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eXplorations>The
Revolution> The Battles
of Lexington and Concord>Major Pitcairn's Report
Major
John Pitcairn's Report to General Gage
Boston
Camp,
26th April, 1775
To: General Thomas Gage
Sir,
As
you are anxious to know the particulars that happened near and
at Lexington in the 19 th Inst agreeable to your desire, I will
in as concise a manner as possible state the facts, for my time
at present is so much employed, as to prevent a more particular
narrative of the occurrences of that day.
Six
companies of Light Infantry were detached by Lt Colo Smith to
take possession of two bridges on the other side of Concord, near
three in the Morning, when we were advanced within about two miles
of Lexington, intelligence was received that about 500 men in
arms were assembled, determined to oppose the Kings troops, and
retard them in their march. On this intelligence, I mounted my
horse, and galloped up to the six Light Companies. When I arrived
at the head of the advance Company, two officers came and informed
me, that a man of the rebels advanced from those that were assembled,
had presented his musket and attempted to shoot them, but the
piece flashed in the pan. On this 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 upon a Green near 200 rebels; when I came within about
100 yards of them, they began to file off towards some stone walls
on our right flank. The Light Infantry, observing this, ran after
them. I instantly called to the soldiers not to fire, but surround
and disarm them, and after several repetitions of those positive
orders to the men, not to fire, etc. some of the rebels who had
jumped over the wall fired four or five shots at the soldiers,
which wounded a man of the Tenth and my horse was wounded in two
places, from some quarter or other, and at the same time several
shots were fired from a meeting house on our left. Upon this,
without any order or regularity, the Light Infantry began a scattered
fire, and continued in that situation for some little time, contrary
to the repeated orders both of me and the officers that were present.
It will be needless to mention what happened after, as I suppose
Colo Smith hath given a particular account of it..
I
am, Sir, Your Most Obedt
Humble Servant
John Pitcairn
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