Page:Samuel F. Batchelder - Bits of Harvard History (1924).pdf/87

 Saml Thatcher, in Colo Gardner’s Regiment of militia, which marchd on the alarm, April 19, 1775.” These were John Haven, of Dedham, a junior, and Edward Bangs, of Harwich, and Daniel Kilham, of Wenham, sophomores.

Turning for a moment from the subjective to the objective side of the part played by Harvard College on that day, it is worth noting that (according to Jeremy Belknap, a contemporary chronicler) General Gage’s plan of operations for the British expedition to Concord was to bring it on its return march through Cambridge, where it was to be met by heavy reinforcements. The combined force was then to entrench on the Common, take possession of the town, and destroy the public buildings, especially the colleges. A general policy of “frightfulness” was to be followed that would result in the submission of the whole neighborhood It is gratifying, therefore, to be able to record that, in the persons of these three students, Harvard did what it could to prevent such a catastrophe.