"Several Letters Arrived at New-York, dated April 21, 1775"

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The following columns were printed in The Pennsylvania Journal on April 26, 1775, and were reprints of accounts which appeared in other colonial newspapers, reporting on the events at Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts earlier in the month.

Accounts from Rhode-Island, respecting the late transaction in Massachusetts Bay, being the substance of several letters arrived at New-York, dated April 21, seven o’clock, AM. 1775. 

First account. – That the Regulars set out in boats on Tuesday night from Boston, and landed at Water Town, where they fired upon the Minute Men, then proceeded to Concord, examined the magazines there, destroyed about 50 barrels of flour, and spiked up four pieces of cannon—that upon their return they were fired upon in a wood at Lexington by between 3 and 400 men, who killed 40 of the Regulars, and took near 40 prisoners, supposed wounded. – At Cambridge the Regulars were again attacked by a very large number of men, and lost about 40 more – That about 40 of the Colonials were killed, and a few taken prisoners. – The Regulars then gained their boats, and proceeded to Boston, where they are arrived. – That two Captains of the Regulars are among the slain, and on the other side Col. Gardner, of Roxbury. – That Col. Ward has collected an army of 17,000 men in the neighbourhood of Boston. – It is also said, a very large number, 30,000 under Col. Putnam, from Connecticut were upon their march, as well as a great number from different parts of the Massachusetts-Bay, and were desired to return, they having already sufficient.  

Second account from New-Port, of the same date.  

Yesterday the town was alarmed by intelligence, contained in a letter which came express from Providence to the Governor, subscribed by the Lieut Gov. J. Hopkins, J. Jenks, S. Nightingale, J. Brown, and about twenty others inhabitants of the town of Providence, which says, “Our brethren of the Massachusetts Bay are attacked by a body of the Regular troops, and many Friends are slain.” They then request the Governor to call the Assembly, to make the necessary preparations for the common defence: To which a postscript is added, signed Thomas Green; that Col. Warren and Dr. Pyncham, two deputies from Massachusetts Congress were at Providence, waiting to consult the Assembly on what was proper to be done. – There is also another letter from S. Hopkins to Major General Potter, a copy of which was forwarded to the Governor, and calls upon the Major General to repair to Providence, to consult with Lieut. Gen. Sessions, this says, “The King’s troops are actually engaged butchering and destroying our brethren in the most inhuman manner, the inhabitants oppose them with great zeal and courage.” Both the above letters are dated Providence, April 19, 1775, at night. 

Third Account. – That the action was at Lexington, about 12 miles from Boston, to which place a party of about 1200 of the King’s Troops had advanced upon 30 minute men, who were exercising. The Regulars demanded their arms which being refused, they fired and killed 7. The fire was returned by the brave survivors.—That several skirmished had happened afterwards, in which a number of persons were slain.—That the beacons in Massachusetts Bay were lighted up, and the inhabitants all in motion, to support their friends.—The town of Providence was all in an uproar; some said one thing, and some another, but no body had marched to join the Colonists. The Governor issued warrants to call the Assembly, which is set at Providence to-morrow.  

Fourth Account. This morning another account was brought by way of Bridgewater, which says, the Regulars lost 130 men, and the Minute Men, who were only 900 in number, and were commanded by Col. Hancock lost 31 only (including the 7 killed in the first contest:) That the King’s Troop were 1500 in number.—That the firing on both sides had ceased, and that another detachment from the army was advancing from Boston, with part of the train, to support the first. Since then, two accounts have been received, one of which says, the Regulars had retreated with the loss of 106 men, and had reached Boston: The other, that they had advanced to Concord, had taken possession of the cannon at that place, and were intrenching.  

Source:

The Pennsylvania Journal, or, Weekly Advertiser, "Accounts from Rhode-Island, respecting the late transaction in Massachusetts Bay...", April 26, 1775, Page 3. (Accessed through Newspapers.com)