The British marched into Concord after taking possession of the hill with the liberty pole, which was cut down. They expected the militia would have made a stand there but they did not. While the grenadiers remained in the town destroying three pieces of cannon, several gun carriages and about 100 barrels of flour with harness and other things, the light infantry companies were detached beyond the river to examine some houses for more stores. One of these companies was left at the bridge, another on a hill some distance from it and another on a hill ¼ of a mile from that, the other three went forward two or three miles to seek for some cannon which had been there but had been taken away that morning. During this time the people were gathering together in great numbers and, taking advantage of our scattered disposition, seemed as if they were going to cut off the communication with the bridge, upon which the two companies joined and went to the bridge to support that company. The three companies drew up in the road the far side the bridge and the rebels on the hill above covered by a wall. In that situation they remained a long time, very near an hour. The three companies expecting to be attacked by the rebels. Capt. Laurie, who commanded these three companies, sent to Lt. Col. Smith begging he would send more troops to his assistance and informing him of his situation. The Lt. Col. ordered two or three companies but put himself at their head, by which means stopped them from being time enough, for being a very fat heavy man would not have reached the bridge in half an hour though was not half a mile to it. In the mean time the rebels marched into the road and were coming down upon us, when Capt. Laurie made his men retire to this side the bridge. The rebels were got so near him that his people were obliged to form the best way they could. As soon as they were over the bridge the three companies got one behind the other so that only the front one could fire.

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