The Acton minute men company made some delay near Col. Barrett’s and then proceeded to the high ground north of the bridge.¹¹⁷ There were several hundreds of armed men¹¹⁸ from Concord and other towns assembled there, and others were fast joining them. Immediately after their arrival, the officers of the companies went by themselves a few yards and held a consultation for a few minutes,¹¹⁹ not exceeding five.¹²⁰ About 9 in the morning the militia saw a smoke rise ¹²¹ from several fires in the town and thought their houses were in danger.¹²² It was proposed to march into town. They were joined by Acton and Westford companies and were drawn up west of where Maj. Buttrick lived.¹²³ When the Acton company arrived, Capt. Davis took the left of the Concord minute men company.¹²⁴ The Concord minute men company was the oldest and, as such, had taken its place¹²⁵ as had done few weeks before at a muster.¹²⁶ It was mentioned between Maj. John Buttrick and Capt. Isaac Davis that would be better if the Acton minute men took the lead because they were the only men that had bayonets and was not certain whether the British would fire or would charge bayonets without firing.¹²⁷ From the left¹²⁸ Capt. Davis’ company of minute men was placed on the right¹²⁹ and marched the front.¹³⁰ Col. James Barrett rode along the line and, having consulted with the officers and shouted not to fire first,¹³¹ the order was given to march and they marched down.¹³² Lt. Col. Robinson and Maj. Buttrick led¹³³ and Capt. Davis went next to them.¹³⁴ Between three or four hundred¹³⁵ of the rebels begun their march from the hill the British before had retired from¹³⁶ near ten in the morning¹³⁷ with as much order as the best disciplined troops.¹³⁸

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