USA > Massachusetts > The journals of each Provincial congress of Massachusetts in 1774 and 1775, and of the Committee of safety, with an appendix, containing the proceedings of the county conventions-narratives of the events of the nineteenth of April, 1775 > Part 74
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ON the nineteenth day of April, one thousand seven hundred and seventy- five, a day to be remembered by all Americans of the present generation, and which ought, and doubtless will be handed down to ages yet unborn, the troops of Britain, unprovoked, shed the blood of sundry of the loyal Ameri- can subjects of the British king in the field of Lexington. Early in the morning of said day, a detachment of the forces under the command of General Gage, stationed at Boston, attacked a small party of the inhabitants of Lexington and some other towns adjacent, the detachment consisting of about nine hundred men, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Smith : The inhabitants of Lexington and the other towns were about one hundred, some with and some without fire-arms, who had collected upon information that the detachment had secretly marched from Boston the preceding night, and landed on Phipps's Farm in Cambridge, and were proceeding on their way with a brisk pace towards Concord, as the inhabitants supposed, to take or destroy a quantity of stores deposited there for the use of the colony ; sundry peace-
(1) This narrative reported by a committee of which Doct. Church was chairman, and the depo- sitions taken by the committee of which Mr. Gerry was first named, with those subsequently col- lected, were printed, at Worcester, by Isaiah Thomas, in May, 1775.
662
EXCURSION OF THE KING'S TROOPS. [April 19,
able inhabitants having the same night been taken, held by force, and other- wise abused on the road, by some officers of General Gage's army, which caused a just alarm, and a suspicion that some fatal design was immediate- ly to be put in execution against them. This small party of the inhabitants were so far from being disposed to commit hostilities against the troops of their sovereign, that unless attacked, they were determined to be peaceable spectators of this extraordinary movement ; immediately on the approach of Colonel Smith with the detachment under his command, they dispersed ; but the detachment, seeming to thirst for blood, wantonly rushed on, and first began the hostile scene by firing on this small party, by which they killed eight men on the spot and wounded several others before any guns were fired upon the troops by our inen. Not contented with this effusion of blood, as if malice had occupied their whole souls, they continued the fire, until all of this small party who escaped the dismal carnage were out of the reach of their fire. Colonel Smith, with the detachment, then proceeded to Concord, where a part of this detachment again made the first fire upon some of the inhabitants of Concord and the adjacent towns, who were col- lected at a bridge upon this just alarm, and killed two of them and wounded several others, before any of the provincials there had done one hostile act. Then the provincials, roused with zeal for the liberties of their country, find- ing life and every thing dear and valuable at stake, assumed their native val- or and returned the fire, and the engagement on both sides began. Soon after, the British troops retreated towards Charlestown, having first commit- ted violence and waste on public and private property, and on their retreat were joined by another detachment of General Gage's troops, consisting of about a thousand men, under the command of Earl Percy, who continued the retreat ; the engagement lasted through the day ; and many were killed and wounded on each side, though the loss on the part of the British troops far exceeded that of the provincials. The devastation committed by the British troops on their retreat, the whole of the way from Concord to Charlestown, is almost beyond description ; such as plundering and burning of dwelling-houses and other buildings, driving into the street women in child-bed, killing old men in their houses unarmed. Such scenes of desolation would be a reproach to the perpetrators, even if committed by the most bar- barous nations, how much more when done by Britons famned for humanity and tenderness: And all this because these colonies will not submit to the iron yoke of arbitrary power.
The following depositions were taken and authenticated as soon as possible after the action, to prove and elucidate the truth of facts relative thereto.
We, Solomon Brown, Jonathan Loring, and Elijah Sanderson, all of lawful age, and of Lexington, in the county of Middlesex and colony of the Massa- chusetts Bay, in New England, do testify and declare, that on the evening of the eighteenth of April, instant, being on the road between Lexington and Concord, and all of us mounted on horses, we were, about ten of the clock
663
EXCURSION OF THE KING'S TROOPS.
1775.]
suddenly surprized by nine persons, whom we took to be regular officers, who rode up to us, mounted and armed, each holding 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 ourselves. They detained us until two o'clock the next morning, in which time they searched and greatly abused us; having first inquired about the magazine at Concord, whether any guards were posted there, and whether the bridges were up; and said four or five regi- ments of regulars would be in possession of the stores soon ; they then brought us baek to Lexington, cut the horses' bridles, and girths, turned them loose, and then left us.
SOLOMON BROWN, JONATHAN LORING, ELIJAH SANDERSON.
Lexington, April 25th, 1775.
MIDDLESEX, SS. APRIL 25TII, 1775.
Jonathan Loring, Solomon Brown, and Elijah Sanderson, being duly eau- tioned to testify the whole truth, inade solemn oath to the truth of the above deposition by them subscribed : before us,
WILLIAM READ, JOSIAH JOHNSON, WILLIAM STICKNEY, Justices of the Peace.
I, Elijah Sanderson, above named, do further testify and deelare, that I was on Lexington common the morning of the nineteenth of April, afore- said, having been dismissed by the officers above mentioned, and saw a large body of regular troops advancing towards 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 on the Lexington company, which did not fire a gun before the regulars discharged on them ; eight of the Lexing- ton company were killed, while they were dispersing, and at a considerable distance from each other, and many wounded, and although a spectator, 1 narrowly escaped with my life.
Lexington, April 25th, 1775.
ELIJAH SANDERSON.
MIDDLESEX, SS. APRIL 25THI, 1775.
Elijah Sanderson, above named, being duly cautioned to testify the whole truth, made solemn oath to the truth of the above deposition by him sub- scribed : before us,
WILLIAM READ, JOSIANI JOHNSON, Justices of thr Peace. WILLIAM STICKNEY,
664
EXCURSION OF THE KING'S TROOPS. [April 19,
1, Thomas Rice Willard, of lawful age, do testify and declare, that being in the house of Daniel Harrington, of Lexington, on the nineteenth instant, in the morning, about half an hour before sunrise, I looked out at the win- dow of said house and saw, as I suppose, about four hundred regulars in one body, coming up the road and marching toward the north part of the com- mon back of the meeting-house of said Lexington : and as soon as said regu- lars 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 regu- lars, to the other side of the body, and hollowed after the militia of said Lex- ington, 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.
MIDDLESEX, SS. APRIL 23D, 1775.
The within named Thomas Rice Willard, personally appeared, and after due caution to testify the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, made sol- emn oath to the truth of the within deposition, by him subscribed : before us,
WILLIAM READ, JONATHAN HASTINGS, Justices of the Peace. DUNCAN INGRAHAM,
Lexington, 25th of April, 1775.
Simon Winship, of Lexington, in the county of Middlesex, and province of the Massachusetts Bay in New England, being of lawful age, testifieth and saith, that on the nineteenth of April, instant, about four o'clock in the morn- ing, as he was passing the public road in said Lexington, peaceably and un- armed, about two miles and a half distant from the meeting-house in said Lexington, he was met by a body of the king's regular troops, and being stopped 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 father's. Said Winship further testifies, that he marched with said troops until 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 Capt. Parker and company, who were partly collected on the place of parade, when said Winship observed an offi- cer at the head of said troops, flourishing his sword, and with a loud voice
665
EXCURSION OF THE KING'S TROOPS.
1775.]
giving the word fire! which was instantly followed by a discharge of arms fromn said regular troops; and said Winship is positive, and in the most sol- emn manner declares, that there was no discharge of arms on either side, till the word fire was given by said officer as above.
SIMON WINSHIP.
MIDDLESEX, SS. APRIL 25TH, 1775.
Simon Winship, above named, appeared, and after due cantion to testify the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, made solemn oath to the truth of the above deposition, by him subscribed : before us,
WILLIAMI READ, JOSIAHI JOHNSON, S Justices of the Peace.
Lexington, April 25th, 1775.
I, John Parker, of lawful age, and commander of the militia in Lexington, do testify and deelare, that on the nineteenth instant, in the morning, about one of the clock, being informed, that there were a number of the regular officers riding up and down the road, stopping and insulting people as they passed the road, and also informed that a number of the regular troops were on their march from Boston, in order to take the province stores at Concord, I 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 rushing furiously on, fired upon and killed eight of our party, without receiving any provocation therefor from us.
JOHN PARKER.
MIDDLESEX, SS. APRIL 25TH, 1775.
The above named John Parker, personally appeared, and after being duly cautioned to declare the whole truth, made soleinn oath to the truth of the above deposition, by him subscribed : before us,
WILLIAM READ, JOSHUA JOHNSON, WILLIAM STICKNEY,
Justices of the Peace.
Lexington, April 24th, 1775.
1, John Robbins, being of lawful age, do testify and say, that on the nine- teenthi instant, the company under the command of Captain John Parker, being drawn up sometime before sunrise, on the green or common, and I being in the front rank, there suddenly appeared a number of the king's troops, about a thousand as I thought, at the distance of about sixty or sev- 84
666
EXCURSION OF THE KING'S TROOPS. [April 19,
enty yards from us, huzzaing, and on a quick pace towards us, with three officers in their front on horseback, and on full gallop towards us ; the foremost of which cried, " throw down your arms !- ye villains !- ye rebels !" upon which, said company dispersing, the foremost of the three officers or- dered their men saying, "fire !- by God !- fire !" at which moment we receiv- ed a very heavy and close fire from them ; at which instant, being wounded, I fell, and several of our inen were shot dead by me. Capt. Parker's men I believe, had not then fired a gun : and further the deponent saith not,
JOHN ROBBINS.
MIDDLESEX, SS. APRIL 24TH, 1775.
John Robbins, within named, appeared, and being duly cautioned to testi- fy the truth, and nothing but the truth, made solemn oath to the truth of the within deposition, subscribed by his special order, he being so maimed and wounded, that he thought he could neither write his name, nor make his mark : before us,
WILLIAM READ, JOSIAH JOHNSON, Justices of the Peace.
We, Benjamin Tidd, of Lexington, and Joseph Abbot, of Lincoln, in the county of Middlesex, and colony of the Massachusetts Bay, in New Eng- land, of lawful age, do testify and declare, that on the morning of the nine- teenth of April, instant, about five 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 regu- lars 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 ABBOTT.
Lexington, April 25th, 1775.
MIDDLESEX, SS. APRIL 25TH, 1775.
Benjamin Tidd, and Joseph Abbott, above named, being duly cautioned to testify the whole truth, made solemn oath to the truth of the above deposi- tion, by them subscribed : before us,
WILLIAM READ, JOSIAH JOHNSON, WILLIAM STICKNEY,
Justices of the Peace.
We, Nathaniel Mulliken, Phillip Russell, Moses Harrington, Jun., Thomas and Daniel Harrington, William Grimer, William Tidd, Isaac Hastings, Jo- nas Stone, Jun., James Wyman, Thaddeus Harrington, John Chandler,
1775.]
EXCURSION OF THE KING'S TROOPS.
667
Joshua Reed, Jun., Joseph Simonds, Phineas Smith, John Chandler, Jun., Reuben Lock, Joel Viles, Natlian Reed, Samuel Tidd, Benjamin Lock, Thomas Winship, Simeon Snow, John Smith, Moses Harrington, 3d, Joshua Reed, Ebenezer Parker, John Harrington, Enoch Willington, Jolin 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 nineteenth 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 in- habitants passing the same ; and also understanding, that a body of regulars were marching from Boston, towards Concord, with intent, as it was sup- posed, 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 dis- missed 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 beat, we proceeded to- wards the parade, and soon found, that a large body of troops were march- ing 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 num- ber 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 until we had all made our escape.
NATHANIEL MULLIKEN,
JOEL VILES,
PHILLIP RUSSELL,
NATHAN REED,
MOSES HARRINGTON, JUN.,
SAMUEL TIDD,
THOMAS HARRINGTON,
BENJAMIN LOCK,
DANIEL HARRINGTON,
THOMAS WINSHIP,
WILLIAM GRIMER,
SIMEON SNOW,
WILLIAM TIDD.
JOHN SMITH,
ISAAC HASTINGS,
MOSES HARRINGTON, 3D.,
JONAS STONE, JUN.,
JOSHUA REED,
JAMES WYMAN,
EBENEZER PARKER,
THADDEUS HARRINGTON,
JOHN HARRINGTON,
JOHN CHANDLER,
ENOCH WILLINGTON,
JOSHUA REED, JUN.,
JOHN HOSMER,
JOSEPH SIMONDS,
ISAAC GREEN,
PHINEAS SMITH,
PHINEAS STEARNS,
JOIN CHANDLER, JUN.,
ISAAC DURANT,
REUBEN LOCK,
THOMAS HEADLEY, JUN.
Lexington, April 25th, 1775.
MIDDLESEX, SS. APRIL 25THI, 1775.
Nathaniel Mulliken, Phillip Russell, Moses Harrington, Jun., Thomas
668
EXCURSION OF THE KING'S TROOPS. [April 19,
Harrington, Daniel Harrington, William Grimer, William Tidd, Isaac Has- tings, Jonas Stone, Jun., James Wyman, Thaddeus Harrington. John Chand- ler, Joshua Reed, Jun., Joseph Simonds, Phineas Smith, John Chandler, Jun., Reuben Lock, Joel Viles, Nathan Reed, Samuel Tidd, Benjamin Lock, Thomas Winship, Simeon Snow, Joli Smith, Moses Harrington, 3d, Joshua Reed, Ebenezer Parker, John Harrington, Enoch Willington, Jolın Hosmer, Isaac Green, Phineas Stearns, Isaac Durant, and Thomas Headley, Jun., above named, being duly cautioned to testify the whole truth, made solemn oath to the above deposition, as containing nothing but the truth, as sub- scribed by them: before us,
WILLIAM REED, JOSIAH JOHNSON, WILLIAM STICKNEY,
Justices of the Peace.
We, Nathaniel Parkhurst, Jonas Parker, John Munroe, Jun., John Win- ship, Solomon Peirce, John Muzzy, Abner Meads, John Bridge, Jun., Ebe- nezer Bowman, William Munroe, 3d, Micah Hagar, Samuel Sanderson, Samuel Hastings, and James Brown, of Lexington, in the county of Middle- sex, and colony of the Massachusetts Bay, in New England, and all of law- ful 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 pre- ceding, and that some of the inhabitants as they were passing, had been in- sulted by the officers and stopped by them, and being also informed, that the regular troops, were on their marchi 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 or- dered by Capt. Jolin Parker, who commanded us, to disperse for the pre- sent, and be ready to attend the beat of the drum, and accordingly the com- pany 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 coming to the pa- rade, 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 eiglit of our company and wound- ed several, and continued their fire until we had all made our escape.
NATHANIEL PARKHURST, JOHN BRIDGE, JUN.,
JONAS PARKER, EBENEZER BOWMAN,
JOHN MUNROE, JUN., JOHN WINSHIP, SOLOMON PEIRCE, JOHN MUZZY, ABNER MEADS, Lexington, 25th April, 1775.
WILLIAM MUNROE, 3D.,
MICAH HAGAR,
SAMUEL SANDERSON,
SAMUEL HASTINGS,
JAMES BROWN.
669
EXCURSION OF THE KING'S TROOPS.
1775.]
MIDDLESEX, SS. APRIL 25TH, 1775.
Nathaniel Parkhurst, Jonas Parker, John Munroe, Jun., John Winship, Solomon Peirce, John Muzzy, Abner Meads, John Bridge, Jun, Ebenezer Bowman, William Munroe, 3d., Micah Hagar, Samuel Sanderson, Samuel Hastings, and James Brown, above named, being duly cautioned, to testify the whole truth, made solemn oath to the truth of the above deposition, by them subscribed: before us,
WILLIAM READ, JOSIANI JOHNSON, Justices of the Peace.
WILLIAM STICKNEY,
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 de- clare, that on the morning of the nineteenth of April, instant, being at Lex- ington common, as a spectator, I saw a large body of regular troops, march- ing 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 inunediately 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 con- siderable distance from each other, and several were wounded, and further suith not,
Lexington, April 25th, 1775.
TIMOTHY SMITH.
MIDDLESEX, SS. APRIL 25TH, 1775.
Timothy Smith, above named, being duly cautioned to testify the truth, made solemn oath to the truth of the above deposition, by him subscribed : before us,
WILLIAM READ, JOSIAH JOHNSON, WILLIAM STICKNEY,
Justices of the Peace.
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 lawful 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 was 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 MEAD, LEVI HARRINGTON.
Lexington, April 25th, 1775.
1
670
EXCURSION OF THE KING'S TROOPS. [April 19,
MIDDLESEX, SS. APRIL 25TH, 1775.
Levi Mead and Levi Harrington, above named, being duly cautioned to testify the whole truth, made solemn oath to the truth of the above deposi- tion, by them subscribed : before us,
WILLIAM READ,
JOSIAH JOHNSON, Justices of the Peace.
WILLIAM STICKNEY,
Lexington, April 25th, 1775.
1, William Draper, of lawful age, and an inhabitant of Colrain, in the county of Hampshire, and colony of the Massachusetts Bay, in New Eng- land, do testify and declare, that being on the parade at said Lexington, April nineteenth, instant, about half an hour before sunrise, the king's regular troops appeared at the meeting-house of Lexington. Captain Parker's com- pany, 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 Parker's company who were dispersing, and immediately after the huzza was made, the com- manding officer of said troops, as I took liim to be, gave the command to the troops, "fire !- fire !- damn you, fire !" and immediately they fired, before any of Captain Parker's company fired, I then being within three or four rods of said regular troops : and further saith not,
WILLIAM DRAPER.
MIDDLESEX, SS. APRIL 25TH, 1775.
William Draper, above named, being duly cautioned to testify the whole truth, made solemn oath to the truth of the above deposition by him sub- scribed : before us,
WILLIAM READ, JOSIAH JOHNSON, Justices of the Peace.
WILLIAM STICKNEY,
Lexington, April 23d, 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 an hundred in a company, at the distance of eighteen or twenty rods from said meeting- house: and after they had passed by said house, I saw three officers on horseback advance to the front of said regulars, when one of them, being within six rod of said militia, cried out, " disperse you rebels immediately ;" on which he brandished his sword over his head three times; mean while, the second officer, who was about two rods behind him, fired a pistol point-
67
EXCURSION OF THE KING'S TROOPS.
1775.]
ed at said militia, and the regulars kept huzzaing till he had finished brand- ishing 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 said 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 cried " disperse you rebels," the said compa- ny 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,
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