Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1875-04-28
CONCORD vs.. LEXINGTON.


The late centennial anniversary OF
the first battle Of the Revolution was
celebrated separately at the towns OF
Concord and Lexington. The rival
celebrations were based upon the idea
of each town that the war began with
in Its limits. and a greater spirit OF op-
position was exhibited and more feel
ing manifested by the inhabitants OF
both places than was consistent with
the occasion, and more than was nee
essary under any circumstances, for
the glory attending the events celebrat-
ed was enough to satisfy the ambition
of dozen towns of twice the size OF
either of those unpretentious burgs.
However, the people Of neither village
would Weld an inch, and the conse-
quence was the har mony Of the day,
which should have been celebrated in
common, was marred by the exhibi-
ton of petty local jealousy as frivo-
lous as it was unbeconing the de-
scendants of the men who, hundred
years before, exhibited anything but
similar spirit towards each other. In
regard to the metits of the controversy,
if it possessed any, the facts are SIM
ply these: The first American blood
was shed at Lexington. Early on the
morning of the 10Th, l775, the Lexing
ton militia, some sixty or seventy in
number, were ordered by Major Pit
cairn to disperse, and, upon their re-
fusing to do so, were fired upon by
the regulars. Eight Americans
were killed by this fire. In retiring
few struggling shots were fired by the
militia, but without damage to the
enemy, except perhaps the wounding
of Major Pitcairn's horse. The British
then marched on to Concord, seven
miles from Lexington, where the first
armed resistance to England was
made, where the first battle was fought,
and where the first British blood
was shed. The so-called battle of Lex
ington occurred later in the day, after
the British had been driven from Con-
cord, and was merely continuation
of the Concord fight. We think the
people of the latter town would have
nothing in yielding grace
fully to the demands of the Lexing-
tonians and assisting them in their cele
bration as their forefathers assisted
them in their "battle" a hundred
years before. The following letter
from George w. Curtis to the New
York Herald, is brief but correct
statement of the events of that day:
You wish me to say whether think
that Concord or Lexington can claim
the first shot in the war of the RevO-
luton.
At Lexington the militia, sixty or
seventy in number, were drawn up in
line, and, refusing to disperse al the
British summons, were fired upon by
the British, at least 600 strong. Then
the Americans were ordered to retire,>
and as they did so a few returned the
British fire. At Concord the Ameri-
cans resolved to cross the Old North
Bridge, which was held by the British,
and were advancing for that purpose
when the British fired. Then the
were ordered to return the
fire, which they did, and the British
retreated. The affair at Concord was
deliberate, intentional, organized re-
sistance. At Lexington 1t was a mas
sacre, at Concord a battle, and the
were as wise in retiring at
Lexington as they were in advancing
at Concord. Respectfully. yours,
GEO. NJ. CURTIS.