Subject: Diary of a British Officer in Boston in 1775 Part 6 of 6 Source: The Atlantic Monthly Magazine, Vol XXXIX. April 1877. No. CCXXXIV. Concord Battle Cont'd In this critical situation we perceived the 1st Brigade coming to our assistence - it consisted of the 4th, 23d, and 47th Regts., and the Battalion of Marines, with two field pieces, 6 pounders. We had been flattered ever since the morning with expectations of the Brigade coming out, but at this time had given up all hopes of it, as it was so late. I since heard it was owing to a mistake of the orders, or the Brigade would have been with us two hours sooner. As soon as the Rebels saw this re-inforcement, and tasted the field pieces, they retired, and we formed on a rising ground and rested ourselves a little while, which was extremely necessary for our men who were almost exhausted with fatigue. In about half an hour we marched again and some of the Brigade taking the flanking parties we marched pretty quiet for about two miles. They then began to pepper us again from the same sort of places, but at rather a greater distance. We were now obliged to force almost every house in the road, for the Rebels had taken possession of them and galled us exceedingly, but they suffered for their temerity for all that were found in the houses were put to death. When we got to Menotomy there was a very heavy fire; after that we took the shortcut into Charlestown road, very luckily for us too, for the Rebels thinking we should endeavor to return by Cambridge had broken down the bridge and had a great number of men to line the road and to receive us there. However, we threw them and went on to Charlestown without any great interruption. We got there between seven and eight o'clock at night, took possession of the hill above the town and waited for the boats to carry us over, which came some time after. The Rebels did not choose to follow us to the hill, as they must have fought us on open ground and that they did not like. 200 men of the 64th meet them at Charlestown The Piquets of the Army were sent over to Charlestown and 200 of the 64th to keep that ground; they threw up a work to secure themselves, and we embarked and got home very late in the night. Thus ended this Expedition, which from beginning to end was as ill planned and ill executed as it was possible to be; had we not idled away three hours in Cambridge marsh waiting for provisions that were not wanted, we should have had no interruption at Lexington, but by our stay the country people had got intelligence and time to assemble. We should have reached Concord soon after day break, before they could have heard of us, by which we should have destroyed more cannon and stores, which they had had time enough to convey away before our arrival. We might also have got easier back and not been so much harassed as they would not have had time to assemble so many people - even the people of Salem and Marblehead, above 20 miles off, had intelligence and time enough to march and meet us on our return; they met us somewhere about Menotomy, but they lost a good many for their pains. Thus for a few trifling stores, the Grenadiers and Light Infantry had a march of about 50 miles - going and returning. Transcribed by Janice Farnsworth