Deposition of Captain John Parker Concerning the Battle at Lexington, April 25, 1775.
With the Regulars near, Capt. John Parker ordered his 16-year old drummer, William Diamond, to beat the alarm.
Seventy-six members of the Lexington militia company responded to the signal—many coming from the tavern where they had been keeping warm—and assembled on the village green, not blocking the road to Concord.
The militia formed up in two ranks, leaving the Regulars the road to Concord. In this, they were following their injunction to protect the town and property and simply observe the actions of the Regulars. If the Regulars marched through town, Parker knew that he would have been obeying his orders and doing his duty.
"I . . . ordered our Militia to meet on the Common in said Lexington, to consult what to do, and concluded not to be discovered, nor meddle or make with said Regular Troops (if they should approach) unless they should insult or molest us . . ."
Capt. John Parker, testimony of 25 April 1775
Sources
Deposition of Captain John Parker Concerning the Battle at Lexington, 04/25/1775; Massachusetts State Papers, 1775 – 1787; Papers of the Continental Congress, 1774 – 1789; Record Group 360: Records of the Continental and Confederation Congresses and the Constitutional Convention, 1765 – 1821; National Archives. National Archives Identifier: 595246
Concord Museum
National Archives and Records Administration
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