Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1858-05-20
Battle Of Lexington, April 1e, ITS.


croft read paper on the battle of Lexington,
April 10Th l775, being in substance chap
ter from his forthcoming history Of the revou-
ton. The near approach of the anniversary of
that initiatory fight, from which have sprung
such vast events gives peculiar interest at this
time and in this community to the eloquent
sentences of the learned and laborious au-
thor
On the afternoon, he said, of the 8th of April,
the day on which the provincial Congress of
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 attempt had for
several weeks been expected strict watch
had been kept; and signals were concerted to
announce the first movement 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 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..
Col Smith. crossed in the boats of the transport
ships from the foot of the common to East
Bridge There they received days provisions,
and near midnight after wading through wet
marshes that are now covered by a stately
town, they took the road through West Cam
bridge to Concord.
"They will miss their aim" said one of a
party who observed the departure. What
aim ~ asked Lord Percy, who overheard the
remark. "Why the cannon at Concord" was
the answer Percy FASTENED to Gage, who
instantly directed that no one should be suffer
ed to leave the town But Warren had al
ready, at ten o'clock dispatched William Dawes
through ROxbury. to Lexington, and at 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 five minutes
before the sentinel received orders to prevent
it, two friends rowed him past the Somerset
man-of-war across Charles river. All was still
as suited the hour. The ship was riding
with the young food, the waning moon Just
pcered above a clear horizon while from a
couple Of lanterns in the tower of the North
church, the beacon streamed to the neighbor
ing towns, as fast as light could travel.
| 4 little beyond CharlestOwn Neck, Revere
was intercepted bv two British officers on
horseback but being himself 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 be
walked the captain cf the minute men Of that
town. and continued to rouse almost every
house on the way to Lexington.
The troops had not advanced far, when the
firing of guns and the ringing of bells annouuc-
ed that their expedition had been heralded be-
fore them and Smith sent back to demand a
reinforcement.
On the morning of the 10Th Of April be-
| tween the hours Of II and |, the message from
Warren reached Adams and Hancock, who
OWNED at once the object of the expedition.
Revere, therefore, and DAVIS joined by Samuel
Prescott " a son of liberty" from Concord,
rode forward, calling up the inhabitants as
they passed along, till in Lincoln they fell up
on a party of British officers Revere and
Dawes were seized and taken back to Lexing
ton, where they were released but Prescott
leaned over low stone wall and gallOpped on
| for Concord.
PN'''
! from the belfry of the meeting house called
the inhabitants CT the place to their town hall
| They came forth young and old, with Their
fre-iocks, ready to make good the resolute
words of their town debates Among the
most alert was VIM. Emerson, 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
IL al,
the enthusiasm of his flock, that they held she
defence Of their liberties part OF their cove
nant with God his presence with arms prov
| ed his sincerity and strengthened their sense
Of duty.
! From davbreak to sunrise, the summons ran
| from house to house through Acton. Express
messengers and volleyS from minute men spread
the alarm. How children trembled as they
were scared out of their sleep by the cries =
How wives with heaving breasts seconded Their
husbands how the countrymen forced sudden
" to arm, without guides or cOunSeilors, took
| instant counsel of their courage The mighty
chorns Of voices rose from the scattered farm
houses, and as it were from the very ashes OF
the dead. Come forth, champions OF liberty
now free your country protect your sons anu
daughters, your wives and homestcadS rescue
the houses OF God Of your fathers, the FRANCHISE
handed down by your ancestors. Now all Is
at stake the battle is for all.
Lexington in IT'S, may have had some 100
inhabitants, forming Que parish, and having lof
their minister the fervent Jonas CLARK, the
bold nditer of patriotic state papers that may
yet be read Of their town records. In pecem
Der, 1872, they had instructed Their repreSeh
tative to demand " a radical redress oi
their grievances, for not through their negiecl
should the peoole be ensaved." A year latef
they spurned the use of tea. In l7l4' at va,
rions'town meetings, they voted to increase thet
stock of ammunition, " " to Encourage military
discipline, and to put themselves in posture
| Il orau,iae - In IeprPm-