The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-04-30
AFFIDAVTTS TELL OF BRITISH BRUTALTTIESI
Witnesses Provided Mate- rial for Historical Rec
 ord of Atrocities

there left abou one half of these two hundred at the bridge, and procedeed with the rest towards Col Barret,s, about two miles from the said bridge. We then seeing several fires in the town, thought our houses were in danger, and ilmrnediatel, marched back to- wards said bridge, and the troops :. who were stationed there, observ- ing, our approach, marched back over the bridge. and then took up some of the blanks. We then hastened our steps towards the bridge, and when we had got near the bridge, they fired on our men, first three guns one after the other, and then 8 considerable number more: Upon which, and not before, Ghaving orders from our Commanding Oficer not to fire. till we were fired upon) we fired upon the regulars, and they retreated. At Concord and on retreat, through Lexington, they plundered many houses, burnt three at Lexington, together with a shop and a barn, and commit ted damage more of less to almost every house from Concord to Charlestown.
 Signed by the above deponents. WE, Joseph Butler and Ephraim Melvin, 10 testify and declare, that, when the regular troops fired upon our people at the North Bridge in Concord, as related in the foregoing dispositions, they shot one and we believe two, ot otlr people, before we fired g sin gle gun at them.
 Lexington, April 23, 1775. ",''Concord, April 2s, 1775.'
 Lexington, April 25, 1775. ssT JOHN PARKER, of lawful
 3 age, and Commander of the Militia in Lexington. do testify and declare, that on the 18th in- staat, in the morning, about one of the clock, being informed that there were a number of regular Officers riding up and down the road. stopping and insulting peo- pie as they passed the road; and also was informed that g number of regular troops were on their march from Boston, in order. to take the province stores at Con- cord, order our Militia to meet on the Common in said Lexington, to consult what to. do, and con- cluded not to be discovered, nor meddle or make with said regular troops (if they should approach) unless they should insult or mo- lest us;-and. upon their sudden approach I immediately ordered our Militia to .disperse and not to fire. {, Immediately said troops made their appearance and rushed furiously, fired upon and killed eight of our party, iwhtout receiv- ing :. any. rproyocation therefore from us.
 JOHN PARKER"
 Lexington, April 24th, 1775. CT JOHN ROBINS, being of
 \, lawful age, do testify and say, that on the 18th inst. the company under the command of Capt. John Parker, being drawn up (sometirne before sun rise) on the, green or common, and I being in the front rank, there suddenly appeared a number of the Kings troops, about 8 thousand as l thought, at, the distance of about 60 or 70 yards from us, huzzaiI1g and on g quick pace towards us, with three officers in their front on horse back and on full gallop towards us, the foremost of which cried, throw down your arms ye williams, ye rebels'-upon which said company dispersing, the fore most of the three officers ordered their men, saying, 'Firel by God, fire!'-at which moment we re- ceived a very heavy and close fire from them, at which instant, be- ing wounded, I fell, and several of our men were shot dead by me. Capt. Parker's men I believe had not then fired a gun, and further the deponert saith not.
 JOHN ROBINS v Lexington, April B, 1775. xsT.. JAMES HARRIET, of Con-
 ! , cord, Colonel of 8 regiment of militia in the county of Middle sex, do testify and say, that on wednesday morning last, about daybresk, was informed of the approach, of a number of the regular troops to the town of Con- cord, where were some magazines belonging to this province, when there was assembled some of the militia of this and the .neighbor- ing towns, when I ordered them to march to the North Bridge (so called) which they had passed ana were taking up. T ordered Said militia to march to said bridge and pass the same, but not to ,fire on the. Kings troops unless they were, first fired upon. We ad- vanced near said bridge, when the said troops fired upon our mili- tia and killed two men dead on the spot and wounded several others, which was the first firing of guns In the town of Concord: My detachment then returned the lire, which killed and wounded several of the Kings troops.
 JAMES BARRETT" vNxvNs r rxxyvc r0 -