Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-04-29
nlisfellanp.
The Battle of Lexington.

torical Society by GEORGE BANoRoFT'1
Mr.. Bancroft began by asserting and tracing
the continuity of perceptions and powers
which in the action of the people of America,
through the inspiration which came from the
masses, led to the struggle for American Inde-
pendence, inaugurated by the battle, as given
by the lecturer, constitute, in tho MAN, one of
the chapters of his new volume of the History
Of the United States.
On the afternoon, he said of the 18th off
April, l775, the day on which the Provincial
Congress yof Massachusetts, adjourned, Gage
! took the light infantry and grenadiers off duty,
and secretly prepared an expedition to destroy
the colony's stores at Concord. But the at
tempt had for several weeks been expected a
strict watch had been kept and signals were
concerted to announce the first movement ofl
troops for the country. Samuel Adams and
Hancock, who had not yet left Lexington for
Philadelphia, received timely message from
Warren, and, in consequence, the Committee of
Safety removeda part of the public stores and
secreted the cannon.
On Tuesday, the 18th, ten or more sergeants
in disguise dispersed themselves through cam
bridge and further west, to intercept all COM
munication. In the following night the grena-
diers and light infantry not less than eight
hundred in number, the flower of the army at
Boston, commanded by the incompetent Lieut.
al -, &ba ,oF+b +bo
port 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 through
West Cambridge to Concord,
"They will miss their aim,'' said one of the
party who observed their departure What
aim - asked Lord Percy, who overheard the
remark. Why, the cannon at Concord was
the answer. Percy hastened to Gage, who in
stantly directed that no one should be su uffered
to leave the town. But Warren had already,
at ten O'Clock despatched William Dawes
through Roxbury to Lexington, and the same
time desired Paul Revere to set off by way of
Charlestown.
Revere stopped only to engage friend to
raise the concerted signals and in five minutes
before the sentnels received the order to pre-
vent it, two friends rowed him past the Somer-
set man-of-war across Charles River. All was
still, as suited the hour The ship was wind
ing with the young Hood the waning moon
lust peered above clear horizon VIII lie from a
couple Of lanterns in the tower of the North
Church, the beacon streamed to the eighbor-
ing towns, as fast as light could travel.
A title beyond Charlestown Neck Revere
was intercepted by two British officers on horse
back but being himself well-mounted, he
turned suddenly, and leading one of them in
to a 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 or
the way to Lexignton.
The troops had not advanced far, when,th'
firing of guns and ringing of bells announced
that their expedition had been heraldcd befor
them and Smith sent back to demand rein
forcement'
On the morning of the 10Th of April, be
tween the hours of II and l, the message from
Warren reached Adams and Hancock, who di
vined at once the object of the expedition
Revere, therefore, and Dawes, joined by Samue
Prescott, '' a high son of liberty" from Con
cord, rode forward, calling up the inhabitant
as they passed along, till in Lincoln they fel
upon party of British officers. Revere an
Dawes were seized and taken back to Lexing
ton, where they were released but Prescet
leaped over low stone WALL and galloped Oh
for Concord
There, at about two in the morning, pea
from the belfry of the Westinghouse called tn
inhabitants of the place to their town hal
They came forth, young and old, with thei
frelocks, ready to make good the resoute word
of their own debates. Among the most alel
William Emerson, the minister with gun i
hand, his powder-horn and pouch for balls slun
over his shoulder BY his sermons and HI
prayers he had hallowed the enthusiasm @
his flock that they held the defence of the
liberties part of their covenant with God
his presence, with arms, proved his sincerit
and strengthened their sense of duty.
From day break to sunrise, the summons ra
from house to house through Acton. Expire
messengers and volleys from minute-men sprea
the alarm How children trembled as The
were scared out of sleep by the cries Ho
wives, with heaving breasts, bravey secondC
their husbands how the countrymen. force
suddenly to arm, without guides or counsellor
took instant counsel of their courage III
mighty chorus Of voices rose from the scatiert
farm-houses, and as it were from the very ash
of the dead. Come forth, champions of libe
erty now free your country protect your so
and daughters, your wifes and homestcads
rescue the houses of the God of your fail
ers, the franchises handed down from YOU
ancestors. Now all is at stake ; the battle
for ALL
Lexington, in l775, 5,.may have had 700 il
h"p'OahCs, FORMING ono parlsii, anu ha'lhS 1t
their minister the learned and iervont Jon
Clark, the bold inditer of patriotic state pape
that may yet be read on their town record
In December. l772, they had instructed the
representative to demand " radical and lastr
redress OF their grievances, for not throug
their neglect should the people be ensaved.
Ayear later they spurned the use of tea.
LIZA, at various town meetings, they voted g
N encourage military discipline, and to put then