I, Solomon Smith of Acton, testify that I was a member of Capt. Davis’ company of minute men and was in the fight at Concord in 1775. We turned out to drill and exercise twice a week from the November preceding. I think the company consisted of about forty. The company was raised by voluntary enlistment. The town paid us eight pence for every half day. John Hayward was lieutenant and John Heald ensign. They were good officers and had the confidence of their men. I was alarmed on the 19th of April about daybreak. Gave notice to several of the company, went to Capt. Davis’ house and found several of the company there. His family were sick. He had four children, some of whom had the canker rash and the others were unwell. Capt. Davis appeared to be heavy hearted. One of the men used some light language and was reproved by Capt. Davis. We set out for Concord when the sun was something more than an hour high. Other members of the company joined us on the road and the remainder in the course of the forenoon, most of them before the fight. We made some delay near Col. Barrett’s and then proceeded to the high ground north of the bridge.

Our company marched to Concord by the Strawberry Hill Road. When we arrived near Col. Barrett’s, left that road and went across the fields in nearly a straight course to the widow Brown’s tavern. We there took the back or east road to the high ground.

There was a considerable number of men from Concord and other towns assembled there and others were fast joining them. Immediately after our arrival, the officers of the companies, including ours, went by themselves a few rods and held a consultation for a few minutes. Capt. Davis then came to the head of his company, drew his sword and said to the company, “I have not a man that is afraid to go” and gave the word “march.” We proceeded toward the bridge in double file. Major Buttrick and Col. Robinson marched with Capt. Davis. When we came first on the ground, Capt. Davis took the left of the Concord minute men as he had done a few weeks before at a muster and he went from this position when he took the front as above stated.

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