The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1824-06-22

In the spring of 1878, Concord WAS erle-
bralrd MS the plare where thu first pro, IN
cal Congress, ever called ia New England,
then held its session. Joseph Warren,
ESD. of Plymouth, WAS President of the
Congress and John Hancock and Samuel
Adams, the most Jealous, able and inllu
entail members. lis FIRST meeting was
held in the old Court House, nov owned
by Deacon White, then standing ncnr the
srot where the town school house now
lands. II was found too small TO con,crc
the great number of pcopI, thataSsrmhled,
and the Congress Adjourned 10 The meet
ing house.
L. Concord were deposited the military
torres of the pro,ncials. To destroy these
aud gel possesslon of the pen sons of Han
cocl, and Adams, were doubtless tie oh
jects Of the expedition of the 18th April
But these ,igllant patriots aware OF Their
intentions, secretly withdrew lefore lhr
arrival Of the British army Anert tnow
lug the occurrence Of Lrxingto on, they rx-
claimed AS they left Concord, " q TAat
m i,aportaat and euer gioJiouS morning ~
his" considering this first .lluslon al
blood az The prelude of events winch mual
secure the happiness of Their country
The oach of the British army from
Lexington was known 10 the people Of
Concord at an early hour IN the morning
This Information WIS brought by DR.
Samuel Prescott Who WAS returning lI0p
Lexington before day light, (as WAS the
custom on such occasions ~ those days
from Il visitto lhr Lady vito afterwards be
came bis wife. He was u,et by thr British
advance guard near MIR iIartncI's in Lin
coin, aud in attempting To stop him Il
scnhle tnsurd, dning which hc had the
rcins Of bis horse, Birdie cut of bat
being acquainted with the way, he jumped
his horse over tine fence, adjusted his bri.
die aud came To Concord. Othets who
rndravourcd to get 10 Concord for the
same purpose were stopped by the ene-
my.
No sooncr were the events Of EeXingtgn
known, than the Minute men assembled
with all possible expedition TO act on the
defensive About 80 or 2r1 pAraded on
the hill forth Of tie Rord, about a mile
below the town. The p-p,intinl gng was
then raised on tie Ill near the town.
Others were en- dsed Ia securing the pro-
Visions and D'litdry stores. II WA about
: O'clocb, A. N. when "A British army
was SCI = coming mp the road from LIN
colo. Their formidable appearance IN
dnced the pro,ipcias to retreat, and no
defence was considered ad, isable. They
'retrea;ed Grst short distance north To rhr
meeting h0usr, and Afterwards u Bar.
reil's hill The Regulars entered in rear
of the town, cut down liberty pole then
standing on the Hill, and parddtd in front
Of the Court House. fartirs we're then
ordered out 10 all tbr places where il was
supposed military stores were deposited To
destroy them. live pieces Of cannon, and
quantity ofammuution had been prryi-
ousIy conveyed tn Stow, aud put under
care of Mr. Gardner. Much of the pgoti-
siDns that remained were protrctedby the
articles of ilidaals, in petsuadns tie
enemy that it was individual property
BIT notwithstanding these precautionary
measures, ihr British sohiirfs destroyed =
great q'lantli, Of nuur, provisions and mtl'
lary sturrs, by throwing ibem i"io the
pond aud wells and bnrnins them.
One party went down thr road II the
house owned by the late Asa il"y"ood,
then occupied as tHsern. SnsplrIons
were excited that youag DR.. Prescott vas
in the house and n they considered
him the principic cause of defeating The
execution Of their plao to take the town
by snrprizs, they sought his life. lie uas