Walter Laurie

During the time the Grenadiers were employed in destroying the magazine of flour and gun carriages at Concord, six companies of light infantry under the command of Capt. Parsons were detached to a bridge about one mile from town in order to destroy some guns and military stores supposed to be collected thereabouts. As we advanced to the bridge a large body of people under arms assembled on the hills near the bridge. Immediately retreated over it and took post on the rising grounds on the other side. As soon as we got possession of the bridge, Capt. Parsons ordered my company and the company of the 5th regiment to remain at the bridge, while he and the other four companies proceeded. On his advancing toward the height the country people retired at a great distance to the woods. In less than half an hour the light infantry of the 23rd with Capt. Brown of the 52nd and Lt. Grant of the artillery came to past me in a chaise to join Capt. Par-sons, who immediately sent an order to the company of the 5th to advance, leaving my company at the bridge. We remained in this situation for near an hour. After I saw their whole body moving toward me. As they came nearer the light infantry company of the 4th regiment on a height immediately retreated to me at the bridge as did the light infantry company of the 10th regiment who had been at no great distance. Upon this I sent Lt. Robertson of my company to acquaint Lt. Col. Smith of my situation desiring he would send some of the grenadiers to support me in case of their attacking. Robertson brought for answer that two companies would be sent me. By this time the body of the country people arrived on the heights which the company of the 4th regiment had occupied and there drew up with shouldered arms to the number of about fifteen hundred, halted for a considerable time looking at us and then moved down upon me in a seeming regular manner. After consulting with Lt. Sutherland of the 38th regiment, I determined to repass the bridge with the three companies, retreating by divisions, to check their progress, which we accordingly did, lining the opposite side of the river with one company to flank the other two in case of an attack. By this time they were close upon us and, I imagine myself that a man of my company (afterward killed) did first fire his piece, though Sutherland has since assured me that the country people first fired. A general popping from them ensued. The company of the 4th regiment gave fire as did a few of my own from the flanks, after which the whole went to the right about in spite of all could be done to prevent them. The enemy did not think proper to persecute us and two companies of grenadiers coming in view with the main body at a small distance behind, we ready regained our order and became under the command of Lt. Col. Smith, who, on the enemy’s retiring to their first heights, returned to Concord. At the bridge four officers were wounded, three privates killed and a sergeant and four privates wounded. The enemy loss uncertain.