Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1861-01-25
MISCEIALA AN Y.
First Battle of the Revolution.

The following description of the battle of
Lexington is from Bancroft's seventh VOL
ume of the History of the United 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 off
duty, and secretly prepared an expedition
to destroy the colony's stores at Concord.
But the attempt had for several days been
expected; strict watch had been kept /;
and signals we're connected to announce the
first movements of troops for the country.
Samuel Adams and Hancock, who had
not yet left Lexington for Philadelphia,
received timely message from Warren,
and in consequence, the Committee of Safe
ty removed part of the public stores and
secreted the cannon.
On Tuesday, the 18th, ten or more SER
geants in disguise dispersed themselves
through Cambridge and further west, to in
terrupt all communication. In the following
night, the grenadiers and light infantry, not
less than eight hundred in number, the fow-
er of the army at Boston commanded by
the incompetent Lieut.. Col. Smith, crossed
in boats of the transport ships from the foot
of the Common to East Cambridge. There
they received days provisions, and near
midnight, after wading wet marshes, that
are now covered by stately town, they
took the road through West Cambridge to
Concord.
They will miss their aim,' said one Of
the party who observed their 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 suffered to
leave the town. But Warren had already
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 min
utes before the sentinels got orders TO pre-
vent it, two friends rowed him past the
Sumerset man-of-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 hori-
zon; 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 Char
lesion Neck, Revere was intercepted by
two British officers on horseback, but being
himself well mounted, he turned suddenly
and leading one of them into a 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 every 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 q
reinforcement.
On the morning of the 18th 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 Dave;
were seized and taken back to Lexington
where they were released; but Prescott
leaped over 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 to then
town hall. They came forth, the old and
/ young, with their tirelocks ready 10 MAKE
good the resolute words of the town debate
Among the most alert was William Emer'
son, the minister, with gun in hand, hi,
powderhorn and pouch for balls slung ovel
his shoulder. BY hls sermons and prayers
he had so hallowed the enthusiasm OF hi
flock that they held the defense of theil
liberties part of their covenant with God
his presence with arms proved his sincerit,
and strengthened their sense of duty
From dsybreak to sunrise. the summons
ran from house to house through action
Express messengers and volleys from min
ute men spread the alarm
Lexington, in l775, may have had 7ot