Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1860-11-30
FIRST BATTLE OF TsE REVOLUTION.

ehth Nolune o. the history oi the tai /
ted States - On the afternoon Of the
18th of April, the day on which the /
Provincial Congress Of Massachusetts
adjourned, General Gage took the light
infantry and grenadiers OF duty, and se-
cretly prepared an expedition 10 destroy
the colony's stores at ConooFd. Bat the
attempt had for several days been expect
ed; 4 strict watch had been kept; aud
signals were connected to announce the
first movements Of troops for the country.
Samuel Adams and Hancock, who
had not yet left Lexington for Phiadel-
phia, received a timely message from
Warren, and in consequence, the Com
mittee of Safety removed a part q the
public stores and seereted the cannon
On Tuesday, the 18th, ten or mpre
sergeants in disguise dispersed themselves
through Cambridge and further west, 10
interrupt all communication. In the
following night, the grenadiers and light
infantry, not less than eight hundred in
number, the flower OF the army at Bos-
ton commanded by the incompetent Lieut..
Col. Smith, crossed il boats Of the trans
port ships from the foot of the Common
to East Cambridge. There they re-
ceived a days provisions, and near mid
night, after wading wet marshes, that are
now covered by a stately town, they took
the road through West Cambridge to
Concord.
They will miss their aim, said one
of the party who observed their depart
ure. What aim ? " asked Lord Percy.
who over heard the remark. Why, the
common al Concord, was the answer.
Percy hastened to Gage, who instantly
directed that no one should be suffered 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 a
friend to raise the concerted signals, and
five minutes before the sentinels got or
ders to prevent it, two friends rowed him
past the Sumerset man-oi-war across
Charles River. All was still, as suited
the hour. The ship was winding with
the young flood; the waning moon just
peered above the horizon while from
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, Revere was intercepted by two
British officers on horseback, but being
himself well mounted, he turned suddenly
and leading one of them into clay pond
he 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 ev-
cry house on the way to Lexington. The
troops had not advanced far, when the
firing of guns and the 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 twelve and one, the
message of Warren reached Adams and
Hancock, who OWNED at once the object
of the expedition. Revere, Therefore, and
Dawes, joined by Samuel Prescott, a
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 Dawes we're seized and taken back
to Lexington, where they were released
but Prescott leaped over a low stone wall
and galloped for Concord.
There, at about two in the morning, Q
peal from the belfry Of the meeting house
called the inhabitants Of the place t,
their town hall They came forth, th,
old and young, with their irelocks ready
to make good the resolute words OF th'
town debate. Among the most alert wa
William Emerson, the minister, with gai
in hand, his powderhorn and pouch 70
balls slung over bis shoulder. BY hi
sermons and prayers, he bad 50 hallowe'
the enthusiasm Of his flock that they bel
the defense Of their liberties part Q
] their covenant with God his presens
with arms proved bis sincerity an
strengthened their sense Of daiy. Frou
daybreak to sunrise, the summons "a
from house to house through Acton. Ez
press messengers and yolieys from mil
ute men spread tbs alarm.
Lexington, ia 1875, may have ha
700 inhabitants, forming one parish, an
having for their minister the learned al
3 4