d upon a body of our men, and (as we afterward
heard) had killed several. This intelligence was brought us first by
Doctor Samuel Prescott, who narrowly escaped the guard that were sent
before on horses, purposely to prevent all posts and messengers from
giving us timely information. He, by the help of a very fleet horse,
crossing several walks and fences, arrived at Concord, at the time above
mentioned; when several posts were immediately dispatched that,
returning, confirmed the account of the regulars' arrival at Lexington
and that they were on their way to Concord. Upon this, a number of our
minute-men belonging to this town, and Acton, and Lincoln, with several
others that were in readiness, marched out to meet them; while the alarm
company was preparing to receive them in the town. Captain Minot, who
commanded them, thought it proper to take possession of the hill above
the meeting-house, as the most advantageous situation. No sooner had our
men gained it, than we were met by the companies that were sent out to
meet the troops, who informed us that they were just upon us, and that
we must retreat, as their number was more than treble ours. We then
retreated from the hill near the Liberty Pole, and took a new post back
of the town upon an eminence, where we formed into two battalions, and
waited the arrival of the enemy.

"Scarcely had we formed before we saw the British troops at the
distance of a quarter of a mile, glittering in arms, advancing toward us
with the greatest celerity. Some were for making a stand,
notwithstanding the superiority of their numbers, but others, more
prudent, thought best to retreat till our strength should be equal to
the enemy's by recruits from the neighbouring towns, that were
continually coming in to our assistance. Accordingly we retreated over
the bridge; when the troops came into the town, set fire to several
carriages for the artillery, destroyed sixty barrels flour, rifled
several houses, took possession of the town-house, destroyed five
hundred pounds of balls, set a guard of one hundred men at the North
Bridge, and sent a party to the house of Colonel Barrett, where they
were in the expectation of finding a quantity of warlike stores. But
these were happily secured just before their arrival, by transportation
into the woods and other by-places.

"In the meantime the guard sent by the enemy to secure the pass at the
North Bridge were alarmed by the approach of our people; wh