This morning between 1 and 2 o’clock we were alarmed by the ringing of the bell and, upon examination, found that the troops to the number of 800 had stolen their march from Boston.
This intelligence was brought us at first by Samuel Prescott. Several posts were immediately dispatched that, returning, confirmed the account of the regulars were on their way to Concord.
Upon this a number of our minute men belonging to the town and Lincoln, with several others that were in readiness, marched out to meet them while the alarm company was preparing to receive them in the town.
Capt. Minot, who commanded them thought proper to take possession of the hill above the meeting house as the most advantageous situation.
We then retreated from the hill near liberty pole and took a new post back of the town upon a rising eminence, where we formed before saw the British troops at the distance of ¼ of a mile glittering in arms, advancing toward us with the greatest celerity.
Some were for making a stand notwithstanding the superiority of their number but others more prudent thought best to retreat until our strength should be equal to the enemy’s by recruiting from neighboring towns that were continually coming to our assistance. Accordingly we retreated over the bridge when the troops came into town, set fire to several carriages for the artillery, destroyed 60 barrels of flour, rifled several houses, took possession of the town house, destroyed 500 lb. of ball, set a guard of 100 men at North Bridge and South Bridge and sent a party to the house of Col. Barrett, where were in expectation of finding a quantity of warlike stores. But those were secured first before their arrival by transportation into the woods and other by-places.
