Watertown, Wednesday Morning, near 10 of the clock.
To all friends of American Liberty, be it known, that this morning before
break of day, a brigade consisting of about 1000 or 1200 men landed at Phipps's
Farm, at Cambridge and marched to Lexington, where they found a Company of our
Colony Militia in arms, upon whom they fired without any provocation, and
killed six men and wounded four others. By an express from Boston, we find
another brigade are now upon their march from Boston, supposed to be about 1000.
The bearer, Trail Bissel, is charged to alarm the country quite to Connecticut;
and all persons are desired to furnish him with fresh horses, as they may be
needed. I have spoken with several, who have seen the dead and wounded. Pray
let the Delegates from this Colony to Connecticut see this, they know Col.
Forster, one of the Delegates.
J. PALMER, one of the Committee.
A true Copy from the Original, per order of the Committee of
Correspondence of Worcester, April, 1775. Attested and forwarded by the
Committees of Brookline, Norwich, New London, Lyme, Saybrook, Killingsworth, E.
Guilford, Guilford, Brandford, New Haven.
Fairfield, Saturday, April 22, 8 o'clock.
SINCE the above was written we have received the following by a second
express.
I am this moment informed by an express from Woodstock, taken from the
mouth of the Express, then two of the clock, afternoon-That the contest between
the first Brigade that—marched to Concord was still continuing this morning at
the town of Lexington, to which said Brigade had retreated, that another
Brigade had, said to be the second mentioned in the letter of this morning,
landed with a quantity of Artillery at the place where the first did. The
Provincials were determined to prevent the two Brigades from joining their
strength if possible, and remain in great need of succour.
N. B. The
Regulars, when in Concord, burnt the Court House, took two pieces of cannon
which they rendered useless; and began to take up Concord bridge on which Capt.
——— (who with many on both sides were soon killed) made an attack upon the
king's troops, on which they retreated to Lexington.
P. S. Mr. McFarlan of Plainfield, Merchant, has just returned from
Boston, by way of Providence, who conversed with an express from Lexington, who
further informs, that 4000 of our troops had surrounded the first brigade above
mentioned, who were on a hill in Lexington, that the action continued, and
there were about 50 of our men killed, and 150 of the regulars, as near as they
could determine, when the express came away: it will be expedient for every man
to go who is fit and willing.
The above is a true copy as received per express from New Haven, and
attested by the Committee of Correspondence, from town to town. Attest
The above was received yesterday at 4 o'clock, by the Committee of New
York, and forwarded to Philadelphia, by ISAAC Low, Chairman of the Committee of
New York.
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. 20-1
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