The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1858-09-08
selett Mistellang.
FIRST BATTLE OF THE REVOLU
TT0N

Hon. George Bancroft read before the
New York Historical Society, few eve
nirgs ago, the chapter from the forth
coming seventh and last volume of his
History of the United States, describing
the battle of Lexington, which t'ok
place on the 10Th Of April, l775, fifty
nine days before that of Buukerhill =
After some preliminary remarks, Mr..
Bancroft alluded to The state of feeling
in the British Parliament before that
battle, and to the fact that there were
not fifty people in the colonies at that
ime who expected that bold effort
would have been made. The confidence
in England was perfect and entire, and
the King in Parliament expressed his
opiLiou that the distur bance in America
would be quelled. ~
On the afternoon, be said, of the 18th
of April, the day on which the Provin-
cial Congress of Massachusetts, adjourn
ed, General Gage took the light infantry
aud greuadiers off duty, and secretly
prepared an expedition to destroy the
colony's stores at Concord. But the at.
| tempt had for several weeks been expect
ed; a strict watch had been kept; and
signals we're col certed to announce the
first movement of the troops for the
country. Samuel Adams and Hancock,
who had not yet left Lexington for Phil
ade' 'phia, received timely message from
Warren, ard in consequence, the Com
mittee OF safety removed part of the
public 81 ores and secreted the cannon.
On Tuesday, the 18th, ten or more
-
selves through Cambridge and further
west, to intercept all communication
In the following night, the grenadiers
aud light infantry not less than eight
hundred in number, the flower of the
army at Boston, commanded by the in
competent Lieut.. Col. Smith, crossed in
the boats of the transport ships from the
foot of the Common to East Cambridge.
There they received days provisions,
AID near midnight, after wading wet
marshes that are now covered by state
ly town, they took the road through
West Cambridge to Concord.
"They will miss their aim,' said one
of a party who observed their departure
What aim?" asked Lord Percy, who
overheard the remark. "Why the can
non at Concord" was the answer. Percy
FASTENED to Gage, who instantly direct
ed that no one should be suffered to
leave The town But Warren had al
ready, at ten o'clock, dispatched William
Dawes through Roxbury to Lexington,
aud at the same time desired Revere to
set off by way of Cbarlestown. Revere
stopped only to engage friend to raise
the concerted signals, and FIVE minutes
before the sentiDels received the orders
to prevent it, two friends rowed him
past the Somerset man n-of-war across
Charles River. All was still, as suited
the hour. The ship was winding with
the young flood; the waning moon just
peered above clear horizon; while from
a couple of lanterns in the tower of the
North Church, the beacon streamed to
the neighboring towns, fast as light could
travel. A little beyond Charlestown
Neck, Revere was intercepted by two
British officers on horseback; but being
himself well mounted, he turned sudden.
ly and leading one of them into clay
pond, escaped from the other by the road
to Medford. As be passed op, he wax
ed the captain Of the minute men of that
town, and continued to rouse almost ev-
cry house on the way to Lexington. The
troops had not advanced far when the
firing of guns and ringing of bells an
nounced that their expedition bad been