On the 26th February, 1775, General [Thomas] Gage received information that cannon and military stores were to be deposited at Salem and he sent Lieut. Col. [Alexander] Leslie with one hundred and forty soldiers in a transport to seize them; fortunately, they were discovered in the act of landing at Marblehead Neck; a man went around to the church doors with a drum beating "To arms! to Arms!" It was during service. Major [John] Pedrick hastened out and was told that the British had landed on the Neck; at once he understood their object, hastened to his residence, had his parade horse saddled, rode away with the utmost speed, and met a person who said the troops had formed their ranks on Bubier's Plain and were marching on towards Salem. He quickly followed, heard the drum and fife playing Yankee Doodle; when he had so gained upon them he leaped his horse over a wall which brought him to a steep hill leading to Gardner's Mills, which was so steep in descent it was looked upon as a breakneck place and really safest to go down at a gallop. At the bottom of the hill he came upon Col. Leslie, with whom he was well acquainted and who at that moment was in the rear of his troops. They exchanged a military salute and Leslie ordered his men "to file to the right and left and give Major Pedrick the pass." This pass was a narrow wooden bridge over a river which emptied into the sea and near which was a great [grist?]; leaving the bridge, the river wound around a sharp point of land, so that after a few yards were passed he was concealed from the observation of any one upon the bridge.
Major Pedrick thanked Col. Leslie for his courtesy, passed between the files of soldiers, and while in view of them rode slowly; but, once around the point of land, put spurs to his horse, went to Salem with all speed, stopped at the door of the North Church (it was during the time of service, being Sunday) explained Col. Leslie's object, then dashed down to Spike bridge to have the draw raised so as to prevent the passage of the "Regulars." Rev. Mr. [Thomas] Barnard and others followed as quickly as possible and it was arranged that Mr. Barnard was to remain in charge of it. Major Pedrick said to Mr. Barnard that Col. Leslie would order the draw to be lowered in the "King's name;" that he could reply it was not the "King's" highway, but a private road, and requested him to parley with him and resort to all expedients to delay him until a message should come from Major Pedrick to say that the cannon were safe. Col. Leslie threatened that they would cross the river in boats and was told they would be sunk if it were attempted: as it was, they did destroy a few. The militia assembled and the Regulars were so exasperated that it was with difficulty the gentlemen present prevented bloodshed.
On his return to the bridge, Major Pedrick heard Col. Leslie say that his orders were "to cross the bridge," and he would do it at all hazards. Major Pedrick then requested Mr. Barnard who was on the same side of the bridge with Col. Leslie to say to him that if it were a "point of honor" with him to do it, that the draw should be lowered for him and his men, to cross over and to march so many paces beyond; provided that being accomplished they would return to their place of embarkation. After some consultation with his officers this was agreed to by Col. Leslie, and being done the troops wheeled round and the music played by the band was "The world turned upside down."
Immediately upon Col. Leslie's accepting the terms, Major Pedrick rode a short distance away, as he felt it would be uncourteous to remain and witness his annoyance; as in yielding the pass to him he had missed the opportunity of carrying the object for which he had been sent.
