Middletown transcript., 1875-05-01

little distance from the common, the
British officers, considering the Amer
lean drum as challenge, ordered their
troops to halt, to prime and load, and
then to march forward in double quick
time. In the meantime about seventy
Of the militia had assembled, and about
forty spectators, some Of whom had
arms. The men were ordered not to
fire until they were fred upon. A por-
tion Of the company had time to form
in military position facing the regu-
lars; but while some were joining the
ranks, and others were dispensing, the
British troops rushed on, shouting and
firing, and their officers exclaiming,
"Lay down your arms!" ''Ye Williams! !!
ye rebels! disperse p "Why don't
you lay down your arms 2" LOSING
gives the events in this order: "Pit-
cairn then drew his pistol and dis
charged it, at the same moment giving
the word frel A general discharge Of
musketry ensued; four patriots were
killed and the. remainder were dis
persed."] The militia did not Instantly
disperse, nor did they lay down their
arms. The first guns, which were few
in number, did no execution; but
general discharge followed. with fatal
results A few of the militia who had
been wounded, or who saw others
wounded or killed, no longer hesitated,
but returned the fire of the British.
Jonas Parker, John Monroe, and
Ebenezer Monroe, Jr., and others,
fred before leaving the line /; Solomon
Brown and James Brown fred from
behind stone wall /; one other person
fred from the back door Of Buckman's
house; Nathan Monroe, Lieutenant
Benjamin Tidd, and others, retreated
short distance and fired. As long as
the militia remained in sight. the
British continued firing. killing eight
and wounding ten. Jonas Parker was
wounded at the second fire. but he still
discharged his gun, and was killed by
a bayonet. Isaac Muzzy. Jonathan
Harrington, and Robert Monroe, were
also killed on or near the place where
the line was formed. Harrington fell
in front of his own house, on the north
of the common. His wife, at the win
dow, saw him fall, and then start up,
the blood gushing from his breast. He
stretched. out bis hand towards her, as
if for assistance, and fell again Rising
once more on his hands and knees, he
crawled across the road toward bis
dwelling. She ran to meet him at the
door. but it was to see him expire at
her feet. Monroe was the standard
bearer of his company at the capture of
Caleb Harrington was
killed as he was running from the meet
ing house, after replenishing his stock
Of powder; Samuel Hadley and John
Brown. after they had left the common
Asahel Porter, Of Woburn, who had |
been tax n prisoner by the British, as
be was endeavoring to escape. The |
British suffered but little, having only
two wounded. Some of the militia re-
treated towards Bedford, and others
the larger portion-across swamp to
a rising ground north Of the common.
The British troops formed on the CON-
mon, and after firing volley. gave
three huzzas in token Of their victory. |
Soon after, the remainder of the troops
under Colonel Smith joined Major Pit
cairns detachment, and the whole force
towards Concord without fur
ther interruption.
The town of Concord lies between
two hills that command it entirely Ac-
cording to description published in
l775. "The town is large, and con-
tains church, Jail, and courthouse
but the houses are not close together,
but in little groups" The road from
Lexington entered Concord from the
southeast, along the side Of hill which
lies to the right Of it. The top forms
a plain, which commands a view of the
town, and on which was erected the
liberty -pele The Concord river flows,
in winding direction, on the northerly
and westerly side of the town. about
half a mile from its centre. Two
bridges crossed this river-one called
The Old South Bridge. the other, be-
yond the Rev. William Emerson's,
called the Old North Bridge. The road
over the North Bridge led to the house
IF Colonel James Barrett, about mile
and half beyond.
About two o'clock in the morning
The quiet little community of Concord
we're aroused by the ringing of the
,hureh- bell. The prominent citizens
md military officers assembled for con-
,ultation. Messengers were sent to
Lexington for tidings; the militia were
'ormed on the common, near the meet
ng-house and the residents worked
in the removal Of the military
stores to places Of greater safety. A
soon arrived with fha alarm |