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 76
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The troops had above fifty killed, and many more wounded. Reports are various about the loss sustained by the country people; some make it very considerable ; others not so muel.
Thus this unfortunate affair has happened, through the rashiness and im- prudenec of a few people, who began firing on the troops at Lexington.
(1) Sce the Journal of Congress, May 9, 1775, ante page 209; and the depositions of Zachariah Brown, and Thomas Davis, Jun., ante pago 677.
86
682
EXCURSION OF THE KING'S TROOPS. [April 19,
INTERCEPTED LETTERS.
THE following extracts of letters, written by British officers and soldiers in Boston, and intercepted, relating to the events of the 19th of April, 1775, were communicated to the Provincial Congress.1
BOSTON, APRIL 28, 1775.
I am well, all but a wound I received through the leg by a ball from one of the Bostonians. At the time I wrote you from Quebec, I had the strong- est assurance of going home, but the laying the tax on the New England people caused us to be ordered for Boston, where we remained in peace with the inhabitants, till, on the night of the 18th of April, twenty-one com- panies of grenadiers and light infantry were ordered into the country, about eighteen miles ; where, between four and five o'clock in the morning, we met an incredible number of the people of the country in arms against us. Col. Smith, of the 10th regiment, ordered us to rush on them with our bayo- nets fixed ; at which time, some of the peasants fired upon us, and our men returning the fire, the engagement began ; they did not fight us like a regu- lar army, only like savages, behind trees and stone walls, and out of the woods and houses, where, in the latter, we killed numbers of them, as well as in the woods and fields. The engagement began between four and five in the morning, aud lasted till eight at night. I cannot be sure when you will get another letter from me, as this extensive continent is all in arms against us. These people are very numerous, and full as bad as the Indians for scalping and cutting the dead men's ears and noses off, and those they get alive, that are wounded and cannot get off the ground.
BOSTON, APRIL 28, 1775.
The grenadiers and light infantry marched for Concord, where were powder and ball, arms, and cannon mounted on carriages ; but before we could destroy them all, we were fired on by the country people, who are not brought up in the military way as ourselves : we were surrounded always in the woods ; the firing was very hot on both sides; about two in the after- noon the second brigade came up, which were four regiments and part of the artillery ; which were of no use to us, as the enemy were in the woods ; and when we found they fired from houses, we set them on fire, and they ran to the woods. We were obliged to retreat to Boston again, over Charles river, our ammunition being all fired away. We had one hundred and fifty wounded and killed, and some taken prisoners. We were forced to leave some behind, who were wounded. We got back to Boston about two o'clock next morning; and they that were able to walk were forced to mount guard and lie in the field. I never broke my fast for forty-eight hours, for we carried no provisions, and thought to be back next morning.
(1) See the Journal of May 1, ante page 173. Neither the address nor signature of any letter has been preserved.
683
EXCURSION OF THE KING'S TROOPS.
1775.]
I had my hat shot off my head three times, two balls through my coat, and my bayonet carried away by my side, and near being killed. The people of Boston are in great trouble, for General Gage will not let the town's people go out. Direet for me to Chatham's division of marines.
BOSTON, APRIL 30, 1775.
Before this reaches you, you may hear that our regiment has been en- gaged with the provincials. The grenadiers and light infantry marelied about nine at niglit. At six next morning, four hundred and twenty-three soldiers and forty-seven marines, in all fifteen hundred, inarched to reenforee the grenadiers and light infantry : we joined about one o'clock, and found thiem not engaged, which they had been eight hours before ; for we had two pieces of cannon, which made us march very slow. As soon as we canie up we fired the cannon, which brought them fromn behind the trees, for we did not fight as you did in Germany ; for we did not see above ten in a body, for they were behind trees and walls, and fired at us, and then loaded on their bellies. We had but thirty-six rounds, which obliged us to go home that night ; and as we came along, they got before us, aud fired at us out of the houses, and killed and wounded a great number of us, but we levelled their houses as we came along. It was thought there were about six thousand at first, and at night double that number. The king's troops lost, in killed and wounded, one hundred and fifty, and the Americans five hundred, men, women, and eliildren ; for there was a number of women and children burut in their houses. Our regiment had five killed and thirty-one wounded, particularly Col. Bernard in the thigh, which all the regiment is sorry for. I got a wounded man's gun, and killed two of them, as I am sure of. We have been busy in fortifying the town ever since we engaged, and in a few days we expect a good many more troops from England, and then we shall surely burn the whole country before us if they do not sub- mit, which I do not imagine they will do, for they are an obstinate set of people. They have formed an army, and keep guard close to our works, so that our sentries can talk together at ease. We were engaged from six to six. The whole country are in arms against us, and they are headed by two of the generals that headed our army last war ; their names are Black and Put- nam. We have a great deal of shipping, but they are of little service, only to cover the town, cannon and troops, except the small schooners that go up the ereek and destroy them, which they have done, many of them. There is no market in Boston: the inhabitants are all starving: the soldiers live on salt provisions, and the officers are supplied by the men of war cutters, who go up the creeks and take live cattle and sheep wherever they find them We vex the Americans very much by cutting down their liberty poles and aların posts. We have had a great many died in our regiment last winter, so that what with wounded men, and what have deserted, we have not three hun- dred men, and duty is so hard that we come off guard in the morning and mount pieket at night.
684
EXCURSION OF THE KING'S TROOPS. [April 19,
BOSTON, APRIL 25, 1775.
The rebels, when we came to Concord, burnt their stores, fired upon the king's troops, and a smart engagement ensued. About two o'clock, our brigade came up to them, when we engaged, and continued fighting and retreating towards Boston. The rebels were monstrous numerous, and sur- rounded us on every side ; when they came up we gave them a smart fire, but they never would engage us properly. We killed some hundreds and burnt some of their houses. I received a wound in my head. The troops are in Boston, and surrounded on the land side by the rebels, who are very numerous, and fully determined to lose their lives and fortunes, rather than be taxed by England. We had thirty-four killed and wounded. I suppose the king's troops, lost in all about one hundred and sixty. In case they should take Boston, the troops will retire on board the men of war, and then the men of war will burn the town, and remain till more troops come from En- gland, and then conquer them, so their estates and lives will be forfeited. There are only four thousand soldiers, and about fifty or sixty thousand of them.
BOSTON, MAY 2, 1775.
The 19th of April the engagement happened, and my husband was wounded and taken prisoner ; but they use him well, and I am striving to get to him, as he is very dangerous, but it is almost impossible to get out or in, or to get any thing, for we are forced to live on salt provisions entirely, and they are building batteries round the town, and so are we, for we are expecting them to storm us. Are expecting more troops every day. My hus- band is now lying in one of their hospitals, at a place called Cambridge, and there are now forty or fifty thousand of them gathered together, and we are not four thousand at most. It is a very troublesome time; for we are ex- pecting the town to be burnt down every day, and I believe we are sold, and I hear my husband's leg is broke, and my heart is almost broken.
RAVAGES OF THE BRITISH TROOPS.
STATEMENTS OF THE LOSSES SUSTAINED BY THE INHABITANTS FROM THE RAVAGES OF THE BRITISH TROOPS, APRIL 19, 1775.
The committee appointed to estimate the damages done at Cambridge, Lexington, and Concord, by the king's troops, on the nineteenth of April, 1775, have attended that duty, and beg leave to report :
.
685
EXCURSION OF THE KING'S TROOPS.
1775.]
That the destruction made by fire and robbery on said day, by said troops, is as follows, viz. :
The damages to the buildings in Cambridge, estimated according to the best skill and judgment of your committee, after viewing the same, amount £76 56 to
The value of the goods and chattels that were destroyed, or taken out of the houses, or near the same, by the estimation of those persons who left the same, according to their several accounts exhibited on oath, and annex- ed, amounts to . £1036 6 3
The value of the goods and chattels that were destroyed, or taken out of the said houses, or near the same, by the estimation of those persons who left the same, by their several accounts exhibited; who were not sworn, by reason of some being absent, or some other inconvenience that attended the same, amounts to £72 6 10
The damage done to the meeting-house and school-house in the north- west precinct in said Cambridge, as estimated by your committee, amounts to £0 13 4
The vessels, linen, and cash, belonging to the church of said precinct, taken out of the house of Joseph Adamns, deacon of said church, as by his account, exhibited on oath, amount to £16 16 8 The whole losses suffered in Cambridge, amount to £1202 8 7
The damages sustained in Lexington, are as follow, viz .:
The buildings destroyed by fire, with the cash, utensils, and moveables, either burnt in the same, or carried away, estimated by the owners of the property, as by their accounts, exhibited on oath, amount to £891 8 6 The damages to other buildings in said town, estimated as were those in Cambridge, amount to . £32 18 7
Damages sustained from the robberies of said troops, by sundry inhabi- tants, as by their several accounts on oath, £760 18 2 Damages sustained by other inhabitants, as by their several accounts ex- hibited, but not on oath, for the reason before mentioned, amount to the sum of
£74 42
Damages to the meeting-house in said town, £1 12 0
The whole amount in Lexington, . £1761 1 15
The damages sustained in Concord, were as follow, viz. :
The damages to the buildings, estimated as above, are £2 12 0 The damages sustained by sundry inhabitants, estimated in manner afore- said, under oath, amount to £209 16 10 The damages to other inhabitants, not under oath, for reasons before mentioned, amount to . £59 1 9
686
EXCURSION OF THE KING'S TROOPS. [April 19,
The damage to sundry door locks broke in his majesty's jail in said town, by account exhibited, on oath, by the under keeper of said jail, £360
The whole amount in Concord,
4274 16 7 ABRAHAM FULLER, ICHABOD GOODWIN, OLIVER WHITNEY,
Committee.
ACCOUNTS OF DAMAGES.
The original accounts of the injuries done to individuals, not having been preserved on the files, the following returns were made, by order of the Legislature, in 1783.
JOSEPH LORING.
An account of the real and personal estate belonging to Joseph Loring, of Lexington, destroyed and carried off by the British troops in their rava- ges in said town, on the nineteenth of April, 1775, viz. :
A large mansion-house, and a barn seventy feet long, and a corn-house, all burnt, £350 0 0
Household goods and furniture, viz : eight good feather beds and bedding ; a large quantity of pewter and brass ware; three cases of drawers; two mahogany tables; with the furniture of eight rooms,
230 0 0
All the wearing apparel of my family, consisting of nine per- -sons,
60 0 0
All my husbandry tools and utensils, with a cider mill and press, with about five tons of liay, and two calves, .
72 0 0
About two hundred rods of stone wall thrown down, . ·
500
£3 in specie, 300
£720 00
N. B. The above mentioned buildings were the first that were destroyed in the town, and near the ground where the brigade commanded by Lord Percy met the detachment retreating under Lt. Col. Smith. It does not appear that any of the militia were in or near these buildings, neither could they, in any way, either expose or retard the British troops in their operations : therefore, the destruction must be considered as brutal, barbarous, and wanton.
JOSEPH LORING.
JONATHAN HARRINGTON.
Account of things I lost on the nineteenth of April, 1775, by the British troops.
One eight day clock, carried off, almost new, · . £15 0 0
1775.]
EXCURSION OF THE KING'S TROOPS.
687
One fine India dark gown, . £2 80 . · One striped English cotton gown, . 1 10 0 . .
'Two dozens of cotton and linen and two sliccts, 10 00
Six shirts, six shifts, to the value of 7 00
Que lawn apron; one do. cambric ; one do. linen, 2 10 0
Four new check aprons, .
1 10 0
One dozen of handkerchiefs, part check, part printed,
1 10 0
One bed blanket, .
0 18 0 .
Fifteen pairs stockings, part worstcd, part thread and yarn, .
4 00
Six large diaper table cloths, 4 10 0 .
One dozen fine diaper cloths, 2 80 .
One dozen cotten linen do.
1 40
One dozen of napkins, diaper,
1 10 0
One scarlet riding hood,
200
One pair of new boots and two pairs of shoes,
2 40
One new razee great coat; one do. blue, . 6 00
Two new beaver hats, 4 00
Five yards of cotton and linen cloth,
0 14 0
A number of women's caps,
1 10 0
One muff and tippet,
0 12 0
Three looking glasse's, all large,
6 00
Two large inoose skins, 4 00
3 00
Three cartridge boxes ; three bridles and straps, all new, Three and a half yards of ratteen, .
1 15 0
Two cans, one trimmed with silver, one do. pinchbeck, .
0 18 0
One dozen of stone plates, mugs, bowls, tea pots, &c., 1 12 0
Two good razors; a number of books ; Latin history, &c.,
2 00
One dozen of spoons, porringers, &c., to the value of
1 16 0
One daniask cloth. New buckskin breeches, .
2 80
Damage to my house, ninety-four squares of glass,
4 00
Forty-two wooden sashes broke to pieces,
2 00
Two desks broke, clock, cans, &c.,
1 00
£103 70 The above is a true copy from the original that was taken in and sworn to by Major Fuller and others, with some additional things.
JONATIIAN HARRINGTON.
LYDIA WINSHIP.
Lexington, January 23d, 1783.
This may certify, to whom it may concern, that I, the subscri- ber, lost, on the nineteenth of April, 1775, by the British troops, in household furniture, wearing apparel, and in money, more than I can replace with the sum of sixty-six pounds, thirteen shillings and four pence. . . £66 13 4
LYDIA WINSHIP.
.
.
.
688
EXCURSION OF THE KING'S TROOPS. [April 19,
JOHN MASON.
The loss and damage I sustained by the British troops, on the nineteenth of April, 1775, in sundry articles of clothing and household furniture, &c. &c., was . . £14 13 4 JOHN MASON.
Lexington, January 23d, 1783. -
MATTHEW MEAD.
The account of the loss that I sustained by the British troops, on the nineteenth of April, 1775, amounts to one hundred and one pounds, agreeably to the present value of those things that I lost. £101 0 0 MATTHEW MEAD.
BENJAMIN MERRIAM.
The following is a true and just account of the damage sustained by Ben- jamin Meriam, by the ravages of the British troops, in the town of Lexing- ton, on the nineteenth day of April, 1775.
Real Estate, . £6 00
Personal Property, .
. 217 4 0
BENJAMIN MERRIAM.
NATHANIEL FARMER.
The following is a just and true account of what damages and losses I sustained, by the wanton ravages and depredations of the troops of his Brit- ish majesty, under the command of Lord Percy, on their return from Con- cord, on the nineteenth of April, 1775, viz. :
To the wearing apparel of my family, consisting of seven per- sons, together with my bedding, . £26 00
To the furniture of three rooms, muchi damaged and carried
16 00 off, . . To damage done my house and shop windows, 4 10 0
£46 10 0
NATHANIEL FARMER.
THOMAS FESSENDEN.
The following is a just and true account of the damages I sustained, by the wanton ravages of the British troops, under the command of Lord Per- cy, on the nineteenth of April, 1775, in their return from Concord, viz .:
To damage done my house and windows, and fences, . . £6 00
1775.]
EXCURSION OF THE KING'S TROOPS. 689
To the wearing apparel of my whole family, consisting of sev- .
en persons, .
25 0 0
'To the bedding and furniture of four rooms, with several arti- cles of plate,
75 0 0
To one horse and chaise stolen and carried to Boston, 38 0 0
To sundry pieces of broadcloth, and many other articles in my trading shop,
20 0 0
£164 00
THOMAS FESSENDEN.
Lexington, January 23, 1783.
BENJAMIN FISKE.
The losses that I sustained, April 19th, 1775:
Four fine Holland shirts,
· £3 13 0
One sash window, .
.
. 0 18 0
One black silk apron,
0 15 0
One gold ring,
0 15 0
One stone ear ring,
0 12 0
One pair stone sleeve buttons,
0 12 0
One black gauze handkerchief,
0 90
One black barcelona do.
0 60
Two pair cotton hose,
0 18 0
To cash,
.0
One quart pewter basin,
.
0 20
£9 70
BENJAMIN FISKE.
JEREMIAH HARRINGTON.
I lost on the nineteenth of April, 1775, the following articles :
One broadcloth great coat, £3 6 0
One pair goatskin breeches,
0 19 0
One pair cotton and linen sheets, .
. 1 6 8
Three yards calico, at Gs per yard,
0 18 0
One yard and a quarter tow cloth,
0 1 10
Four linen handkerchiefs, .
08 0
'Two diaper towels,
02 0
Ten yards tow cloth,
0 15 0
One pewter platter,
02 5
Eight pewter plates,
·
1 4 0
Six pint porringers,
· 0 16 0
.
.
.
.
.
.
·
87
·
690
EXCURSION OF THE KING'S TROOPS. [April 19,
Six spoons, .
.
·
.
0 4 0
One pair hose,
.
.
.
. 030
One pair shoes,
0 90
£11 13 11
JEREMIAH HARRINGTON.
ROBERT HARRINGTON.
An account of the damage done by the British troops, on the nineteenth of April, 1775 :
To clothing and linen to the amount of £12 0 0
ROBERT HARRINGTON.
JOSHUA BOND.
The following is a true and just account of the damages sustained by Joshua Bond, by the ravages of the British troops, in the town of Lexing- ton, on the 19th day of April, 1775.
One dwelling-house and shop, £54 00
Personal property, .
135 16 7
JOSHUA BOND.
BENJAMIN BROWN.
A true and just account of the loss and damage sustained by the wanton cruelty and barbarity of the British troops, on the 19th of April, 1775, in real property, and in household furniture and wearing apparel, &c. &c.
Real property,
£7 00
Personal estate,
.
·
35 00
N. B. Having delivered to a committee, sent by the great and general court or convention, a list of the articles valued separately and distinctly, the subscriber has nothing more to deliver in now, than the total of the whole as above.
Lexington, January 20, 1783.
HEPZIBETH DAVIS.
Lost at Concord fight :
One pair of sheets,
. £0 18 0
Two pair of pillow cases,
0 80
Three napkins,
0 40
Two table cloths,
0 40
Three smocks,
.
.
. 0 13 6
.
. ·
.
.
·
·
.
BENJAMIN BROWN.
.
1775.]
EXCURSION OF THE KING'S TROOPS.
691
Three aprons,
0 60
Shoes, caps and other articles,
2 80
£5 16
her
HEPZIBETH X DAVIS.
mark.
BENJAMIN ESTABROOK. Lexington, January 27, 1783.
This may certify, that I, the subscriber, lost, on the 19th of April, 1775, by the British troops, in damages to my buildings and furniture, and provis- ions carried away, more than I can replace now for twelve pounds.
BENJAMIN ESTABROOK.
SAMUEL BEMIS.
An account of damages, and plundering from me, by the king's troops, on their return from Concord, on the 19th of April, 1775:
About twelve panes of window glass, ·
.
. £0 12 0
One pair of sheets and pillow cases, .
.
.
.
Part of a timepiece,
·
.
·
1 16 0
A looking glass,
.
.
0 68
Two boxes, with sundries,
0 70
£4 88
SAMUEL BEMIS.
NATHAN BLODGET.
This is to certify, that the following is a just and true account of the dam- ages and waste 1 sustained, by the ravages of the troops, under the com- mand of Lord Percy, on the 19th of April, 1775, viz. :
My wearing apparel, namely: two coats, one pair of breeches, one beaver hat, and sundry other articles, . £18 00
Lexington, January 22, 1783.
NATHAN BLODGET.
ELIZABETH SAMSON.
This may certify, to whom it may concern, that I, the subscri- ber, lost, on the 19th of April, 1775, by the British troops, in wearing apparel, more than I can replace with the sum of . £10 0 0 ELIZABETH SAMSON.
1 70
Lexington, January 23d, 1783.
.
692
EXCURSION OF THE KING'S TROOPS. [April 19,
JONATHAN SMITH, JR.
The account of the things that I lost by the British troops, on the 19th of April, 1775 :
Three silver spoons,
.
. £0 12 0
One pair of silver buckles,
0 18 0
One pair of sleeve buttons,
0 68
One satin bonnet and cloak,
3 12 0
One hat and one pair of shoes,
1 10 0
Two pewter porringers,
0 20
One block-tin tea pot, .
0 12 0
One blanket, ·
0 18 0
To a number of other articles,
2 20
Damage done to the house,
3 00
£13 12 8
JONATHAN SMITH, JR.
JOHN WILLIAMS.
A true and just account of the damages received by the British king's troops, under the command of Lord Percy, April 19, 1775:
To damage done to my house and fence,
£3 10 0
To wearing apparel and household furniture, . .
33 5 0 ·
- Sum total,
·
. £36 15 0
JOHN WILLIAMS.
Lexington, January 23, 1783.
JOHN WINSHIP.
Taken by the British troops the 19th of April, 1775:
Two suits of clothes, valued at twelve pounds, lawful money, . £12 0 0
JOHN WINSHIP.
Lexington, January 23, 1783.
MARGARET WINSHIP.
This is to certify, that the following is a just and true account of the dam- ages and waste I sustained, by the ravages of the troops under the com- mand of Lord Percy, on the 19th of April, 1775, viz .:
My wearing apparel and bedding, with sundry articles of plate, £15 0 0 Also the furniture of two rooms, much damaged and carried off, 6 00
.
.
.
1775.]
EXCURSION OF THE KING'S TROOPS.
693
Damages done to my house and windows,
1 10 0
£22 10 0
MARGARET WINSHIP.
Lexington, January 22, 1783.
MARRETT MUNROE.
Damage done by the British troops, the 19th of April, 1775, to my prop- erty carried off, to the amount of five pounds and six pence, . £5 0 6 MARRETT MUNROE.
WILLIAM MUNROE.
The account of things taken away and destroyed by the British troops, April 19, 1775 :
Household furniture and clothing,
.
£83 11 9
In the retail shop, .
. 90 00
£173 11 9
Damage of real property, .
. 30 00
WILLIAM MUNROE.
AMOS MUZZY.
April 19, 1775.
An account of what damage the British troops did me that day :
To breaking glass windows,
. £6 14 0
To one looking-glass,
.
.
· 7 10 0
To crockery ware, .
.
· 2 00
To damage to real estate, .
2 00
£18 40
AMOS MUZZY.
LYDIA MULLIKEN.
An account of the real and personal property belonging to the widow Lydia Mulliken and her son, destroyed and carried off by the British troops, in their ravages in said town, on the 19th of April, 1775:
One mansion house and shop, £128 00
Household furniture,
. 106 12 0
My wearing apparel, and that of five of my family,
. 98 18 8
A number of valuable clocks and clockmaker's tools, . 105 10 0
£431 00
The above account is computed at the lowest rate that things can be purchased at this day.
LYDIA MULLIKEN.
694 EXCURSION OF THE KING'S TROOPS. [April 19, 1774.
WILLIAM MUNROE.
An account of the loss and damage sustained by William Munroe, late of Lexington, destroyed by the ravages of the British troops, on the 19th of April, 1775, viz .:
Household goods and furniture, . · £9 00 ISAAC REED, one of the heirs to said estate. Lexington, January 24, 1783.
PAPERS
RELATING TO
TICONDEROGA AND CROWN POINT.
Benedict Arnold to the Committee of Safety.
Cambridge, April 30, 1775.
GENTLEMEN :- You have desired me to state the number of cannon, &c., at Ticonderoga, I have certain information, that there are at Ticonderoga, eighty pieces of heavy cannon ; twenty brass guns from four to eighteen, pounders ; and ten or twelve large mortars. At Skenesborough, on the south bay, there are three or four brass cannon. The fort is in a ruinous condition, and has not more than fifty men, at the most. There are large numbers of small arms, and considerable stores, and a sloop of seventy or eighty tons on the lake. The place could not hold out an hour against a vigorous onset.
Your most obedient servant,
BENEDICT ARNOLD.
Hon Joseph Warren, and the honorable Committee of Safety.
Committee of Safety to the Congress of New York.
Cambridge, April 30, 1775.
GENTLEMEN :- It has been proposed to us to take possession of the for- tress of Ticonderoga. We have a just sense of the importance of that forti- fication, and the usefulness of the fine cannon, mortars, and field pieces which are there. But we would not, even on this emergency, infringe upon the rights of our sister colony of New York; but we have desired the gen- tleman who will carry this letter, to represent the matter to you, that you may give such orders as are agreeable to you.
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