“The New England militia were elaborately organized and actively led. On the morning of April 19, 1775, they stood against Thomas Gage’s Regular Infantry in fixed positions and close formations at least six times. Twice the Regulars were broken. In the afternoon, the American leaders changed their tactics. Now facing a larger enemy and artillery, they forged a moving ‘circle of fire’ around the British force and maintained it for many hours — an extraordinary feat of combat leadership with citizen soldiers.
“After the fighting was over, many of these same men, including Paul Revere and Thomas Gage, fought the second battle of Lexington and Concord. This was a contest for what their generation was the first to call popular opinion, and even more decisive than the battle itself. Yankee leaders were victorious in spreading their version of events through the colonies. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Thomas Paine all testified that the news of Lexington was, in Adam’s phrase, their revolutionary Rubicon,” according to Paul Revere’s Ride by David Hackett Fischer (1994).
Rag Linen’s Battle of Lexington and Concord collection provides evidence of the rush, by both sides, to influence public opinion via the rapid dissemination of letters, newspapers and commentary. The collection features an exciting mix of primary source material from the days, weeks and months following April 19, 1775.
The first item, the Postscript to the Pennsylvania Journal dated April 27, 1775, is the only one of its kind known to exist in either institutional or private hands. It includes extracts from three letters, two of which may be whole, and one that was penned on the same day as the battle. Also featured is a London newspaper printing Gen. Gage’s official battle account. American newspaper printers, after reading Gage’s report, took their turn correcting and commenting on his version of events. As part of the counterpoint, the Connecticut Journal on August 23, 1775, prints: “To reason on the facts, which are now indisputable, is to talk which will better suit some future opportunity. The public have but to ponder on the melancholy truths thus attested by government. The sword of civil war is drawn and if there is truth in Heaven, THE KING’S TROOPS UNSHEATHED IT.”
Postscript to the Pennsylvania Journal [No. 1690]
PHILADELPHIA, April 27, 1775
Extract of Letters from BOSTON, per Post [to a gentleman in NEW YORK]
BOSTON, April 19, 1775
I have taken up my pen to inform you, that last night about eleven o’ clock, one thousand of the best Troops, in a very secret manner, embarked on board a number of Boats at the bottom of the Common, and went up Cambridge River, and landed.
In the mean time they stopped every person from going over the Neck, or any Ferry; but we soon found a way to get some men to alarm the country. From thence they marched, to Lexington,, where they saw a number of men exercising. They ordered them to disperse, and immediately fired on them, killed eight men on the spot, and marched to Concord. This alarmed the country so, that it seemed as if men came down from the clouds. This news coming to Town, the General sent out another thousand men, with a large train of artillery. In the mean time, those Troops at Concord had set fire to the Court-House there. We then had our men collected, so that an engagement immediately ensued, and the King’ s Troops retreated very fast, until they were reinforced with the last one thousand that the General sent; but they did not stand long before the whole body gave way, and retreated very fast. Our men kept up at their heels, loading and firing till they got to Charlestown, when our men thought it not prudent to proceed any farther, fearing the Ships-of-War would be ordered to fire on Boston and Charlestown. They have gained a complete victory; and, by the best information I can get, most of the officers and soldiers are cut off. There were two wagons, one loaded with powder and ball, and the other with provisions, guarded by seventeen men and an officer going to the Army, when six of our men waylaid them, killed two; wounded two, and took the officer prisoner; the others took to the woods, and we brought off the wagons. The engagement began about twelve o’ clock, and continued until seven; in the mean time they retreated twenty miles.
I have endeavoured to give you a few of the particulars, as near as I am able, considering the situation we are in, not knowing but the Troops may have liberty to turn their revenge on us. We have now at least ten thousand men round this Town. It has been a most distressing day with us; but I pray God we may never have reason to be called to such another.
Another of April 20 [EXTRACT OF A LETTER TO A GENTLEMAN NEAR PHILADELPHIA, DATED BOSTON, APRIL 20, 1775]
Yesterday produced a scene the most shocking that New-England ever beheld. Last Saturday P. M., orders were sent to the several Regiments quartered here, not to let their Grenadiers or Light-Infantry do any duty till farther orders; upon which the inhabitants conjectured that some secret expedition was on foot, and, being upon the look-out, they observed those bodies on the move between ten and eleven o’ clock on Tuesday night, observing a perfect silence in their march, towards the point opposite to Phipps’ s farm, where boats were in waiting, that conveyed them over. The men appointed to alarm the country on such occasions got over by stealth as early as the Troops, and took their different routes.
The first advice we had was about eight o’ clock in the morning, when it was reported that the Troops had fired upon and killed five men in Lexington; previous to which an officer came express to his Excellency General Gage, when, between eight and nine o’ clock, a Brigade marched out under the command of Earl Percy, consisting of the Marines, the Welsh Fusileers, the Fourth, and Forty-seventh, and Thirty-eighth Regiments, and two field pieces. About twelve o’ clock it was given out by the General’ s Aid-de-Camp that no person was killed, and that a single gun had not been fired, which report was variously believed; but, between one and two o’ clock, certain accounts came that eight were killed outright, and fourteen wounded of the inhabitants of Lexington. Those people, it seems, to the number of about forty, were drawn out early in the morning near the Meeting-House to exercise; upon which the party of Light-Infantry and Grenadiers, to the number of about eight hundred, came up to them, and ordered them to disperse. The commander replied that they were innocently amusing themselves with exercise, that they had not any ammunition with them, and therefore should, not molest or disturb them. This answer not satisfying, the Troops fired upon them, and killed three or four; the others took to their heels, and the Troops continued to fire. A few took refuge in the Meeting-House, when the soldiers shoved up the windows, pointed their guns in, and killed three there. This is the best account I can learn of the beginning of the fatal day, and you must naturally suppose that such a piece of cruelty would rouse the Country.
The Troops continued their march to Concord, entered the Town, and refreshed themselves in the Meeting-House and Town-House. In the latter place they found some ammunition and stores belonging to the country, which finding they could not bring away by reason of the country people having occupied all the posts round them, they set fire to the house, but the people extinguished it. They set it on fire a second time, which brought on a general engagement at about eleven o’ clock. The Troops took two pieces of cannon from the countrymen; but their numbers increasing, they soon regained them, and the Troops were obliged to retreat towards Town.
At noon they were joined by the other Brigades, under Earl Percy, when another very warm engagement came on at Lexington. The Troops not being able to stand it, where obliged to continue their retreat, which they did with the bravery becoming British soldiers; but the country was in a manner desperate, not regarding their cannon in the least, and followed on till seven in the evening, by which time they got into Charlestown, when they left off the pursuit, lest they might injure the inhabhitants. I stood upon the hills in Town and saw the engagement very plain, which was very bloody for seven hours; and it is conjectured that one half of the soldiers at least are killed. The last Brigade was sent over the Ferry in the evening to secure their retreat; and they are this morning intrenching themselves upon Bunker’ s Hill, till they can get a safe retreat to this Town.
It is impossible to learn any particulars, as the communication between town and country is at present broke off; they were till ten last night bringing over their wounded, several of whom are since dead, two officers in particular. When I reflect, and consider that the fight between those whose parents but a few years ago were brothers, I shudder at the thought, and there is no knowing where our calamities will end.
Another letter [from Boston to a Gentleman in New York, dated April 20, 1775] has the following:
The Troops continuing their route to Concord,, the country, by the time of their getting there, was alarmed; and our people, taking to a hill, began firing upon the Troops with about two hundred men, which number, receiving continual additions, the Troops were all the remainder of the day on their retreat to Charlestown, and many of the officers who have returned say they never were in a hotter engagement. Many are killed on both sides, and were left on the roads, neither side having time to collect their dead.
Letters from New York, say, that the killed among the Regulars amounted to 500. Others say, Lord Peircy and General Haldiman were among the dead; Others say they were not. Printed by William and Thomas Bradford.
Pennsylvania Evening Post
PHILADELPHIA, May 9, 1775
Extra of a letter from Roxbury, dated April 28 to a gentleman in Newport, Rhode Island
Notwithstanding your many neglects; notwithstanding my many avocations, I once more salute you, jacta est alea. What folly could have induced General Gage to act a part so fatal to Britain. It is all over with them; their withering laurels will soon be plucked from their brows by the rapacious Bourbon. I pity the madness which effected their destruction.
You have, no doubt, been informed of the affair of Wednesday the 19th. Is it not truly amazing, that such a body of Regulars, so thoroughly appointed, with artillery, &c., should be defeated and put to flight by a handful of raw, undisciplined peasants? We have lost but forty-one, and but few, not exceeding ten, wounded; they have near three hundred killed, wounded, and missing. Our countrymen swarm to our defence from all quarters. We are busily organizing our Troops, and shall soon have a well constructed army in the field of thirty thousand men. Gage and his Troops are immured within the walls of Boston; and what is a delay to our satisfaction, our friends are entrapped by them. We have some hopes they will be liberated this day, General Gage has proposed, upon their surrendering their arms, that they march out. They surrendered their arms yesterday.
Poor Quincy, alas! he is no more. He returned to his native Country, pressed the beloved soil, and died. We did not se’ e him; he breathed his last the night before last, at Cape Ann.
We have had an express by the way of Connecticut, enclosing transcripts from letters sent lately to New-York. Such a vile system of slavery is preparing for us as might make a Domitian blush. Thank God, our enemies will assuredly be defeated.
London Chronicle
June 10 to 13, 1775
From the London Gazette, Whitehall, June 10
Lieutenant Nunn, of the Navy, arrived this morning at Lord Dartmouth’s office, and has brought letters from General Gage, Lord Percy, and Lieutenant Colonel Smith, containing the following particulars of what passed on the 19th of April last, between a detachment of the King’s troops in the province of Massachusett’s Bay, and several parties of Rebel Provincials, viz.
General Gage having received intelligence of a large quantity of military stores being collected at Concord, for the avowed purpose of supplying a body of troops to act in opposition to his Majesty’s government, detached, on the 18th of April, at night, the Grenadiers of his army, and the Light Infantry, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Smith of the 10th regiment, and Major Pitcairne of the Marines, with orders to destroy the said stores; and the next morning eight companies of the 4th, the same number of the 23rd and 49th, and some Marines, marched under the command of Lord Percy, to support the other detachment.
Lieutenant Colonel Smith finding, after he had advanced some miles on his march, that the country had been alarmed by the firing of guns, and ringing of bells, dispatched six companies of Light Infantry, in order to secure two bridges on different roads beyond Concord, who, upon their arrival at Lexington, found a body of the country people drawn up under arms on a green, close to the road; and, upon the King’s troops marching up to them, in order to inquire the reason of their being so assembled, they went off in great confusion, and several guns were fired upon the King’s troops from behind a stone wall, and also from the Meeting-house and other houses, by which one man was wounded, and Major Pitcairne’s horse shot in two places. In consequence of this attack by the rebels, the troops returned the fire, and killed several of them; after which the detachment marched on to Concord, without anything further happening, where they effected the purpose for which they were sent, having knocked off the trunnions of three pieces of iron ordnance, burnt some new gun carriages, and a great number of carriage wheels, and thrown into the river a considerable quantity of flour, gunpowder, musket-balls, and other articles. Whilst this service was performing, great numbers of the rebels assembled in many parts, and a considerable body of them attacked the Light Infantry posted on one of the bridges, on which an action ensued, and some few were killed and wounded.
On the return of the troops from Concord they were very much annoyed, and had several men killed and wounded, by the rebels firing from behind walls, ditches, trees, and other ambushes; but the brigade under the command of Lord Percy having joined them at Lexington, with two pieces of cannon, the rebels were for a while dispersed: but , as soon as the troops resumed their march, they began again to fire upon them from behind stone walls and houses, and kept up in that manner a scattering fire, during the whole of their march of fifteen miles, by which means several were killed and wounded; and such was the cruelty and barbarity of the rebels; that they scalped and cut off the ears of some of the wounded men who fell into their hands.
It is not known what number of the rebels were killed and wounded; but, it is supposed, that their loss was very considerable.
General Gage says, that too much praise cannot be given to Lord Percy, for his remarkable activity during the whole day; and that Lieut. Colonel Smith and Major Pitcairne did everything that men could do, as did the officers general; and that the men behaved with their usual intrepidity.
Return of the Commission, Non-Commission Officers, Drummers, Rank and File, killed and wounded, Prisoners and missing, on the 19th of April 1775.
4th, or King’s own regiment, Lieutenant Knight, killed. Lieutenant Gould, wounded and prisoner. 3 Sergeants, 1 Drummer, wounded. 7 rank and file killed, 21 wounded, 8 missing.
5th regiment. Lieutenant Thomas Baker, Lieutenant William Cox, Lieutenant Thomas Hawkshaw, wounded. 5 rank and file killed, 15 wounded, 1 missing.
10th regiment. Lieutenant Colonel Francis Smith, Captain Lawrence Parsons, Lieutenant Wald. Kelly, Ensign Jeremiah Lester, wounded. 1 rank and file killed. 13 wounded, 1 missing.
18th regiment. 1 rank and file killed, 4 wounded, 1 missing.
23rd regiment. Lieut. Colonel Bery Bernard, wounded. 4 rank and file killed, 26 wounded, 6 missing.
38th regiment. Lieut William Sutherland wounded, 1 Sergeant wounded. 4 rank and file killed, 11 wounded.
43rd regiment. Lieut. Hull wounded and prisoner. 4 rank and file killed, 5 wounded, 2 missing.
47th regiment. Lieut. Donald McCloud, Ensign Henry Baldwin, wounded. 1 Serjeant wounded. 5 rank and file killed, 21 wounded.
52nd regiment. 1 Serjeant missing. 3 rank and file killed. 2 wounded.
59th regiment. 3 rank and file killed, 3 wounded.
Marines. Captain Souter, Second Lieutenant McDonald, wounded. Second Lieutenant Isaac Potter missing. 1 Serjeant killed, 2 wounded, 1 missing. 1 Drummer killed. 25 rank and file killed, 36 wounded, 5 missing.
TOTAL
1 Lieutenant killed.
2 Lieutenant-Colonels wounded.
2 Captains wounded.
9 Lieutenants wounded.
1 Lieutenant missing.
2 Ensigns wounded.
1 Serjeant killed, 7 wounded, 2 missing. 1 Drummer killed, 1 wounded. 62 rank and file killed, 157 wounded, 24 missing.
N.B. Lieutenant Isaac Potter reported to be wounded and taken prisoner.Signed THO. GAGE
London Chronicle
June 10 to 13, 1775
Tuesday, June 13.
LONDON
Yesterday arrived a Mail from New York, brought by the Harriot packet boat, Captain Oake, in thirty-five days to Falmouth. She sailed from New York the 4th of May.
From the New York Gazette of May 1
[In the second page of this Gazette are several letters, containing an account of the skirmish between the King's troops and the provincials at Concord and Lexington, in New England, on April 19, which is to the same purports as that given in the Essex Gazette, printed at Salem, and inserted in the London papers of May 30.]
The second page contains also the following particulars relative to the action that lately happened at Boston, between the King’s troops and the inhabitants of Massachusetts Bay, viz.
Wallingford, Monday, April 24. Colonel Wadsworth was over in this place most of yesterday, and has ordered 20 men out of each company in his regiment, some of which had already set off, and others go this morning. He brings accounts which came to him authenticated from Thursday in the afternoon. The King’s troops being reinforced a second time, and joined, as I suppose, from what I can learn, by the party who were intercepted by Colonel Gardner, were then encamped on Winter Hill, and were surrounded by 20,000 of our men, who were entrenching. Col. Gardner’s ambush proved fatal to Lord Percy and another General Officer, who were killed on the spot the first fire. To counterbalance this good news, the story is, that our first man in command (who he is I know not) is also killed. It seems they have lost many men on both sides. Col. Wadsworth had the account in a letter from Hartford. The country beyond here are all gone, and we expect it will be impossible to procure horses for our waggons, as they have and will, in every place, employ themselves all their horses. JAMES LOCKWOOD
N.B. Col. Gardner took nine prisoners, and 12 clubbed their firelocks and came over to our party. Col. Gardner’s party consisted of 700, and the regulars 1800, instead of 1200 as we heard before; they have sent a vessel up Mystick river, as far as Temple’s farm, which is about a mile from Winter-hill. These accounts being true, all the King’s forces, except 4 or 500, must be encamped on Winter-hill.
At the instance of the Gentlemen of Fairfield, just departed from hence, this is copied verbatim from the original to be forwarded to that town. ISAAC BEERS PIERPONT EDWARDS. New Haven, April 24, half past 9 forenoon.
The above copy came authenticated from the several towns through which it passed.
The following Articles are inserted in the third page of the same New York Gazette:
New York, May 1. We hear there are letters in this town from Connecticut, which say, That the number of men lately assembled at Boston, including those from Connecticut and Rhode Island, amounted to 60,000; that they are mostly returned to their respective homes, leaving an army of about 15,000 to watch General Gage’s motions, who, we are told, has given the Inhabitants of Boston permission to leave the town, on condition they left their arms behind them; that two frigates and three general officers were arrived at Boston from England, and a large number of troops hourly expected; and both General Gage and the Inhabitants of Boston, had sent expresses to Great Britain with accounts of the late action at Lexington and Concord.
We are well assured, that the report of the troops and inhabitants of Marshfield being cut off, is without foundation, they having all got safe into Boston.
We still seem to be in great suspence about the accounts from Boston, the authenticity of part of them being doubtful; however, we make not the least doubt there has been a smart engagement between the King’s troops and the Provincials, in which we hear the former has lost 302 men, killed, wounded, and taken prisoners, and the latter 37; but we do not learn there was any General Officer lost on either side; and the regular post being now stopped between this place and Boston, it is probable we will remain somewhat longer in the dark concerning this very disagreeable, unhappy, and melancholy transaction.
A letter from Boston, dated last Monday, and received since writing the above paragraphs, says, ‘The communication between this town and country is entirely stopped by, and not a soul permitted to go in or out without a pass. This day the Governor has disarmed all the inhabitants, after giving them his word and honour that the soldiers should not molest nor plunder them. Cambridge is the head quarters of the Provincials, and they are commanded by General ——: They are entrenching themselves at Roxbury, and erecting batteries to play on our lines.’
The men of war at Rhode-Island have taken two sloops bound from thence for Providence with flour, belonging to Mr. Brown, of Newport; and the owner has taken on board one of the King’s ships.
The following association was set on foot here last Saturday, and on that day it was signed by above 100 of our principal inhabitants. It is to be transmitted to all the countries in the province, where we make no doubt it will be signed by all ranks of people.
‘Persuaded that the salvation of the rights and liberties of America depends, under God, on the firm union of its Inhabitants, in a virgorous prosecution of the measures necessary for its safety, and convinced of the necessity of preventing the anarchy and confusion which attend a dissolution of the powers of government; we the Freemen, Freeholders, and Inhabitants, of the city and county of New York, being greatly alarmed at the avowed design of the ministry to raise a revenue in America, and shocked by the bloody scene now acting in the Massachusetts bay; do, in the most solemn manner, resolve never to become slaves; and do associate under all the ties of religion, honour, and love to our country, to adopt, and endeavour to carry into execution, whatever measures may be recommended by the continental congress, or resolved upon by our provincial convention, for the purpose of preserving our constitution, and opposing the execution of the several arbitrary and oppressive acts of the parliament, until a reconciliation between Great Britain and America on constitutional principles (which we most ardently desire) can be obtained; and that we will in all things follow the advice of our general committee, respecting the purposes aforesaid, the preservation of peace and good order, and the safety of individuals and private property.
Dated in New York, April and May 1775.
Newark, April 24. At a meeting of the committee of observation for the township of Newark; present eighteen members. Mr. Caleb Camp in the chair. The chairman having opened the business of the meeting, and related the purport of the expresses lately received from Boston, the following motions were made, and agreed to unanimously:
That the members of this committee are willing, at this alarming crisis, to risque their lives and fortunes in support of American liberty; and that it be recommended to our constituents, to give all necessary support in their power, to our brethren in the province of Massachusetts Bay, in the present alarming exigency.
That it be also recommended to the Captains of the militia, in this township, to muster and exercise their respective companies at least once every week; and carefully to exact that each man be provided with arms and ammunition, as the militia law directs.
That it be requested of all heads of families, and masters of apprentices, to encourage all of proper age, under their direction, to learn the military exercise, and allow them such portions of time as may be necessary to make them perfect therein.
ROBERT JOHNSTON, Clerk.
An express from New York was received last Saturday at Lord Dartmouth’s Office.
It is said, that some private letters from New York, brought by the Harriot packet, dated May 4, give an account that the inhabitants there, having received an express from Salem of the engagement between the regulars and the provincials, immediately took to their arms, and seized upon the garrison and fortifications of that town, the arms and ammunition belonging to the King’s troops, and that most of the soldiers were made prisoners. The account further adds, that the whole province is in arms to give all the assistance in their power to their distressed brethren at Boston; and that in every part of America the inhabitants were fully determined to defend their rights and liberties, at the hazard of their lives and fortunes.
Another account mentions the Newyorkers rising and taking the government into their own hands, that the few troops that were there they forced part on board the King’s ships, and the other part taken prisoners. The Arsenal is now in possession of the ringleaders of this insurrection, and they have appointed a provincial committee, who are to take the reins of government directly, who are afterwards to be directed by the Grand American congress when they have sat.
The people rose in consequence of some threatening letters from Boston, written after the skirmish with General Gage’s troops. These letters say, ‘That if they do not join them, they will look on them as enemies; for those that are not for America must be against her; and now their arms are in their hands, it is indifferent whether they turn to the right or the left, to the King’s troops, or to New York.”
Another account says, that there has actually been a second action at Boston, in which 250 of the Regulars were killed and wounded, and near 100 taken prisoners; that all the people have been let out of Boston, and that General Gage, with his whole army, had betaken himself on ship-board, and is returning home with his troops.
It is said, Col. Mansfield, Mr. Watts, and many other friends and servants of government, are arrived from New York, where it is no longer safe for any person to stay, who does not either join with, or acquiesce in, the violent measures of the partisans against government.
We hear that all the letters from Boston mention, that Lord Percy has acquired great honour by his spirit and conduct; that he was in every place of danger cool, deliberate, and wise in all his orders, and through continually in a shower of bullets, and an object that was aimed at, as he was on horseback, yet that he happily came off unhurt.
Seventeen of the transports that went out from Cork are arrived at Boston.
London Chronicle
June 10 to 13, 1775
LONDON
Extract of a Letter from Weathersfield, in New England, to a Gentleman in New York, April 23
We are all in motion here, and equipt from the town yesterday 100 young men, who chearfully offered their service, 20 days provision and 64 rounds per man. They are all well armed and in high spirits; my brother is gone with them, and others of the first property. Our neighbouring towns are all arming and moving. Men of the first character and property shoulder their arms and march off for the field of action. We shall by night have several thousands from this colony on their march.
The eyes of America are on New-York; the Ministry have certainly been promised by some of your leading men, that your province would desert us; but you will be able to form a better judgment when you see how this intelligence is relished. Take care of yourselves, we have more than men enough to block up the enemy at Boston; and if we are like to fall by treachery, by Heaven we will not fall unrevenged on the traitors; but if balls or swords will reach them, they shall fall with us. It is no time now to dally, or merely neutral; he that is not for us, is against us, and ought to feel the first of our resentment. You must now declare most explicitly, one way or the other, that we may know whether we are to go to Boston or New-York; if you desert, our men will as cheerfully attack New-York as Boston, for we can but perish, and that we are determined upon, or be free. I have nothing more to add, but am, Your Friend and Countryman, etc.
P.S. Colonel Murray’s son, one of the Tories, undertook to guide the regulars in their march to Concord, and on their retreat was taken prisoner, but attempting to escape from our people, they shot him; a death too honourable for such a villain! They have made another of them a prisoner, but I do not recollect his name; none of ours were taken. Query Will Colonel Grant believe now that New England men dare look regulars in the face? Eighteen hundred of their best men retreating with loss, before one third or their number, seems almost incredible, and I think must be called an omen for good. In every struggle, heaven has as yet given us strength equal to the day; its hand is not shortened, nor its arm weakened. We are now called upon to shew the world, ‘That whom we call fathers did beget us;’ and that we desire to enjoy the blessings they purchased for us, with their lives and fortunes. We fix on our standards and drums the colony arms, with this motto, Qui transtulit sustinent, round it in letters of gold, which we construe thus: ‘God who transplanted us hither will support us.’
Extract of a Letter from the Committee in Fairfield, Connecticut, to the Committee of New York.
As it is imagined your city will be next visited, we have withheld our men from going to the eastward, and are in high spirits to come and assist you.
It was yesterday confidently reported that advice had been received at Lord Dartmouth’s office from Lieut. Governor Colden, at New York, mentioning, that on the arrival of the news of the affair at Boston a plan had been laid, and successfully carried into execution, of seizing the fort and battery by surpize; the garrison were all taken prisoners without bloodshed, and by this means about 200 pieces of fine cannon had fallen into the hands of the Provincials. The Lieut. Governor it is said adds, that his authority is totally at an end, and that the committee of the people regulate every thing. This news has thrown the Ministry into the utmost confusion, as New York had always been reckoned their head quarters.
Extract of a Letter from Falmouth, June 9.
By a packet just now arrived from New York, we have a confirmation of the news respecting the unhappy affair at Lexington, near Boston. The people at New York are all in arms at the time the packet sailed. All business at the custom-house stopped, and no vessel allowed to sail out of the harbour; the mails from the different parts of the country intercepted, and the post-offices obliged to be shut up; the soldiers at New York shut up in the barracks, and every night under a guard of the provincials, together (I am told) with Rivington the printer, who has taken refuge there from the resentment of the populace; in short, I find that all the colonies have brought themselves under an obligation to abide strictly to the determination of the congress now sitting; and that the inhabitants of every town sign, individually, a paper to the same effect or, on refusal, are to quit the colony in forty-eight hours. Those who were favourers of the Court side of the question before, have, since the arrival of the restraining bills, in general, gone over to the other side. I thought it might not be altogether unacceptable to you to be informed of these few particulars, as no person can help bring interested in this unhappy affair; which I fear will not be terminated without farther bloodshed on both sides.
Newport Mercury
July 31, 1775
On the 5th Inst. the Members of the New-York Military Club gave an elegant Entertainment, in the City of New-York, to General Wooster, and the Officers of the Connecticut Forces; at which the following Toasts, among others, were drank, viz. May the Disgrace of the Rebels against the Constitution, be as conspicuous as that of the Rebels against the House of Hanover — The immortal Memory of HAMPDEN, SIDNEY, WARREN, and every Patriot who bled in Defence of Liberty — May the Enemies of America be turned into Saltpetre, and go off in hot Blasts — Death and Jack Boots, before Dishonor and Wooden Shoes — THE GLORIOUS NINETEENTH OF APRIL when the brave Americans convinced General Gage and the Friends of Tyranny, that they dare fight, and conquer also.
Connecticut Journal
August 23, 1775
This issue reprints the Gen. Gage account that was printed in the June 10 London Gazette and June 13 London Chronicle, followed by this commentary:
The scald miserable Gazette writer concludes his narrative by informing the public, that Gen. Gage says ‘that too much praise cannot be given to Lord Percy for his remarkable activity during the whole day.’
The public will think this a very singular king of compliment! The preceding part of the narrative had told a story about the troops marching, or in plainer English retreating from Lexington. They did not halt, but continued their retreat for fifteen miles. What then are we to understand by the ‘remarkable activity of Lord Percy?’ His personal bravery is too well known to leave room for suspicion that he ever would shew ‘remarkable activity’ in retreating, yet the Scorch account in the Gazette leaves the compliment so ambiguous, that an invidious reader might suppose Lord Percy made it, like a swift footed Achilles, with a light pair of heels. It is not supposing that General Gage should wish to pay his court at Northumberland house; but when he pays another compliment, as he cannot write himself, he should entrust a better hand than the pensioned compiler of the Gazette.
To reason on the facts, which are now indisputable, is to talk which will better suit some future opportunity. The public have but to ponder on the melancholy truths thus attested by government. The sword of civil war is drawn and if there is truth in Heaven, THE KING’S TROOPS UNSHEATHED IT. Will the English nation much longer suffer their fellow subjects to be slaughtered? It is a shameful fallacy to talk about the SUPREMACY of PARLIAMENT; it is the DESPOTISM of the CROWN and the SLAVERY of the people which the ministry aim at; for refusing those attempts, and for that only the Americans have been inhumanly murdered by the king’s troops.
