Letter of Orders for the Lexington Alarm

This letter of orders for the Lexington Alarm of April 19. 1775 provides a rare glimpse into the very beginnings of the Revolutionary War. The letter was written by Isaac Merrill (1708-1787) of the west parish of Amesbury. He signed the letter as Colonel, but it is believed that he did not hold an active commission in the military at that time. The rank was likely honorific, reflecting past service. At the time of this letter Merrill represented Amesbury in the Massachusetts Provincial Congress, which had authorized the formation of Minute Men Companies in October 1775, and which had the authority to call out the companies for military service. The recipient of this letter of orders was John Currier (1726-1806) of the east parish of Amesbury. He was Captain of what may have been the recently formed Amesbury company of Minute Men, consisting of volunteers from the existing east and west parish militia companies. John Currier was a seasoned officer, having served as Lieutenant of an Amesbury company during the Crown Point expedition of the French and Indian War.

On the morning of April 19, 1775 the Alarm of British troops advancing to Lexington and Concord was spread by horsemen from town to town in northeastern Massachusetts. It is believed the alarm crossed the Merrimack River at Andover and spread eastward, reaching Isaac Merrill in west Amesbury about mid-morning. Merrill then hastily wrote and dispatched these orders to Capt. John Currier in east Amesbury. The immediacy of the letter’s contents illustrates the uncertainty of events as they were unfolding.

Capt. Currier quickly gathered his Minute Men company, consisting of 37 men, and responded by crossing the Merrimack River and heading first towards Concord. He would have soon learned that the British troops were retreating to Boston, and as a result diverted his company to Cambridge before returning to Amesbury. The company was paid for 7 days’ service. Although his company did not arrive in time to actively engage with the British troops, their quick response demonstrated Amesbury’s willingness to fight for the Revolutionary cause.