"Levi Harrington, Levi Mead."
"Lexington, April 25, 1775.
"I, William Draper, of lawful age, and an inhabitant of Colrain, in the county of Hampshire, and colony of Massachusetts Bay, in New England, do testify and declare, that, being on the parade of said Lexington, April 19th instant, about half an hour before sunrise, the king's regular troops appeared at the meeting-house of Lexington. Captain Parker's company, who were drawn up back of said meeting-house on the parade, turned from said troops, making their escape, by dispersing. In the meantime, the regular troops made a huzza, and ran toward Captain Parker's company, who were dispersing; and, immediately after the huzza was made, the commanding officer of said troops (as I took him) gave the command to the said troops—"Fire! fire! damn you, fire!"—and immediately they fired, before any of Captain Parker's company fired, I then being within three or four rods of said regular troops. And further say not.
"William Draper."
"Lexington, April 23, 1775.
"I, Thomas Fessenden, of lawful age, testify and declare, that, being in a pasture near the meeting-house, at said Lexington, on Wednesday last, at about half an hour before sunrise, I saw a number of regular troops pass speedily by said meeting-house, on their way toward a company of militia of said Lexington, who were assembled to the number of about one hundred in a company, at the distance of eighteen or twenty rods from said meeting-house; and after they had passed by said meeting-house, I saw three officers, on horseback, advance to the front of said regulars, when one of them, being within six rods of the said militia, cried out, "Disperse, you rebels, immediately!" on which he brandished his sword over his head three times: meanwhile, the second officer, who was about two rods behind him, fired a pistol, pointed at said militia, and the regulars kept huzzaing till he had finished brandishing his sword; and when he had thus finished brandishing his sword, he pointed it down toward said militia, and immediately on which the said regulars fired a volley at the militia, and then I ran off as fast as I could, while they continued firing till I got out of their reach. I further testify, that, as soon as ever the officer cried, "Disperse, you rebels," the said company of militia dispersed every way, as fast as they could; and, while they were dispersing, the regulars kept firing at them incessantly. And further saith not.
"Thomas Fessenden."
"Lincoln, April 23, 1775.
"I, John Bateman, belonging to the fifty-second regiment, commanded by Colonel Jones, on Wednesday morning, on the 19th day of April instant, was in the party marching to Concord, being at Lexington, in the county of Middlesex, being nigh the meeting-house in said Lexington, there was a small party of men gathered together at that place, when our said troops marched by; and I testify and declare that I heard the word of command given to the troops to fire, and some of said troops did fire, and I saw one of said small party lay dead on the ground nigh said meeting-house; and I testify that I never heard any of the inhabitants so much as fire one gun on said troops.
"John Bateman."