American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1827-09-11
Volume VI.
COL. LEslIE's EXPEDITION TO SALEM IN ly75.
pnoM Yag Salem oAaExrE.

4
GAZETTE.
Many who have psns become familiar with
the history Of our Revolution, have supposed thai The ar
broke upon like explosion OF thunder coudless
sky But the patriots OF that day, who skilled dis
Germ the signs Of the times lresaw the gathering stnfu,
From the time Of the arrival oft military Governor Gag,
hostlies we're anticipated and preparations on our pas
made TO meet them
The Provincial Congress Of Massachusetts in The win,
ter of T55 instructed the Committee OF Safety
The Tilis Ia e organized aud aned and TO establish de-
pots of provisions and Concord ard Wnrces tor
supplying and arniog 900 Gen. Gage, his part,
from time to time detached ncers in disguise into tho
neShbong country TO explore survey the roads and
military POSITIONS to the end that he might be in readiness
to act with effect against US when spring shoud open-
The Committees OF Safety in the time,
conveying beyond MS reach all e and provisions
Ma Of orr reaers Will recolec the incident ofMr REs
and her wings, using Great exeftono to convey pri,ae
y, from Bnson several pieces OF brass cannon, wis
they succeeded.
The expedition Of Col Leslie 10 Salem the frse
movement towards destroying the OF aud
Visions The narrative Of that event, which publish
iday VIII be interesting readers II was wrten at
the time, by ye-witnes ard presume, rom ihs
pen of gentleman, yet living, who active in he pub
lie service during the whole aud afterwards filed high
civil stations with distinguished reputation. 1t plain
and acc narrative ard shows that of f.to
aN in her account IF that event, have inteipoates
some apocrytha de ais.
The battle II Lexington and Of Concord vas accustomed
By siElilar expedition.
Fropi the " Esse.r Gassite, priniedin Salem, l775.
SALEM, FsnRuARr 23.--i.ast Sabbath the peace
Of the town ives disturbed by the coming 81 tegi-
mcnt Of the Kings troops. the particulars reltiye
to which are as follows. A transport arrived al
Marhehead, apparantv manned as usual Be
tween two and three O'Clock (as soon as the people
had gone to meeting) the decks were covered With
Soldiers, who having loaded. and fixed their hasoe
nets. landed with great dies patch; and instantly
marched o8. Some of the inhabitants. suspcctnS
they were bound to Salem, to seize some materi-
ais there preparing for an artillery despatched Sc
vcral messengers 10 inform US OF IT. These mate
rails were on the north side Of the north river and
10 come at them it was necessary to cross bridge,
one part Of which was made to draw up, for the
venienee Of letting vessels pass through.
] Tie inhabitants kept look out Cor the appear
lance Of the troops. The vanguard arrived, and
/ took their route down in town as far a, the long
Lsyharf: perhaps to decay the inhabitants ihither,
away from the place to which the main body was
destined. The main hody arrived soon after and
halted few minutes by the town house It is
| said, inquiry was Immediately made by some Of the
officers for halfbrother Of Col. Browne, the man
llamus counsellor. Be this as it may. he was We
Try soon whispering in the Colonel's ear, IN the
[ front Of the regiment; and when he pated from
| the Colonel, the regiment marched off with quick
pace. in direct course fer the north bridge. jusc
!bef0re their entrance upon which. the draw bridge
was pulled up. Inc regiment, however, pusheH
forward till they came to the draw bridge, not OBJ
serving las II seened) that it was drawn up The
Cnlo.el who led them expressed some surprises
land then turning about, ordered an ctcer to lace
.hls company TO body of meu standing on whar!
on the other side Of the draw bridge, and fire.
One Of our town.men {who had kept along side
of the colonel from the time he matched FROM the
town house} instantly told him he had better noe
fire. that he had tight 10 fire without further or
,ers, and If you do fire (sai.i hel you viii be Az
dead men.' The company neither Tired noi iacet.
The colonel then returned to the centre 81 his reg
Iiment. assembled his officers. and held consulta-
tatnn which being ended, the colonel adv anced
little, and declared he would MAINTAIN ms Srauhds
and 20 over the bridge before he returned. il it was
a month FIRST The same towsman replied, he might
stay there as long as lie pleased, no Body cared Tor
that. The halfbruther before mentioned. il IS said
made towards the bridge, but seeing the utaw
bridge up, says it is all ever with Us he has
since Disappeared. Meanwhile two large Condo.
las that lay aground (for it was low waerl were
scutted least they should cross the channel III them
But whilst one gentleman with his assistants was
scuttlng his own goadola, party OF aoout twenty
soldiers Jumped into it, and with their bayonets
CHARGING 40 ainst our unarmed tswnsmen lsoine o.
whom they pricked) compelled them to quit it,
hut before this sufficient hole had been made in
tho bnttom This attack of the soldiers, and some
other occurrences, occasioned little chickering's
hut by the interposition Of some Of the Inhabitants
the disputes subsidized
At length some gentlemen asked the Colone.
what was his design n making tins movement, aud
why he would cross the bridge! lie SAID ne had
orJers 10 cross it, and he would cross it ii he loss
his life and the lives Of all his men. And now Tor