The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1935-04-04
Retreat of the British From Concord
Il G. =

to come to Concord. they met Doctor Prescott
the way. Doctor Prescott lived In Concord
and had been counting In Lexington that night
Thus, Charles l.. Burr of the Boston com
mittee. explained TO Concordians near Wright's
tavern. this afternoon, the reason for the bro
caded costume. the white lace and other pref
ties worn by .Dr. Prescott.
Wrights tavern is the building at which the
men Of Concord and surrounding towns gath
cred at the call to arms on April 10, 11T5
Major Pitcairn of the British detachment which
reached Concord made the tavern his head
quarters. and 1t was here he made his famous
boast that he would -stir the Yankee blood
this day."
Not only Is DR.. Samuel Prescott sforgotter.
man" so far the average American Is con-
cerned, but he is still pretty much of shadowy
figure in American history. You will look for his
name In vain In any Of the school book histories
or even IN the cyclopedias Of biography But that
he had an important part in the history making
events OF those two April days 100 years ago is
attested to by contemporary account of no less
Importance than Paul ReYeres own narrative
which says:
Il set off upon very good horse: 1t was
then about IL O'clock. and very pleasant. In
Medford | walked the captain of the Minute
Men: and after that, alarmed almost every
house. till got to Lexington
after | had been there about half an hour,
Mr.. Dawes arrived who came from Boston,
over the neck we set OFF for Concord and
were oyertaken by young gentleman named
Prescott who belonged 10 Concord. and was
going home: when we had got about half way
from Lexington to Concord the other, two
stopped at House to awake the man, | kept
along, When got about 200 yards ahead of
them. | saw two officers as before. called to
my company to come up, saying here was two
of them In an instant | saw four OF Them
who rode up to me- with their pistols In their
hands, said You STOP If you 20 an inch fur
Their, you are a dead Man Immediately. Mr.
Prescott came up. We attempt to Git thro
them. but they kept before u.s. and swore II we
did not turn into that pasture, they would blow
our brains out (they had placed themselves on-
posIte to pair of Bars and had taken the
Bars DOWN. They forced us in when we got
In Mr. Prescott said put on He took to the
left. to the right. towards wood Mt the
hottem of the Pasture intending. when gained
that to jump my Horse. and run afoot just
rs | reached It, out started six officers seized
my bridal nut their pistols to my breast
dered me to dismount. which did. one OF
them examined me and asked me what my
name was | told him. He asked me If was
an express answered In the affirmative.
~Ie demanded what time | left Boston.
told him. and added that their troops had
catched aground In passing the river. aud that
there would be 500 Americans there in short
time. for had alarmed the country all the
way up He Immediately rode towards those
who stopped us when all five OF them came
down upon full gallon. One Of them canped
pistol to my head and told me he was going
to ask me some questions, and If did not
give him true answers he would blow my
brains out He then asked the questions and
ordered me to mount my horse.
when we got to the road they turned down
toward Lexington. When we had got about one
mile the major rode up to the officer that was
leading me and told him to give me to the
sergeant The major enqured how far 1t
was to Cambridge Then he asked the sergeant
IL his horse was tired and said take that mans
horse" | dismounted. and the sergeant mount
ed my horse, and they all rode towards Lex
ington meeting house"
The British then released Revere, who went
on to Reverend Clark's house where ne warned
Hancock and Adams Ia time for them to flee.
In the meantime Doctor Prescott had safely
made his escape and soon reached Concord.
AS for what followed-"Yo know the rest. Ia
books you have read
g by Western Newspaper uh'on.s