USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Chelmsford > History of Chelmsford, Massachusetts > Part 22
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lived nearest had, no doubt, started. The news had wings, and more heralds than one. John Ford, Sergeant in Captain Barron's Company, was one of the first in his locality to have the news. He immediately left his mill at Pawtucket falls and set out to notify the men in his part of the town, along the Merrimack. He hastily ate a bowl of bread and milk in his kitchen, and rode his horse to death; so tradition says.
Lieutenant Colonel Simeon Spaulding, after hasty refresh- ment, mounted his restless horse, and as he had some difficulty in securing his gun, his wife stood on the large boulder which may still be seen in front of his house, and, giving him the weapon, waved her hand for a farewell.
Benjamin Pierce, the father of President Franklin Pierce, was plowing in his field near the present Powell and B streets in Lowell, when he heard the alarm; he chained his steers to a tree and "the plow was in mid-furrow stayed." Taking his uncle's gun and equipment he hastened away on foot. Some of the others from that locality were Robert Pierce, Samuel Marshall, Benjamin Parker and his son Benjamin, and Henry Fletcher who was killed later in the war. Samuel Perham, Jr., was hoeing in the "lower field," still a part of the Perham estate, when he heard the alarm gun in the centre village nearby, and sticking his hoe in the ground, started to join his company, of which Moses Parker was in command.
Samuel Parkhurst, a lad of sixteen, living on the west side of Robin's hill, called out, "Mother, I hear the shoots; I'm going"; and away he went. His descendents treasure a sword which he took from a British officer at Ticonderoga.
Joseph Fletcher, fourteen years old, cried because he was too young to go with the others.
One young man, who was not enrolled, begged and obtained leave to go in the place of his elderly employer, and ran all the way to Concord by the side of Sergeant Ford's horse, holding on to the stirrup strap.
The place of rendezvous was near the memorial boulder in the little park where all the streets convene at the Centre village. From a rock a few feet north of this spot the minute guns were fired by Joseph Warren. Thither the men hastened from the farms and work-shops. This boulder was placed by the Molly Varnum Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, on June 17, 1899. Mr. H. S. Perham, gave an
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historical address. Other speakers were: General F. H. Appleton, President of the Sons of the American Revolution, and Mrs. Donald McLean, regent of the N. Y. City Chapter, D. A. R. A collation was served in the Town hall. The boulder bears this inscription: Here on the 19th of April, 1775, the minute guns summoned the men of Chelmsford to the Concord fight. Erected by the Molly Varnum Chapter, D. A. R., A. D., 1899.
The good parson, Bridge, was on the ground and requested the men to go into the meeting-house and have prayers before they went; but the impetuous Sergeant Ford, his patriotism getting the better of his piety, replied that they had more urgent business on hand, and hastened on with his men. Soon over one hundred men were on their way to the scene of conflict.
Captain Oliver Barron's company numbered sixty-one, and Lieutenant Colonel Moses Parker's, forty-three.
These men did not march in regular order, but hurried off in squads, on horseback, or on foot, as fast as they received the summons. As the foremost of them neared Concord about half- past nine o'clock, they perhaps being thus directed, followed the road leading over Punkatasset hill on the west side of the river, and took some refreshments at a farm house. This road has been reduced in grade in front of the Rev. Dr. Hutchins's residence, from which point a splendid view is obtained of the river and valley. Here the Chelmsford men met the Americans who had retired from the village on the approach of the 800 British troops, with others from Westford, Bedford, Lincoln and neighboring towns, and descended to Buttrick's hill just above the bridge, and there was a hurried debate. Finally Col. Barrett gave the order to march to the bridge and pass the same, but not to fire on the King's troops, unless they were fired upon. Then about ten o'clock took place the famous fight, which cannot be here described, and as the British retreated through the village towards Merriam's corner, other Chelmsford men came up, and with their comrades, crossing over the great meadows, met them at the corner, where a sharp engagement was fought. It was a race for life with the British, who were chased by the Americans all the way to Charlestown Neck.
At Hardy's hill they harassed them, and Sergeant Ford showed conspicuous activity. He had learned to handle a rifle in the French and Indian wars, and on this day killed five of the British. Among the wounded were Captain Oliver Barron and
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Deacon Aaron Chamberlain of Chelmsford. [Frothingham, "Siege of Boston," p. 81.]
Mr. Perham left the following note:
"Wm. Fletcher went out on the 19th of April. By mistake his name is not on the Roll, which was not made out until 1776.''
He was, later, in Ford's Company.
The family tradition repeats his words: "I was one of those who stepped over the body of the first British soldier killed at Concord Bridge." [Brown.]
There is a William Fletcher, 3d, on the official list, who marched on the Alarm of April 19. There were several men of that name in Chelmsford.
William Fletcher of Parker's company (Uncle Billy Fletcher, who lived in the old gambrel roof house recently demolished, which stood at North square) wrote out, late in life, an account of his experience. Evidently he was one of the Chelmsford men who arrived later on the scene than others, as the retreat of the British had already begun. He says: "We followed the enemy and came up with them somewhere in Lexington. Our company behaved as well as could be expected, all things considered. I was four times that day where the arrows of death flew thick. We followed the enemy more than half way over Charlestown Neck * * * the enemy was then in plain view, rising Bunker's Hill." He was 19 years of age when he enlisted.
Frederick Hudson in Harper's Monthly for May, 1875, says: General [Colonel] Ebenezer Bridge, of Chelmsford, with a few men from Bedford, was also there [at Merriam's corner].
James Reed of Burlington made a deposition in 1825 regarding some of the British who were taken prisoners on their retreat from Concord on the afternoon of the 19th, in which he says: "Towards evening it was thought best to remove them from my house. I, with the assistance of some others, marched them to one Johnson's, in Woburn Precinct, and there kept a guard over them during the night. The next morning we marched them to Billerica; but the people were so alarmed, and not willing to have them left there, we then took them to Chelmsford, and there the people were much frightened; but the Committee of Safety consented to have them left, provided that we would leave a guard. Accordingly some of our men agreed to stay." [Drake, "Hist. Mddlsex. Co." p. 302.]
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"Lieutenant Colonel Campbell's letters show that officers of his regiment were imprisoned or on parole at Chelmsford, at Dunstable and at Upton." [Shawshin in the Boston Transcript.]
During the engagement and retreat at Concord the Americans lost forty-nine killed, thirty-nine wounded, and five missing.
The British lost seventy-three killed, one hundred and seventy-four wounded, and twenty six missing-the most of whom were taken prisoners. Of these eighteen were officers, ten ser- geants, two drummers, and two hundred and forty were rank and file.
The state of mind in Chelmsford is reflected in the diary of Parson Bridge. He records: 1775. April 10, Capt. Eben. Symmes came from Boston to secure a place of retreat &c in ye present troublesome season in Boston. [April 13, one load of the Captain's goods arrived. The next day some members of his family came. His two sisters, Betty and Sally, and boy.]
April 18, Still hurry and confusion, in my own affairs, and on account of public news.
April 19-The Civil War was begun at Concord this morning! The Lord direct all things for his glory, the good of his Church and people, and ye preservation of ye British Colonies, and to ye Shame and Confusion of our Oppressors.
April 20-In a terrible state, by reason of ye news from our Army. The onset ye British forces made was begun at Lexington, & was carried on to Concord, where were some killed on both sides. They ingloriously retreated soon and were followed by our men down to Cambridge, before night. Heard of ye Welfare of my Sons in ye Army, & of my people there.
Five captives carried through this town for Amherst. A constant marching of soldiers from ye towns above toward ye army as there was yesterday from this town and ye neighboring towns. We are now involved in a Warr which the Lord only knows what will be ye issue of, but I will hope in His Mercy and wait to see His salvation.
April 21-Much in ye same posture as yesterday. Forces still going to ye Army. I sent provisions to ye army so did many more.
22. The same as yesterday in general. My Son Billy came home from ye Army in ye Evening.
23. Lord's Day. I preached-O Tis a Very distressing day. Soldiers a passing all day & all night-but a small assembly.
24 Things continue much in ye Same Posture. Billy went again P. M. to ye Army.
25. No stir today-but little news from ye Army. Billy came home in evening.
26. Billy went off again this morning after Capt Symmes' goods.
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27. Billy returned & ye goods came, P. M.
28. Greatly distressed for our friends shut up in Boston from whom can get no news.
29. My son John went off this morning for ye Army.
30 Lord's Day. Read resolve of ye Provincial Congress for a General Fast 11th May. In ye morning Just as ye 2d. bell was ringing Capt. Symmes & wife arrived from Boston, having got out yesterday * *
May 1. Capt. Symmes & his wife &c with us. hurried in moving goods &c.
2. Capt Symmes went off for Boston, if he might be be admitted there.
3. Capt Symmes returned from Boston.
4. A hurried life I have. O for peace and quiet.
6. My son Ebenezer came from ye Army to Billerica yesterday & came over to see us. He being not well. Stays with us. Saml. Bridge came also to tarry over Sabbath.
9. Capt Symmes went to Boston morning. Ebenezer-went to Billerica.
10. Fast Day thro' Province, on acct. of ye present difficulties. I preached all day fm Eccl. 9. 11. Capt Symmes came from Boston after meeting.
12. A great deal of passing & repassing. So yt. I have no quiet.
16 Capt Symmes went toward Boston
20 Capt Symmes came home.
25 My Sister Blake & her family arrived at my house having escaped from Boston.
27. Many pple passing frm Boston, &c.
28 Lords Day. I preached at Billerica.
Heard news at noon of a fight, begun yesterday, between ye regulars & our Soldiers at Chelsea, Noddle's Island &c, & yet going on.
29 Rode to Cambridge lodged at Esq. Hastings at the head quarters of ye Army.
30 -* * * Visited our Soldiers, dined at Capt Stedman's pr invitation-much delighted with ye Army, their appearance & order &c. Saw ye spoils taken fm ye regulars at Chelsea &c arive at Cambridge.
31- went to Watertown * * * heard ye sermon preached before ye Congress. Addressed ye Congress abot ye times-offered our Service. To serve as Chaplains by turn in ye Army and Voted That our sermon Shod. be with other religs. Exercises in pub. on ye morrow at 8 o'clock P. M.
THE CROSBY HOUSE
E.R.CLARK .
No. 16
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June 1 It rained so could not go to Watertown. Came home. My sons whom I saw in ye Army gave me pleasr. for Wm. I am thankful.
On the day of the Concord fight some people living on the southerly borders of this Town removed their families to what they deemed a safe distance, carrying with them provisions for an extended absence, in case the British soldiers should overrun this part of the Province. A family of Proctors went over in the vicinity of Virginia meadow and built a place to live in for a time. The news of the repulse of the redcoats encouraged most of these people to return to their homes, and thanksgivings for their unex- pected deliverance were on every tongue; yet some hardly dared whisper opposition to the Mother Country.
THE BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL.
Chelmsford men took a prominent part in the battle of Bunker Hill on June 17, 1775. It was on the previous day that Captain John Ford volunteered to carry from Cambridge to Bunker Hill a message from General Artemas Ward. It was necessary in accomplishing this to pass within range of the British guns while crossing Charlestown Neck. Realizing his peril, General Ward ordered him to dismount and cross on foot, thus to escape observation. "But he ran the risk, and passed and repassed on horseback. While at Bunker Hill he warned Colonel Prescott that from the movements of the enemy it was evident that they were preparing to attack the Americans upon the hill, and urged the necessity of immediately casting up breastworks and redoubts."*
"When the dawn of light revealed to the astonished Britishers the American works on Breed's Hill, Capt. Ford, who was now in command of the Chelmsford company, which consisted of sixty men, was stationed with the army at Cambridge, under Gen. Ward. When the preparations for the battle began, the gallant Captain, who had no taste for inactivity, obtained permission from the General to withdraw his company privately and march directly to the scene of action, to reinforce the troops. They marched across Charlestown Neck, which was being raked by cannon from the British ships, (a tradition given by Deacon Otis Adams is that some wavered and one or two turned back) and were pro- ceeding down Bunker Hill when they were met by Gen. Putnam, who ordered Capt. Ford, with his company, to draw the cannon, which had been deserted by Capt. Callender and left at the foot of the hill, into the line. The Captain at first remonstrated on the *Old Res. Contrib. Vol. IV.
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ground that his company were ignorant of the management of artillery, many having never seen a cannon before, but finally obeyed 'and moved with the cannon and the General himself to the rail fence,' which they reached just before the battle began." It was here that Joseph Spaulding of Ford's Company, being unable to restrain his impetuosity, began the battle by firing the first gun. It was from the hand of General Putnam that he received a blow on the head for it, and the General threatened to cut down with his sword the next offender who dared to risk the waste of another musket charge. It is related that Spaulding always declared that he killed Major Pitcairn, and Farmer's Geneological Register so states. It is thus recorded in the Chelmsford church record. He may have aimed at the Major, who, having been twice wounded, again placed himself at the head of his forces, and fell with four balls in his body. He did not die on the field.
Captain Knowlton and the Connecticut troops were also stationed with Colonel Stark and the New Hampshire troops at this part of the defences. The right wing of the British army, under General Howe, was directed against the rail fence for the purpose of turning the flank of the Americans, and cutting off their retreat from the redoubt. As the enemy advanced to the attack, the artillery, manned by a portion of Captain Ford's company opened upon them with great effect, some of the shots being directed by General Putnam himself. The muskets were ordered to reserve their fire until the enemy were within forty yards, and again, until the whites of the enemies' eyes could be seen.
It was at this time that Spaulding, and then some others fired, while the enemy paused to destroy the fence which obstructed their advance.
When the word was given, the fowling-pieces mowed down their victims with fatal celerity, and the enemy was obliged to retreat, "leaving on the ground," as Colonel Stark related, "where but the day before the mowers had swung the scythe in peace, the dead, as thick as sheep in a fold." When upon the third assault of the enemy the fortunes of the day were reversed, and the Americans were obliged to retreat from the redoubt, the force at the rail fence, where some reinforcements had been received, maintained their ground with great firmness and intrepidity, and successfully resisted every attempt to turn their flank. This line indeed was nobly defended. The force here did great service, for it saved the main body, who were retreating in disorder from the
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redoubt, from being cut off by the enemy. When it was perceived that the force under Colonel Prescott had left the hill, these brave men gave ground, but with more regularity than could have been expected of troops who had been no longer under discipline. Captain Ford behaved with great spirit in the engagement. Thirteen men of his company were wounded. Benj. Pierce (afterward Gen. Pierce, and the father of President Pierce) was a member of his company. He afterwards related that when Putnam ordered Ford to man the cannon, the latter "addressed his company in a very animated, patriotic and brave strain, which was characteristic of the man." The men then seized the drag-ropes and drew the cannon to the rail fence. One of these pieces burst after being fired eleven times. The firing continued until all the ammunition was spent.
There is a tradition that, when the first man in Ford's Com- pany fell, his comrades, then for the first time under fire, were seized with panic; but thereupon one of Ford's officers began to sing "Old Hundred" in a firm voice, and this so reassured the men that they gave no further sign of panic. It is related that, just as the ammunition of the Americans was exhausted and orders were given to retreat, a British officer mounted the breastworks, and with a flourish of his sword, exclaimed, "Now, my boys, we have you." Hearing this, Captain Colburn, of Dracut, picked up a stone, about the size of a hen's egg, and, throwing it with all his might, hit the officer in the forehead, knocking him down back- wards. The Captain and his men then hastily retreated with the rest of the American forces.
From a letter of Benjamin Pierce of Ford's Company, later of Hillsborough, N. H .: "I went onto the Hill about 11 o'clock, A. M. When I arrived at the summit of Bunker's Hill I saw two pieces of cannon there standing, with two or three soldiers by them, who observed they belonged to Capt. Callender's Company, and that the Captain and his officers were cowards and had run away. Gen. Putnam there sat upon a horse *
* *" and "requested our company, which was commanded by Capt Ford, of Chelms- ford, Mass., to take these pieces and draw them down. Our men utterly refused, and said they had no knowledge of the use of artillery, and they were ready to fight with their own arms. Capt. Ford then addressed his company in a very animated, patriotic and brave strain, which is characteristic of the man. The company then seized the drag-ropes and drew them to the rail fence about half the distance from the redoubt on Breed's Hill to Mystic River."
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To Major Henry Dearborn.
[Boston Patriot and Daily Chronicle, June 13, 1818.]
Sworn Statement of Alexander Davidson [from the Columbian Sentinel, July 22, 1818.]
Alexander Davidson, of Edgecomb, [given as from Tewkes- bury] in the district of Maine, who was a private in Capt. Ford's company, confirms what Gen. Pierce of New Hampshire states as to Putnam's ordering down the Cannon; but recollects what Pierce seemed to forget that Putnam accompanied them in person and saw to the placing of them, and until they commenced firing the pieces. I well recollect an expression he used at the second fire of one of the pieces; it was loaded with canister, and seemed to make a lane through them. After firing eleven times, the piece near me split. What time Putnam left our company I cannot say, but he was with us at the rail fence, when the battle begun, animating the men and telling us not to fear.
Capt. Callender afterwards fully established his character as a brave man and received the approval of Washington.
Benjamin Pierce (born December 25, 1757), was 18 years old at the time of the Concord fight. He was in the service of his uncle, as his father was dead. After the fight he went to Cambridge by night and enlisted in Captain Ford's company of Colonel Bridge's regiment, and, after Bunker Hill, during the rest of the war was in Colonel Brook's regiment, and took part in many hard fought battles, especially those preceding the surrender of Burgoyne in 1777. At the close of the war he was Captain and had a noble record for bravery. He was afterwards promoted to the office of Brigadier General. In 1786 he went to Hillsborough, N. H., where he had fifty acres of wild land, which he cleared, living alone in a log hut. He became Governor of New Hampshire, and was the father of General Franklin Pierce, President of the United States. He died April 1, 1839, aged 81,
In one of the battles, when the bearer of the colors was shot. young Pierce seized the colors and bore them to the front during the conflict. He remained in the army until the last troops were disbanded at West Point in February, 1784.
He passed through various grades of a common soldier, corporal, sergeant, ensign and lieutenant, leaving the army in command of a company, and with the reputation of a brave soldier. He returned to Chelmsford after an absence of almost nine years. He lived where Orlando Blodgett's stable now stands, at the corner of Chelmsford and Midland streets. [Old Residents' Contributions, Vol. III.]
COLONEL EBENEZER BRIDGE.
"Ebenezer Bridge's regiment was commissioned May 27. Moses Parker was lieutenant-colonel; John Brooks, major; Joseph Fox, adjutant; John Bridge, quartermaster. A return, dated June 23. gives but nine companies belonging to it. Though the
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whole regiment was ordered to parade on the 16th of June, yet, it is stated that three of its companies did not go on under Colonel Prescott. Ford's company reached the field just before the action began; and a portion of this regiment,-two companies,-under Major Brooks, were on the way to the hill when the Americans were retreating. Colonel Bridge, though wounded on the head and in the neck by a sword cut, and though he was one of the last to retreat, did not escape the scouting that took place in relation to the battle. It was charged against him that he kept too cautiously covered in the redoubt. He was tried, and acquitted on the ground of indisposition of body.
Colonel Bridge was the son of the Rev. Ebenezer Bridge of this Town, and was born here April 23, 1744. He graduated from Harvard at the age of twenty. He taught school for more than a year at Worcester, and became a dealer in "East and West India goods" at Billerica. In 1775 he was chosen Colonel of the 27th Regiment of Minute-men. During the war he was chosen Registrar of Deeds of Middlesex County. From 1781 to 1800 he was Senator in this state. From 1783 to 1808 he was the County Treasurer. In these positions of trust he served honor- ably. His death is recorded in the Chelmsford Church Records, February 22, 1814, at "Cassenobia," N. Y. Chelmsford claims him, although he was living in Billerica at the beginning of the Revolution. His record in the Revolution is given as follows;
Bridge, Ebenezer, Billerica. Colonel, Middlesex Co. regt. of Minute-men; Marched April 19, 1775; service, 4 days; roll dated Cambridge; also, list of officers dated Cambridge, May 16, 1775; reported field officer for the day, May 17, 1775; also, list of officers dated May 21, 1775; reported officer of main guard, May 22, 1775; also, list of officers dated Cambridge May 30, 1775; reported field officer for May 30 and May 31, 1775; also order for cartridge boxes dated Cambridge, June 24, 1775; also list of officers commanding regiments, dated Headquarters, Cambridge, July 22, 1775; brigade under command of its senior officer forming part of reserve corps under Maj. Gen. Putnam for defense of ports north of Roxbury; also, pay roll for service from date of engagement, April 24, 1775 to Aug. 1, 1775, 3 mos. 15 days; also, certificate dated Cambridge, Nov. 30, 1775; signed by said Bridge as Colonel of the 27th regt., certifying to the loss of articles at the battle of Bunker Hill, June 17, 1775, also, list of officers who delivered firelocks Feb. 17, 1776.
LIEUTENANT COLONEL MOSES PARKER.
Lieutenant Colonel Moses Parker was born May 13, 1731, the son of Joseph, born March 25, 1693-4, the son of Moses, born about the year 1658, the son of Abraham, who died August 12, 1685. He was a skillful and brave veteran of the French wars, and behaved with great gallantry at Bunker Hill. A ball fractured his thigh and he was left in the redoubt. The British carried him
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