In the obedience to your Excellency's commands, I marched on the evening of the 18thinst. with the corps of grenadiers and lightinfantry for Concord, to execute your Excellency's orders with respect to destroying allammunition, artillery, tents, &c, collectedthere. I think it proper to observe, that when Ihad got some miles on the march from Boston, I detached six light infantry companiesto march with all expedition to seize the twobridges on different roads beyond Concord.On these companies' arrival at Lexington, Iunderstand, from the report of Major Pitcairn, who was with them, and from manyofficers, that they found on a green close tothe road a body of the country people drawnup in military order, with arms and accoutrement, and, as appeared after, loaded.

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