grenadiers and light infantry under Lieutenant-Colonel Smith and
Major Pitcairn, to seize them. The detachment was embarked in boats
and conveyed up Charles River to Phipp's Farm, where they landed, and
proceeded in silence and haste towards Concord. But although this was
done in the dead of the night, the New Englanders were not asleep. The
detachment had not marched many miles when their ears were saluted with
the firing of guns and the ringing of bells, the signals for alarm. When
they arrived at Lexington they perceived the militia drawn up on a green
on the high road, and Major Pitcairn riding up commanded them as rebels
to lay down their arms and disperse. The latter part of this order was
obeyed, but as the Americans were retiring several guns were fired upon
the king's troops from behind a wall, and from some adjoining houses.
One man was wounded, and Major Pitcairn's horse was shot in two places.
Orders were now given to fire, and eight men were killed and many others
wounded. By this time the grenadiers had joined the light infantry, and
both proceeded together towards Concord. As they drew near a large body
of American militia was seen drawn up under arms on a gentle eminence,
and the light infantry was sent to disperse them. In this they
succeeded, and they kept them in check until the grenadiers had
accomplished the object of their expedition. After this they commenced
their march back to Boston; but their backs were scarcely turned when
a loud shout was heard that the "lobsters" were afraid of them. The
militia had, by this time, been reinforced from the country behind,
and militia-men, minute-men, and volunteers of every description, were
pouring in from all quarters, to post themselves behind trees and walls,
and in houses, near which the troops were to pass. Presently the work of
slaughter commenced: an incessant though irregular fire began in front
and on both flanks, and the main body of the militia fired upon them
from the rear. And what made the attack more discouraging was, that the
most destructive fire proceeded from men whom they could not reach, and
whose presence was only known by the smoke and effects of their rifles.
This continued through all their route back to Lexington, and had not
General Gage had the forethought of sending a second detachment to
sustain the first, there can be but little doubt that the whole body
would have been annihilated. This second detachment met the first at
Lexing