The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1851-11-08
Pr,,Hi ne hosioh Atlas. oei. %.
GREAT cELEBRArIoN AT ACTON.

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The proceedings associated with the dedi-
cation OF the newly erected monument Al Ae-
bon, Mas, TO the memories of Captain IsAAo
DAVIS and priyates AbSER IIosMER and
JAMgs RAYwAnD, who fell 10 the ssht At
Concord Norll BriAge, ON oth ofApril, II.
10, took place yesterday, and ioelnded an in-
iercst literally felt, not only by the crowds
present bufby every one cognirAnt Of their
occurrence, and iu-whose brpast one spark Of
grateful patriotic feeling had an existence.
Although there are few who are not con-
versant with the details OF the noble struggle
which marked the dawn of our National In
dependonee-the RallAn, deeds which have
perpctuatcd the names of DAvIs, HoMER
and IIAYwAHB, and consecratcd the Geld Of
Concord, = spot sacred to pairiodsm-yet We
deem brieeRllusion TO the history Of the o.
vent not inappropriate here.
On tho morning OF the eventhh 10Th April,
I775, about 800 of the British troops, under
command of Lieut. Col. Smith. took up their
line OF march from Boston the object being
to secure certain munitions OF war. supposed
20 be conceAlcd At Concord, and intended for
the use OF what was then called the "rcbcl,"
but now the patriotic" party, who had quiz
ct but complete Organization in that locality
Six companies Of light infantry werc detached
from the main body, aAer il had proceeded
some distance, with orders IN pass forward
and secure the two bridges at Concord. The
enoopnter at Lexington wa, aggravated by
the preeipinney Of this body of troops, who,
"in a barbArous and infamous manner, fred
upon a small number OF unrcsisting inhAbi-
tants, aud cruelty murdered eight men" Az
ter this slaughter the soldiers proceeded to-
wards Concord, whore, tho alarm having been
given, preparations 10 resist them were made
although great disparity Of numbers favored
the chance of success for the British. The
force OF the later was said TO be three timea
greater than that OF the provincials, The
minute-mcn from the noiphboring towns,wero
assembled in view oftho British position on
the north bridge. 4 council Of the patriots
a4sfaea 4lsA4 "A ssE Reas-saey 10 iislsslsse tlsn
guard posted at tho north bridge, and Capt.
w RihlAAT bI hp Al1
the duty. Capt Davis, ns he returned from
the council, said, ~ have not a man that's A.
fraid to CO. In proceeding to didodgo the
British troops from their position, Inc Acton
company, commanded by Capt. Davis, was in
front. The whole body marched in double
Gle, with trailcd arms, According to Froth-
inghams History Of tho Siage of Boston. I"
the British guard, under Capt. Laurie, on
seeing the. Provincials approach, retrcated
and formed in battle array-tearing up the
planking of the bridge. When the I'rovin-
cials came up the British troops fired upon
them but with no effect; second and other
6rings had deadly result. Luther Bianch-
ard, fiier in the Acton company, was the
first wounded, and Capt. Davis and Atfher
Hosmor, Of the same company, were killed.
The Provincials now fred on the British,
killed one and wounded several, when the
guard retreated and joined the main body,
the proVincials pursuing. War not having
been declared, the latter DID follow up the
pursuit, but returned and secured the bodies
Of their killed and wounded compatriots-
Boston was fatally retaliatory because of their
bloody days work.
JAMES HAYWARD was killed on the same
day, early in the afternoon. While proceed
ing to draw bucket of water from a well
near farm house, in the town Of Lexington,
an English soldier came from the dwelling,
and, leveling his gun, said to Hayward, with
an oath-"You are dead man f"r"And so
are you !" was the instantaneous reply, when
both fred at the same instant ,mortaily wound
ing each oiher- The -Englishman- died ia--
stantly, but Hayward survived until the next
day. Such is brief enumeration of the O.
vents at Concord, of the eventfal 18th of A
pril, 1878
The monument is tastefully designed
structure, composed of rough granite. The
base'is square OF Is feet diameter, arched
on the op,on the faur sides, the obelisk ris-
ing from the centre. The height, from base
TO apex, (Which is feot squarc,) is IS feet
The cost of tho erection has been S250O--the
sum Of $4,000 granted by the Legislature Of
last session, and $500 contributed by the town
OF Acton betrayed the expense. On the north
west side of the monument, the following i'm
seription Is cut and the letters gilt.
"The Commonwealth ofMassaohusetts, and
the town Of. Acton, cooperating to perpetuate
the fame of glorious deeds Of patriotism, have !
erected this mopument in honor of Capt
ISAAC DAVIS, and privates ABiER HosMER |
and JAMES HAYWARD, citizen soldiers of |
Acton and Provincial Minutemen who fell |
IN Concord Fight. tho l9th of April A. ID. |
1875. On tho morning of that evcntfnl day,
be Provincial of5cars bald . council of war,
,eaH the old North nridra. Ia Erntsnrd and I