Pickering explains his actions

[9mm4545]

I found this interesting. Col. Pickering explains his actions of April 19th in his own words. https://allthingsliberty.com/2019/05/eyewitness-to-the-british-retreat-from-lexington-the-timothy-pickering-letter/?fbclid=IwAR1EXgspoYHV1mB9l9-l0BMs_tElqlIiukKt0f9Mp_0xJwxxGhU9bRdXzZo

[ItsanSKS]

 

[BlindDog]

 

[Border-Run]

 

[AF5US]

Wow - thanks for sharing! 

[CarrollMS]

Excellent resource. The summary of this missed opportunity given by Fischer in Paul Revere's Ride states that Heath strongly denied having agreed with Pickering or ordering a halt of his advance. It also claims he had dallied in his march until urged forward by his subordinates. Regardless, it is very good to read his letter of justification for his actions.

[FourFans]

  Interesting,, Thank you.
  --FF

[Cold Warrior]

It's an interesting read.

He's explaining away the missed opportunity. Let us not forget that Heath does not agree with the reasoning (in other correspondence).  Pickering's assertions that he'd received a report that ships-of-war may have been sailing on Salem (leaving ports undefended), and more salient, that the Regulars had disengaged (at Charlestown Neck), so then to re-engage would violate their ROE, makes you really want to believe him.

Attached is the text of his letter for general consumption.