But I am sorry to say, that in more than one instance, I have found even the sworn statements at variance with each other. I am satisfied that the authors did not intend to mislead in any way, but simply tried to tell to others what appeared to them. Their mental excitement naturally added a little of that vivid coloring noticeable in most war narratives of a personal nature. My work has been to harmonize and simplify these, and to extract simply the truth.
In 1775 the greater part of the present town of Arlington was a part of Cambridge, and known as the Menotomy Precinct. Later it was incorporated as a separate town and called West Cambridge. Later still its name was changed to Arlington. Somerville, in that year, was a part of Charlestown. What remained of Charlestown eventually became a part of Boston, though still retaining its ancient name. In writing of the events that happened within the boundaries of each, I shall speak of them as of Arlington, of Somerville, and of Charlestown.
I am glad to add that the bitterness and hatred, so much in evidence on that long-ago battle day, no longer exist between the children of the great British Nation.
Frank Warren Coburn.
Lexington Mass., April 19, 1912.
[CONTENTS.]
| Authorities | [XII] |
| In Parliament | [1] |
| The Provincial Congress | [5] |
| British Forces in Boston | [13] |
| The British Start for Lexington and Concord | [19] |
| The Messengers of Alarm | [20] |
| Flight of Hancock and Adams | [30] |
| Alarms in Other Places | [32] |
| Lieut.-Col. Smith's Advance Through Cambridge | [47] |
| Lieut.-Col. Smith's Advance Through Somerville | [48] |
| Lieut.-Col. Smith's Advance Through Cambridge | [50] |
| Lieut.-Col. Smith's Advance Through Arlington | [51] |
| Lieut.-Col. Smith's Advance Through Lexington | [57] |
| The Opening Battle on Lexington Common | [58] |
| Lieut.-Col. Smith's Advance Through Lincoln | [72] |
| Lieut.-Col. Smith's Advance Into Concord | [73] |
| Battle at North Bridge in Concord | [78] |
| Lieut.-Col. Smith's Retreat Through Concord | [95] |
| Lieut.-Col. Smith's Retreat Through Lincoln | [99] |
| Lieut.-Col. Smith's Retreat to Lexington Village | [105] |
| Earl Percy Marches to Reinforce Lieut.-Col. Smith | [114] |
| Percy's Retreat Through Arlington | [130] |
| Percy's Retreat Through Cambridge | [145] |
| Percy's Retreat Through Somerville | [150] |
| Percy's Arrival in Charlestown | [154] |
| American Killed, Wounded and Missing | [157] |
| British Killed, Wounded, Prisoners and Missing | [159] |
| Distances Marched by the British Soldiers | [161] |
| English Friends After the Battle | [162] |
| Index | [165] |