[BATTLES OF LEXINGTON AND CONCORD]. New-England Chronicle; or, The Essex Gazette. Cambridge: Samuel and Ebenezer Hall, 19 October 1775. Vol. VIII, No. 377. Folio (394 x 248 mm), leaves detached at spine, first leaf split at center and detached, browning, edgewear. WOODCUT VIGNETTE AT CENTER MASTHEAD BY PAUL REVERE. On April 19, 1775, The Battles of Lexington and Concord marked the opening engagements of the American Revolutionary War. Tensions between the American colonies and British authorities had been escalating, and when British troops were dispatched to seize colonial munitions in Concord, Massachusetts, they were confronted by local militia in Lexington, resulting in several casualties. The battles highlighted the growing discontent and armed opposition to British rule in the American colonies, ultimately propelling the region into a full-scale war for independence. The newspaper prints several reports regarding the battle including news of British soldiers killed in battle; the American General, Rufus Putnam, threatening General Thomas Gage to lay siege with his 30,000 men if he and his British army do not leave Boston; and an extract of a letter detailing the death of Major John Pitcairn who was in command of the Marine detachment accompanying the British movement to Concord and was reportedly one of the officers leading the British forces during the skirmish with colonial militia at Lexington Green which marked the beginning of the conflict.