| Citation |
BG.770.038
25 Jun 1770:11,13,21 (794 Supplement)
The following is published in a London paper of the 28th of
April, as " a narrative of the late transactions at Boston,
relative to the unhappy affair between the townsmen and the
soldiers, on the 5th of March," by which our readers will
see how grosly the conduct of the town has been
misrepresented in regard to that tragical scene. . . [11:
4th para.:]
On Monday night (which was the 5th) about 9 o'clock, the
alarm bells were rung as in cases of fire, and the multitude
assembled. The supposed fire was said to be in King-street,
in order that the people might be drawn thither. On
examination, the report of fire was found to be groundless,
and the real intention of the alarm appeared, viz. the
bringing the populace to the place of the intended action. .
. [12:] Case of Capt. Thomas Preston of the 29th Regiment. .
.
[13, 1st full para.:]
On Monday night about eight o'clock two soldiers were
attacked and beat. But the party of the towns-people, in
order to carry matters to the utmost length, broke in to two
meeting-houses, and rang the alarm bells, which I supposed
was for fire as usual, but was soon undeceived. About nine
some of the guard came to and informed me, the
town-inhabitants were assembling to attack the troops, and
that the bells were ringing as the signal for that purpose,
and not for fire, and the beacon intended to be fired to
bring in the distant people of the country. This, as I was
captain of the day, occasioned my repairing immediately to
the main-guard. . .
[21, line 16:] to secure their rear, momently expecting an
attack, as there was a constant cry of the inhabitants, " To
arms, to arms,--turn out with your guns," and the town drums
beating to arms. I ordered my drum to beat to arms, and
being soon after joined by the different companies of the
29th regiment, I formed them as the guard into street
firings. . . [2 1/2 more paras]
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