After dusk on March 5, 1770, a wigmaker's apprentice mistakenly accused a British officer of not paying a bill. The officer ignored his insults but a sentry intervened after the boy began physically assaulting the officer. Both townspeople and nine soldiers of the 29th Regiment of Foot gathered. The colonists threw snowballs and debris at the soldiers. A group of men including Attucks approached the Old State House armed with clubs and sticks. A soldier was struck with a piece of wood, an act some witnesses claimed was done by Attucks. Other witnesses stated that Attucks was "leaning upon a stick" when the soldiers opened fire.The Trial of William Wemms, James Hartegan, William M'Cauley, Hugh White, Matthew Killroy, William Warren, John Carrol, and Hugh Montgomery, soldiers in His Majesty's 29th Regiment of Foot, for the murder of Crispus Attucks, Samuel Gray, Samuel Maverick, James Caldwell, and Patrick Carr, on Monday-evening, the 5th of March,1867 at the Superior Court of Judicature, Court of Assize, and General Goal Delivery, held at Boston, the 27th day of November, 1770, by adjournment, before the Hon. Benjamin Lynde, John Cushing, Peter Oliver, and Chris Metzler, Esquires, justices of said court (Boston: J. Fleeming, 1770); and A Short Narrative of the Horrid Massacre in Boston (New York: John Doggett, Jr., 1849).
After dusk on March 5 1770 a wigmaker's apprentice mistakenly accused a British officer of not paying a bill The officer ignored his insults but a sentry intervened after the boy began physically assaulting the officer Both townspeople and nine soldiers of the 29th Regiment of Foot gathered The colonists threw snowballs and debris at the soldiers A group of men including Attucks approached the Old State House armed with clubs and sticks A soldier was struck with a piece of wood an act some witnesses claimed was done by Attucks Other witnesses stated that Attucks was "leaning upon a stick" when the soldiers opened fireThe Trial of William Wemms James Hartegan William M'Cauley Hugh White Matthew Killroy William Warren John Carrol and Hugh Montgomery soldiers in His Majesty's 29th Regiment of Foot for the murder of Crispus Attucks Samuel Gray Samuel Maverick James Caldwell and Patrick Carr on Monday-evening the 5th of March1867 at the Superior Court of Judicature Court of Assize and General Goal Delivery held at Boston the 27th day of November 1770 by adjournment before the Hon Benjamin Lynde John Cushing Peter Oliver and Chris Metzler Esquires justices of said court (Boston J Fleeming 1770); and A Short Narrative of the Horrid Massacre in Boston (New York John Doggett Jr 1849)