"Describing the Events that Took Place at Lexington and Concord"

This account of the fighting near Lexington and Concord appeared in a newspaper—reporting the events from American perspective and some exaggeration of the incidents and violence.

This is a letter describing the events that took place at Lexington and Concord. By an Express arrived here Yesterday evening, we have the following. Hartford, April 23. 

DEAR SIR, 

THESE are to inform you, that we have undoubted intelligence of hostilities being begun at Boston by the regular troops; the truth of which we are assured divers ways, and especially by Mr. Adams the post; the particulars of which, as nigh as I can recollect, are as follow: General Gage, last Tuesday night draughted out about 1000 of 1200 of his best troops in a secret manner, which he embarked on board transports, and carried and landed at Cambridge that night, and early Wednesday morning by day break they marched up to Lexington, where a number of the inhabitants were exercising before breakfast as usual, about 30 in number, upon whom the regulars fired without the least provocation about 15 minutes, without a single shot from our men, who retreated as fast as possible in which fire they killed 6 of our men, and wounded several, from thence they proceeded to Concord; on the road thither, they fired at, and killed a man on horseback; went to the house where Mr. Hancock lodged, who, with Samuel Adams, luckily got out of their way by secret and speedy intelligence from Paul Revere, who is now missing, and nothing heard of him since; when they searched the house for Mr. Hancock, and Adams, and not finding them there, killed the woman of the house and all the children, and set fire to the house; from thence they proceeded on their way to Concord, firing at, and killing hogs, geese, cattle and every thing that came their way, and burning houses. When they came to Concord, they took possession of the Court-house, they destroyed 100 barrels of flour, and a number of pork, spiked one cannon and broke in pieces another belonging to the provincials ; after which they marched back towards Boston, but before they marched far, they were met by 300 provincials who received two fires from the regulars before they returned it. On the second fire from the provincials they had increased to 5 or 600 when the troops took their heels and ran helter skelter, they running, and our men pursuing and killing them, till they came to a place called Bunker’s Hill in Charlestown. General Gage knowing they were attacked, sent out a reinforcement of about 900 men with waggons provisions, which reinforcement was boldly attacked by a less number of provincials, on which a brisk skirmish ensued, in which our men had so much the better of them, as to take their waggons of provisions, and kill the commander of the waggons. Capt. Hogshie made 8 prisoners, ten more clubbed their firelocks and came over to us, many were killed on both sides ; the remainder of their reinforcement proceeded and joined the main body of troops, then they all retreated together till they came to said Bunker’s Hill, where they encamped, it being night, and firing ceasing. 

The country being instantly alarmed, the provincials poured into this place in great numbers; when Adams came away, he says there were 30 or 40,000 of our men under arms, and more coming fast. The provincials had surrounded the troops, and were throwing up entrenchments to hinder their retreat: The north-east side is under protection of the ship of war, and which lies within a mile of them from that end ; they are animated with the prospects of glory of death. The troops are much the revere; carry pale countenances,  &c. there is supposed to be about 150 of troops killed, amongst  whom they say is Lord Piercy and General Haldiman ; the truth of which we are not sure of; Mr. Adams says he does not doubt it; of our men 30 or 40, they think probably more. This colony is all alarmed, every town is preparing for a march ; many companies have already marched, bag and baggage. Stop – This moment an express is arrived, the troops encamped, Thursday night got into Boston, under the guns of the ships. The truth of General Haldiman’s death is confirmed: Lord Piercy is missing, supposed to be burnt with other dead bodies, by the troops, in a barn. Colonel Murry’s son that piloted them out is dead – no men of note on our side is dead. Thus far intelligence from William Bull at Hartford. The express informs us the regulars loft 200 men, amongst which are 12 officers, in the retreat from Bunker’s Hill. 

By intelligence from Thaddeus Burr of Fairfield, which he received, it appears that the troops (about 300) who went to Marshfield, are all killed and taken prisoners ; of the latter there are 90.  

The above was copied and examined with the original by Alexander McDougall, a Member of a Sub-Committee, for receiving and communicating intelligence in New-York, to be forwarded with the upmost dispatch. 

A letter from New-York, received by the post this day says, “The people of this place are united to a man, and are determined to defend their rights. They are embodying themselves in the most expeditious manner, and preparing for the worst of times. We have received advices, from undoubted authority, that fourteen regiments are ordered for this city, with seventy chests of arms, to be distributed to such persons are disaffected to the common cause. They are to erect fortifications to cut off all communication with the eastern and southern colonies.” 

Letters from New-York say, that 5 or 600 of the regulars were killed. Others say Lord Pierecy, Gen. Haldiman, and above twelve officers were among the dead, and others say they were not. 

We hear from New-York, that inhabitants are taking every possible measure to prevent being shut up as their brethren in Boston have been for nine months past, and kept at the mercy of the soldiery. 

Source:

The Pennsylvania Ledger, or, the Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New-Jersey Weekly Advertiser, Page 3, April 29, 1775. Accessed through Newspapers.com