The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-04-17


mishers as he advanced. When first seen by the
Concord militia he had passed the spot where Mr.
Ralph Waldo Emerson resides and was near what
Is now the centre OF the town. AS measures
had been taken the day before to remove the
stores Colonel Smith found little TO destroy
but ne halted his forces for some time II wait
ing for the reiniorcements he had demanded.
During his stay Major Pitcairn. VINO was q swear
ing Fellow, but no Lord Dundreary for all that
entered the village tavern and poured out glass
OF brandy. which he sweetened to his taste but
not finding spoon TO stir Il he mixed IL with his
fingers. At the same time he said in bluff soldier
fashion that that was the wav he would stir up
the blood OF rhe Yankees before the day over.
sSome hours later he was ENDORSED rs ne
going away, defeated and disgraced. In the ear
Hest engraving OF these scenes he is represented
as standing with spy-giass IN his hand IN tho
old cemetery In the middle OF the village. this
graveyard forming part or the ridge. and being
to this day striking feature OF the old town.
CONCORD FIGHTv
While Pitcairn was drinking IN the tavern and
surveying the scene from the ridge above the
cemetery. the patriot force was rapidly augment
ing. and Smiths delay proved precious time to
them. At last the main pooy OF the enemy moved
once more, however. and. passing the Old Manse,
where the young minister OF the town, Ralph
Waldo Emerson's grandfather. then resided,
gathered near the North Bridge which COM
manded the vAage ana separated 1t from its de.
lenders. A detachment was sent across to search
for the stores believed TO be secreted at Colonel
Barrett's house. two miles distant. while an-
other detachment guarded The South Bridge,
which was further up the river. It was stiil as
early as nine o'clock In the morning, and
as the spring forward one the scene must
have been exceedingly lovely and picturesque.
Tna Ia iara md ar
covers much OF the ground that was sohu earth
on April 10, 1575; but in spite OF this 1t Is difficult
even now to mud many lovelier spots Concord IS
fortunate not only IN owning battle fleld-'he
first in the history OF the Republtc-out IN owning
one that Is so beautiful. II is Impossible 10 look
upon this ground, so rich in historic associations
and made so grand by the heroic determination
OF few men, without feeling that nature did Well
in lavisning much beauty upon it. Here
are the hills as OF yore, changed only in
q few unlmportant particulars. There are lever
pouders, perhaps. and some stone fences cut
up the slopes into fields; but the fields the
same, and they form the Buttrick estate now as
they did then. Major John Buttrlck, who owned
the battle field, commanded the attacking party,
ana he left proud legacy to his children and
grandchildren and great-grandchlldren, not only
in his farm. but In his fame. HIS grandson, Sted-
man ButtrIcK, died only last DecemDer; but his
descendants still look with pride upon the scene
OF his exploits, and there are still those OF his
blood to celebrate his deeds OF one hundred years
ago. Down the Kings highway, side b. side with
Major Buttrlck, marched Captain Isaac Davis. OF
Acton, VINO, with q member or his company,
Abner Hosmer. was the only man to fall IN the
struggle at the bridge. IL had been the pur-
pose OF the Concord men all the morning
10 resist-to return shot for shot. "Les us stand
our ground" sad William Emerson, when the
liberty pole had been abandoned and new posi-
ton taken. "If we die let US die here" More
prudent counsels prevailed, ana an hour later
when urged TO attack Colonel Eieazer. BrooKs de-
mnrred "It viii not do,n he said, 'Tor TO begin
the war;" But Isaac Davis had started that
mornin2 from Acton, declaring, at Is the Kings
highway, and we have the right to march upon IL
II We marcn TO Boston.n Smoke rose rom the
town. and Colonel Barrett gave Major Buttrick the
order to lead the attacking party down he hill.
"Men. II you will follow me-" Bu trick said. eve
wiz 90 now and see what they are ABOUT" on
tho way he met Davis at the head or
the minute-men, and wnie the TWO were march
ing into che Jaws OF death side By side, the Acton
hero said, There IL not q man OF my company
wns Is afrad.n TWO planKs had been taken up
from the bridge, and more we're TO De removed,
but the Americans ordered toe British 70 desist.
The response was the volley which Killed Davis
eject, and in moment the sstouished Rrenadiers
we're IN confusion and retire ating. Their dead
were leis where they isll. ReInforcemsnts checked
the STAN psde for the moment, but the example OF
those at the bridge vas contagious, aud soon the
whole column was dying by the road II came. the
Americans crossed the hills In the rear OF Mr..
Keyes house, stiii standing between the battle
nel0 and the village, ami alter traverslng the
meadows beyond the ridge and being joined ~
the men from Bllerica AMI Reacine. again orered
the enemy batEie &C Meriamis corner. Words
cannot more nry describe the scene a. that time
than those chosen BY Mr.. Longfellow wnen ne tels
uSs-
How the farmersgave them BAH for ball,
From behind each fence &c and far;mysrd wan,
Tnen crS S the 70 q, Is 70 e@; , again
And only pausing 10 nre ami load.
rRR STAMPEDE OF THE GRsNADrERs.
It was nigh noon when the stampede became
irretri evable, aad was his despair that ira
dltion sal 8 Colonel smith would have surrendered
at kerrlam's Corner II he could have found any
one to accept his sword. But the pursuit was as
dlsorderly the retreat and oltte followed battle
all the way to Cambridge. The Kings irooos
went By the Kings hiIhway, ana the Provincials
kept to the aelds aud woods. Most the timber mas
since disappeared. and only few pines gathered in
clusters mere and there denote the appearance
the country must have presented The road no
longer runs over the surface OF the hills, but has
been cut down and graded to meet modern ne
cesstles. over the rough ana uneven wagon path
the British grenadier ran aud blttIed as oest ne
could, while the farmers skilled in the use OF the
ride, and deadly in It's aim. dropped them dead or
wounded IN great NUMBERS Dy the wsyside
Merram's Corner is Merrlam's Corner still, but it
no longer SHOWS aug traces OF the second con1ct
on the spot Dy tue brook wnero two more British
~ auaN A ffftf No
wood, and on bo.n sides OF II there was q severe
struggle hrt win the sudbury COMPANY
and then with the whole pursuing force Just in
the edge OF L pcoln, where tue ssveress encounter
or the Gay took place. But every hillside was
battle aeld, almost every tree a fortress. and so
the attack continued TIL the grenadiers rushed
down the bill into Lexington, up when they had