Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1900-04-12
STORY OF AN APRIL DAY.
How the First Battle Of the Revolution
Was Fought Minutemen in Line.
CFrom the Chicago Inter OCEAN,

How the First Battle OF the Revolution
Was Fought Minutemen in Line.
N'rom the Chicago Inter Ocean)
stand your ground If war IL to come,
llet it begin here" These words were ut
tered by the patriotic Capt. John Parker
as he walked along the line of his minute
company whlc the rising April sun fen
upon the polished gun barrels and bayo-
nets of the light infantry of King George,
as tho battalion under Maj. Pitcairn adj
VanCcd In the direction Of the Lexington
meeting house
"Disperse. you rebels! Lay down your
arms, and dispense shouted Maj Pitcairn
to these rcsOlute farmers, standing in line
with capt. Parker at their head. They
heard the command but not one man
moved. Maj. Pitcairn leVced his arm and
his pistol flashed Instantly the front
platoon of the British raised their mus
kcts. A volcy was fired, but no one was
injured. A second Voiley followed. Then
Ia half dozen brave men fen upon the
ground. Seven minutcmen had been kill
ed and nine wounded. Two Americans re-
turned the fire. but tine fight was so UNI
equal that Capt Parker ordered his men
to dispense.
Obodent to the command of their cap
tain the little band of men save way.
one brave heart could not give up the
nght-Jones Parker, although wounded
unto death He raised himself to a KIN, ell
ing position and reloaded his gun, 10Th
eis may do as they will. ! will never turn
my back to a red coat" said he lie had
the charge rammed home and the printing
in tho pan. but weakness overcamc him.
and before he could use his weapon the
British fell upon him; a bayonet wound
in his heart released the hero's soul who Re
he knelt.
FALLS AT HIS DOORWAY.
jonathan Harrington staggered to his
home, but few feet away from the en-
counter. His wife stood i'm the doorway.
As he reached her he fell dead at her
feet. The British were ovorjoycd at such
an easy victory, they threw up their caps
and made many boasts Of what would be-
come of the rebels ere night. They form
ed on the common with difficulty, for the
men were so eated they could hear no
orders II was between the hours / and
. O'Clock that cVcntful morning of April
10. the bell rang out from the meeting
house, warning the sleeping citizens of
Concord of their danger The startled
people came rushing to windows and oul
of doors asking for explanations.
Or. Samuel Prescott, young native Of
Concord, had been the evening before IN
Lexington calling upon the young girl
nearest his heart. 1t was here he met
Paul Revere and William Dawes, who had
4
approaching British. From the house of
Rev. MIR. Clarke, Paul Revere. William
Dawes and Or. Prescott started on horse
back toward Concord village, when sud
denly from out the shade of some trees
half dozen men confronted them. Sur
render or ] will blow out your brains. "
shouted an officer. They were the British
advance guard. Revere and Dawes were
made prisoners. but the quick witted Pres
colt leaped his horse over a stone wal
and made of through field. II was a
Wild ride. hut he got to Concord and rous-
ed its peaceful inhabitants. The bell toll
ed on, ringing In the new era ringing out
the old. Early on the scene was the pas
tor Of the town, Rev. William Emmerson.
with his gun and powder-horn setting a
brave example to his people Men on
horseback were sent flying in al direc-
tons to neichboring villages calling the
minutomen to arms. Let us stand our
ground" sand the valiant Or. Emmersun
/ 'if we die let us die here
! TAKE POSITION ON THE HILL
Capt. NInot decided the hill above the
meeting house would afford "A good de-
Tense tor the militia and minute compHn-
les. In consequence the little band of pro-
Vincials assembled there. Acton and Lin
coin companies responded promptly, max
ing the number in all about $50 men. Il
was perhaps O'Clock in the morning
when from their hilltop the Americans
sighted the British marching rapid Y
down the Lexington road. Some one re-
marked to Eleazcr Brooks Of Lincoln,
/ Let us 90 and meet Them NO" he
made answer: "it will never do for us to
start the war They did not then know
of the encounter at Lexington, so the
feeling prevailed that they would not he
the aggrcssors, but would wait until at
tackled Spies came in with the report