English Earl Talks About Attack On Concord

Here are parts of an interview with the British Earl Hugh Percy who came to the rescue of the fleeing Redcoats who attacked Lexington and Concord on the Nineteenth of April instant!

Boston News Service: My Lord Percy what brought you out to the countryside on this last April 19, 1775

Earl Percy: In obedience to His Excellency Governor Gage's orders I marched out of Boston about 9:00 AM with the First Brigade and two field pieces in order to cover the retreat of the Grenadiers and Light Infantry on their return from the expedition to Concord.

BNS: Did you notice the people in the country stirred up on your march?

Earl Percy: No, it was quiet. All the houses were shut up and there was not an appearance of a single inhabitant. I could get no intelligence concerning them till I had passed Menotomy (present day Arlington). Then I was informed that the Rebels had attacked His majesty's troops, who were retiring, overpowered by numbers, greatly exhausted and fatigued, having expended almost all their ammunition.

BNS: When did you finally find the troops you were sent to rescue?

Earl Percy: At about 2 O'clock I met them retiring through the town of Lexington.

BNS: What was your first response when seeing them?

Earl Percy: I immediately ordered two field pieces to fire at the rebels and drew up a Brigade on a height. The shot from the cannon had the desired effect and stopped the rebels fro a little time, who immediately dispersed and endeavoured to surround us, being very numerous.

BNS: What happened next?

Earl Percy: As it began to grow pretty late and we had 15 miles to retire and only our 36 rounds, I ordered the Grenadiers and Light Infantry to move off first and covered them with my Brigade. sending out very strong flanking parties, which were absolutely necessary as there was not a stone wall or house, though before in appearance evacuated, from whence the rebels did not fire upon is!

BNS: Was the return hard from that point? Did the rebels fade away?

Earl Percy: No, as soon as they saw us retire, they pressed very much upon our rear guard, which for that reason I relieved every now and then. In this manner we retired for 15 miles under incessant fire all around us , till we reached Charlestown between 7 and 8 in the evening. We were very much fatigued with a march of above 30 miles, and having expended almost all of our ammunition.

BNS: Did you suffer many casualties at the end of the day?

Earl Percy: We had the misfortune of losing a good many men in the retreat, tho' nothing like the number which, from many circumstances, I have reason to believe were killed of the Rebels!

BNS: How did the men comport themselves that day? Were they honorable and brave?

Earl Percy: His Majesty's Troops during the whole of the affair,behaved with their usual intrepidity and spirit. Nor were they a little exasperated at the cruelty and barbarity of the Rebels who scalped and cut off the ears of some of the wounded men who fell into their hands.

BNS: Thank you for your time My Lord!