MIDDLESEX, ss. April 25th, 1775.
WILLIAM DRAPER, above-named, being duly cautioned
to testify the whole truth, made solemn oath to the truth
of the above deposition by him subscribed. Before us,
William Read, Josiah Johnson, William Stickney.     Justices of the Peace.

Lexington, April 23d, 1775.
I THOMAS FESSENDEN, of lawful age, testify and de-
clare that being in a pasture near the meeting-house, at
said Lexington, on Wednesday last, at about half an hour before
sunrise, I saw a number of regular troops pass speedily by said Meet-
ing-house, on their way towards a company of militia of said Lex-
ington, who were assembled to the number of about an hundred
in a company, at the distance of eighteen or twenty rods from
said meeting-house, and after they had passed by said meeting-
house, I saw three officers on horse back advance to the front of
said regulars, when one of them being within six rod of said mi-
litia, cried out, disperse you rebels immediately, on which he
brandished his sword over his head three times, mean while the
second officer, who was about two rods behind him fired a pistol
pointed at said militia, and the regulars kept huzzaing till he
had finished brandishing his sword, and when he had thus finish-
ed brandishing his sword, he pointed it down towards said mili-
tia, and immediately on which, the said regulars fired a volley
at said militia, and then I ran off as fast as I could, whil they
continued firing until I got out of their reach. I further testify,
that as soon as ever the officer cried disperse you rebels, the said
company of militia dispersed every way as fast as they could, and
while they were dispersing the regulars kept firing at them inces-
santly, and further saith not,     THOMAS FESSENDEN.

MIDDLESEX, ss. April 23 d, 1775.
THE within name Thomas Fessenden appeared, and after
due caution to testify the whole truth, and nothing but
the truth, made solemn oath to the truth of the within deposition
by him subscribed. Before us,
William Read, Josiah Johnson,     Justices of the Peace.

Lincoln, April 23 d, 1775.
I JOHN BATEMAN, belonging to the fifty-second regiment,
commanded by Colonel Jones on Wednesday morning, on
the nineteenth day of April instant, was in the party marching
to Concord, being at Lexington in the county of Middlesex,
being night the meeting-house in said Lexington, there was a
small party of men gathered together in that place, when our