San Andreas independent., 1858-07-10
The Battle of Lexington, Described by
George Bancroft.

of April, the annexed paper upon the bat
tie Of Lexington was read by the Ameri-
can historian, the Hon. George Bancroft
The historical facts which it relates are
told in that sublime command of language
possessed by the eminent historian, and
will not fail to waken in every American
heart deepappreciation of the patriotism
that inspired the fathers of the Revolu-
ton, when they made the first bold stand
for American independence upon the
plains of Lexington.
The battle of Lexington, it will be re-
membered, took place on the 10Th of
.April, ITS. Mr.. Bancroft in the paper
referred to, proceeded to say:
On the afternoon of the day on which
the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts,
adjourned, Gage took the light infantry
and grenadiers off duty, and secretly pre-
pared an expedition to destroy the colo
ny's store at Concord. But the attempt
had for several weeks been expected a
strict watch had been kept and signals
were concerted to announce the first move
ment of troops for the country. Samuel
Adams and Hancock, who had not yet
left Lexington for Philadelphia, received
a timely message from Warren, and, in
consequence, the Committee of Safety re-
moved part of the public stores and Sc
creted the cannon. On Tuesday, the
10th, ten or more sergeants in disguise
dispersed themselves through Cambridge
and further west tie intercept all commu-
; nication. In the following night the light
infantry and grenadiers, not less than
eight hundred in number, the flower OF
the army at Boston, commanded by the
incompetent Lieutenant Colonel Smith
crossed in the boats of the transport ships
; from the foot of the Common to East Cam
bridge. There they received day pro-
visions, and near midnight, after wadine
through wet marshes that are now covered
; by stately town, they took the road
through West Cambridge to Concord
"They will miss their their aim," said
+; one of party who observed their depart
ure. "What aim ?" asked Lord Percy,
who overheard the remark. "Why, the
cannon at Concord" was the answer
Lord Percy fastened to Gage who direct
ed that no one should be suffered to leave
the town, but Warren had already, at ten
O'Clock, despatched William Dawes thro' gh
RoXbury to Lexington, and at the same
time Paul Revere set on by way of Charles
ton. Revere stopped only to engage q
friend to raise the signals, and five min
utes before the sentinels received the or
der to prevent it, two friends rowed him
past the Somerset man-of-war across the
Charleston 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 as fast as light could
travel.
a little beyond Charleston Neck, Re-
we're was intercepted by two British Off
GERS on horseback, but being himself well
mounted he turned suddenly, and leading
one of them into clay 1ank, 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 every house on the way to Lex
lngton. The troops had not advanced far
when the firing of shots and ringing of
bells announced that their expedition had
been heralded before them, and Smith
sent back to demand reinforcement. On
the morning of the 10Th of April, between
the hours of II and /, the message from
Warren reached Adams and Hancock,
who OWNED at once the object of the ex-
pedltlon. Revere, therefore, and Dawes,
joined by Samuel Prescott, ga high son
of liberty" from Concord, rode forward,
calling up the inhabitants as they passed
along, till in Lincoln they fell upon a
party of British officers. Revere and
DAVIS were seized and taken back to Lex
lngton where they were instantly released;
but Prescott leaped over low stone wall,
and galloped on for Concord. There, at
about two liz the morning, peal from the
beltry of the meeting house, called the
inhabitants of the place to their town hall.
They came forth, young and old, with
their fire-locks, ready to make good the
resolute words of their own Debates
Among the most alert was William Emer-
son, the minister, with gun in hand, his
powder horn and pouch for balls slung
over his shoulder. By his sermons and
his prayers he had so hallowed the enthu-
slasm of his flock that they held the de-
tense OF their liberties part of their COW
enant with God; his presence with arms
proved his sincerity, and strengthened
their sense of duty. From daybreak to
sunrise the summons ran from house to
house through Acton. Express messen-
gers aud volleys from Minute Men spread
the alarm. How children trembled as
they were scared out of sleep by cries !!
How wives, with heaving breasts bravely
seconded their husbands; how the coun-
trymen, forced suddenly to arms, without
guides or counselors, took instant counsel
OF their courage. The mighty chorus Of
voices rose from the scattered farm-houses,
and as it were from the very ashes of
the dead. Come forth, champions of lib
erty. now free your country protect
your sons and daughters, your wives and
hOmestpads-raScun the houses of the God