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Reports on the Battle of Lexington & Concord... Much more...



Item # 626393

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August 09, 1775

CONNECTICUT JOURNAL & NEW HAVEN POST-BOY, Aug. 9, 1775 

* Battle of Lexington & Concord
* Revolutionary War beginning


A great issue on several accounts. Page 2 has a report which reports the Battle of Lexington & Concord, noting: "..from New York...and has brought papers dated the 25th of April last, which mention an engagement having happened on the 19th of the same month with the Bostonians, who killed & wounded 160 of the regulars; and 60 of the Bostonians were killed and wounded, amongst whom was the leading Captain. The following is the substance of the account of the before mentioned affair...General Gage having heard that the insurgents were drawing some cannon a few miles from Boston, he dispatched an officer with some troops to demand them to be delivered up, which the insurgents refused to comply with. A second messenger was sent...he must obey his orders, which were, in case of refusal to surrender them that he must fire on those that surrounded them but which he hoped they would prevent...This they absolutely refused to do on which the troops fired on them & killed about 60. On this the country arose & assisted the insurgents to load the cannon, and they were directly fired upon Gen. Gage's troops which did great execution near 100 being killed & 60 wounded..." This is followed by a report offering to prove the facts, noting in part: "As a doubt of the authenticity of the account...touching an engagement between the King's troops & the provincials...may arise ...I desire to inform all those who wish to see the original affidavits which confirm that account...".
Further on is another item noting: "From the King's troops, having first fired on the Americans, and thus designedly commenced hostilities, there is every apparent reason to conclude that the private instructions to the troops are to shed blood enough. To men off thought there is nothing surprising in the late American massacre...".
Another report has much praises for General Putnam, noting in part: "General Putnam, who commanded the Connecticut troops, is a veteran soldier of great experience. He served during the whole of the last war against the French...was wounded 15 different times...was once taken prisoner by the Indians, who first scalped, then tied him to a tree, & were about to make a stroke at his head which would have put an end to his existence...Such a man is every way qualified to command a set of virtuous Provincials. General Gage...will stand an excellent chance against such a man as Putnam, who abounds in bravery, good sense, patriotism & honors."
Pg. 2 has a letter: "To BENEDICT ARNOLD, Esq. Colonel of a Mass. regiment..." followed by his response, signed in type: Benedict Arnold. War-related content continues in page 3 as shown in the photos, & includes: "...a report...that the Continental Congress has passed a Resolve that unless American Grievances were redressed by the first of March, these colonies should be independent of Great Britain..." which is an early indication that a Declaration of Independence was forthcoming.
Four pages, wear at the margins causes some loss to the last line or two of all 4 pages but affecting from the reports noted above only the letter from Benedict Arnold. Some tears at margins as well. Handsome engraving in the masthead.

Category: Revolutionary War