Thomas Fessenden (Colonial Onlooker)

Thomas Fessenden (Colonial Onlooker)

I, Thomas Fessenden, saw three British officers on horseback advance to the front of the British soldiers, when one of them cried out, “Disperse [leave], you rebels, immediately”. At the same time, he waved his sword over his head three times. Then he pointed it down towards the militias, and immediately the British soldiers fired at the militia and then I ran off, as fast as I could, while they continued firing till I got out of their reach. The company of militia dispersed every way as fast at they could, and while they were dispersing, the British soldiers kept firing at them constantly.

John Parker (Colonial Commander)

I, John Parker, commander of the militia in Lexington, do testify that there were a number of British soldiers riding up and down the road, stopping and insulting people as they passed the road on their march from Boston. I ordered our militia to meet on the field in Lexington, to consult what to do, and concluded not to intervene with said British troops (if they should approach) unless they should insult us. Upon their sudden approach, I immediately ordered our militia to disperse and not to fire. Immediately the British troops made their appearance, and rushed furiously, fired upon and killed eight of our party, without receiving any provocation [stir up] from us.

James Smith (A British Officer)

At five o’clock, we arrived and saw a number of people, I believe between 200 and 300, formed in a field in the middle of the town. We continued advancing, keeping prepared against an attack, though without intending to attack them. But on our coming near them, they fired one or two shots, upon which our men, without any orders, rushed in upon them, fired, and put them to flight. Several of them were killed. We could not tell how many, because they got behind walls and into the woods. We had a man wounded but nobody else was hurt. We then formed on the field but with some difficulty because the men were so wild they could not hear our orders.

Thomas Gage (The British Commander)

I gave directions to the troops to move forward, but on no account to fire, or even attempt it without orders. When I arrived at the end of the village, I observed drawn up on the green nearly 200 of the rebels. When I came within about one hundred yards of them, they began to file off towards some stonewalls on our right. The British soldiers ran after them. I instantly called to them not to fire, but to surround and disarm them. Some of the rebels, who had jumped over the wall, fired four or five shots at the British troops, which wounded a man and my horse. At the same time, several shots were fired from a meetinghouse on our left. Then, without any order to do so, the British soldiers began fire and continued in that situation for some time despite the repeated orders from me and the officers that were present.

Lt. John Barker (British Soldier)

When we were close to Lexington, we heard that people were gathered on the common to stop us. There were about 200 or 300 colonists formed into companies. We weren’t planning on attacking them but were ready to fight. When we got near to the colonists, they fired at us. We did not wait for orders. We fired our guns and ran after the colonists. Several of them were killed.

John Robbins (Colonial Minuteman)

Just before sunrise, I was standing in the front row of my company on Lexington Green. My company was under the command of Captain John Parker. We saw about 1000 British soldiers marching toward us, yelling loudly. In front of them, three officers on horseback were galloping toward us. One officer was yelling at us to throw down our guns and calling us villains and rebels. Suddenly, one of the British officers told the soldiers to shoot. I was wounded and fell to the ground. Several other militia men were killed. I don’t think any of Captain Parker’s men had fired a gun.

Ensign Jeremy Lister (British Soldier)

I saw a group of colonists organized into a fighting company. Major Pitcairn, one of our officers, told them to leave. The colonists did not leave and the Major reminded us to hold our fire. Suddenly, the colonists fired on us. Then they ran and hid behind walls. One of our Company was wounded and the Major’s horse was shot. We shot at them before continuing from Lexington. I think we killed and wounded 7 or 8 colonists.

Colonel James Barrett (Colonial Commander)

I ordered my militia to march to the bridge and to cross the bridge. The men were not to fire at the British. When we got near the bridge, the British soldiers fired at us, killing two of our men and wounding several others. My militia responded and shot at the British. We killed or wounded several of their soldiers. This was the first fighting to take place in the town of Concord.

Alice Stearns Abbott (Colonial Citizen)

Our family heard the alarm that meant British soldiers were marching to Concord. We got up to help Father and Brother prepare to leave early for Concord. My sisters and I made cartridges for the soldiers. We also helped Mother cook for the soldiers. Father and Brother left home so early that they did not eat much breakfast. Mother, Rachel, Susannah, and I could hear the fighting at Concord. Our house is so near the river that the sound of gunfire, carried by the water, was loud and frightening. It was a very sad day for my family. My brother, whom I loved very much, died in the battle.