Thomas' Opinion of the Battle of Lexington and Concord
Thomas is a British Naval Customs Official.
"A terrible attack on the King's Regiments has been launched by the foolhardy
rebels. Our military governor, General
Thomas Gage, was rightfully ordered to destroy the unlawful stores of military
supplies that had been collected by the members of the local militia. This should
have been a routine mission under the able leadership of His Majesty's commanders,
Lieutenant
Colonel Francis Smith and Major
John Pitcairn. These fine men are my friends and I know they were certainly
NOT looking for a bloody battle!
Rebel eyes were watching every move and word was quickly spread throughout
the countryside to collect weapons and resist the King's soldiers. When Major
Pitcairn reached the town green in Lexington, he ordered a small group of armed
local men to disperse. A shot suddenly fired out, I am sure by one of the rebels.
In an effort to protect themselves, the King's troops fired into the crowd,
without the order of their commanding officers, and the traitors ran away. When
the British soldiers finally advanced to Concord, they spread out to search
for the contraband military supplies. They encountered many more armed commoners
at Concord's North Bridge and gunfire was exchanged. But this large company
of colonial riffraff did not fight in any decent military way. There was no
proper firing line! The rebels hid behind walls and in ditches and trees, leaving
our troops nothing at which to shoot.
Thinking best to return his men to the safety of Boston, Colonel Smith sounded
a retreat. On the road back, rebel snipers, hidden from view, continued to shoot
in this most cowardly fashion. Our grenadiers and infantrymen suffered badly
as nearly 20% casualties were realized. These fine and loyal servants of King
George were just doing what they were ordered to do. The colonials may have
won a battle, but they are ill-equipped to wage war. Mark my words, their fate
will be sealed in doom!"