[58] “We heard there were some hundreds of people collected there, intending to oppose us and stop our going out. At five o’clock we arrived there, and a number of people, I believe between two and three hundred, formed on a common in the middle of the town.” “Diary of a British Officer,” Atlantic Monthly, April, 1877.
[59] There were two Jonathan Harringtons. The fifer to the Lexington minute-men was sixteen years old. He died March 27, 1854, the last survivor of the battle, and was buried with distinguished honors. See Hist. Lexington.
[60] “We then formed on the Common, but with some difficulty. The men were so wild they could hear no orders. We waited a considerable time, and at length proceeded on our way to Concord, which we then learned was our destination.” “Diary of a British Officer,” Atlantic Monthly, April, 1877.
[61] “The fire soon began from a dropping shot on our side, when they and the front company fired almost at the same instant.” “Diary of a British Officer,” Atlantic Monthly, April, 1877.
[62] “We set out upon our return. Before the whole had quitted the town we were fired on from houses and behind trees, and before we had gone half a mile we were fired on from all sides, but mostly from the rear, where the people had hid themselves in houses till we passed.” “Diary of a British Officer,” Atlantic Monthly, April, 1877.
[63] “They were so concealed there was hardly any seeing them. In this way we marched between nine and ten miles, their numbers increasing from all parts, while ours was reducing by deaths, wounds, and fatigue, and we were totally surrounded with such an incessant fire as it is impossible to conceive. Our ammunition was likewise near expended.” “Diary of a British Officer,” Atlantic Monthly, April, 1877.
[64] “We marched pretty quiet for about two miles, when they began to pepper us again. We were now obliged to force almost every house in the road, for the rebels had taken possession of them and galled us exceedingly; but they suffered for their temerity, for all that were found in the houses were put to death.” “Diary of a British Officer,” Atlantic Monthly, April, 1877.
Earl Percy made the tavern of Mr. Munroe his headquarters.
“A party entered the tavern and, helping themselves, or rather compelling the inmates of the house to help them to whatever they wanted, they treacherously and with ruthlessness shot down John Raymond, an infirm old man, only because he, alarmed at this roughness and brutal conduct, was about leaving the house to seek a place of greater safety.” Hudson’s Hist. of Lexington.
[65] He was not dead, however, but lived many years.