Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-07-03
The First Trophy OF the Revolution.

The First Trophy OF the Revolution.
From paper written by the late Theo-
dore Parker, and read before the New
England Historic Genealogical Society,
we learn the following particulars regard
ing the gun presented by him, in his will,
to the State of Massachusetts:
Both Hancock and Adams were stay
ing at Lexington, with Rev. Jonas Clark,
an eminent patriot, on the afternoon of
April 10, 1775, when 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
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 Con-
cord They gave the alarm to the proper
persons, whom Captain Parker-grand-
father OF the eminentdivine--had selected
Tor that work, and he sent men through
the town to give notice for assembling
the militia. The church bell was also
rung
Captain Parker lived about two and
one-half or three miles from the meeting
house. He had been there late IN the
evening, and conferred with Hancock and
Adams, and made arrangements, in case
it was necessary, to call out the soldiers.
He went to bed late that night, and i'll.
About two O'Clock he was called up by
the men referred to above and went to
the meeting house 1.-THE Council is just
behind it). He formed his company
little after day break. About one hun
bred and twenty men answered to their
names, armed and equipped. But as the
intelligence was not quite certain, he sent
out other scouts to obtain information of
the advance of the enemy, and dismissed
the soldiers, telling them to be within call
and assemble again at the beat of drum.
They dispersed. Not long after one of
his scouts returned and told him the Brit
ish were near at hand.
He ordered the drum beat IN front of
the tavern close by the Common. Seven
ty men appeared, were formed into four
platoons, and marched on to the Common.
His nephew, Jonathan Harrington, the
last survivor of the battle, then lad of
sixteen, played the fife, which with the
drum, formed the only music.
He formed them in single line. then
wheeled the first and fourth platoons 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 fired upon. But if
they want to have war, let It begin
here''
He then wheeled back the two wings
into a continuous line, and stood a 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 them by name to come back, and
said he would order the first man shot
who should run away.
All bright young scholars know what
followed-the fire of the British, the re-
turn of the fire by the Americans-the
killing of eight of his company, his order
to them to disperse and take care of them
selves. After they were gone, the Brit
ish soldiers gave three hurrahs, and
stopped half an hour and ate their break
fast, and then resumed their march to-
| ward Concord.
After they were gone, Captain Parker
and his men came back, took upSthe dead,
looked after the wounded, etc. Captain
Parker saw British soldier who had
loitered behind little drunk, seized him
and made him prisoner. He was COM
pletely armed, having the musket stamp
ed with the royal arms, knapsack,
blanket, provisions, cartouch- box, with
sixty rounds of ball cartridges, etc. Cap
tain Parker kept them as spolia opima, as
did also his son, and then the Rev Theo-
dOre Parker.
The late Governor Andrew, it will be
remembered, on receiving it on the States
behalf, in the presence of the legislature,
JAM %, 1861, kissed the gun and said:
81 am proud to be the humble instru-
ment of its transmission to the Senate, in
whose chamber it is requested by the will
that it ay be preserved
The weapon is placed in the Senate
chamber on the left of the drum and
other relics from the battle of Ben ming
ton.