The New Hampshire Gazette

Battle of Lexington.

The citizens of Danvers, Mass. celebrated the anniversary of the memorable battle of Lexington on the 20th inst. by laying the corner stone of a Monument to be erected to the memory of those unfortunate men who belonged to that town, and who fell in that engagement, viz: Henry Jacobs, Samuel Cook, Ebenezer Goldthwait, George Southwick, Benjamin Daland, Jr. Jonathan Webb, and Perley Putnam.

The procession was formed at 10 o'clock, and proceeded, under escort of the Danvers Light Infantry and Artillery companies, to the ground assigned for the foundation of the monument. The services were performed by Gen. Gideon Foster, who is now eighty six years of age, and who at the time of the battle, commanded a company of minute men.

The following address of Gen. Foster, delivered on the occasion, will be read with interest:

Friends and Fellow Citizens:

On the ever memorable 19th day of April, 1775, now sixty years past, it was my fortune to meet in this place with numbers of my fellow-citizens to defend the rights and liberties of my Country. The alarm of war was sounded. The enemy was then amongst us. The first blood of Americans was then shed. On the plains of Lexington the roar of arms was then sounding,—the strife of war was then raging.

On that morning, more than one hundred of my townsmen hastened to the field of battle—unused to the artifices of war—unskilled in the arts of slaying their fellow men—their hearts were flowing with zeal in their Country's cause, and ready to offer their lives on the altar of their liberties. Seven of those who thus started in the prime of life and vigor of manhood, ere that day's sun descended in the west, were numbered with the dead. Many others have marks of the well directed fire of the enemy.

To perpetuate the memory of those who then offered their lives for their Country's good; to perpetuate the principles with which they were actuated, is the purpose of this day's meeting,—is the purpose of the monument, the foundation of which has now been laid. May this purpose be attained; may these principles be remembered, and made the rule of action, in all coming time;—and may the names which are here recorded endure until the granite of our own hills shall be crumbled into dust.

I was then 26 years of age. About ten days before, I had been chosen to command a company of minute men, who were at all times to be in readiness at a moment's warning. They were so ready. They all assembled, on the very spot where we this day assembled; they all went; and in about four hours from the time of meeting, they travelled on foot (full half the way up on the run) sixteen miles, and saluted the enemy. This they did most effectually; as the records of that day most clearly prove. I discharged my musket at the enemy a number of times, (I think eleven,) with two balls each time, and with well directed aim. My comrade, (Mr. Cleaves of Beverly) who was then standing by my side, had his finger and ramrod cut away by a shot from the enemy.

Whether my shot took effect, I cannot say; but this I can say, if they did not, it was not for want of determined purpose, in him who sent them. Of those under my immediate command, there is not one left alive. Three of them were slain on that day—I alone remain to tell their story. I, a tottering old man, through the goodness of God, am still permitted to be here. I am permitted to see this day's ascending sun, and to witness these interesting ceremonies. I can truly say it is one of the happiest days, and most pleasing events of my life.

A few days more at most, and perhaps very few, and I also shall be numbered with the dead.

But while I see the spirit that moved the Patriots of '76, bright and vigorous in the breasts of their descendants,—while I see the rights of my fellow citizens maintained, and the Constitution of my Country defended—I can say with Simeon of old, now Lord, lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen the salvation of My Country.

After the usual ceremonies, the procession proceeded, under a salute of 24 guns from the artillery to the Old South Church, where the following exercises were performed:

1. Hymn—By R. S. Daniels. 2. Prayer—By Rev. George Cowles. 3. Hymn—By F. Pool, Jr. 4. Address—By D. P. King, Esq. 5. Patriotic Ode—By Jonathan Shove. 6. Concluding Prayer—By Rev. J. M. Austin.

About two hundred persons, including a number of Revolutionary patriots, partook of a collation prepared by Mr. Benjamin Goodridge.