April 19: Freedom’s Birthday

Americans revere a great number of dates that hold special significance for their culture and history. The Fourth of July, Veterans Day, the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. — a quick glance through any calendar provides numerous other examples.

Yet the one day of most importance, to both the nation and its culture, is the one that is conspicuously absent from any mention of notable historical dates. No parades honor the fallen; no speeches in Congress remind us of their deeds; no wreaths are laid; no moments of silence requested.

On this sacred date no president will stand on hallowed ground to remind the American people of the important lessons of the nation’s founding: dedication to freedom — and the example of that principle borne out in dramatic practice.

The day Americans should mark on their calendar every year is April 19. On that day, 229 years ago, patriot militiamen from the New England countryside rose up against brute force, tyranny, and oppression. In so doing, they propelled from theory into vivid reality a revolutionary idea: the supremacy of the individual over government.

The story begins, of course, long before the actual day itself. For years tensions had been increasing between the North American colonials and their masters in the British government. Disputes over taxes and other British policies had resulted in protests, riots, and boycotts. The Stamp Act, the Revenue Act, the “Boston Massacre,” and the climactic Boston Tea Party were the culmination of a decade of growing conflict. As a result, the city of Boston was garrisoned with large numbers of British troops and its harbor was sealed off to prevent trade under the Boston Port Act, impoverishing the city, and further angering the colonials.

In July 1774, Thomas Jefferson penned A Summary View of the Rights of British America in response to the government’s oppressive measures. “Single acts of tyranny may be ascribed to the accidental opinion of the day,” he wrote, “but a series of oppressions, begun at a distinguished period, and pursued unalterably thro’ every change of ministers, too plainly prove a deliberate, systematical plan of reducing us to slavery.”

The colonials, particularly those in Boston, had tasted the bit of heavy-handed government and found it not at all to their liking.

Attempts to bully the colonials into submitting to British designs were not, however, confined to occupation troops, taxes, and trade laws. In his book A Right to Bear Arms, noted Second Amendment scholar and lawyer Stephen P. Halbrook writes,

The last part of 1774 through the first half of 1775 was characterized by systematic British attempts to disarm the Americans…. In September 1774, the Crown-appointed counselors of Boston considered banning possession of arms by the people, leading to widespread protests. Militia stores were confiscated in Massachusetts and Virginia; in Virginia, George Mason and George Washington formed the Fairfax County Militia Association. Interestingly, they were explicitly aware of the quasi-illegal nature of their actions, noting that “our governors forbid giving assent to militia laws,” making it “high time that we enter into associations for learning the use of arms, and to choose officers.”

In South Carolina, a militant writer suggested that “the inhabitants of this colony … ought … never to be without the most ample supply of arms and ammunition” and that they should ready themselves “for the defence of this valuable country.” Philadelphia raised five regiments of militia. A resident of the city, Joseph Barroll, wrote to a friend in England, “We are ready to die free, but determined not to live slaves…. Oppression will make a wise man mad; you will soon be made acquainted with the Spirit of the times.”

In New England, as elsewhere, conditions were reaching a boiling point. Tensions between government officials and colonial agitators were rising toward inevitable conflict. In May 1774, Parliament passed laws removing the last vestiges of popular control of the colony of Massachusetts, including, according to John Galvin in The Minute Men, “the right to name the Governor’s Council, to elect judges, sheriffs, and justices of the peace, to summon juries, and to hold town meetings.”

Furthermore, “Colonists accused of crimes could be carried out of Massachusetts to Admiralty Courts in Halifax, Nova Scotia, for trial. Few acts,” concludes Galvin, “could have done more to destroy hope for a peaceful settlement of differences.”

August 1774 brought an angry letter from Gen. Thomas Gage, the newly appointed governor of Massachusetts, to his superior, Lord Dartmouth, in England:

In Worcester they keep no terms; openly threatening resistance by arms; have been purchasing arms; preparing them; casting balls; and providing powder; and threaten to attack any troops who dare to oppose them. Worse, 2,000 armed colonial militiamen had marched on the common in Worcester on August 26 to demonstrate their resistance to royal judges taking their seats there the following month.

On September 1, Gage ordered 260 soldiers to secure the “King’s powder” held in the Quarry Hill arsenal in Charlestown — the patriot towns in the surrounding area had already withdrawn their stores — and the move caused an uproar among the colonials. The government had demonstrated its willingness to act decisively against threats of rebellion.

Yet colonial anger only mounted. When the court at Worcester was due to open on September 6, 6,000 militiamen under arms stood ready to prevent it and if necessary fight against the king’s soldiers. None arrived. Worried about the “flames of sedition” that had “spread universally throughout the country, beyond conception,” Gage was obliged to stand down and allow British law to be successfully challenged by armed force.

Galvin writes “For the first time many provincials began to believe that a revolution was indeed possible,” providing further impetus to a growing movement of organized armed resistance to the British Crown.

Right through the autumn and winter of 1774 and the spring of 1775 the two sides prepared for hostilities. The patriots continued to arm themselves and form independent militia companies. Meanwhile British troops continually marched around Massachusetts in “show of force” operations designed to intimidate the colonials and weaken their determination to resist the government. Instead, these actions only strengthened patriot resolve to be prepared, should the need arise, to defend against any clear aggression.

That opportunity would present itself in April. The fourth of that month brought news from London that more troops were en route to reinforce Boston and that Parliament had declared the province to be in a state of rebellion. Gage was under pressure to force the rebels into a fight. Dartmouth had written to him that the colonial militiamen were merely “a rude rabble without plan, without concert, and without conduct,” intending for Gage to press a military solution to American resistance.

Lexington and Concord Receiving word of large stocks of military supplies being hidden in the village of Concord, roughly 20 miles from Boston, Gage saw his chance to strike a major blow against the growing rebellion. Forming an expeditionary force of around 700 men, to be led by Lt. Col. Francis Smith, Gage ordered that the militia stockpiles in Concord be seized and destroyed. The troops moved out from their Boston garrison at around 9 p.m. on April 18, crossing the Charles River and heading into the countryside.

Naturally, British movements did not go unnoticed. Patriot riders Paul Revere and William Dawes were given the signal from Boston’s Old North Church to warn the surrounding towns and villages, and news spread fast of the army’s march. Militia leaders had begun mustering their men by early in the morning of April 19, as the British soldiers were well on their way towards Concord.

In Lexington, Capt. John Parker gathered his men. Their plan was to form on the village green but not interfere with the British march unless attempts were made to damage the town or harass its inhabitants. Seventy-six militia members formed into ranks and awaited the army’s arrival.

They came shortly after sunrise — and marched right into the midst of the vastly outnumbered colonials. The lead officer in the British ranks, Major Pitcairn, shouted at the militia, “Ye villains, ye rebels disperse! Lay down your arms!” As the British soldiers moved to surround them, several of the colonials fired, only to be devastated by a return barrage from the British light infantry. The soldiers then went berserk, firing mercilessly into the militia lines without orders. When their officers regained control, eight Americans lay dead and nine wounded. Within half an hour, the army was marching on to Concord.

Like wildfire, news of the bloodshed at Lexington spread to surrounding communities, and more and more militia companies started on their way to intercept the British. None among the soldiers could know that Middlesex County, of which Concord was the geographical center, boasted 6,000 organized militia fighters prepared to respond on a moment’s notice — but they soon would. Before the day was through, approximately 14,000 militiamen would be swarming like hornets around the unsuspecting British force.

Marching into Concord around 8 a.m., the soldiers began their search for the militia provisions hidden there, and moved to hold several strategic positions in and around the village. As this took place, colonial militiamen began taking position on the outskirts of the town.

A militia unit under Col. James Barrett faced three companies of soldiers at the Old North Bridge. At around 10:30 a.m. one of Barrett’s adjutants saw a plume of smoke rising from the center of Concord (the stores had finally been found). “Will you let them burn the town?” the adjutant asked his commander. The Americans mistook the smoke as a sign of general plundering. Naturally, this lent a greater sense of urgency to the need for decisive action.

Colonel Barrett then ordered his men to march over the bridge and into the town. Alarmed by the large number of armed men approaching, the British soldiers retreated across the bridge and prepared to defend it, tearing up planks to prevent the militia from crossing the bridge after them. When the militia came to within 75 yards of the British ranks, the soldiers fired on the militia, killing two men instantly and wounding three others. The colonials responded with a volley of their own, wounding four British officers, a sergeant, and six privates (two fatally). Falling back in confusion, the soldiers fled the field of battle, leaving the bridge in the hands of the militia.

Things were not looking good for the British. On the ridges and hills surrounding Concord, Colonel Smith saw that the force opposing him was growing larger and larger with each passing minute. “Every time Colonel Smith brought his glass to bear on the hill beyond the North Bridge,” notes Galvin, “the force of rebels there seemed to have grown…. On the south side of town … armed rebels in large numbers — at least 100 of them, possibly more — had crossed the South Bridge and were moving through the swampy ground” to take up tactical positions. After much maneuvering, the colonel gathered his troops and prepared to make haste back to Boston, lest his relatively small force be consumed by the (now) vastly superior numbers gathering to oppose them.

For several hours more the battle would rage. Marching through the towns they had encountered on the way up to Concord, the British faced a far different situation on their return journey. Racing ahead of the column, colonial units took up positions in houses and behind walls along the road and fired into the British ranks.

The fighting was at close range, and brutal. The historian Page Smith, in A New Age Now Begins, writes that on the way back to Boston the British were “harassed at every step by New England militia and, indeed, by every farmer with a gun, who fired at them from the houses that lined the road and from behind the tree stumps and fences…. Every mile was paid for in British dead and wounded.”

Colonel Smith’s tattered units were saved only by a large relief column armed with cannon hurriedly sent out from Boston. Were it not for those reinforcements, the militia would have completely overwhelmed his force. In fact, despite reinforcements the British were still aware of their precarious situation and continued their retreat.

Back in Boston, they took stock of themselves: in all, 73 soldiers killed and 174 wounded — more than 30 percent casualties. The Americans had exacted a heavy toll. Making matters worse, more than 20,000 militiamen now held Boston under siege. Following the battle, one soldier wrote home, “I cannot be sure when you will get another letter from me, as this extensive continent is all in arms against us.”

As the British soldiers moved to surround them, several of the colonials fired, only to be devastated by a return barrage from the British light infantry.

Oh really? The colonials fired first??

Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789

THURSDAY, MAY 11, 1775

...

The depositions relative to the commencement of hostilities, are as follows:

No. 1.Lexington, April 25, 1775.

We, Solomon Brown, Jonathan Loring, and Elijah Sanderson, all of lawful Age, and of Lexington, in the County of Middlesex, and Collony of the Massachusett Bay, in New England, do testifie and declare, that on the evening of the Eighteenth of April, Instant, being on the Road between Concord and Lexington, and all of us mounted on Horses, we were, about ten of the Clock, suddenly surprized by nine Persons, whom we took to be Regular Officers, who Rode up to us, mounted and armed, each having a Pistol in His Hand, and after Putting Pistols to our Breasts, and seizing the Bridles of our Horses, they swore, that if we stirred another step, we should be all Dead Men, upon which we surrendered our selves. They Detained us until Two o'Clock the next morning, in which time they searched and greatly abused us; having first enquired about the Magazine at Concord, whether any Guards were posted there, and whether the bridges were up, and said four or five Regiments of Regulars would be in Possession of the stores soon; they then brought us back to Lexington, eat the Horses Bridles and Girts, turned them Loose, and then Left us.

Solomon Brown,
Jonathan Loring,
Elijah Sanderson.

Middlesex, ff. April 25, 1775.

Jonn Loring, Solomon Brown, and Elijah Sanderson, being duly cautioned to Testify the whole Truth, made solemn Oath to the Truth of the above Deposition by them subscribed.

Coram

Just. Pacis.

William Reed

Josiah Johnson

William Stickney

Lexington, April 25, 1775.

I, Elijah Saunderson, above named, do further testifie and declare, that I was on Lexington Common, the Morning of the Nineteenth of April, aforesaid, having been dismissed by the Officers abovementioned, and saw a Large Body of Regular Troops advancing toward Lexington Company, many of whom were then dispersing. I heard one of the Regulars, whom I took to be an officer, say, "Damn them, we will have them," and immediately the Regulars shouted aloud, Run and fired upon the Lexington Company, which did not fire a Gun before the Regulars Discharged on them; Eight of the Lexington Company were killed while they were dispersing, and at a Considerable Distance from each other, and Many wounded, and altho' a spectator, I narrowly Escaped with my Life.

Elijah Saunderson.

Middlesex, ff. April 25, 1775.

Elijah Saunderson, above named, being Duly Cautioned to Testify the whole Truth, made Solemn Oath to the Truth of the above Deposition by him subscribed.

Coram.

William Reed

Josiah Johnson

William Stickney

Just. Pacis.

No. 2.Lexington, April 23, 1775.

I, Thomas Rice Willard, of lawful age, do Testify and Declare, that being in the House of Daniel Harrington,2 of said Lexington, on the Nineteenth Instant, in the morning, about half an hour before sunrise, [I] looked out at the window of said house, and saw (as I suppose) about four hundred Regulars in one Body, coming up the road, and marched toward the north part of the Common, back of the meeting-house of said Lexington; and as soon as said Regulars were against the east end of the meeting-house, the Commanding Officer said something, what I know not; but upon that the Regulars ran till they came within about eight or nine rods of about an Hundred of the Militia of Lexington, who were collected on said Common, at which time the Militia of Lexington dispersed; then the Officers made an huzza, and the private Soldiers succeeded them: Directly after this, an officer rode before the Regulars to the other side of the body, and hallooed after the Militia of said Lexington, and said, "Lay Down your Arms, Damn you, why Don't you lay Down your arms?" and that there was not a Gun fired till the Militia of Lexington were Dispersed; and further saith not.

Thomas Rice Willard.

No. 3.Lexington, April 25, 1775.

Simon Winship, of Lexington, in the County of Middlesex, and province of Massachusetts Bay, New England, being of lawful age, testifieth and saith, that on the Nineteenth of April Instant, about four o'Clock in the Morning, as he was passing the Publick Road in said Lexington, peaceably and unarmed, about two miles and an half distant from the meeting-House in said Lexington, he was met by a Body of the Kings regular Troops, and being stop'd by some Officers of said Troops, was Commanded to Dismount; upon asking why he must dismount, he was obliged by force to Quit his Horse, and ordered to march in the midst of the Body, and being Examined whether he had been Warning the Minute Men, he answered No, but had been out, and was then returning to his fathers. Said Winship further testifies, that he marched with said Troops, untill he came within about half-a-Quarter of a Mile of said meeting-House, where an Officer commanded the Troops to halt, and then to prime and load: this being done, the said Troops marched on till they came within a few Rods of Captain Parkers Company, who were partly collected on the place of parade, when said Winship observed an Officer at the head of said Troops, flourishing his Sword, and with a Loud Voice, giving the word fire, fire, which was instantly followed by a Discharge of Arms from said regular Troops, and said Winship is positive, and in the most solemn manner declares, that there was no Discharge of arms on either side, till the word fire was given, by the said Officer as above.

Simon Winship.

No. 4.Lexington, April 25, 1775.

I, John Parker, of lawful Age, and Commander of the Militia in Lexington, do testify and declare, that on the 19th Instant in the Morning, about one of the Clock, being informed that there were a Number of Regular Officers, riding up and down the Road, stopping and insulting People as they passed the Road; and also was informed that a Number of Regular Troops were on their March from Boston in order to take the Province Stores at Concord, ordered our Militia to meet on the Common in said Lexington to consult what to do, and concluded not to be discovered, nor meddle or make with said Regular Troops (if they should approach) unless they should insult or molest us; and, upon their sudden Approach, I immediately ordered our Militia to disperse, and not to fire:--Immediately said Troops made their appearance and rushed furiously, fired upon, and killed eight of our Party without receiving any Provocation therefor from us.

John Parker.

No. 5.Lexington, April 24, 1775.

I, John Robins, being of lawful Age, do Testifye and say, that on the Nineteenth Instant, the Company under the Command of Captain John Parker, being drawn up (sometime before sun Rise) on the Green or Common, and I being in the front Rank, there suddenly appear'd a Number of the Kings Troops, about a Thousand, as I thought, at the distance of about 60 or 70 yards from us Huzzaing, and on a quick pace towards us, with three Officers in their front on Horse Back, and on full Gallop towards us, the foremost of which cryed, throw down your Arms ye Villains, ye Rebels! upon which said Company Dispersing, the foremost of the three Officers order'd their Men, saying, fire, by God, fire! at which Moment we received a very heavy and close fire from them, at which Instant, being wounded, I fell, and several of our men were shot Dead by me. Captain Parker's men I believe had not then fired a Gun, and further the Deponent saith not.

John Robins.

No. 6.Lexington, April 25, 1775.

We, Benjamin Tidd, of Lexington, and Joseph Abbot, of Lincoln, in the County of Middlesex, and Colony of Massachusetts Bay, in New England, of lawful age, do testify and Declare that, on the morning of the Nineteenth of April Instant, about 5 o'Clock, being on Lexington Common, and mounted on Horses, we saw a Body of regular Troops Marching up to the Lexington Company, which was then dispersing: Soon after, the regulars fired, first, a few guns, which we took to be pistols from some of the Regulars who were mounted on Horses, and then the said Regulars fired a Volley or two before any guns were fired by the Lexington Company; our Horses immediately started, and we rode off. And further say not.

Benjamin Tidd,
Joseph Abbot.

No. 7.Lexington, April 25, 1775.

We, Nathaniel Mullikin, Phillip Russell, Moses Harrington, jun. Thomas and Daniel Harrington, William Grimes, William Tidd, Isaac Hastings, Jonas Stone, jun. James Wyman, Thaddeus Harrington, John Chandler, Joshua Reed, jun. Joseph Simonds, Phineas Smith, John Chandler, jun. Reuben Lock, Joel Viles, Nathan Reed, Samuel Tidd, Benjamin Lock, Thomas Winship, Simeon Snow, John Smith, Moses Harrington the 3d, Joshua Reed, Ebenezer Parker, John Harrington, Enoch Wellington, John Hosmer, Isaac Green, Phineas Stearns, Isaac Durant, and Thomas Headley,2 jun. all of Lawful age, and Inhabitants of Lexington in the County of Middlesex, and Colony of the Massachusetts Bay, in New England, do testify and declare, that on the 19th of April instant, about one or two o'Clock in the morning, being Informed that several officers of the Regulars had, the evening before, been riding up and down the Road, and had detained and Insulted the Inhabitants passing the same; and also understanding that a body of Regulars were marching from Boston towards Concord, with intent (as it was supposed) to take the Stores, belonging to the Colony, in that town, we were alarmed, and having met at the place of our Company's Parade, were dismissed by our Captain, John Parker, for the Present, with orders to be ready to attend at the beat of the drum. We further testify and declare, that about five o'Clock in the morning, hearing our drum heat, we proceeded towards the Parade, and soon found that a Large body of troops were marching towards us: Some of our Company were coming up to the Parade, and others had reached it; at which time the Company began to disperse: Whilst our backs were Turned on the Troops, we were fired on by them, and a number of our men were Instantly killed and wounded. Not a Gun was fired, by any Person in our Company, on the Regulars, to our knowledge, before they fired on us, and they continued Firing untill we had all made our Escape.

[Signed by each of the above deponents.]

No. 8.Lexington, April 25, 1775.

We, Nathanael Parkhurst, Jonas Parker, John Munroe, jun. John Winship, Solomon Pierce, John Muzzy, Abner Meeds, John Bridge, jun. Ebenezer Bowman, William Munroe the 3d, Micah Hager, Samuel Saunderson, Samuel Hastings, and James Brown, of Lexington, in the County of Middlesex, and Colony of the Massachusetts Bay, in New England, and all of Lawfull age, do Testify and Say, that, on the Morning of the Nineteenth of April Instant, about one or two o'Clock, being informed, that a Number of Regular Officers had been Riding up and down the Road the evening and night preceding, and that some of the Inhabitants, as they were passing, had been Insulted by the Officers, and stopped by them; and being also Informed, that the Regular Troops were on their March from Boston, in order (as it was said) to take the Colony Stores, then Deposited at Concord, we met on the Parade of our Company in this town; After the Company had Collected, we were Ordered, by Captain Parker, (who Commanded us) to Disperse for the Present, and to be Ready to attend the beat of the Drum, and Accordingly the Company went into houses near the place of Parade. We further Testify and Say, that, about five o'Clock in the morning, we attended the beat of our Drum, and were formed on the Parade; we were faced towards the Regulars then marching up to us, and some of our Company were comeing to the parade with their backs towards the Troops, and Others on the parade, began to Disperse when the Regulars fired on the Company, before a Gun was fired by any of our company on them. They killed eight of our company, and wounded several, and continued their fire, untill we had all made our escape.

[Signed by each of the deponents.]

No. 9.Lexington, April 25, 1775.

I, Timothy Smith, of Lexington, in the County of Middlesex, and Colony of Massachusetts bay, in New England, being of lawful age, do testify and declare, that, on the morning of the nineteenth of April instant, being at Lexington Common, as a spectator, I saw a large body of regular troops marching up towards the Lexington company, then dispersing, and likewise saw the regular troops fire on the Lexington company, before the latter fired a gun; I immediately ran, and a volley was discharged at me, which put me in imminent danger of losing my life; I soon returned to the Common, and saw eight of the Lexington men who were killed, and lay bleeding at a considerable distance from each other; and several were wounded: And further saith not.

Timothy Smith.

No. 10.Lexington, April 25, 1775.

We, Levi Mead and Levi Harrington, both of Lexington, in the County of Middlesex, and Colony of the Massachusetts bay, in New England, and of lawfull age, do Testify and Declare, that on the morning of the Nineteenth of April, being on Lexington Common, as spectators, we saw a Large body of Regular Troops marching up towards the Lexington Company, and some of the Regulars, on Horses, whom we took to be officers, Fired a Pistol or two on the Lexington Company, which were then dispersing: These were the First Guns that were Fired, and they were immediately followed by several volleys from the Regulars, by which Eight men, belonging to said Company, were killed, and several wounded.

Levi Harrington,
Levi Mead.

No. 11.Lexington, April 25, 1775.

I, William Draper, of lawful Age, and an Inhabitant of Colrain, in the County of Hampshire, and Colony of Massachusetts Bay, in New England, do testify and Declare, that, being on the Parade of said Lexington, April 19th Instant, about half an hour before sunrise, the King's Regular Troops appeared at the meeting House of Lexington. Captain Parkers Company, who were drawn up back of said meeting house on the Parade, turned from said Troops, making their escape, by dispersing; in the mean time, the Regular Troops made an huzza, and ran towards Captain Parkers Company, who were dispersing, and, immediately after the huzza was made, the Commanding Officer of said troops (as I took him) gave the command to the said troops, "fire! fire! damn you, fire!" and immediately, they fired before any of Captain Parkers Company fired, I then being within three or four Rods of said Regular Troops: And further say not.

William Draper.

No. 12. Lexington, April 23, 1775.

I, Thomas Fessenden, of Lawful age, testify and Declare, that, being in a Pasture near the meeting house, at said Lexington, on Wednesday last, at about half an hour before sunrise, I saw a number of Regular troops pass speedily by said meeting house, on their way towards a Company of Militia of said Lexington, who were assembled to the number of about one hundred in a company, at the Distance of eighteen or twenty rods from said meeting house; and after they had passed by said meeting house, I saw three Officers, on horseback, advance to the front of said Regulars, when one of them, being within six rods of the said Militia, cryed out, "Disperse, you Rebels, immediately," on which he Brandished his sword over his head three times; meanwhiles the second Officer, who was about two rods behind him, fired a Pistol, pointed at said Militia, and the Regulars kept huzzaing till he had finished brandishing his sword, and when he had thus finished brandishing his sword, he pointed it Down towards said Militia, and immediately on which the said Regulars fired a Volley at the Militia, and then I ran off as fast as I could, while they continued firing, till I got out of their reach. I further testify, that as soon as ever the officer Cryed "Disperse, you rebels," the said Company of Militia dispersed every way, as fast as they could, and, while they were Dispersing, the regulars kept firing at them incessantly: And further saith not.

Thomas Fessenden.

No. 13. Lincoln, April 23, 1775.

I, John Bateman, belonging to the fifty-second regiment, commanded by Colonel Jones, on Wednesday morning, on the nineteenth Day of April instant, was in the Party marching to Concord, being at Lexington, in the County of Middlesex, being nigh the meeting house in said Lexington, there was a small party of men gathered together in that place, when our said troops marched by, and I Testify and Declare, that I heard the word of command given to the Troops to fire, and some of said Troops Did fire, and I saw one of said small party lay Dead on the ground nigh said meeting house; and I testify, that I never heard any of the Inhabitants so much as fire one gun on said Troops.

John Bateman.

No. 14.Lexington, April 23, 1775.

We, John Hoar, John Whithead, Abraham Garfield, Benjamin Munroe, Isaac Parks, William Hosmer, John Adams, Gregory Stone, all of Lincoln, in the County of Middlesex, Massachusetts Bay, all of lawfull age, do testify and say, that, on Wednesday last, we were assembled at Concord, in the morning of said Day, in Consequence of information received, that a Brigade of Regular Troops were on their march to the said town of Concord, who had killed six men at the Town of Lexington; About an hour afterwards we saw them approaching, to the Number, as we Apprehended, of about Twelve hundred, on which we retreated to a Hill about Eighty Rods back, and the said Troops then took Possession of the Hill, where we were first Posted; presently after this, we saw the Troops moving towards the North Bridge, about one Mile from the said Concord Meeting House; we then immediately went before them and passed the Bridge just before a party of them, to the Number of about two hundred, arrived; They there left about one half of their two hundred at the Bridge, and proceeded, with the rest, towards Col. Barretts, about two Miles from the said Bridge; we then seeing several fires in the Town, thought the Houses in Concord were in danger, and Marched towards the said Bridge; and the Troops that were stationed there, observing our approach, marched back over the Bridge and then took up some of the Plank; we then hastened our March towards the Bridge, and when we had got near the Bridge, they fired on our men, first three Guns, one after the other, and then a Considerable Number more; and then, and not before (having orders from our Commanding Officers not to fire till we were fired upon) we fired upon the Regulars and they Retreated. On their Retreat through the Town of Lexington to Charlestown, they Ravaged and destroyed private property, and burnt three Houses one Barn and one Shop.

[Signed by each of the above dependents.]

No. 15.Lexington, April 23, 1775.

We, Nathan Barrett, Captain; Jonathan Farrar, Joseph Butler, and Francis Wheeler, Lieutenants; John Barrett, Ensign; John Brown, Silas Walker, Ephraim Melvin, Nathan Buttrick, Stephen Hosmer, Junr. Samuel Barrett, Thomas Jones, Joseph Chandler, Peter Wheeler, Nathan Peirce, and Edward Richardson, all of Concord, in the County of Middlesex, in the province of the Massachusetts Bay, of Lawfull Age, Testify and Declare, that on Wednesday, the Nineteenth Instant, about an Hour after sun rise, we Assembled on a Hill near the meeting House, in Concord aforesaid, in consequence of an information, that a number of regular Troops had killed six of our Countrymen, at Lexington, and were on their march to said Concord; and about an Hour afterwards, we saw them approaching, to the number, as we Imagine, of about Twelve Hundred; on which we retreated to a Hill about Eighty rods back, and the aforesaid Troops then took possession of a Hill where we were first posted. Presently after this, we saw them moving towards the North Bridge, about one mile from the said meeting House; we then immediately went before them, and passed the bridge just before a party of them, to the number of about Two Hundred, arrived. They there left about one half of these two Hundred at the bridge, and proceeded with the rest towards Colonel Barret's, about two miles from the said bridge. We then seing several fires in the Town, thought our houses were in Danger, and immediately march'd back towards said bridge, and the troops who were station'd there, observing our approach, march'd back over the bridge, and then took up some of the planks. We then hastened our Steps towards the bridge, and when we had got near the bridge, they fir'd on our men, first three guns, one after the other, and then a Considerable number more; upon which, and not before, (having orders from our Commanding Officer not to fire till we were fired upon) we fir'd upon the regulars, and they retreated. At Concord, and on their retreat thro' Lexington, they plunder'd many houses, burnt three at Lexington, together with a shop and barn, and committed damage, more or less, to almost every House from Concord to Charlestown.

[Signed by the above deponents.]

We, Joseph Butler, and Ephraim Melvin, do testify and declare, that when the regular troops fir'd upon our people, at the North Bridge, in Concord, as related in the foregoing depositions, they shot one, and we believe two, of our people before we fir'd a single gun at them.

Joseph Butler,
Ephraim Melvin.

No. 16.Concord, April 23, 1775.

I, Timothy Minot, Junr. of Concord, on the ninteenth day of this Instant, April, after that I had heard of the regular troops firing upon Lexington men, and fearing that hostillities might be Committed at Concord, thought it my incumbent Duty to Secure my family. After I had Secured my family, some Time after that, returning towards my own Dwelling, and finding that the bridge on the Northern part of said Concord, were guarded by regular troops, being a Spectator of what had happened at said bridge, declare, that the regular troops Stationed on [said] bridge, after they saw the men that were collected on the westerly side of said Bridge, marched towards said bridge, then the Troops returned towards the easterly side of said bridge, and formed themselves, as I thought, for regular fight: after that they fired one gun, then two or three more, before the men that were stationed on the westerly part of said bridge fired on them.

Timothy Minot, Jun.

No. 17.Lexington, April 23, 1775.

I, James Barrett of Concord Colonel of a Regiment of Militia in the County of Middlesex Do testify and say that on Wednesday Morning last about Day-break I was informed of the approach of a number of the Regular Troops to the Town of Concord where was some Magazines belonging to this Province, when there was assembled some of the Militia of this and the neighbouring Towns, when I order'd them to march to the North Bridge (so called) which they had passed and were taking up, I ordered said Militia to march to said bridge and pass the same, but not to fire on the King's Troops unless they were first fired upon. We advanced neer said bridge, when the said troops fired upon our Militia, and killed two Men dead on the Spot and wounded several others, which was the first firing of Guns in the town of Concord. My Detachment then returned the fire which killed and wounded several of the King's Troops.

James Barrett.

No. 18.Lexington, April 23, 1775.

We, Bradbury Robinson, Samuel Spring, Thaddeus Bancroft, all of Concord; and James Adams, of Lexington, all in the County of Middlesex, all of Lawful age, do testifie and say, that on Wednesday morning last, near ten of the Clock, we saw near one Hundred of the Regular Troops, being in the Town of Concord, at the North Bridge in said Town (so called) and having passed the same, they were taking up said bridge, when about three Hundred of our Militia were advancing toward said bridge, in Order to pass said Bridge, when, without saying any thing to us, they Discharged a Number of guns on us, which killed two men Dead on the spot, and wounded several others; when we returned the fire on them, which killed two of them, and wounded several, which was the Beginning of hostilities in the Town of Concord.

Bradbury Robinson,
Samuel Spring,
Thaddeus Bancroft,
James Adams.

Worcester, April 26, 1775.

Hannah Bradish, of that part of Cambridge, called Menotomy, and daughter of timothy Paine, of Worcester, in the county of Worcester, esq. of lawful age, testifies and says, that about five o'clock on Wednesday last, afternoon, being in her bed-chamber, with her infant child, about eight days old, she was surprised by the firing of the king's troops and our people, on their return from Concord. She being weak and unable to go out of her house, in order to secure herself and family, they all retired into the kitchen, in the back part of the house. She soon found the house surrounded with the king's troops; that upon observation made, at least seventy bullets were shot into the front part of the house; several bullets lodged in the kitchen where she was, and one passed through an easy chair she had just gone from. The door of the front part of the house was broken open; she did not see any soldiers in the house, but supposed, by the noise, they were in the front. After the troops had gone off, she missed the following things, which, she verily believes, were taken out of the house by the king's troops, viz: one rich brocade gown, called a negligée, one lutestring gown, one white quilt, one pair of brocade shoes, three shifts, eight white aprons, three caps, one case of ivory knives and forks, and several other small articles.

Hannah Bradish.

Province of the Massachusetts Bay,
Worcester, ss. April 26, 1775.

Mrs. Hannah Bradish, the above deponent, maketh oath before us, the subscribers, two of his majesty's justices of the peace, for the county of Worcester, and of the quorum, that the above deposition, according to her best recollection, is the truth. Which deposition is taken in perpetuam rei memoriam.

Thomas Steel,
Timothy Paine.

No. 19.Concord, April 23, 1775.

I, James Marr, of Lawful age, Testify and Say, that in the evening of the Eighteenth Instant, I Received Orders from George Hutchinson, Adjutant of the fourth Regiment of the Regular Troops Stationed at Boston, to prepare and march: to which Order I attended, and marched to Concord, where I was ordered by an officer with about one Hundred Men, to guard a certain Bridge there; while attending that service, a Number of People came along, in Order, as I suppose, to Cross said Bridge, at which Time a Number of the Regular Troops first fired upon them.

James Marr.

No. 20.Medford, April 25, 1775.

I, Edward Thoroton Gould, of his Majesty's own Regiment of Foot, being of lawful Age, do testify and declare, that on the Evening of the 18th. Instant, under the Orders of General Gage, I embarked with the Light infantry and Grenadiers of the Line, commanded by Colonel Smith, and landed on the Marshes of Cambridge, from whence we proceeded to Lexington; On our arrival at that place, we saw a Body of provincial Troops armed, to the Number of about sixty or seventy Men; on our Approach, they dispersed, and soon after firing began, but which party fired first, I cannot exactly say, as our Troops rush'd on shouting, and huzzaing, previous to the firing, which was continued by our Troops, so long as any of the provincials were to be seen. From thence we marched to Concord. On a Hill near the Entrance of the Town, we saw another Body of provincials assembled; the light Infantry Companies were ordered up the Hill to disperse them; on our approach, they retreated towards Concord; the Grenadiers continued the Road under the Hill towards the Town. Six Companies of light Infantry were ordered down to take possession of the Bridge, which the provincials retreated over; the Company I commanded was one: three Companies of the above Detachment went forwards about Two Miles; in the mean Time, the provincial Troops returned, to the number of about three or four hundred: We drew up on the Concord side [of] the Bridge, the provincials came down upon us, upon which we engaged and gave the first Fire; This was the first Engagement after the one at Lexington; a continued firing from both parties lasted thro' the whole Day; I myself was wounded at the Attack of the Bridge, and am now treated with the greatest Humanity, and taken all possible Care of by the provincials at Medford.

Edward Thoroton Gould,
Lieut. King's own Regiment.

Province of Massachusetts Bay,
Middlesex County, April 25, 1775.

Lieut. Edward Thoroton Gould, aforenamed, personally made Oath to the Truth of the foregoing Declaration by him subscribed, before us.

Thad. Mason,
Josiah Johnson,
Simon Tufts,

Justices of the peace, for the County aforesaid, quorum unus.

Province of Massachusetts-Bay, Charlestown, ss.

I, Nathaniel Gorham, Notary and tabellion Publick, by lawful Authority duly admitted and sworn, hereby certify, to all whom it doth or may concern, That Thadeus Mason, Josiah Johnson, and Simon Tufts, Esqrs. are three of his Majesty's Justices of the Peace (quorum unus) for the County of Middlesex; and that full faith and Credit is, and ought to be given to their Transactions, as such, both in Court and Out. In witness whereof, I have hereunto affixed my name and seal, this twenty-sixth day of April, Anno Domini, one thousand seven hundred and seventy five.

Nathaniel Gorham, Notary Public. (L. S.)

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