LETTERS OF JOHN ANDREWS. 91
conjectured that some secret expedition was on foot, and being on the look out, they observ'd those bodies upon the move between ten and eleven o'clock the Evening before last, observing a perfecl silence in their march towards a point opposite Phips's farm, where [boats?] in waiting that convey'd 'em over. The men appointed to alarm the country upon such occasions got over by stealth as early as they [could] and took their different routs. The first advice we had was about eight o'clock in the morning, when it was reported that the troops had fir'd upon and killed five men in Lexinton — previous to which an officer came express to his Excellency Governor • when between eight and nine o'clock a brigade march'd out under the command of Earl Piercy, consisting of the; Marines, the- Welch fusileers, the 4th Regiment, the 17th. and two field pieces. About twelve o'clock it was gave out by the General's Aide camps that no person was kill'd, and that a single gnu had not been fir'd, which report was variously beleiv'd — but between one and two certain ace. nut- came that eight were kill'd outright and fourteen wounded of the inhabitants of Lexinton — who had about forty men drawn out early in the morning near the meeting house to exercise. The party of the Light Infantry and Grenadiers, to the number of about eight hundred, came up to them and order'd them to disperse. The commander of 'em reply'd that they were only innocently amusing themselves with exercise, that they had not any amunition with 'em. and therefore should not molest or disturb them, which answer not satisfying, the troops fir'd upon and kill'd three or four, the other took to their heels and the troops continued to lire. A few took refuge in the meeting, when the soldiers shov'd up the Windows and pointed their Gun- in and kill'd three there. Thus much is best account 1 can learn of the beginning of this fatal day.
You must naturally suppose that such a piece would rouse the coun- try (allow'd the report to be true). The troops continued their march to Concord, enter'd the town, and refresh'd themselves in the meeting and town house. In the latter place they found some ammunition and stores belonging to the country, which they found they could not bring away by reason that the country people had occupied all the posts around 'em. They therefore set lire to the house, which the people extinguish'd. They set fire a second time, which brought on a general engagement at about eleven o'clock. The troops took two pieces [of] cannon from the peasants, but their numbers increasing they soon regaiu'd 'em, and the troops were oblig'd to retreat towards town.
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