The 11 o'clock Ride of Paul Revere, by Paul Revere

Published: 1775 signed statement of the facts

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I, PAUL REVERE, of Boston, in the colony of the Massachusetts Bay in New 
England; of lawful age, do testify and say; that I was sent for by Dr. 
Joseph Warren, of said Boston, on the evening of the 18th of April, about 
10 o'clock; when he desired me, "to go to Lexington, and inform Mr. Samuel 
Adams, and the Hon. John Hancock Esq. that there was a number of soldiers, 
composed of light troops, and grenadiers, marching to the bottom of the 
common, where there was a number of boats to receive them; it was supposed 
that they were going to Lexington, by the way of Cambridge River, to take 
them, or go to Concord, to destroy the colony stores."

I proceeded immediately, and was put across Charles River and landed near 
Charlestown Battery; went in town, and there got a horse. While in 
Charlestown, I was informed by Richard Devens Esq. that he met that 
evening, after sunset, nine officers of the ministerial army, mounted on 
good horses, and armed, going towards Concord.

I set off, it was then about 11 o'clock, the moon shone bright. I had got 
almost over Charlestown Common, towards Cambridge, when I saw two officers 
on horse-back, standing under the shade of a tree, in a narrow part of the 
road. I was near enough to see their holsters and cockades. One of them 
started his horse towards me, the other up the road, as I supposed, to 
head me, should I escape the first. I turned my horse short about, and 
rode upon a full gallop for Mistick Road. He followed me about 300 yards, 
and finding he could not catch me, returned. I proceeded to Lexington, 
through Mistick, and alarmed Mr. Adams and Col. Hancock.

After I had been there about half an hour Mr. Daws arrived, who came from 
Boston, over the Neck.

We set off for Concord, and were overtaken by a young gentleman named 
Prescot, who belonged to Concord, and was going home. When we had got 
about half way from Lexington to Concord, the other two stopped at a house 
to awake the men, I kept along. When I had got about 200 yards ahead of 
them, I saw two officers as before. I called to my company to come up, 
saying here was two of them, (for I had told them what Mr. Devens told me, 
and of my being stopped). In an instant I saw four of them, who rode up to 
me with their pistols in their bands, said "G---d d---n you, stop. If you 
go an inch further, you are a dead man." Immediately Mr. Prescot came up. 
We attempted to get through them, but they kept before us, and swore if we 
did not turn in to that pasture, they would blow our brains out, (they had 
placed themselves opposite to a pair of bars, and had taken the bars 
down). They forced us in. When we had got in, Mr. Prescot said "Put on!" 
He took to the left, I to the right towards a wood at the bottom of the 
pasture, intending, when I gained that, to jump my horse and run afoot. 
Just as I reached it, out started six officers, seized my bridle, put 
their pistols to my breast, ordered me to dismount, which I did. One of 
them, who appeared to have the command there, and much of a gentleman, 
asked me where I came from; I told him. He asked what time I left. I told 
him, he seemed surprised, said "Sir, may I crave your name?" I answered 
"My name is Revere. "What" said he, "Paul Revere"? I answered "Yes." The 
others abused much; but he told me not to be afraid, no one should hurt 
me. I told him they would miss their aim. He said they should not, they 
were only waiting for some deserters they expected down the road. I told 
him I knew better, I knew what they were after; that I had alarmed the 
country all the way up, that their boats were caught aground, and I should 
have 500 men there soon. One of them said they had 1500 coming; he seemed 
surprised and rode off into the road, and informed them who took me, they 
came down immediately on a full gallop. One of them (whom I since learned 
was Major Mitchel of the 5th Reg.) clapped his pistol to my head, and said 
he was going to ask me some questions, and if I did not tell the truth, he 
would blow my brains out. I told him I esteemed myself a man of truth, 
that he had stopped me on the highway, and made me a prisoner, I knew not 
by what right; I would tell him the truth; I was not afraid. He then asked 
me the same questions that the other did, and many more, but was more 
particular; I gave him much the same answers. He then ordered me to mount 
my horse, they first searched me for pistols. When I was mounted, the 
Major took the reins out of my hand, and said "By G---d Sir, you are not 
to ride with reins I assure you"; and gave them to an officer on my right, 
to lead me. He then ordered 4 men out of the bushes, and to mount their 
horses; they were country men which they had stopped who were going home; 
then ordered us to march. He said to me, "We are now going towards your 
friends, and if you attempt to run, or we are insulted, we will blow your 
brains out." When we had got into the road they formed a circle, and 
ordered the prisoners in the center, and to lead me in the front. We rode 
towards Lexington at a quick pace; they very often insulted me calling me 
rebel, etc., etc. After we had got about a mile, I was given to the 
sergeant to lead, he was ordered to take out his pistol, (he rode with a 
hanger,) and if I ran, to execute the major's sentence.

When we got within about half a mile of the Meeting House we heard a gun 
fired. The Major asked me what it was for, I told him to alarm the 
country; he ordered the four prisoners to dismount, they did, then one of 
the officers dismounted and cut the bridles and saddles off the horses, 
and drove them away, and told the men they might go about their business. 
I asked the Major to dismiss me, he said he would carry me, let the 
consequence be what it will. He then ordered us to march.

When we got within sight of the Meeting House, we heard a volley of guns 
fired, as I supposed at the tavern, as an alarm; the Major ordered us to 
halt, he asked me how far it was to Cambridge, and many more questions, 
which I answered. He then asked the sergeant, if his horse was tired, he 
said yes; he ordered him to take my horse. I dismounted, and the sergeant 
mounted my horse; they cut the bridle and saddle of the sergeant's horse, 
and rode off down the road. I then went to the house were I left Messrs. 
Adams and Hancock, and told them what had happened; their friends advised 
them to go out of the way; I went with them, about two miles across road.

After resting myself, I set off with another man to go back to the tavern, 
to inquire the news; when we got there, we were told the troops were 
within two miles. We went into the tavern to get a trunk of papers 
belonging to Col. Hancock. Before we left the house, I saw the ministerial 
troops from the chamber window. We made haste, and had to pass through our 
militia, who were on a green behind the Meeting House, to the number as I 
supposed, about 50 or 60, I went through them; as I passed I heard the 
commanding officer speak to his men to this purpose; "Let the troops pass 
by, and don't molest them, without they begin first." I had to go across 
road; but had not got half gunshot off, when the ministerial troops 
appeared in sight, behind the Meeting House. They made a short halt, when 
one gun was fired. I heard the report, turned my head, and saw the smoke 
in front of the troops. They immediately gave a great shout, ran a few 
paces, and then the whole fired. I could first distinguish irregular 
firing, which I supposed was the advance guard, and then platoons; at this 
time I could not see our militia, for they were covered from me by a house 
at the bottom of the street.

s/PAUL REVERE