Westford to Cambridge
Based on many accounts of the events of April 19th, 1775, Westford men pursued the regulars throughout the day and made their way to Cambridge to take part in the siege of Boston. Some arrived that day, while others marched the 24 miles the following day or soon thereafter. In 2011, following the annual Col. John Robinson march from Westford to Concord, Colin Kennedy and I continued on to Cambridge Common to commemorate the efforts of the earlier Westford men. George Quintal, Jr. joined us at Fiske Hill in Lexington and guided us to the many important historical sites along the route. Though he couldn't march with us this year, Ed Scollon gave us support and encouragement along the way, as well as a much appreciated ride home!
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Peter Brown:
"...was call'd about Day light, or a little after, and rode as post that forenoon, before I could get to Concord, after which I pursu'd with the rest and fought that day, tarried at Cambridge that Night, being forbid to go home."
Letter, June 25, 1775
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Silas Chandler:
"That before the revolutionary war, commenced, he was a minute man, in the Town of Westford aforesaid, in the Company of Capt. Timothy Underwood, Proctor was one of the Lieuts., the Company was in Colo Prescott Regt which was mustered at Groton on the [?] before Concord fight and on the morning of the 19th of April AD 1775, the company went to the Battle at Concord & they arrived just as the Enemy were leaving, & they pursued, to Cambridge where his company was stationed near the Colleges, and he remained in it, untill the eight months men were enlisted and organized..."
Pension application, 6 Nov. 1832
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Daniel Whitney:
"...went immediately to Concord, persued the British upon their retreat to Lexington thence to Charlestown and after was stationed at Cambridge..."
Pension application, 24 July, 1832
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Ephraim Heald:
"...he turned out to meet them and was in the Battles of Lexington and Concord on the 19th of April 1775 and that the next day he marched to Cambridge, where he immediately enlisted a volunteer, for Eight Months..."
Pension application, 6 Aug. 1832
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Along the Battle Road
Colin setting the pace.
Reading one of the many historical markers along the route.
On Cambridge Common
George, Colin and Dan
Colin, Ed, and Dan
~ 18 April, 2011 ~
Westford to Cambridge
Thanks to Ed Scollon for the photo contributions.
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