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"I, Sylvanus Wood, of Woburn, in the county of Middlesex, and commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged seventy-four years, do testify and say that on the morning of the 19th of April, 1775, I was an inhabitant of Woburn, living with Deacon Obadiah Kendall; that about an hour before the break of day on said morning, I heard the Lexington bell ring, and fearing there was difficulty there, I immediately arose, took my gun and, with Robert Douglass, went in haste to Lexington, which was about three miles distant.
When I arrived there, I inquired of Captain Parker, the commander of the Lexington company, what was the news. Parker told me he did not know what to believe, for a man had come up about half an hour before and informed him that the British troops were not on the road. But while we were talking, a messenger came up and told the captain that the British troops were within half a mile. Parker immediately turned to his drummer, William Diman, and ordered him to beat to arms, which was done. Captain Parker then asked me if I would parade with his company. I told him I would. Parker then asked me if the young man with me would parade. I spoke to Douglass, and he said he would follow the captain and me.
By this time many of the company had gathered around the captain at the hearing of the drum, where we stood, which was about half way between the meetinghouse and Buckman's tavern. Parker says to his men, 'Every man of you, who is equipped, follow me; and those of you who are not equipped, go into the meeting-house and furnish yourselves from the magazine, and immediately join the company.' Parker led those of us who were equipped to the north end of Lexington Common, near the Bedford Road, and formed us in single file. I was stationed about in the centre of the company. While we were standing, I left my place and went from one end of the company to the other and counted every man who was paraded, and the whole number was thirty-eight, and no more.
Just as I had finished and got back to my place, I perceived the British troops had arrived on the spot between the meeting-house and Bucknian's, near where Captain Parker stood when he first led off his men. The British troops immediately wheeled so as to cut off those who had gone into the meeting-house. The British troops approached us rapidly in platoons, with a general officer on horseback at their head. The officer came up to within about two rods of the centre of the company, where I stood, the first platoon being about three rods distant. They there halted. The officer then swung his sword, and said, 'Lay down your arms, you damned rebels, or you are all dead men. Fire!' Some guns were fired by the British at us from the first platoon, but no person was killed or hurt, being probably charged only with powder.
Just at this time, Captain Parker ordered every man to take care of himself. The company immediately dispersed; and while the company was dispersing and leaping over the wall, the second platoon of the British fired and killed some of our men. There was not a gun fired by anv of Captain Parker's company, within my knowledge. I was so situated that I must have known it, had any thing of the kind taken place before a total dispersion of our company. I have been intimately acquainted with the inhabitants of Lexington, and particularly with those of Captain Parker's company, and, with one exception, I have never heard any of them say or pretend that there was any firing at the British from Parker's company, or any individual in it until within a year or two. One member of the company told me, many years since, that, after Parker's company had dispersed, and he was at some distance, he gave them 'the guts of his gun.'"
America is a bit like czarist russia, there calender is a few days behind ? :unsure:
I thought Middlesex was a dirty word when I move to the county. Something like middle aged people having sex. :x
Quote from: mongers on June 30, 2011, 08:12:28 PM
America is a bit like czarist russia, there calender is a few days behind ? :unsure:
Actually, I had a massive argument today with a relocated Brit, and he won: so I did the first thing I could to insult the rest of you. I adjusted my calendar.
Quote from: CountDeMoney on June 30, 2011, 08:19:10 PM
Quote from: mongers on June 30, 2011, 08:12:28 PM
America is a bit like czarist russia, there calender is a few days behind ? :unsure:
Actually, I had a massive argument today with a relocated Brit, and he won: so I did the first thing I could to insult the rest of you. I adjusted my calendar.
He had obviously relocated because he wasn't polite enough to continue living here. :bowler:
Quote from: CountDeMoney on June 30, 2011, 08:19:10 PM
Quote from: mongers on June 30, 2011, 08:12:28 PM
America is a bit like czarist russia, there calender is a few days behind ? :unsure:
Actually, I had a massive argument today with a relocated Brit, and he won: so I did the first thing I could to insult the rest of you. I adjusted my calendar.
You should have icepicked his tires. Or 'tyres' to those assholes.
Quote from: mongers on June 30, 2011, 08:29:41 PM
He had obviously relocated because he wasn't polite enough to continue living here. :bowler:
Probably got reamed out by Freddie's mother.
Quote from: mongers on June 30, 2011, 08:12:28 PM
America is a bit like czarist russia, there calender is a few days behind ? :unsure:
Give us back our 73 days!
Birthday coming up! :w00t:
QuoteSylvanus Wood
Sounds like a name of a wood elf in a book by an author with a tendency for redundancies. :lol:
Quote from: garbon on June 30, 2011, 08:14:20 PM
I thought Middlesex was a dirty word when I move to the county. Something like middle aged people having sex. :x
You can't live in Middlesex, *I* live in Middlesex - the real one!
And as a middle-aged person, I thoroughly approve of middle-aged people having lots and lots of lovely sex.
Quote from: Martinus on July 01, 2011, 03:56:20 AM
QuoteSylvanus Wood
Sounds like a name of a wood elf in a book by an author with a tendency for redundancies. :lol:
:rolleyes: It's a joke name, like Sillius Sodus or Biggus Dickus.
Quote from: The Brain on July 01, 2011, 07:10:58 AM
Quote from: Martinus on July 01, 2011, 03:56:20 AM
QuoteSylvanus Wood
Sounds like a name of a wood elf in a book by an author with a tendency for redundancies. :lol:
:rolleyes: It's a joke name, like Sillius Sodus or Biggus Dickus.
What so funny about Biggus Dickus?
Quote from: Warspite on July 01, 2011, 07:24:32 AM
Quote from: The Brain on July 01, 2011, 07:10:58 AM
Quote from: Martinus on July 01, 2011, 03:56:20 AM
QuoteSylvanus Wood
Sounds like a name of a wood elf in a book by an author with a tendency for redundancies. :lol:
:rolleyes: It's a joke name, like Sillius Sodus or Biggus Dickus.
What so funny about Biggus Dickus?
Some Saudi diplomat to Pakistan IIRC.
I still don't understand the date thing with this thread :unsure:
Neat story, Money.
That sounds like a sworn statement (DA Form 2823) made by a soldier yesterday.
Quote from: Siege on July 01, 2011, 04:14:02 PM
That sounds like a sworn statement (DA Form 2823) made by a soldier yesterday.
Man, your sense of time is more off than even Seedy's.
Quote from: Warspite on July 01, 2011, 07:24:32 AM
Quote from: The Brain on July 01, 2011, 07:10:58 AM
Quote from: Martinus on July 01, 2011, 03:56:20 AM
QuoteSylvanus Wood
Sounds like a name of a wood elf in a book by an author with a tendency for redundancies. :lol:
:rolleyes: It's a joke name, like Sillius Sodus or Biggus Dickus.
What so funny about Biggus Dickus?
His rendition of Sussudio.
It is the distinctive characteristic of Anglo-American wars that interludes of combat are followed by the exchange of depositions.