Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Mass.) 1828-1830, 1829-02-10

These incidents are mentioned as evl
dences Of the confidence he had acquired
among his. fellow-citizens, from an early
4 period of our political disputes with Grea
Fl Britains
On the 10Th of April, IT'S, was tn,
battle of Lexington. About nine o'clocl
in the morning, Col. Pickering being il
his office 1.-THE registry of deeds for tn,
county of Essex captain of militia from
the adjacent town of Danvers, came il
and informed him that man had ridden
into that town, and reported that the
British troops had marched from Boston
to Lexington, and attacked the militia
This officer, whose company belonged tc
Col. P's regiment, asked for orders, and
received verbal answer, that the Dan.
vers companies should march without
waiting for those of Salem.
Immediately Col. Pickering went to
the centre of the town, and met few Of
the principal inhabitantsr. A short con-
sultation ensued. Those who knew the
distance Of, Lexington from Salem,
and its relative situation 10 Boston obser-
we'd, that the British troops would certain
ly have returned to Boston long before
the Salem militia could reach the scene
of the reported action; and that to march
would therefore be useless. 1t was new
ertheless concluded to assemble the mill
tia, and commence the march; and for
this sole reason,-That 1t sooatd be an
evidence to their brethren IN the country,
Of their disposition to cooperate IN every
measure Which the common safety required.
Thisidea, however, of the fruitlessness of
their march, was SO predominant, that
they halted short time, when about two
miles from the town expecting every
moment intelligence that the British
troops had returned. But receiving none
they resumed their march, and proceeded
to Medford, which was about five miles
from Boston. Here Col. P. first received
certain information that the British troops
we're still on their march, and on route
which rendered it possible to meet them.
He fastened the march of the militia on
the direct road to Charlestown and Bos-
ton until on an elevated part of the road
the smoke was seen from the fire of
small number of militia muskets discharg-
ed at distance, at the British troops.
He halted the companies, and ordered
them to load in full expectation of COM
ing to an engagement. At that moment
messenger arrived from General Heathe,
who informed Col P. that the British
troops had their artillery in their rear,
and could not be approached by musket-
ry; and that the general desired to see
him. Leaving the companies in that po-
sition he went across the fields and met
Gen@-E4Ecath. They soon afterr.sa3ss- the
British troops ascend the high ground
called Bunker's hill. 1t was about sunset.
The next day they entered Boston.
1t was beJore the close ofthe year IT'S
that in organizing the provisional govern
ment of Massachusetts, Col. P. was APP
pointed one of the judges of the court Of
common pleas for Essex, his native coun-
ty, and sole judge of the maritime court
(which had bognizance ofall prize-causes)
for the middle district, comprehending
Boston, with Salem and the other ports in
Essex; Offices which he held until he ac-
cepted an appointment in the army.
In the fall of 1776, the army under
General Washington's command being
greatly reduced in numbers large rein
forcement of militia was called for: 5000
from Massachusetts. Col. P. took the
command of the regiment of 700 men
from Essex. The quota of Sa-
lem was composed of volunteers.
This tour of militia duty was perform
ed in the winter of I776-7 terminating
at Boundbrook, in New-Jersey; Gen.
Washington's head quarters being at Nor
ristown.
Soon after his return home Col. P. re-
ceived an invitation from Gen. w: to take
the Eoffice of acknowledgement. This he
accepted, and joined the army under
Washington's command at Middlebrook,
in New-jersey.
Gen. Howe having embarked his army
at York, to proceed, as it was un-
derstood either to Delaware of Chesapeake
Bay. Gen. Washington's army marched
from New-Jersey to the State of Delaware;
and thence into the adjacent part of Penn
sylvania, to oppose the British army then
marching from the Head of Elk for Phil
adelpha. On the 18th Of Sept, the bat
lie of Brandywine took place. After car
rying Gen. Washington's orders to gen.
eral officer at Chadsford, Col. P. repaired
to the right, where the battle commenced;
and remained by the generals side to its
termination at the close of the day. Or
ders were given for the troops to rendez-
vous at Chester, whence they marched
the next day to the neighbourhood of
Philadelphia, When refreshed, and sup
piled with ammunition, the army again eros
sed the Schuylkill river, and advanced to
meet Gen. Howe. On the 10Th of Sept.
in the morning, information was received
of the approach of the enemy. Some de-