The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-04-23
Waterbury Startled By News Received Here
 l6z Years Ago Today

or our men 50 or 40, they think { probably more. This colony is all alarmed, every town is preparing for a march; many companies have already marched bag and baggage. Stop-This moment an express is arrived; the troops en- camped Thursday night got into Boston, under the guns of the ships. The truth of General Hald- imans' death is confirmed; Lord Piercy is missing, supposed to be burnt with other dead bodies, by the troops, in barn. Colonel Murray's son, that piloted them out, is dead; no men of note on our side is dead. Thus far iltel- ligence from William Bull at Hartford. The express informs us that the regulars lost POO men, among which are 12 officers, in the retreat from Bunker's Hill"
 Yesterday Captain Anthony ar- rived here in "a short passage from Rhode Island, by whom we learn, that General Haldiman and Earl Piercy are not among the members of the British troops slain on the 18th of April; and that General Gage had opened a communication between the town of Boston and the country. We learn likewise, that he had dis patched frigate to England a few hours after the defeat of his troops: The number of British troops lost in that engagement, is said to amount to near 800, among whom are several officers of dis tinction. The British officers and soldiers have done ample justice to the bravery and conduct of the Massachusetts militia; they say that no troops ever behaved with more resolution. A soldier who had been in the action, being con- graduated by a fellow soldier on his safe return to Boston, de- .clared, that the militia had fought like bears, and that he would as soon attempt to storm hell, as to fight against them 3 second time.' We are likewise further informed that the two brigades, consisting of 1900 men, commanded by Earl Piercy, were attacked and routed by only 800 of the militia.
 'In Captain Anthony came passengers the Rev. MT. Samuel Stillman and his family, of Bos- ton.
 Yesterday afternoon 8 gentle man arrived here from Boston, by way of Newport, Rhode Island;. He left Boston on Wednesday eve- ming (the day of the engagement) and confirms the accounts we re- ceived before relative to the secret sortie of the first brigade, and their attack against the inhabi- tants of Lexington and Concord. Very few of the citizens knew that any troops had marched for the country before 8 o'clock on Wednesday morning, at which time the second brigade marched out, to assist their brethren, 10 the tune of Yankey Doodle.
 "The first stand made by the country was with only 200 men at Concord Bridge, which the sol- diers were endeavoring to pull up. The soldiers gave the first fire, and killed or 4. It was returned with vigor by the country, and the Regulars began soon to retire. The country people immediately lined the roads, which are secured with stone walls, and their numbers hourly increasing, they annoyed the Regulars exceedingly, who halted but two or three times, and then in open plains for a few minutes.
 "A considerable body of Provin- cials had formed an ambuScade near Cambridge for the troops in their return; but the bridge hay- ing been destroyed by the first brigade in their march out, the troops took their route through Charlestown, and by that means avoided total overthrow. The number of the Regulars when the two brigades joined is said to have been at least 1900. It does not appear that they were at tackled by more than 600 Proyin- cials until they got near to CharleStown, where very strong reinforcement from the inhab- itants of Marblehead and Salem fell in with them, and gave them two severe fires: This quickened their pace to Bunker's Hill, where they took refuge, formed in order, < and remained until reinforced by the third brigade sent over from Boston to secure their retreat, which was effected without fur- ther loss.
 "A gentleman who mixed with the soldiers at Charlestown ferry says that he saw at least 100 ofti- cers. and soldiers brought over wounded in an hour. It is impos- sible to ascertain the number or the killed and wounded on either side. A young gentleman who was within ten miles of the field of battle informs us that the coun- try had buried 190 soldiers and 1t is supposed great number must have been carried of and burnt on Bunker,s Hill by their com rades. General Haldimand and Lord Percy are both returned safe. having been enclosed on all sides by their soldiers during the re- treat.
 MT. Paul Revere, who left Bos- ton to acquaint Messrs Hancock and Adams of the design against them was taken prisoner, but got clear again by a stratagem. Col. Murray's son, who conducteo the first brigade to Concord. is prisoner and not killed as was re- ported. Upon the whole. Lord North,s troops have had severe drubbing: and when we consider the disparity of numbers and dis- cipline, and the sudden and unex- pected attack against the country, we have reason to acknowledge the Interpretation of heaven on A.. A~-w