"I, Edward Thoroton Gould, of his majesty's own regiment of foot, being of lawful age, do testify and declare, that, on the evening of the 18th instant, under the orders of General Gage, I embarked with the light infantry and grenadiers of the line, commanded by Colonel Smith, and landed on the marshes of Cambridge, from whence we proceeded to Lexington. On our arrival at that place, we saw a body of provincial troops, armed, to the number of about sixty or seventy men. On our approach, they dispersed, and soon after firing began, but which party fired first I can not exactly say, as our troops rushed on shouting and huzzaing previous to the firing, which was continued by our troops so long as any of the provincials were to be seen. From thence we marched to Concord. On a hill, near the entrance of the town, we saw another body of provincials assembled: the light-infantry companies were ordered up the hill to disperse them; on our approach, they retreated toward Concord. The grenadiers continued the road under the hill toward the town. Six companies of light infantry were ordered down to take possession of the bridge which the provincials retreated over; the company I commanded was one. Three companies of the above detachment went forward about two miles. In the meantime, the provincial troops returned, to the number of about three or four hundred. We drew up on the Concord side of the bridge; the provincials came down upon us, upon which we engaged and gave the first fire. This was the first engagement after the one at Lexington. A continued firing from both parties lasted through the whole day. I myself was wounded at the attack of the bridge, and am now treated with the greatest humanity, and taken all possible care of by the provincials at Medford.
"EDWARD THOROTON GOULD, "_Lieut. King's Own Regiment_."
"PROVINCE OF MASSACHUSETTS BAY, "_Middlesex County, April 25, 1775_.
"Lieutenant Thoroton Gould, aforenamed, personally made oath to the truth of the foregoing declaration by him subscribed, before us,
"THAD. MASSON, "JOSIAH JOHNSON, SIMON TUFTS, _Justices of the peace for the county aforesaid, quorum unus_."
"PROVINCE OF MASSACHUSETTS BAY, CHARLESTOWN, SS.
"I, Nathaniel Gorham, notary and tabellion public, by lawful authority duly admitted and sworn, hereby certify to all whom it may or doth concern, that Thaddeus Masson, Josiah Johnson, and Simon Tufts, Esqrs., are three of his majesty's justices of the peace (_quorum unus_) for the county of Middlesex; and that full faith and credit is and ought to be given to their transactions as such, both in court and out. In witness whereof, I have hereunto affixed my name and seal, this twenty-sixth day of April, _Anno Domini_ one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five.