"call to arms"

TO ARMS TO ARMS, THE WAR HAS BEGUN!"

- Israel Bissell sounding the alarm throughout the colonies, April 19, 1775

THE CALL TO ARMS

Part of the text of the call to arms:

Wednesday Morning near 10 of the clock

"Watertown,

To all friends of American Liberty be it known that this morning before break of day a Brigade consisting of about 1,000 or 1,200 men landed at Phip’s farm at Cambridge and Marched to Lexington, where they found a company of our Colony Militia in Arms, upon whom they fired without provocation, and killed six men and wounded 4 others. By an express from Boston we find that another brigade is now upon their march from Boston, supposed to be about 1,000. The bearer, Israel Bissell, is charged to alarm the country quite to Connecticut, and all persons are desired to furnish him with fresh horses, as they may be need."

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