Someone help me please..
Primary source #5: Continuing with Captain Preston’s recollection of this event (provides an entirely different perspective on the events of March 5, 1770)
They [the mob] advanced to the points of the bayonets, struck some of them and even the muzzles [the front of the muskets] of the pieces, and seemed to be endeavoring to close with the soldiers . . . some well behaved persons asked me if the guns were charged [loaded] and I replied yes . . . they then asked if I intended to order the men to fire. I answered no, by no means, observing to them that I was advanced before the muzzles of the men’s pieces [he was standing in front of their guns] and must fall a sacrifice if they fired; and my giving the word fire under those circumstances would prove me to be no officer. While I was thus speaking, one of the soldiers have received a severe blow with a stick, stepped a little on one side and instantly fired, on which turning and asking why he fired without orders, I was struck with a club on my arm, which for some time deprived me of the use of it, which blow had it been placed on my head, most probably would have destroyed me.
On this a general attack was made on the men [Redcoats] by a great number of heavy clubs and snowballs being thrown . . . by which all our lives were in imminent [immediate] danger . . . Instantly three or four soldiers fired, one after another, and directly after three more in the same confusion and hurry. The mob ran away, except three unhappy men who instantly expired . . . On my asking the soldiers why they fired without orders, they said they heard the word fire and supposed it came from me. This might be the case as many of the mob called out fire, fire, but I assured the men that I gave no such order.
Which side seems to be at blame for starting the firing of muskets? What evidence from Preston’s testimony made you think this was so
Would Captain Preston have any reason to tell less than the exact truth? Give a reason for your answer.