Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1900-04-12
BRITISH DIVIDE FORCES.


From here they saw the British divid-
ing. The regulars mad entered the town.
whore they destroyed everything likely to
render assistance to the proVin-
ci1lS. Several carriages for the artil-
leiy were burned. houses were rifcd, 800
pounds OF balls were destroyed, and six
" barrels OF flour We're wantonly wasted.
The soldier, cut down the liberty pole
which had been erected on the hill. Six
companies of light infantry were orderod
to enter on the hill and dispense the min
lutcmen, who had been seen there. The
British wanted to gain possession of the
north and south bridges, thus preventing
the militia of minutemen companies from
gaining entrance to the town Capt Smit n
had control of the centre of the village
He detached Capt. Lawrence Parsons
from his own regiment, giving him COM
mand Of six companies of light infantry.
with orders to take possession of the
| north bridge. He was instructed to leave
the companies under command of Capt.
Laurie Of the Forty-third regiment to
protect the bridge; one Of these. COM
manded by Lieut.. Gould, paraded there,
the others of the Fourth and Tenth reg
imcnts fell back in the rear toward the
! hill
Capt Parsons was then instructed TO
go to Col. Barretts house and destroy
the stores they believed to be there de-
posted Mrs. Barrett met them with great
courage, and after supplying them wi h
food she said: I'VE are commanded TO
feed our enemies" They burned the can
non carriages stored in the barn, but the
sound of firing in the direction OF the
north bridge at last called them away.
Another detachment of British was sent
to the home Of Capt. Joseph Hosmer, who
was requested by Maj. Eutterick to act
AS adiutant, and who rendered great SER
vice that day marshalng and collecting
the American forces. In his house We're
some stores in form of cannon balls and
kegs of powder but Mrs. Hosmer contriV-
cd to hide them beneath some feathers
under the caves. They ransacked the
place, destroying several of her beds, but
the search revealed nothing.
MAI. PITCAlRN's BOAST.
| While the soldiers were doing this sort
of work ana the provincials were anxious
ly awaiting reinforceinents capt. Smith
and Mai. Pitcairn were residing in MIR.
Wrights tavern. Here it was Mai Pit
cairn made his famous remark. While
| stirring his brandy with his finger lie
boosted: "Ill stir the Yankee blood before
night lust as ] stir this brandy over
the quiet Concord river, men from West
ford, Lincoln and Carlisle were arriving.
| They were 800 now, every heart beating
almost to bursting, so high was the ten
sion. Joseph fiosmcr was forming the
compauies-tho mndtemen on the right,
the militia on the left, facing The town.
AT last an unusual smoke was seen aris-
| ing from the centre of the village: "Will
| you let them burn the town. asked Jo-
seph llosmer, Col, Barrett then gave the
orders to march. Mai. Butterick and
Lieut. Col. Robinson led in double file 10
he scene Of action. Attention. battal-
ion Tria. arms Left in 'front.' March
Luther blanchard piped the tune and the
AUTHORIZATION men in the lead--de-
seconded the Hill
Seeing the advancing Rroyincials the