Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1884-04-03

would much rather die freeman lhat
live slave. "
Accordingly left the field, and hur'
ried to the house, where | equipped
myself as we'll rs could, only being
delayed some half an hour in running ;
few extra bullets, my powderhorn hay
ing fortunately been filed few days
before. Then putting up some provis-
ions, for l did not know when | should
return, hade Mr.. S**** and his fdmi-
ly goodbye, and told them, if they new
er saw me again, hoped ut least they
would hear a good account of me.
I had not gone far, when I met a
horseman, riding at full speed. l ask
ed him the news, and he sung out,
without stopping his horse
"a large body of British troops, aft
er shooting down several men in Lex
ington, have marched upon Concord, to
destroy the town. Hurry on, for every
man is wanted -
He said something more, but this
was all | caught-for his hose, being
on the run, had carried MIN beyond my
hearing.
then struck across the fields to the
Concord road, running most of the
way and when l came in sight of the
road, | saw many persons hurrying mp
from every direction, each man tring-
ing with him his gun and whatever
else he Thought needful-sometimes a.
lone, like myself-but mostly in par
ties of two, three, and four-seld0m
more.
Soon after I got into the Concord
road, l met couple of men, partially
uniformed, hurrying towards LeXing-
ton. l stopped and asked them the
news and one replied very excitedly ::
Dreadful times, friend ! dreadful
times A large body of British infan-
try and grenadiers have marched on to
Concord to destroy the place, which
they are doing at this minute"
"Then why are you not there to de-
fend it ?' inquired l.
because the citizens and militia
are at present too few 30 cope with the
British and we, with many others,
have been dispatched by Colonel Bk***,
to act as scouts, alarm the country, and
get full reports of the doings below"
theG asked them if they thought l
could be of any service at Concord
and they answered that l had better
60 and see for myself but that every
body was greatly alarmed, and SO far
there was no unity Of action.
After this 1 did not hurry as before,
but walked, keeping a sharp lookout,
and wondering to myself how the af-
fail was going TO terminate.
Not thinking it exactly prudent to
approach the village by the road, and
not caring to be mixed up with other
parties, I once more turned off into
the felfs, ascended some high ground,
whence l could get partial view OF
the place, and form some idea of what
was going on.
1t was little I could see, however,
save dense smoke, rising from the
center of the place, and here and there
glimpse Of British soldiers, and some
of our own volunteers, as they march
ed in companies to take different posi-
tions.
In an open lot, just back of the vii
lage, stood quite collection of women
and children ; and on what is now call
ed Burying- ground Hill, were uum-
Der Of British officers, apparently sur
veying the place through their glasses /;
while from every direction, l could see
citizens huTrying up. but more in bod
les than before, to join their country.
men, and, if necessary, assist in re-
pelling the invaders.
AS thus stood looking, l heard the
report of guns, but apparently only
some three or four.
Next / heard single discharge, and
then what appeared to be volley.
This was followed by loud cries, and
another volley, aud for few minutes
by rapid and continual discharges, by
which knew that an action had fair
ly commenced on both sides.
While | stood hesltatiDg, not know
ing in what manner it WAS best for me
to act, the firing ceased and soon aft.
er, 70 my great joy, l saw the head OF
the column of British infantry filing
down the road.
| now hurried round to the rear of
the evacuating forces, and Oh entering
the village, found some hundreds of our
men collected on the common, almost
without order, companies apparently
being disbanded, and the greatest ex-
element aud Indignation prevailing.
Some half dozen or more had been
killed and wounded on both sides, and
a considerable amOuRt Of property had
been destroyed by the enemy but the