The 'Boston Massacre'
Painting by Paul Revere
The incident that took place on March 5, 1770 was a direct result of Crispus Attucks' actions. According to eyewitness accounts, "it was the dark skinned Crispus Attucks who shaped and dominated the action of that day" (Moore). The British troops arrived in Boston in October of 1768 in order to protect British custom officials, who had been harassed and intimidated because of their efforts to enforce the Townshend Acts. However, because King George III was trying to rule over the colonists without their permission, they were very angry and the presence of the British soldiers only made matters worse. Displeased with the British rule the colonists were able to take out their frustrations on the British troops by calling them names and even throwing rocks at them (Robin). On March 5, 1770 the situation came to a 'boil' when several soldiers were being abusive towards a number of people in the street. (Kaplan & Kaplan, pg.6). Attucks saw that the townspeople longed for their freedom as he did twenty years earlier. "Out of inspiration and the hope of freedom, he walked up to a mounted platform in front of a large crowd and spoke about building the courage to rebel. He said, 'As powerful as Britain may be, they have no right to tax the colonists three thousand miles away without their opinion'. It was this speech that triggered the colonists to stand up and fight for their freedom" (Robin).
It was then that the fire bell at the Old Brick Meeting House rang loudly. Many of the townspeople thought there was a fire, but the bell was rung in order to single that it was time for them to fight for their freedom. Attucks then led a group of fifty or sixty into the Town Square to confront the British. The situation continued to escalte as the streets filled many excited and frightened people. When approaching the British, the angry townspeople, led by Attucks, cursed the soldiers and threw snowballs at them. "The 29th Regiment loaded their weapons and aimed chest high into the crowd. Crispus Attucks stepped forward, almost leaning into a bayonet. 'You Lobsters! Bloody backs! Cowards!' he yelled. 'Don't be afraid, they dare not fire!' he scourged the crowd. Attucks rallied them to stand their ground. Responding to his leadership, the people stood firm" (Moore). It was then that someone in the crowd yelled "Fire!" and the soldiers began to discharge their weapons. Two lead balls entered the chest of Attucks, killing him on instantly. Samuel Gray, James Cladwell, Samuel Maverick, and Patrick Carr were also fatally wounded in the shooting. The corpses of Attucks and Caldwell were taken to Faneuil Hall since they were strangers to the town. The other bodies were taken back to their homes. Patriots, pamphleteers and propagandists immediately dubbed the event the 'Boston Massacre,' and its victims became instant martyrs and symbols of liberty (Attucks).
On Thursday, the corpse of Attucks was taken from Faneuil Hall and 'all the Bells tolled a solemn Peal'. Despite laws and customs regulating the burial of blacks, Attucks was buried in the Park Street Cemetery along with the other honored dead (Attucks).
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