage carrying this informa- tion, and asking for support. That message proved to be ultimately the salvation of his detachment.
Pitcairn, marching ahead, not only heard the bells and guns, but received other proof that the country was roused. From time to time observers came riding singly toward him, expecting to dash away with the news of his coming; but surprised in the dark by his advance guard, they were steadily gathered in. Toward daylight, Thaddeus Bowman, warned by the unwillingness of his horse to proceed, saw not only the guard but also Pitcairn's main column, and galloped away. Soon afterward came riding to meet Pitcairn, out of the dawn, the group of officers who, sent out in advance, had been lying in wait between Concord and Lexington. Their leader, Major Mitchell of the 5th, brought disturbing news. They had captured Paul Revere, who told them that the whole country had been warned of Smith's advance, and that soon five hundred men would be gathered to oppose him. Two other messengers had escaped Mitchell, and he had heard a volley from at least a company of provincials. Releasing Revere, he turned back to warn the expedition.
At this news, Pitcairn halted his light infantry and ordered them to load. By the time this operation was completed, and the men were warned not to fire without orders, Smith and his remaining men had reached the spot. Pitcairn again marched on ahead, and as he went, more disturbing news came to him. A countryman had been seen to snap his gun at Lieutenants Adair of the Marines and Sutherland of the 38th, who, volunteers with Major Mitchell, were now with Pitcairn's advance guard. Individual provincials, with arms
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THE NINETEENTH OF APRIL, 1775
in their hands as if going to a rendezvous, blundered into the column, and were seized. The provincial drum must have been heard. On the alert, not knowing what to expect, Pitcairn marched on, and came within sight of Lexington Green.
PREPARATIONS AT LEXINGTON
In the meantime the provincials had been preparing and waiting. At the house of Parson Clarke, John Hancock still had wished to stay and fight, until toward daylight the second arrival of Revere, released by his captors, seems to have brought decision. For it is very likely he who brought the news that British officers had been inquiring for Clarke's tavern, as if the two patriot leaders were their object. Adams urged again that to stay and be captured, or killed, would be playing into the hands of the British: "We belong to the Cabinet," said he. Hancock consented to depart, and Revere and Sergeant Munroe conducted the two patriot leaders to safety in a ledge of rocks still pointed out.
For some hours, on or near the green the Lexington com- pany of minute-men had been waiting in a state of varying expectancy. Assembled at Revere's first news, they were at first a hundred and thirty strong. Though the scouts sent down the road toward Cambridge did not return, their con- tinued absence was not regarded as suspicous; the company had waited long, and they felt the chill of the night. There- fore before dawn Captain Jonas Parker dismissed his men, with the warning to be at hand when needed. The men felt too secure; for while some went to the Buckman Tavern, hard by the green, and some to homes that were close at hand, nearly half the company went away out of easy call.
The return of Revere with the news of his capture and release does not seem to have caused alarm. Revere was on his third approach to the green, whither Sergeant Munroe had apparently preceded him, when the alarm came. In the lessening twilight Thaddeus Bowman galloped up with the word that he had seen the head of the approaching column. He was followed, with similar news, by Benjamin Welling- ton on foot. Parker gave the order to assemble his men, and those who hastily assembled were put in line. Revere,
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COLLISION AT LEXINGTON GREEN
rescuing a chest of Hancock's papers, heard the Captain say : "Let the troops pass by, and don't molest them, without they begin first."
COLLISION AT LEXINGTON GREEN
It is vain to ask, with wisdom after the event, why they took the risk of blocking the way of a British armed force. Long ago William Heath, who fought on that day, pointed out that this was "a too great braving of danger." The same might be said of countless actions which nobly failed. In warning and in protest the Lexington men stood there.
The road to Concord runs through Lexington along the southern side of its beautiful green. At the angle of the green which points toward Boston, the road to Bedford turns off to the north; and in this angle, in those days, the meeting- house stood, with its separate belfry close by. Several rods behind and north of these, William Munroe formed the rem- nant of his company in two platoons of two ranks each, to make the best show that he could. The Lexington men might have stood there unperceived, had the darkness lasted. But the first rays of the sun were striking along the green, and the provincials were clearly visible. Turning to the right of the meeting-house, the light infantry marched directly at them. Then, galloping to the left, around the buildings, Pitcairn, followed by Major Mitchell and several mounted officers, swung toward the flanks of the opposing companies.
It must have appeared to Pitcairn that his task was slight. This little company of perhaps seventy men must scatter before his three times greater number. But he had no intention of leaving armed men in his rear. Therefore thrusting himself almost between the forces, he shouted to the provincials his two famous orders-to lay down their arms, and to disperse.
The minute-men had already shown signs of dispersing. And now Parker, seeing the hasty advance of the regulars, "rushing furiously," gave the order "to disperse and not to fire." By all but a few, he was obeyed. Jonas Parker, who had sworn never to run from a redcoat, stood unmoved ; and the breaking ranks left a few more, still in the original line. Even the dispersing men carried their guns. Pitcairn,
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with an oath that was remembered against him, cried, "Damn you, why don't you lay down your arms?"
REVOLUTIONARY WAR BEGINS
What then happened is, in its beginning, obscure even to- day. A gun or pistol was discharged. If a pistol, it was British. The regulars claimed that a provincial gun fired first. In the most recently discovered document, the British Lieutenant Sutherland solemnly declared that the British held their fire, and Sutherland was with Mitchell and Pitcairn in front. The Americans who were present always as solemnly declared that the aggression was British. Ezra Stiles' study of the case is interesting, for it is based upon information from the only American who talked with Pitcairn upon the subject. Pitcairn "insisted upon it to the day of his death that the Colonists fired first . But . . . he expressly says ... those guns he did not see." Stiles concluded that the responsibility lay with the Massachusetts "Soldiery and young Officers." The truth may lie there.
Whoever began the firing, the British readily took it up. They had been directed not to fire without orders, and Pit- cairn declared that he now "commanded not to fire & en- deavored to stay & stop the firing after it began." But the soldiers, rushing forward, needed no other signal than the sound of a shot. Two volleys they fired, then charged through the smoke of their guns, to clear the ground of those who had made response. Alone to dispute them stood Jonas Parker, his hat containing cartridges between his feet, struggling to reload. He was bayoneted, and the regulars held the green. Only one of them was wounded (as was Pitcairn's horse), while the volleys of the regulars dealt not only wounds but death. Some of the minute-men fell at the first fire; some, like Jonathan Harrington, who dragged himself to his nearby doorstep and expired at his wife's feet, got away only to die. Caleb Harrington ran from the meeting-house, where he had gone for powder, and fell to the British guns. And a Woburn man, captured earlier and a prisoner amongst the British, tried to escape and was killed. In all eight men were
tit
From the engraving by Amos Doolittle; courtesy of Allen French, Esq.
THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON
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WAR BEGINS
killed, and ten wounded, before the redcoats, "so wild they could hear no orders," could be got under control.
By this time Smith came up to the village with the re- mainder of his force. Sutherland, whose horse ran away with him amongst the escaping provincials, and who reported him- self as fired upon by a "vast number," is the sole authority for the statement that the grenadiers, on arriving, fired upon these provincials. The lieutenant got safely back to the green ; at Smith's order he found a drummer to beat the recall, and the men were with difficulty assembled. To the indignation of Parson Clarke, hurrying up too late, the British gave three cheers for their victory. The whole affair on Lexington green, so big with consequences, to them seems slight in its appearance, and delayed them scarcely half an hour.
ALARM AT CONCORD
The alarm had reached Concord some hours previously. when Revere was caught by the British; for William Dawes eluded them by turning back and their companion, Dr. Pres- cott, escaped by leaping his horse over a wall. A short de- tour brought the messenger back to the road close to the houses of the captain and the first sergeant of the Lincoln minute-men. Here he told his news; then hurrying to Con- cord, he roused the guard which for some time had been stationed nightly at the court house. The bell was rung, to alarm the town, between one and two o'clock A. M.
The town had not, however, been entirely asleep, for at least some men were busy all night long in carting to safety the most movable of the military stores,-which were the ob- jective of the British expedition,-a work which had been going on since the day before, because of orders voted by the provincial Committees of Safety and Supplies. In con- sequence, not all of Concord's men were at home, to take their places in the ranks of the militia companies. Two of these military units were minute-men; of the remaining two, one was an "alarm company," comprising the old men.
All gathered at the Wright Tavern-which still stands; then after waiting for a while, they sent Reuben Brown on horseback to Lexington for news, and dispersed to help in
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the work of concealing stores. Two miles beyond Concord others were hard at work hiding stores at the farm of Colonel James Barrett, colonel of the militia. By daylight came into Concord the men of Lincoln, and about that time returned Reuben Brown on his sweating horse, with news that he had seen firing at Lexington. Major Buttrick, in command, asked if the regulars fired ball. Brown "thought it likely." In the smoke, he had not seen the dead. The militia forces in and about Concord were assembled again, in doubt what to do.
PREPARATIONS AT CONCORD
To simplify the topography of Concord, one needs chiefly to remember that a road enters the town from the east and runs to the square, about which were grouped the Wright Tavern, the court house, and the mill-pond. From the square, another road runs north. The provincials knew that the British were sure to march in by the eastern road, and were then most likely to send a strong detachment out by the northern road, which after half a mile turned abruptly west, and crossing the river by the North Bridge, led to the farm of Colonel Barrett. Both of these roads were over- hung on the northerly side by low ridges or hills; even across the bridge the plateau of the Buttrick farm stands above the road and has its part in the story.
To guard against surprise, Buttrick sent a detachment down the eastern road to Meriam's Corner, perhaps a mile away. Here the detachment first viewed the advance of the British and retreated before their strength-a strange parade, each party marching to drum and fife. At the Liberty Pole, on the ridge above the square, the detachment joined the re- maining militia companies; then the whole retreated again, as the advance guard of the British once more appeared, to a post upon the ridge above the northern road.
The British took possession of Concord Square, and at once divided in search of the military stores which Smith was commanded to destroy. Smith had a map of the town, guides to the places marked on it, definite orders what to seek for, and even careful directions how to destroy the stores. He sent a small party to the South Bridge. But to the
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PREPARATIONS AT CONCORD
North Bridge he sent out his main force of six companies, not under Pitcairn this time, but under their two senior cap- tains. They marched away by the north road.
DISPOSITION OF THE Two FORCES
At once the troops were seen by the Americans on the ridge, who had immediately to make the decision whether to oppose the British, or to retire across the bridge. It is said that the minister, William Emerson, with a fervent trust that God would fight for the right cause, urged a stand. But there were wiser men on the spot, and Barrett himself was there to take command. Once more the provincials re- treated before the British, crossing the bridge just before them. To protect his family, and to comfort the women and children of his flock who thronged to his house, the minister did not cross the river but remained at the Manse, close to the bridge. A few other fathers of families similarly stayed at their homes. The body of the militia, after crossing the bridge, turned from the highroad and marched by a byway to the high ground of the Buttrick farm, possibly shifting position more than once, until they stopped in a field from the edge of which the bridge was in plain view, not far away. Here they waited the reinforcements which were sure to come.
Meanwhile the British at the bridge divided. Three com- panies, under Captain Parsons of the 10th, marched forward on the highroad another two miles to the house of Colonel Barrett. The remaining three, under Captain Laurie of the 43d, posted themselves with one company at the bridge and two on the hillside across the river, one near the Buttrick house, one watching Parson's route. It may have been half past eight in the morning when these positions were taken, to be held while the search for stores was going on.
DESTRUCTION BY THE BRITISH
In the village the results of the search were very meager. A few hours' industry had put in safety the most precious material of all, gunpowder. None of it was found. But various rummagings brought to light bullets, gun-carriages,
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barrels of wooden spoons, intrenching tools, a quantity of flour, and two twenty-four-pound cannon. Smith did not adhere to Gage's minute directions. In the process of destruction powder and "flower" were to be shaken out of their barrels into the river; and the soldiers were to put bullets or lead into their pockets, afterward scattering them in small quantities into ponds and ditches, so that they could not be found. Instead of this, the bullets were thrown to- gether into the millpond or wells, and most of them were later recovered. The barrels of flour were rolled into the pond; the outer contents swelled, and made the barrels tight, which permitted the later salvaging of the remainder.
Certain things were burned. The liberty pole was chopped down, and a bonfire made of its pieces. The wooden spoons were burnt, and also the gun-carriages. A bonfire was built so close to the townhouse that the building itself caught, and was saved from destruction by the efforts of the British them- selves because of the urgent pleadings of old Hannah Moulton, who had stayed in the town when most of her neighbors fled. The harness-shop of Reuben Brown was fired, but the flames were extinguished. The smoke of all these fires, seen by the militia at the Buttrick farm, had its effect on the spirit of resistance.
At the farm of Colonel Barrett the regulars found very little. Tradition says that cannon were concealed in the field by being ploughed under, the work continuing even after the regulars were in sight. Flints, bullets, and cartridges were hidden under feathers in barrels in the garret, and not found. The British discovered the wheels of cannon-carriages, planned to burn them near the barn, and upon expostulation made the fire in a place of greater safety.
Many stories, authenticated or traditional, have been cir- culated regarding the British actions in Concord on that day. Some are amusing, showing the skill of the Yankees in con- cealing stores or in turning suspicion. Some, at this dis- stance of time, surprise us by our ancestors' horror of the profanity or threats of the regulars, at the destruction of the church Bible or of the liberty pole. Out of these stories began that hatred of the British which was the natural out- come of what was in effect a civil war. Nevertheless, it
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SOUTH BRIDGE -
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Meriam's Corner
LEXINGTON
ROAD
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A. First position of Americans.
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B. Second ditto.
C. Third ditto. Buttrick farm.
BRIDGE
D. Smith's headquarters. The Square.
E. Extreme of Smith's advance?
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