A loyalist's Account
This letter was sent from Isaac Merill to Captain John Currier in regards to what the British Army would do to attack the Patriots. This is only a piece of the letter describing the attack plans.
"This day I have received intelligence that the ministerial troops under the Command of general Gage did Last evening march out of Boston and marched to Lexington & there Killed a number of our American Soldiers & thence proceed to Concord Killing and Destroying our men and interest. These orders are therefore to Order you forthwith to Mobilize and muster as many of your under officers and Soldiers as you can possible to meet immediately to Some suitable place: and then to march off forthwith to Concord or Else where as in your Discretion you shall think best to the relief of our Friends and Country...."
In a letter sent from a Boston Loyalist, he describes the violence of the battle, "To paint the scenes of distraction, violence, mobs, riots, and insurrections that have taken place throughout this country for the last twelve months is altogether beyond my ability; how much less then shall I be able to describe the horrors of war, that have reigned here since the 19th of April." He also describes the way the British army readied themselves and their views on fighting the Americans, "The people have been arming themselves, learning the military exercise, and forming magazines for war during the course of last year, and have always been publishing to the world, that they would fight and die for their liberties (as they express themselves): but few people believed they would fight, not withstanding of their declarations, and I believe the General himself never thought they would carry it so far. But on the 18th of April, the General having previous information that they had formed their grand magazine at a place called Concord, about twenty miles from Boston, dispatched 500 troops with the greatest secrecy, at ten o’clock at night, to go and destroy that magazine." The Americans had completely surprised the British with their attack after the British destroyed their magazine. And the brother did not forget to mention that, "...the
magazine was destroyed, which proved to be very inconsiderable. They instantly proceeded on their march for Boston, but as soon as they got out of town, they received a heavy fire from all quarters, but never could see above six people together at a time, for they hid themselves behind rocks, trees, fences, bushes, and in every house, barn, stable, &c. The final letter turned out to be five pages long and it all described the Battle of Lexington and Concord.
magazine was destroyed, which proved to be very inconsiderable. They instantly proceeded on their march for Boston, but as soon as they got out of town, they received a heavy fire from all quarters, but never could see above six people together at a time, for they hid themselves behind rocks, trees, fences, bushes, and in every house, barn, stable, &c. The final letter turned out to be five pages long and it all described the Battle of Lexington and Concord.