Middletown transcript., 1875-04-24
The Concord Fight.

The British, somewhat scattered 10
small groups on the bridge and on the
west bank of the river, noticing the ad-
vance Of the Amerisans. Immediately
formed and crossed to the east bank,
taking up some Of the planks Of the
bridge as they passed over. The
soldiers under Captain Lawrie, who
had previously retired to the hill, NOV
ed forward and joined their companions
on the right bank Of the river The
attempt Of the British to dismantle the
bridge attracted the attention of Major
Buttrik as the Americans were advance
ing, "two and two, and turning the
corner Of the cross-road. Tie remon-
strated against the act in loud and
emphatic tone. and ordered his men to
march in a quick step. Thereupon the
enemy desisted from the destruction.
They became alarmed at the menanc-
ing movement Of the Americans and
it may have occurred to them at the
time that whatever obstruetions were
placed in the way Of the Americans
would jeopardise the safety Of Captain
Parsons detachment.
1t was. according to Captain David
Brown, between nine and ten of the
clock in the forenoon" The British
fred two or three guna in quick sue
cessiohs. These we're preconcsrted
signal-guns for the distant detachments
Of the enemy to return at once. When
the Americans arrived within ten or
fifteen rods Of the bridge. and we're
rapidly moving forward, one of the
regulars. sharp shooter. stepped from
the ranks and discharged musket,
manifestly aimed at Major Buttrick or
Colonel Robinson, the ball from which,
passing under the arm of the latter,
slightly wounded Luther Blanchard.
the fifer of the Acton company, in the
side. and Jonas Brown. one Of the
Concord minute-men. This gun was
Immediately followed BY a volley. which
instantly killed Captain Isaac Davis
and private Abnsr Hesmer Of Acton, d
ball passing through the heart Of the
former, and another through the head
Of the latter, and slightly wounding
Ezekiel Davis, a brother Of Captain
Davis. ball passing through bis hat
and grazing his head. When be saw
that his fifer was wounded, Captain
Davis impulsively stepped to the wall
by the road. and was in the act of
sighting his gun, when be was bit BY
the enemy's shot, He sprang two or
three feet in the air, fell on the north
side Of the wall, and expired
without uttering word Joshua
Brooks, of Lincoln, was struck with a
ball that cut through his bat and drew
blood on his forehead. 1t appeared as
if he had been cut with knife and
81 concluded" said Private Baker,
THAT the British were firing jack
knives"
Major Buttrick, then in front of Cap
tain Browns company, instantly jump
ed from the ground, and partly turning
to his men impetuously exclaimed,
'.Fire. fellow soldiers. for Gods sake
fire discharging bis own gun at tho
same moment. Captain Brown, who
never before nor after used a profane
word, exclaimed, "God damn them.
they are firing balls Fire. men, FIRE I"
drew up his own gan, deliberately
aimed, and fred One Of the dead
British soldiers, buried near the old
monument, was believed to have been
the result Of that shot. Major But
tricks order. ran along the line of
militia and minute men, the word
"Fire" ''Fire!" came from a hun
dred lips, and general discharge in
stantly followed from the Americas.
They fred as they stood, and over each
ether's heads. The fusilade continued
for few minutes only, when the Brit
ish broke and fled in great alarm and
confusion Noah Parkhurst, one Of
the Lincoln men, said to ons of his
comrades. "Now the war has hegun,
and no one knows when it viii end ~
The fire Of the Americans was
destructive Two British soldiers were
instantly killed Four efieers, Lieu
tenants Gould, Hall. Sunderland, and
Kelly. and sergeant and six privates.
were reported to have been wounded at
the same time 1t has never been ac-
curately ascertained how many privatss
suffered in this engagements. More
than a dozen had their wounds dressed
in the village BY Drs. Minst and Cum
ings. and, of course, there were sur
geons with the expeditionary force.
Many of the troops we're covered with
blood as they passed the houses on
their retreat to the village. and we're
seen in this condition from the windows,
The sudden fight Of such veteran sold
iers showed that the fire of the Ameri-
oane ,ruc< hovo hann vo,.