The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1911-10-16
DISCREDlTS The MINUTE MEN
HISTORY STUDENT DOUBTS THE
BATTLE or LEXINGTON.
says capt. PARK cr Ordered Ills Mnmiamen
to 90 Home and That the British
Troops Killed Eight Of Them without
cause Historical society shocked.

BosToN. Oct Is Did Capt John Parker
give the order "Stand your ground" dc.
generally credited TO him when he lined up
the minute men on Lexington Green "a
the British soldiers appeared on the morn
ing OF April 49, l775?
That is a question which has been
brought up by Alexander Starbuok Of
Waltham who in paper read before the
Lexington Historical Society remarked
that he did not suppose Capt Parker said
il. and moreover he could find no good
authority for it,
On Lexington Green there is a bowlder
upon which is carved the stirring speech
attributed TO the Captain: STAND your
ground Don't fire unless fired upon.
But IL they mean to have war let IL
begin here"
Mr. Starbuck added to the consterna-
tion of all the society members and to the
indignHt ion Of some hat far from bidding
he minute men TO stand their ground
Capt Parker as soon IA he saw the red
coats ordered his men to go home.
They werr 90 to 90 against from 900
to loOO" no explained But all this.
he was careful to add. did not in
any way reflect upon the courage Of the
Captain or OF his soldiery 1t simply
proved the Captains common sense.
Mr. S,arbuck said regarding his paper:
Il told the Lexington Historical Society
my convictions because believe a his
torcal society should search for the truth
frs, and for the picturesque afterward.
OF course my statement may hurt the
local pride of Lexington just little bit,
vet after all il doesn't make 10 very much
difference whether Capt. Parker made his
speech or not
Then again. | may be wrong. only
every hit Of evidence can find seems to
prove me right. started out believing
that Parker spoke those words. When
came to look up an authoritative source
to justify the belief could not find it
One of the chief reasons why Mr.. Star
buck concludes that the famous words
were never spoken is the affidavit Of
Parker himself made just after the battle
OF Lexington. He does not rely upon
that alone. He has delved also into
variaus histories and into the provincial
Congress records
Upon what foundation does the story
Of Parker's speech stand?" Starbuck asks.
The Life and Correspondence of Theo-
dore Parker gives what is doubtless the
legends ultimate and only authority
This il a letter from Theodore Parker &c
Bancroft the historian. dated September
10 1855 Theodore Parker says: i think
these significant words ought to he pre-
served. They were kept a. the family
tradition OF the day, and when the battle
| Va. al 1kDO fheraah hnltl hi,
orderly sergeant took the Captains place
and repeated the words. adding: FOL
them is the very words Capt. Parker said.
Besides some Of the soldiers when the,
saw the fash of the British guns turned e
run; he drew his sword and said: Il viii
order the first man shot that offers to run.
Nobody ran till he told them; "Dispers'
and take care OF yourselves
Look at the testimony OF Capt Parke
himself: ] ordered our militia to NEE
on the Common in said Lexington to con
; snl what to do and concluded not to b
discovered nor meddie nor make witt
said regular troops il they should ap
proach unless they should insult or moles
us. and upon their sudden approach
Immediately ordered our militia to dis
perse and not to fire. Immediately sal,
troops made their appearance and rush
ing furiously on fred upon and kille'
eight Of our party. without receiving an
provocation from us y"
To refute Mr.. Starhuck's 3 evidence tn
Historical Society seems To rely upo
Theodore Parkers letter. A. r.. Locke
president Of the society. said; The ira
dition is thoroughly well founded. +,
, doubt its authenticity il pure nonsense
It's not worth discussing at all"
James p. Munroe. formerly OF Lexing
ton. was asked upon what authority tn
, people relied when they carved Parker
words upon the Lexington Green boulder
The authority upon which the founder
Of that memorial relied" he answered
was the statement Of Capt. Parker
grandson, the Rev. Theodore Parker"