The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-04-16
lew very suddenly collapsed.
WHAT TIE HISTORIANS SAY

WHAT THE HISTORIANS SAY.
In view OF the controversy that has arisen
among the several towns In Massachusetts more
or less connected with tho honor OF having "nred
the nrst shot that was heard around the world at
the beginning OF the American Revolution, IL may
be interesting TO refer to contemporaneous history
touching upon the subject. For example In
lrving's .Life OF washington,p vol l. DID. a3o-lsl.
we nnd:-
WASHINGTON mvIN0's ACCOUNT.
ON the hignt OF the 18TH OF April, 1775 DR..
Warren sent on two messengers. Dy dlnerent
routes, TO give the alarm that the Kings troops
were actually sallying forth. Tue messengers
got out Of Boston just before the order OF
from leaving the town. About the same time a
lantern was nung out OF an upper window or the
North Cnurcn IN the direction or Cnarlestown.
Tuls was a preconcerted signal TO the patriots OF
that place, VINO instantly despatched swift mes
sengers 70 rouse the country. in me meantime
Colonel smith, tue British commander, ser out on
MS nocturnal marcn from Lecnmere Point by an
unIrequeDted path across marshes. where at times
proceeded but a few miles Wnen alarm guns.
booming through the night air, ana the clang OF
ylIaze bells showed tnat the news on mis- pproacn
was travelling before him and the people were
rising. he now sent back 10 General Gage for q
reinforcement, wnile Major Pitcairn was de-
tacned with SIX companies 10 press forward aud
secure tue bridge at Concord. Pitcairn advanced
rapidly, capturing every one that he met or over
took. WITHIN mile and q half OF Lexington,
however, a horseman was too quick on the spur
for MIN, and gaHoping to the village gave the alarm
mat Tue IeoSoa nrs were eom n.y., Drums were
enter led the village about seventy or eighty OF the
yeomGnry, 10 military array. were mustered
q part oil the Constitutional Army pledged
TO resist by lorce any open hostility Of British
troops. Besides these there were q numOer OF
lookers-on armed aud unarmed. me sound OF
drum and the array OF men In arms Indicated Il
hostile demonstration. Pitcairn matted his men
within snort distance OF the cnurcn, and ordered
them to prime anu load. Tney then advanced at
double quick time, tue MAJOR riding forward and
perse. Otner ofiicers echoed ms words as they
advanced, "Disperse, ye vlainslu "Lay down
oTaers we're disregar1ed. scene OF con.
fusion ensued, with nring on both sides;
wmca party commenced 1t mas been a matter OF
dispute. Pitcairn always maintained that,
nnuIug the militia would not disperse, ne turned
10 order his men to draw out and surround them,
when ne saw nasn IN the pan IRON the gun Of q
countryman posted behind q wall aud almost
instantly the report oI two or three muskeIs.
These he supposed 10 be from The Americans as
his morse was wounded, as was also a solder
close by nim. His troops rushed on aud promls-
cuous nre look place, though as ne declared, he
his men to ioroear. The nnng OF the
Americans was irregular aud without
eight OF the patriots were Killed anu ten wounded.
and the wnole pct 70 ntgnt. The vict0rs formed
cneers Tor one Of toe most lnElorious ana disas.
trvus trlumpns ever achieved oy Brush arms.
BAYcRoFrs ACCOUNT.
In Bancrolt's History OF the United states,v
vol. VIII, PIP. 292-2o3. the following version or the
same affair 10 given:-
The last stars we're vanishing from night when
the foremost party, led by Pitcairn, major or
marines, VAS discovered advancing quickly and IN
slence. Alarm guns we're fired, and the drums
peat not call To village husDandmen only,
hut the reveille TO humanity. Less than seventy,
perhaps less tnan sixty ODeyed the summons, and
IN slVnt OF malt as many Uoys and unarmcd men
were paraded IN two ranks "A lew rods noftm OF the
meeting house. The British van, nearing the
drum ana tue aarm guns, halted to load tue re-
nnn nj 90 m nuI no an
polore gunrlse tue advance pai W hurried iorward
as double Qaiek tune and Almost upon twn,