But the student in American local history needs a more extensive view of the Operations of that day. He needs to be better informed as to the various scenes of carnage that were waged along all Of those nearly twenty miles Of highway. Men were slain in Lexington and in Concord; but there were many others slain in Lincoln, in Arlington, in Cambridge, and in Somerville. Nor should we forget the young est martyr oi the day, but fourteen years of age, who fell in Charlestown. For the purpose, then, Of presenting to such as may be interested, I have assembled here the most comprehensive account that has ever been Offered, and one that aims to be a history of the entire day. I have endeavored to make it not only complete and interesting, but just and reliable, recognizing fully the rights of my own ancestors to rebel, and also recognizing the rights Of the mother country to prevent such rebellion — even by an appeal to arms. Since those days we have grown to be a mother country ourselves, and have had reason, on more than one occasion, to exercise that accepted right of parental control. This narrative is based upon Official reports, sworn statements, diaries, letters, and narratives Of partici pants and Witnesses; upon accounts of local histo rians and national orators; and, in a few cases, upon tradition, if such seemed authentic and trustworthy.