Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1861-01-25

Ttcorus. IN Dcceuoer lttZ, tncy Hau iti-
structed their representatives to demand
radical redress for their grievances, for,
not through their neglect should the peo-
pie be enslaved.'
A year later they spurned the use Of tea.
In IVA, at various town meetings, they
voted to increase their stock Of ammunition,
to encourage military discipline, and to
put themselves in posture of defense
against their enemies In December they
distributed to the train band and alarm
list arms and ammunition 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 min
ute men; and not with them only, but with
many old men also, who were exempt, ex-
cept in cases of immediate danger to the
town. The roll was called, and and out 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 the first TO fire. Messengers sent to look
out for British regulars reported that there
we're no signs of their approach A watch
was therefore set, and the company dis
missed with orders to come together at beat
of drum. Some went to their homes some
to the tavern, near the southeast corner of
the common.
Adams and Hancock, whose prescription
had already been divulged, and whose seiz-
ure was believed TO be intended, were COM
PEELED by persuasion to retire towards Wo-
burn.
The last stars were vanishing from sight,
when the foremost party, led by Pitcairn, a
Major of the Marines, was discovered ad-
vancing quickly and in silence. 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 of the meeting house.
The British van, hearing the drum and
the alarm guns, halted to load the remain
ing companies came up, and halted to load;
and at half an hour before sunrise, the ad-
vance party hurried forward at double quick
time, almost upon run, closely followed
by the grensdiers. Pitcairn rode in front,
and when within five or six rods of the
minute men, cried out: Disperse, ye viii
lains; ye rebels, disperse! lay down your
arms and dispersed The main part of the
countrymen stood motionless in the ranks,
witnesses against aggression too few to re-
sist, too brave TO fly. At this, Pitcairn
discharged pistol, and with loud voice
cried, Fire!' The order was instantly
followed, first by few guns which did no
execution, and then by heavy, close, and
deadly discharge of musketry.
In the disparity of numbers, the Common
was a field of murder, not of battle; Par
ker, therefore, ordered his men to disperse.
Then, and not till then, 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 Pit
cairns horse was perhaps grazed and a
private of the 10Th light infantry was slight
ly touched in the leg.
Jonas Parker, the strongest and best
wrestler in Lexington, had promised never
to run from the British troops, and he kept
his vow. A wound brought him to his
knees. Having discharged his gun, he was
preparing to load it again, when as sound
heart as ever throbbed for freedom was
stifed by a bayonet, and he lay on the post
which he took at the mornings drum beat.
So fell Isaac Muzzey, so died the aged Rob-
ert Monroe, the same who in 1853 had been
ensign at Louisburgh. Jonathan Harring-
ton, Jr, was struck in front of his house on
the north of the Common. His wife was at
the window when he fell With the blood
gushing from his breast he rose in her sight,
tottered, fell again, then crawled on his
hands and knees towards his dwelling I; she
ran to meet him but only reached him as
he expired on the threshold. Caleb Har-
rington, who had gone into the meeting
house for powder, was shot as he came out.
Samuel Hadley and John Brown we're pur-
sued and killed after they had left the
green. Asahel Porter of Woburn, who
had been taken prisoner by the march, en-
deavoring to escape, was shot within 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 we're more
than of noble blood, proving by their spirit
that they we're of race divine. They gave
their lives in testimony to the rights Of
mankind, bequeathing to their country an
assurance of success in the mighty struggle
which they bad begun. Their names are
held in grateful remembrance. ard the ex-
panding millions Of their countrymen renew
and multiply their praise from generation
10 generation. They fulfilled their duty
not from accidental impulse of the moment