Captain Preston Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre took place on the evening of March 5, 1770 after a group of Bostonians taunted a British sentry stationed at the Custom House. ... As the situation escalated the soldier called for help and Captain Thomas Preston, along with seven British soldiers, came to aid him. ... After the massacre, a trial was held to determine what happened on that day and who was to blame for the deaths. Along with Captain Preston’s deposition, witnesses were gathered and each one gave his or her account of what they saw. ... Most all of the persons questioned maintained that they had not heard Captain Preston give any order to fire, however many stated that he had ordered the soldiers to “prime and load”.