The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-04-15

the famous nght that has yet been publlsned. We,
therefore. lay before readers the following
tract from his well considered articie:-
THE COUNCIL or WAR;
on the highest point or land. where the
Americans had assembled the chief officers
and citizens Of Concord, with ! few from
tho adjoining towns. held 4 council Of war.
There was al animated conversation on that his.
torlc spot. There Colonies Barrett. Robinson,
Pierce anu Brooks Major Buttrlcs, Captains DAVIS.
Brown. Niles. Barrett ard smith, citizens william
Parkman, Ephraim wood ana others met ana con-
suited on the course they would pursue. These
patriots, requiring even more moral than Dhysi.
cal courage 70 mees the regulars. armed with the
rower OF . strong government, did not long hest
tate. Indeed, the aggressions 81 the enemy soon
provoked them to decision. While these delib-
eratfous were absorbing their attention the Brit
Ism were ruthessly 0urninggun carriages, wheels
the liberty pole and other spos in the village, the
smoke rom which rose In a cloud over the COM
mon and was plainly 10 he seen by those on the
hill. 1t appeared as II the enemy had already set
fire 10 tue town. The sight sent thrill OF indig-
nation through the ranks OF the militia and min.
ute men gathered there In the MIDST OF the ex-
element the energetic Hosmer exclaimed:-
THEY HAVE SET THE VILLAGE OK FRET
VIII you let them burn II downgr With tnis danger
IN view, and urged by the bold and emphatic
expressions or Major Buttrck and Captain
Davis. they imme diately "resolyed to march TO
the middle or the town TO defend their homes or
die In the attemptn
Although the British force at the bridge was not
over $50 to 200 men, there were more than 500 in
the village, a distance or hair mile. 100 more un.
der Captain Pole only a mule further, and the
three companies under Captain Parsons, expected
to return at any moment from Colonel Barrett's
The British could concentrate over 500 men within
half an hour after the drst gun was fred The
Americans numbered $780, and In q military point
OF view were merely an armed mobv suddenly
called together Tor sef-protecton. The British
were well organized, wen disciplined experienced
soders-veterans indeed accustomed 10 war In
all It's rgor and sustained IN Whatever they did BY
q great nation. But In face OF all this array waa
there doubt in the ranks OF the AmercansS In
the excitement OF the hour Captain Smith, or Lin
coin, full OF patriotic impulses, volunteered TO ais
lodge the enemy at the bridge with bis single
company. Smith had led his 20 the
neld on the first alarm, and leaving his horse
al virgins Tavern IN the village took his
position on the hill aud joined in the coun.
ell. Captain Davis, of Acton, animated with the
same feelings, exclaimed al haven't man rhat'a
AFRAID TO gow This was the spirit SHOWN by ths
provlncials and it was decisive. II was arranged
that In the forward movement Captain Davis. as
commander Of the nrst company OF minute men,
should take the right, which he did In Il gallant
manner IL thought best that the minute
men should have the advanced position. because
many OF them had bayonets and IL was deemed
best TO be prepared for q charge andsclose fight
ing
CRISIS HAD COME.
The council broke up the oflcers took their
respective positions as well circumstances
would permit and Colonel Barrett gave the order
10 march TO 'the bridge and pass the same, but
not to ire the Kings troops unless they were
nred upon.u They wheeled from the right, Luther
Blanchard and John But,Iick the young diers
playing 1.-THE White CocEade,n advanced TO the
scene OF action and placed themselves In an ex.
posed position on the rough. narrow highway.
Approaching the road leading from Captain DAVID
Browns house TO the bridge, the Acton minute
men, under DAVIS, passed IN ironr, and marched
toward the bridge In 1les OF TWO abreast the Con-
cord minute men, under Brown, pushed forward.
and came next IN position. These companies were
followed by those OF Captains Miles and Bar.
rett. The former marched 10 tue battlefield
"with the same seriousness and acknowledgment
OF Cod which he always ielt gong 70
church" Ihs Acton militia company under
Lieutenant simon Hunt, followed sne Con-
cord minute men. Those rom Lincoln and
Bedford iell IN under the direction OF Col.
onel Barrett, VINO continued on horseback In
the rear. giving orders 10 tne volunteers q tney
came Ia rom tine other towns. II 10 Impossible 10
state the precise position OF all the Americans a.
tney advanced. The lower road, leading 10 the
bridge, was narrow ana subject 10 inundailons.
and wall had been built WITH large stones, on
the upper slice, Ia which posfs were placed Tor
railing 10 enable loot passengers 10 pass over
when tue river overnOwed the road. IL can Ds
imagined that this not q favorable place iof
the formation OF many men IN battle array. even
Il they aad oeen drilled soldiers.
4, r,nkvr 1~f ~ Arnnr
In the forward movement. He was accompanied
by Lieutenant Colonel Robinson. Major BuitrcK
requested Colonel Robinson 10 act his superior,
as he was ms senior IN years aud In RANK, Dut
Colonel Robinson modestly declined, and said ne
would 20 volunteer aid. In the lett hand
they held their fusees tralsd,u and ma Chez with
Captain Davis and bis men. Major ButtrcK thus
led this small band or patriots
N DOUBLE FILE 70 rHE SCENE or BLOOD.
The British, somewhat scattered in small groups
on the prldge and on toe west bank oil the river.
noticing the advance OF the Americans, I'm .nedt
ately formed and crossed 70 the east banE, taking
up some OF the planKs 81 the orIdqe they passed
over rhe soldiers under Captain Lawre, who
had previously retired TO the hll, moved Tor.
ward and joined their companions on the rigni
BANK OF the river. The attempt or the British &c
dismante the bridge attrac ed the attention o.
Major BuitrcK as The Amencans we're advancing,
1.-TWO and two. and turning the corner OF the cross.
road.u lie demonstrated against the acs IN loud
and emphatic tone and ordered his men 10 maren
In a qaicK step. Ihereupon the enemy desisted
from Tie destruction. Tney became alarmed az
The menacing movement or tn Americans, and 4
NAV have occurred 70 them at toe time that wnst
ever distractions we're placed IN the way OF the
Americans would leopard the SAFETY or Captain
Parsons detachment
rHE FIRST CTS.
IL was, according 70 Captain David Grown. be
tween nine and ten or the CLOCK IN the iorenoon.n
The British fred two or three guns In quick sac.
cesslon. these were precoacerted signal guns
Tor the distant attachments Of the enemy to re.
turn az once. When the Americans arrived within
ten or fifteen rods OF the bridge, and were rapidly
moving forward, one Or the regulars. sharp.
shooter stepped IRON the ranks and discharged