Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1860-12-07


the enthusiasm of his flock that they held
the defense of their liberties a part of
their covenant 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 action. Ex-
press messengers and volleys from minute
men spread the alarm.
Lexington, in 1775, may have had
700 inhabitants, forming one parish, and
having for their minister the learned and
fervent James Clark, the bold inditer of
patriotic papers that may yet be read on
their town records. In December l772,
they had instructed their representatives
to demand a radical redrcssfor their griev-
ances for, "not through their neglect
should the people be enslaved."
A year later they spurned the use Of
tea. In 1774, at various town meetings,
they voted to increase their stock of am
munition, "to encourage military disci-
pline and to put themselves in posture
of defense against their enemies. In
December they distributed to /" the train
band and alarm list arms and ammuni-
tion," and resolved to supply the training
soldiers with bayonets.
At two in the morning, under the eyes
of the minister, and of Hancock and
Adams, Lexington common was alive
with the minute men and not with
them only, but with many old men, also
who were exempt, except in cases of i'm
) mediate danger to the town. The roll
was called, and out of militia and alarm
men, about one hundred answered to their
names. The captain, John Parker, Or
dercd every one to load with powder and
and ball. but take care not to be the first
to fire. Messengers sent to look out for
British regulars reported that there were
no signs of their approach. A watch was
therefore set, and the company dismissed
with orders to come together at beat Of
drum. Some went to their homes some
to the tavern, near the southeast corner
IF the common.
Adams and Hancock, whose proscrip-
tion had already been divulged, and whose
seizure was believed to be intended, were
I compelled by persuasion to retire towards
Woburn.
The last stars we're vanishing from
sight-when the foremost party, led by
, Pitcairn, Major of the Marines, was
discovered advancing quickly and in 81
lence Alarm guns were fired and drums
beat. Less than seventy-perhaps less
; than sixty-obeyed the summons, and in
sight of half as many unarmed men, were
paraded in two ranks, few rods north o.
: the meeting house.
The British van, hearing the drum and
the alarm guns, halted to load; the re
naming companies came up, and halteo
to load; and at half an hour before sun
rise, the advance party hurried forward
at double quick time, almost upon run
closely followed by the grenadiers. Pit
cairn rode in 'front.' and when within fiv'
or six rods of the minute men, cried out
I" Disperse, ye villains; ye rebels, dis
, perse! lay down your arms and dispersel'
The main part of the countrymen stoo(
motionless in the ranks, witnesses agains
aggression too few to resist too bray,
: to fly. At this, Pitcairn discharged
pistol, and with loud voice cried "Fire I
The order was instantly followed, first b,
few guns which did no execution, anC
then by a heavy, close, and deadly dis
charge of musketry.
In the disparity of numbers, the Com
: mon was field of murder, not of battle
Parker, therefore, ordered his men to dis
! perse. Then, and not till then, did
i few of them, on their own impulse retur
. the British fire. These random shots Q
. fugitive or dying men did no harm, exceI
+ that Pitcairn's horse. was perhaps Craze
\ and private of the 10th light infantr
was slightly touched on the leg.
Jonas Parker, the strongest and bes
= wrestler in Lexington, had promised nev
! CT to run from the British troops and h
lent his VOW. A wound brought him t