[Pamphlets. American history]

CAMBRIDGE REVOLUTIONARY MEMORIAL. 29
press was sent from Old Cambridge to Menotomy,
announcing the coming of these supplies, and a few
men, too old for active service in the field, posted
themselves behind a wall to await their arrival. The
convoy came, and was called upon to surrender. The
drivers whipped up their horses. The provincials
fired, killing several horses, and perhaps two men,
when the drivers jumped from their places and fled.
The wagons were secured and plundered. The drivers
are said to have surrendered themselves to an old
woman whom they met, whose protection they begged.
WThereupon there went the rounds of the English
papers belonging to the opposition that interesting
sum in the Rule of Three: "If one old Yankee
woman can take six grenadiers, how many soldiers
will it require to conquer America? " "So to West
Cambridge belongs the honor of making the first
capture of provisions and stores, and also of prisoners, in the American Revolution."
The march of the British troops back to Boston was
resumed. They committed much destruction, pillaging
and burning buildings, and grossly abusing individuals
who fell in their power. They were stung by defeat,
full of anger and revenge, glad to let their passions
loose, though the helpless were the chief sufferers. It
was a memorable retreat, and many sad incidents of it
are preserved in the family traditions of those who
lived along its route. The skirmishing in West Cambridge was fierce and bloody. The people were
excited by the outrages committed by the troops, who
on their part were contending with enemies often