The Kanzas news., 1858-06-26
THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON.
sruopsis of a Paper read before the New
YORK Historical Society, by George

Mr.. Bancroft began by asserting and trac-
inc the continuity of perceptions and pow
are. which, in the action of the people OF
America, and through the inspiration which
came from the masses, led to the struggle
for American Independence. inaugurated by
the battle of Lexington. The details of the
battle, as given by the lecturer, constitute
in the main, one of the chapters OF his new
volume of the History of the United States.
he said
On tho afternoon of the 18th of April,
ITS. the day on which the ProvinoIai Con
oress of Massachusetts, adjourned, Gage
took the light infantry and grenadiers off
duty, and secretly prepared an expedition to
destroy the Colony stores at Concord But
the attempt had for several weeks been ex-
nected; strict watch had been kept, and
signals were concerted to announce the first
movement of troops for the country. Sam.
Adams and Hancock, who had not yet left
Lexington for Philadelphia, received a time
" message from Warren, and, in conse-
auence, the Committee of Safety removed a
part of the public stores and secreted the
cannon.
On Tuesday, 1.-THE 18th, ten or more SER
geants in disguise dispersed themselves
through Cambridge and further west to in
tercept all communication. In the follow
ing night the grenadiers and light infantry,
not less than eight hundred in number, the
flower of the army at Boston, commanded
by the incompetent Lieut.. Col. Smith, cross
ed in the boats of the transport ships
from the foot of the Common to East
Cambridge. There they received a days
provisions, and near midnight, after wading
through wet marshes. that are now covered
by stately town, they took the road thro'
West Cambridge to Concord.
''They will miss their aim," said one of
party who observed their departure
"Whst aim?" asked Lord Percy who over
heard the remark. ''Why, the cannon at
Concord" was the answer. Percy hasten
ed to Gage, who instantly directed that No
one should be suffered to leave the town.
But Warren had already, at ten o'clock
dispatched William Dawes through Rox.
bury to Lexington, and at the same time
desired Paul to set off by way of Charleston
Revere stopped only to engage friend
to raise the concerted signals; and five min
utes before the sentinels received the order
to prevent it, two friends rowed him past
The Somerset rnan-of-war across the Charles
River. All was still, as suited the hour
The ship was winding with the young food;
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, as fast
as light could travel.
A Etflo
was interrupted by two British officers on
horseback; but being well mounted, he
turned suddenly, and leading one of them
into clay pond, escaped from the other
by the road to Medford. AS he passed
on he walked the captain of the minute
men of that town, and continued to rouse
almost every house on his way to Lexington.
The troops had not advanced far when the
firing of guns and ringing of bells announ-
ced that their expedition had been heralded
before them; and Smith sent back to de-
mand reinforcement.
On the morning of the 10th of April, be-
tween the hours of 19 and L, the message
from Warren reached Adams and Hancock,
who OWNED at once the object of the expe-
ditlon. Revere, therefore, and Dawes, Join
ed by Samuel Prescott, ga high son of lib
erty, from Concord, rode forward. calling
up the inhabitants as they passed along, till
IN n, Lincoln they fell upon party of British
0iheers. Revere and Dawes were seized
and taken back to Lexington, where they
were released; but Prescott leaped over a
stone wall and galloped on for Concord.
There, at about two in the morning, a
peal from the belfry of the meeting house
called the inhabitants of the place to sheir
OWn ball. They came forth. old and young,
With their 6relocks, ready to make good the
tesolute words of their town Debates
among the most alert was VIM. Emerson,
tie minister, with gun in hand. his powder
horn and pouch for balls slung over his
shoulder. By his sermons and prayers he
had so hallowed the enthusiasm of his flock,
that they held the defence of their liberties
apart of their covenant with God; his pres
enee, with arms, proved his sincerity and
Strengthened their sense of duty.
From daybreak to sunrise, the summons
Tsn = from house to house through Acton
IIpress messengers and volleys from min
ue-men spread the alarm. How children
Semoied as they were scared out of sleep
y the criesl How wives, with heaving
breasts, seconded their husbandsi How the
ooantrymen forced suddenly to arms, with
OIt guides or counsellers, took instant coun-
= 81 Oi their courage! The mighty chorus
voices rose from the scattered farm
- sases' and as it were from the very ashes
a.. ene dead. Come forth, champions of lib
Son. nov no" Tree your country; protect your
staI .us and daughters, your wives and home
r; rescue the houses of the God of
iOuf iathers, the franchises banded down
Il. your ancestors! Now, all is at stake;
@s battle is for all
NIL bIt:ington, in 1775, may have had 700
inaeetants, ina forming one parish, and hav-
Js iof their minister the learned and fervent
sts,a aas Clark, the bold inditer of patriotic
t.e @ papers that may yet be read on their
b.d records. In December, 1772, they
m.na instructed their representative to de-
q radical 111 Al