| Citation |
NHG-P.775.039
2 Jun 1775:41,42 (971)
Philadelphia, May 13. Affidavits and Depositions relative
to the Commencement of the late Hostilities in the Province
of Massachusetts-Bay, together with an Address from the
Provincial Convention of the said Provinces, to the
inhabitants of Great Britain, transmitted to the Congress
now sitting in this city, and published by their order.
. . . [127 lines of statements about what happened at
Concord]
Lexington, April 19, 1775.
. . . [13 lines listing the names of those making this
statement]
do testify and declare, that on the 19th of April instant,
about one or two o'clock in the morning, being informed that
several officers of the Regulars had the evening before been
riding up and down the road, and had detained and insulted
the inhabitants passing the same; and also understanding
that a body of Regulars were marching from Boston towards
Concord, with intent (as it was supposed) to take the stores
belonging to the colony in that town we were alarmed, have
met at the place of our company's parade were dismissed by
our Capt. John Parker, for the present, with orders to be
ready to attend at the beat of the drum---we further testify
and declare that about five o'clock in the morning, hearing
our drum beat, we proceeded towards the parade, and soon
found that a large body of troops were marching towards us,
such of our company were company up the parade, and others
had reached it; at which time the company began to disperse,
whilst our backs were turned on the troops, we were fired on
by them and a number of our men were instantly killed &
wounded----not a gun was fired by any person in our company
on the Regulars, to our knowledge, before they fired on us,
and they continued firing until we had all made our escape.
. .
After the company had collected, we were ordered by Capt.
John Parker (who commanded us) to disperse for the present ,
and be ready to attend the beat of the drum; and accordingly
the Company went into horses near the place of parade. We
further testify and say, that about five o'clock in the
morning we attended the beat of our drum, and were [ ] on
the parade---we were faced towards the Regulars then
marching up to us, and some of our Company were coming on
the Parade with their backs towards the troops; and others
on the Parade began to disperse when the Regulars fired on
the company.
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