New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-04-19

The MASSACRE on LEXINGTON C0NMON-MAJoR
PIICARN's DISCHARGE OF THE FIRST SHOT

The MASSACRE on LEXINGTON C0MMON-MAJoR
PnCAIRN's DISCHARGE OF THE FIRST SHOT
CaPrURE OF HIS PIsTOLs-THEIR HISTORY.
TO the EditOr or The TribunG.
SIR: shall exhibit on Monday ut the Lex
ngton centennial celebration two pistols, from
the muzzle of one of which the first bullet fired
in the American Revolution proceeded. The pis-
tolls were the property OF Major Pitcairn, who
commanded the vanguard OF the British force which sal
lied out from Boston the night OF April IS, l773 TO
seize and destroy military stores OF the Americans stored
in the village Of Concord The inhabitants Of the village
OF Lexington, the road between Boston and Concord,
were informed Of the approach OF the British
detachment, and in the early morning the men,,
to the number of 60. armed themselves and gath
er,d Oh the Common. Half an hour after sunrise
the British troops entered the village. Major
Pitcairn riding horseback at the head Of hs
troops and upon seeing the Americans on the Common
ordered them lay down their and dispense They
did not dispcrse Pitcairn then suddenly drew pistol
and commanded his troops TO fire lie fred his pistol,
several witnesses OF the skrmsh asserted before the
grenaders discharged their muskets He thus fred the
first shot of the Revolutionary War. by the musketry
fire of the grenaders several Americans killed. and
the latter hereupOn fed The British then pressed for
ward to Concord destroyed the military stores and began
their retreat During this they attacked by
the American mnutemen, lost many men in killed and
wounded and with great difficulty fought their way back
TO Boston.
Major Pitcairn was wounded OH this retreat, and fell
of his horse but carried to Boston, and subse
quently killed at Bunker HILL The animal gaOped into
the fields ana captured by the Americans and was
subsequently sold at Concord. On his back Major
Pitcaim's holsters, containing the pistols referred to
Capt Nathan Barrett, who had commanded one Of the
militia companies at Concord, bought the pistols and
offered them to George Washington, then in command OF
the Provincial army surrounding Boston. Gen. Wash
in, do I'm
scented them Gen. Israel Putnam, who used them Till
the end OF the They aferward came into the pos
session of OF the General and were by him wed
to a grandson of the General, John p. Putnam
residing in the then Cambridge township Washington
County, NcwYOrk The pistols now the property OF
John p. Putnams widow and, as has been stated will
be exhibited at the centennial The following aidayits
arc Of historical interest:
lam a grandson OF the late Maor-Gcneral Israel Put
have distinct recollection OF these pistols for
more than slxtythee years MY nrst eIosm.lon VI
coffin he borne to the grave Ihcy were the the
property of my father, gilt of his father and have re-
manned in the possession Of my father aud mySetd down
TO the present day
Putnam. who both ades-deCamp To the General
and from my father have often heard the FOLLOWING
statement, namely "Gha al the commencement OF the
Of the American Revolution, these pistols were the
property Of Major Pitcairn Of the British army mat on
Ms retreat from Concord and Lexington TO Boston, on
the 10Th Of April l77j, his horse was shot under nnl
and fell near party Of pursuing Americans mat th;
]
cquipage; that his pursuers stEpped Inc morse OF MS
furniture, ~ which these pistols formed part ana
brought them into the American camp, and Few days
after mia arrival camp they presented TO Cen
Putnam, who carried them through the residue Oh his
active service in said war" ~
And do further certify that. in the year 1927,
spent short season Lexington had these pistols with
me- and there introduced Ia three OF the members OF
Capt PIrkyrs company Of militia that was attacked by
British forces az that place. and that one OF them,
Mr. Monroe think stated il his firm belief from re-
collection OF something unusual in construction thal ne
saw these pistols that morning IN the hand OF the
I commander Of the detachment, who he atterward
learned Major Pitcairn and saw him discharge 1t be-
fore any other shot fired at said company.
Hhite creek, v. J., Dec ), 1858. join L. PUTNAM.
CERTIFICATE OF AARON BURR.
! certify that, from inspection of pair or steel
mounted pistols now in possession of MIR. John Z.
Putnam and this day shown TO me by him, believe them
to be the pistols which were carried aud used by
Maor-Gen Israel Putnam in the war OF the Revolution
that was the addecamp to Gen. Putnam and believe
often saw said pistols In his possession. \. BIkR
Dated sept % 1885.
Witness present, ALEXANDER 8. TCTTIr.
The pistols are about foot long, made Of steel that
gstcns like nickel, and have of course, the hntock
attachments Of the Revolutionary period
Ne,r YORK.. Aprfl &c, 1875. g. IRENECs PRIME.