On this day 250 years ago, the New York General Advertiser reports
A Union Flag, with a red field was hoisted on the Liberty Pole by the Friends of Freedom assembled, and having got in proper Readiness, about 11 O’clock, the Body began their March to the Exchange. They were attended by Music; and two Standard Bearers carried a large Union Flag, with a blue Field, on which were the following Inscriptions: On one Side, GEORGE III. REX AND THE LIBERTIES OF AMERICA. NO POPERY.[35] On the other, THE UNION OF THE COLONIES, AND THE MEASURES OF THE CONGRESS.
Source: https://researchingtheamericanrevolution.com/colonial-protest-flags-1765-to-1775/
On this day 250 years ago in Lynnfield, Massachusetts, one of the town’s minutemen who had marched to Salem on February 26 to confront Colonel Leslie’s troops, Joseph Newhall, died “by a violent seizure after a few days illness suppos’d to be occasioned by a cold taken when he went out upon an alarm, in the 52nd year of his age.” The Town of Lynnfield claims Newhall as the first American casualty of the Revolution. Another minuteman from Lynnfield — Daniel Townsend — would soon be killed fighting the British on their retreat from Concord on April 19.
Source: https://patch.com/massachusetts/lynnfield/a-look-at-lynnfield-in-the-american-revolution
Also on this day 250 years ago in Wilmington, Massachusetts, the Town formed a Minuteman Company that included 24 men. The Minutemen elected Cadwallader Ford Jr. as their Captain. However, this Minutemen Company was not the only company of Wilmington Militia that was ready to fight when the shooting would begin. Two other militia companies commanded by Captain Timothy Walker and by Captain John Harnden also mustered in Wilmington on this day. The following month, over 100 men from Wilmington turned out to fight the British on the retreat from Concord, and 260 men from the town would join the fight for American Independence.
Sources: https://www.americanhistorycentral.com/entries/lexington-and-concord-wilmington-militia/; https://homenewshere.com/wilmington_town_crier/news/article_052bdc8a-25dc-11e7-9240-13be4fde7d98.html
And on this day 250 years ago in Boston, British Lieutenant Frederick Mackenzie recorded in his diary that
Rob* Vaughan, the Soldier of the 52ed Reg* who was apprehended the night of the 3rd Ins*, attempting to desert, by way of Charlestown ferry, was tried on the 6th and 7th , and being found guilty, was ordered to be shot for the same, as this morning; but about 9 oClock last night it was notified to the Troops, that his Execution was respited till further orders.
Immediately after Lexington and Concord, Robert Vaughn would desert again, and that time he would not be caught.
Sources: https://archive.org/details/ABritishFusilierInRevolutionaryBoston_392/ABritishFusilierInRevolutionaryBoston1775/page/n45/mode/2up; https://redcoat76.blogspot.com/2011/10/robert-vaughn-52nd-regiment-of-foot.html
On This Day In The Revolution 
One response to “On this day 250 years ago in the Revolution — March 9, 1775”
I can imagine how conditions in America were likely quite tempting to British soldiers who were prone to desert. No doubt the vastness of the new world, the freedoms not enjoyed in England, and the opportunity of prosperity made serving the crown unattractive. We know the history of the British needing more troops to fight but Is it possible that fear of British desertions was an additional factor in hiring Germans to fight the Americans? I found one website that said even many of the Hessians decided to stay in America after the way and some returned with their families after American independence was won. It shows how tempting living in America was for the Europeans.
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