1776 Almanac with Battle of Lexington Account "soldiers fired at persons who had no arms"

"The North-American's Almanack" by Samuel Stearns. Massachusetts Bay: Isaiah Thomas, 1776. 18pp, octavo. A printed almanac of calendar pages, above which has been printed (in sections) a lengthy letter detailing the conflicts at Lexington and Concord by Reverend William Gordon of Roxbury. Entitled, "An Account of the Commencement of Hostilities between Great Britain and America", which was sent to a gentleman in England. Although Reverend Gordon was not present at the Battle of Lexington, he spoke with numerous people who were present on the day and recorded their accounts. His details and death count estimations, therefore, are slightly skewed, but still provide an excellent account of the battle. The almanac also includes pieces entitled "Sir Richard Rum's Advice to the Soldiers and others" and "Directions for preserving the Health of the Soldiers in the Camp." The stitched binding has been replaced with an old thread and a small pin. Toning, dampstaining, and brown staining spots throughout. Personal inscriptions on some pages. Edges are chipped with some tearing and unevenness to be expected with age.

The account of the Battle of Lexington reads in part:

"…The Lexington company, upon seeing the troops and being of themselves so unequal a match for them, were deliberating for a few moments what they should do, when several dispersing of their own heads, the Captain soon ordered the rest to disperse for their own safety. Before the order was given, three or four of the regular officers, seeing the company as they came up on the rising ground on this side the meeting…upon coming up, one cry'd out, 'you damn'd rebels lay down your arms;' another, 'stop you rebels;' a third, 'disperse you rebels;' &c. Major Pitcairne, I suppose, thinking himself justified by parliamentary authority to consider them all rebels, perceiving that they did not actually lay down their arms, observing that the generality were getting off, while a few continued in their military position, and apprehending there could be no great hurt, in killing few such Yankees…cave the command to fire, then fired his own pistol, and so set the whole affair a-going. There were killed at Lexington eight persons; on Parker, and two or three more, on the common; the rest on the other side of the walls and fences while dispersing. The soldiers fired at persons who had no arms. Eight hundred of the best British troops in America having thus nobly vanquished a company of non-resisting Yankees while dispersing, and slaughtered a few of them by way of experiment, marched forward in the greatness of their might to Concord…"

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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