The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-03-19
The First Trophy Of the Revolution.

The following is extracted from an
article with the above title, read before
the New England Historic Genealogical
Society by Mr.. J. 5. Loiing, and pub
lished in the proceedings of the Society
for July, 1860:
"BosroN, February Is. 1858.
"Mr. Loring:
DEAR SIR-Here are a few words
touching the capture of the gun you
spoke of the other day.
Hancock and Adams were staying at
Lexington with Rev. Jonas Clark, the
minister, an eminent patriot. In the af-
ternoon of April IS, several British sub
ordinate officers were seen riding up the
main road in the town.
"This excited the suspicious Of men
who knew them to be British soldiers,
although they were disguised. In the
night intelligence was brought to
Messrs. Hancock and Adams that a
British expedition was on foot destined
for Lexington and Concord to get pos
session of their persons, it was supposed,
and TO destroy the military stores at
Concord. They gave the alarm TO the
proper persons, whom Captain Parker
had selected for that work, and he sent
men through the town to give notice for
Assem- bling the militia. The church
bell was also rung.
captain Parker liveda bout two and
one-half or three miles from the meet
ing house. He had been there late in
the evening, and conferred with Han
cock and Adams, and made arrange
ments in case it was necessary to call
out the soldiers. He went to bed late
that night, April IS, and i'll. About 2
o'clock he was called up by the men re-
ferred to above and went to the meeting
house (the common is just behind it,
He formed his company q little after
day break. About one hundred and
twenty men answered to their names
armed and equipped. But as the intell-
igence was no. quite certain, he sent out
scouts to obtain information of the ad-
vance of the enemy and dismissed the
soldiers, telling them to be within call
and assemble again at beat of drum.
They dispersed. Not long after one of
his scouts returned, and told him the
British were near at hand.
"He ordered the drum beat in front of
the tavern close by the common. Sew
enty men appeared, were formed into
four platoons, and marched on to the
common. His nephew, Jonathan Har-
rington, the last survivor of the battle,
then lad of sixteen, played the fife
which, with drum, formed the only
music. He formed them in a single line,
then wheeled the first and fourth pla-
toons at right angles, stepped in front
and ordered every man to load his piece
with powder and ball. When this was
done he said, Don't fire unless fred up
on. But if they want to have a war, let
il begin here,' He then wheeled back
the two wings into a continuous line,
and stood little in front of the end of
the right wing. Soon the British came
close upon them, and some were soon
terrified and began to skulk off. He
drew his sword and called to them by
name to come back, and said he would
order the first man shot who should run
away.
"You know what followed-the fire of
the British, the return of the fire by the
Americans, the killing of eight of his
company, his order to them to disperse
and take care of themselves. After they
were gone the British soldiers gave three
huzzas, and stopped half an hour and
ate their breakfast, and then resumed
their march toward Concord.
after they were gone Captain Par
ker and his men came back, took up the
dead, looked after the wounded, etc.
Captain Parker saw British soldier
who had loitered behind little drunk,
seized him and made him a prisoner.
He was completely armed, having the
musket you saw, a knapsack, blankets,
provisions, cartouch box with sixty
rounds of bali cartridges, etc. Captain
Parker kept them as the spolia optima,
as did also his son, and so now likewise
| does.
"Yours truly, Theodore Parker"
This gun was presented by Theodore
| Parker in his will to the State. Gov
ernor Andrew, it will be remembered,
on receiving it on the States behalf in
the presence of the Legislature, January
p, 1861, kissed the gun aud said, II am
proud to be the humble instrument of its
transmission to the Senate, in whose
chamber it is requested by the will that
it may be preserved" The weapon is
placed in the Senate Chamber on the
left of the drum and other relics from
the battle of Bennington.-[Bo Boston Ad-
vertiser of the 10th: