The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1860-11-24


the minister, and of Hancock and Adams
Lexington Common was alive with the min.
ute men: and not with them only, but with
many old men. also who were exempt, cy
cept in cases of immediate danger to the
town. The roll was called, and ont of militia
and alarm men, about one hundred answered
| to their names. The captain, John Parker
ordered every one to load with powder and
ball, but take care not to be first to fire
Messengers sent TO lock out for the British
regulars reported that there were no signs ue
! their approach. A watch was therefore Set,
and the company dismissed with orders to
come together Ut beat Of drum. Some went
to their home: some to the tavern, near the
southeast Corner Of the common.
Adams and Hancock. whose prescription
had already been divulgcd. and whose seizure
was believed to be intended, were compelled
by persuasion to retire towards Woburn.
The last stars were vanishing FROM sight
when the foremost party. led oy Pitcairn, a
Major OF Marines. was discovered advancing
quickly aud in silence. Alarm guns were
fired and the drums beat. Less than seventy
perhaps less than sxty-obeyed the sum
mons. and in sight of half as many unarncd
men. were paraded in TWO ranks, q few rods
hoi'h VI VIC 'hcetiIS -uouSc.
The British van. hearing the drum and the
alarm guns. halted to load the renal lining
companies came up, and halted to load !:
and at half an hour before sunrise, the
advance party hurried forward at double
quick time. almost upon n run closely follow
cd by the grenadiers. Pitcairn rode in from,
and when within live or six rods of the min.
ute men, cried out: "Disperse, We villains
We rebels dispense 2" The main part of the
countIyme stood motjonless in the ranks.
| witnesses against aggression: too brave to
fly. At this Pitcairn discharged pistol, and
with n loud voice cried " Fire!" The order
was instantly followed first by gnn, which
did RIO execution, and then by a heavy, close
and deadly discharge of musket,y.
In the disparity Of numbers, the Common
was u field Of murder not Of battle; Parker
therefore ordered his men to diSperse. Then
and not till them did few Of them. on their
own impulse return the British fire. These
random shots Of fugitive or dying men did no
harm, except that Pi,cairn'> horse was per.
hnps grazed and private of the 10Th light
infantry was slightly touched on the leg.
Jones Parker, the strongest and best wrcst.
Ter in Lexington, had promised never to run
from British troops ; and he KEEP, his VOW
y wound brought him to his knees. Having
discharged his gun. he was preparing to load
| II again. when as sound heart as ever
throbbed for freedom was Stihcd BY a bavonct
and he lay on the post which he took at the
mornings drum beat. SO fell lsaac.Muzzcy,
and so died the aged Robert Monroe. the same
who in 1913 had been ensign at louisbure -
jonathan Harrington, .r., was struck in
front of mis- hou Sc ON the north of the Gem.
rhon.. His wife was at the window when he
fell. With the blood gushing from his breast
he rose IN her sight toliercd, fell again. then
crawlcd on his hands and knees towards his
dwelling; She ran To meet hin. but only
reached him as he expired on the threshold.
Caleb Harrington who had gone into the
meeting house for powder, was shot as he
came out. Samuel Ila,llcy and John Brown
were pursued and killed after they had left
the green. ASahel Porter, of Woburn, who
had been taken prisoner by the march, en-.
d,avorlng to escape was shot within q few
rods of The Common.
Seven Of the men OF Lexington were killed
nine wounded "a quarter part of those who
stood in arms on the green These are the
village heroes who were more than of noble
blood, proving by their spirit that they wee
vi '"ee u''ihc. lhey gave thclr llrcS IN les
ilmony to the rights of mankind. hqncath
ing I" their country an assurance of success
III the mighty struggle which they had be-
gun. Their names nre held in grateful re.
mcmbrance, and the expanding millions of
their couutrymen renew and multiply their
praise from generation to generation. They
fulfilled tl.eir duty not from accidental i'm.
pulse of the moment their action was slowly
ripcned fruit Of Providence and of time.
H"d'ess OF his own danger, Samuel Adams
with the voice of prophet exclaimed. when
he heard OF the resistance at Lexington. Oh
what glorious morning is this" for thus he
saw that his country's Independence Was
Fastening rapidly on. and like Columbus in
the tempest. knew that the storm did but bear
him the more swiftly towards the undiscov.
cd world.