From the era of 1764, we may date the fatal American rebellion, and
those revolutionary principles which have long continued, and what
still menace the quiet and independence of Europe, and the World.
Political topics, from that period, were predominant amongst
the Colonists, and all who know how easy it is to sway popular
prejudices, will readily allow it is as little difficult to give
them action.
Grievances, whether real or imaginary, which is not my business to
decide, unceasingly agitated the public mind, weaned by degrees
every filial affection, and from their tedious speculative
existence, they implanted within the breasts of many, the lurking
sentiments of jealous rancour. Such in their progress became
principles, and those men, very early, either filled the Armies of
North America, or guided her Councils.
A public character, much respected for his private as well as
military virtues, was placed at Boston. General Gage, from a
long residence upon the Continent, was well qualified to allay
the general ferment; but it was too deeply rooted, and the duty
he owed his King, was soon necessarily paramount to every other
consideration.
In the year 1774 an assemblage of troops, under that Officer,
gave umbrage not only to the Bostonians, but to their surrounding
neighbours, and the placing of a guard at the Neck, which is the
narrow isthmus that joins the Peninsula to the Continent, afforded
an additional cause of suspicion.
At this time, and from a very trifling circumstance, a spirit of
military union, and also of hostility, was peculiarly apparent
among the New Englanders. A report, very industriously propagated,
and seemingly with a view to probe the general feelings, gained
ground, that the British had occupied the Neck, had cut off
all communication with the Continent, in order to compel the
inhabitants of Boston into the unlimited assent of every measure.
This being spread abroad, the adjacent country assembled, intimated
to the people within the town their readiness to assist them; but
that if they should sacrifice _their_ liberties, such an inglorious
compact would extend no farther.
They moreover avowed their intentions of combining together in what
manner and form they chose for mutual security.
Every thing foreboding hostile events, General Gage fortified the
Neck at Boston, and as precautionary steps he also seized upon
the provincial arsenal at Cambridge, and the powder lodged in the
magazines of Charlestown.
These measures were sufficient to rouse the popular indignation,
in no want of inflammatory materials; but although they might not
have been political, they were still, however, expedient, under
existing circumstances.
To ascertain the views and opinions of so many provinces, different
in their manners, and in some respects opposite in their interests,
a general Congress was held at Philadelphia, on the 5th of
September, 1774, by deputies from the whole. Their proceedings were
marked by moderation, but by firmness.
The terms of conciliation arising from them having been rejected
by the mother country, his Majesty communicated a message,
recommending the augmentation of his forces, by sea and land.
The union which pervaded America, sufficiently proves how widely
popular had been the resolves of their deputies. These were almost
every where the political creed of the Colonies, and the crowd.
Things arrived at such a crisis early in 1775, that the die could
not be long suspended. A trivial affair, upon the 26th of February,
shewed by what a slender thread the tranquillity of the Empire
hung, and although it was not accompanied by any act of hostility,
still it tended to ground a mutual antipathy between the Soldier
and the Native.
General Gage having learned that some brass guns had been collected
in the town of Salem, sent a detachment in order to bring them to
Boston. Landing at Marblehead, they continued their march towards
the place of destination, but not finding the cannon, which had
been removed, they penetrated farther into the country in quest of
them.
In the course of their route there was a draw-bridge, which the
numerous populace on the other side had taken up, on purpose to
stop the passage of the troops. An order from the Commanding
Officer to let it down was disobeyed, who attempted to seize on a
boat, in order to get possession of the bridge. A scuffle ensued,
but nothing occurred which could be denominated sanguinary force.
This was owing to the address of a neighbouring Clergyman, who,
while he consulted the feelings of an Officer in prosecuting his
instructions, also expostulated with him who headed the detachment,
upon the endless and calamitous results if blood was spilt.
Appealing to the people also, he invoked them to concede their
point, which, for a short time, delayed the awful quarrel.
This party returned without success, but without mischief.
A body of Marines was at Boston, under Major Pitcairne, whose
personal destiny it was to be employed in the first hostile act,
which eventually involved the separation of Britain and America.
At the town of Concord, where the provincial Congress was held, a
quantity of military stores having been collected, the Commander in
Chief ordered the Grenadiers and Light Infantry of the Army, under
Lieut. Col. Smith, and Major Pitcairne, to destroy them.
They embarked during the night of the 18th of April, and proceeding
up Charles River, landed at Phipp's Farm, from whence they
advanced, with silent rapidity, towards Concord. The country,
however, was alarmed before the dawn of day, and on the arrival of
the British at Lexington, the Militia of that town was assembled,
under arms, at five in the morning.
An English Officer, in the van, called out, "Disperse, you rebels;"
when our soldiery, firing a few partial shots, a general discharge
followed, by which some were both killed and wounded. A mutual
recrimination upon the score of first aggression, was afterwards
agitated, which, instead of staying, only tended to stimulate the
spirit of war.
Colonel Smith having pushed forward some Companies of Light
Infantry, before his arrival at Concord, in order to secure two
bridges, by which the Provincials might carry off the stores,
another body of Militia that appeared on a hill in their route,
retired at the approach of the British troops, across one of them,
who soon after possessed themselves of both.
The main body were, in the mean time, employed in destroying every
military article within the town.
The American Militia, observing some conflagration of houses in
Concord, immediately returned to one of the bridges they had
recently passed, when the Light Infantry occupied the side of the
river towards that place. On the approach of the Provincials the
former fired, which was soon returned.
After a skirmish, the English detachment fell back, with the loss
of some killed and wounded, besides one Lieutenant and a few other
prisoners.
About this time the whole country was in one state of alarm, which
compelled an immediate retreat to Lexington. This was effected
under the disagreeable circumstances of a hot day, and an incessant
fire from the hourly collecting numbers in the rear of the troops,
and from houses, walls, and every hidden place of defence, in their
front and flanks.
Lord Percy had most judiciously been detached from Boston very
early in the morning of the 19th, with a reinforcement of sixteen
Companies, and a body of Marines. This force arrived at Lexington
just in time to afford a respite to Colonel Smith's detachment, now
much harassed by fatigue, and overpowered by very superior numbers.
Having two field pieces, they kept the rebels in awe, until the
British resumed their march towards Boston. Major Pitcairne's horse
was twice wounded very severely, and he made some narrow escapes
during these tumultuous attacks.
Lord Percy, who had advanced to Lexington, by the way of Cambridge,
with a penetration and foresight that reflected high honour upon
his military talents, determined upon returning to Boston by a
different route. The numerous hordes of Americans who had collected
on the expected line of his retrograde march, were by this foiled
in their hopes of blood, as his Lordship most judiciously turned
off towards Charlestown, where he was not looked for, and gained
the heights of Bunker's Hill, whither they durst not follow him. To
this happy manœuvre the whole detachment owed its salvation, and
Boston also may acknowledge his Lordship as its preserver at that
early and important crisis.
Throughout the whole of this toilsome service, our loss was by
no means equal to the seeming dangers, being only 65 killed, 2
Lieutenants and 20 men taken prisoners, and Colonel Smith, besides
some other Officers, and about 174 wounded. Thus was the fatal
torch lighted, and it never was extinguished but with American
independence.
The whole Country was now roused to arms, and General Gage, with
his little army, became invested, within the works of Boston.
Earl Sandwich, who presided at the Board of Admiralty, sensible of
the high state of discipline, to which the corps of Marines had
reached, pushed them early into the American War. Their conduct
upon every duty, reflected credit upon his Lordship's discernment.
In addition to those under Major Pitcairne, who were attached to
Lord Percy's Brigade, a farther reinforcement arrived at Boston in
the month of May, commanded by Major Short.
It is a tribute justly due to those Officers who so very gallantly
supported their Country's honor, and their own, to detail their
names, and battalions, agreeably to the arrangement issued in
public orders, at Boston, upon the 20th of May.
Battalion orders,
"The Right Honourable the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty
having directed a reinforcement of Marines to serve under Major
Pitcairne, in General Gage's Army, consisting of the following
number: 2 Majors, 10 Captains, 27 Subalterns, 2 Adjutants, 1
Surgeon, 2 Surgeon's Mates, 28 Serjeants, 25 Corporals, 20
Drummers, 600 Privates.
"The Commanding Officer finds it necessary, for the good of the
service, to form the whole under his command, into two Battalions.
Officers in 1st Battalion. Officers in 2d Battalion.