Diary of Christopher Marshall: Leaf B, April 26, 1775

[B]

PHILADELPHIA, April 26, 1775.

Wednesday, 12 o'clock.

By an Express just arrived, we have the following.

Wallingford, Monday morning, April 24, 1775.

Dear Sir

COL. Woodworth was over in this place yesterday and has ordered 20 men from each company in his regiment, some of which have already set off, and others go this morning. He brings accounts which came to him authenticated as late as Thursday afternoon. The king's troops being reinforced a second time and joined as I suppose from what I can learn by the party who were intercepted by Col. Gardiner, were then encamped on Winterhill, and were surrounded by 20,000 of our men who were entrenching.

Colonel Gardiner's ambush proved fatal to Lord Percy, and one other General Officer, who were killed on the spot the first fire.—To counterbalance this good news, the story is, that our first man in command (who he is I know not) is also killed.—It seems they have lost many men on both sides.—Col. Woodsworth had the account in a letter from Hartford.—

The country beyond here are all gone off, and we expect it will be impossible to procure horses for our waggons, as they have or will in every place employ their horses themselves. In this place they send an horse for every sixth man and are pressing them for that purpose. I know of no way but you must send immediately a couple of able horses, who may overtake us at Hartford possibly, where we must return Mr. Noy's and Meloy's, if they hold out so far. Remember the horses must be had at any rate. I am in great haste

Your entire friend and humble servant

JAMES LOCKWOOD.

P. S. Col. Gardiner took 9 prisoners, and 12 clubbed their firelocks and came over to our party.—

Colonel Gardiner's party consisted of 700, and the regulars of 1800 instead of 1200, as we heard before.—They have sent a vessel up the Mystic river as far as Temple's Farm, which is about half a mile from Winterhill.—These accounts being true, all the King's Troops, except 4 or 500, must be encamped on Winterhill. At the instance of the gentlemen of Fairfield just departed this copy is taken verbatim from the original, to be forwarded to that town.

ISAAC BEARS

The above is copied and authenticated by the several Committees through Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey

*** Winter Hill is about two miles from Boston. Wallingford is fourteen miles from New Haven.

Printed by W. and T. BRADFORD.

SOURCE: William Duane, Editor, Passages from the Diary of Christopher Marshall, Kept in Philadelphia and Lancaster during the American Revolution, Vol. 1, 1774-1777, p. 22-3