WILLIAM L. CLEMENTS 'In Paradise the Tree Of Knowledge was the pride; By God's supreme decree, The man who eat, then died. But Heaven in mercy since Does him who tastes forgive; To know is no offence: Now, he who eats, shall live.' HENRY STEVENS of Vermont, FSA, 4 Trafalgar Square, London. 1882. δισκολα τα καλά Suftine, & abftine A GENUINE DETAIL OF THE SEVERAL ENGAGEMENTS, POSITIONS, AND MOVEMENTS OF THE ROYAL AND AMERICAN ARMIES, WITH AN Accurate Account of the Blockade of BOSTON; AND A PLAN of the WORKS on BUNKER'S HILL, AT THE TIME IT WAS ABANDONED BY HIS MAJESTY'S FORCES, On the Seventeenth of MARCH, 1776. In a SERIES of LETTERS to a FRIEND. **** BY WILLIAM CARTER, LATE A LIEUTENANT OF THE FORTIETH REGIMENT OF FOOT. PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR, AND SOLD BY HIM. PRICE HALF A CROWN. 1784 **** *** ДАТА ЛИТОИЛОЙ sa ати масом вил вион го има ВШАЯА ИАРЬЯЛМА ви ЛАМПОЙ ЯДЛЯЛО TOOT 10 TATMI A И МОЛО A A THE OT 100 Note, the numbers marked by the figures are paces about 3 feet each - The Parapet from 6 to 15 feet broad. The Berme about 4 feet. The Ditch from 14 to 18 feet wide. The Banquet about 4 feet broad. 15 118 43 991 81 24 Gallery Advan Ditch 90 81 Magazine Domper 90 ናና Guard houses 20 feet 36 70 8 The Galleries & Parapet before them rais'd about 20 feet high The Merlons at the 6. Gun Battery raisd about 12 feet high. a.a. were 2 now made 2 temporary Magazines, made Guard houses. 991 78 99 -moo oli sobinu sbaginda ton har auoit toqqut ano of bedre 10m in bevorg bro I to basm boteq sw doidw devout enllivyo sio A GENUINE T niedo boniano Dots n el DOT Stonw ort bosbni bas) .91 boborib llow bus sed quot theDETAIL &c. ongum 100 evilsxs work evin ylitse vam pom OT ow as strong mood esdbbs of bonis opo dost barbut To oro bed ov tollespillo Istovs) diw bobnuow bus belli ol bas ort blyoved (asilist alehodium lub eworg, nofo ((landog ni) letasticETTER I. agoria wo au no ylloop loo! nismo ind Bofton, 20th April, 1775. HE fword is drawn; when it will be fheathed again, Tiemout TH time muft determine. I confefs, I fear that much to be wifhed-for period is to be removed to a far greater diftance than people in general feem to imagine. Yefterday morning a detachment from the army received orders to march to Concord, a town diftant from hence about five and twenty miles, with intent to take, or deſtroy, fome artillery and ftores the Provincials had depofited there. We reached that place without any thing material oc- curring; but on our return were fired upon by the country people, who lined the hedge-rows, &c. and as the de- tachment had but a few rounds of ammunition, and was clofely preffed on all fides, the confequences muft have proved B [2] proved far more ferious, had not a brigade, under the com-. mand of Lord Percy, marched to our fupport. The people of every village through which we paffed (and indeed the whole road is an almoft continued chain of houſes) kept up a heavy and well directed fire. During a march of fifty miles, without the leaft refreſh- ment, you may eafily conceive how exceffive our fatigue was. Our lofs, I am concerned to add, has been greater than we had reafon to expect, having above two hundred rank: and file killed and wounded, with feveral officers. Bofton grows dull, numberlefs families have left the town. Shops are fhut; and the inhabitants (in general); that remain, look coolly on us. os wi nodwenwsib at bowl snimateb furu smit "T or 16 2 of hevpman od od ei boiroq hot-bedtiw od of dier of mool larong ni algos and porishib bovis yoob top of fastni driw oli ter Loogab bed eleionivorad esi Hogbo eburgi yow bus evil foods bhe yellin LETTER [ 3 ] to Jogo ad of gibi) beam stow adow isdT eva bad yods iw (apuoling to bra od bag slow adyollins 10 890sio audac sq analoiv flom s nensWM LETTER sch ni list odw II. eqquio Charles-Town Heights, 20th June, 1775% -180-ban ad WE E have ftruck a blow. At dawn of day, on the Vow morning of the 17th inftant, we, to our no fmall aftoniſhment, difcovered the Provincials finiſhing a redoubt they had thrown up, during the preceding night, on Bun- ker's hill; which lies on the oppofite fide of the water, immediately above Charles-Town, and entirely overlooks New Bofton. From this poft it was abfolutely neceffary, to diflodge them. General Howe embarked with the Light Infantry, Gre- nadiers, &c. &c. in all about two thousand men, in boats;. made good a landing at the foot of the hill, and attacked their works, which were much more numerous than was expected. The enemy had run a very ftrong breaft work, with feveral rows of paling; the intervals of which were ſtuffed with bags of hay entirely down to the water's edge, and almoft round the hill. Charles-Town (which is fituated on the fide of the hill oppofite New Bofton) was filled with armed men, who, from the tops of the houfes, &c. fupported a very heavy and galling fire upon us. Their [ 4 ] Their works were manned (according to the report of prifoners) with feven thouſand people, and they had five pieces of artillery; the whole under the command of a Mr. Warren, a moft violent partizan, but who fell in the л я и т тя action. н Our brave fellows advanced again ft all thefe difficulties, fet the town on fire, attacked their upper works, and car- ried them; but we purchafed it exceedingly dear. Our lofs amounts to one thoufand and thirty-three, fer- jeants, corporals, drummers and privates, killed and wounded, and ninety-five officers.vores bivolib Juamdinofla do abit The officers wounded in our regiment, are the Major, two Captains, and One Lieutenant; and we have two a polievo viered of w Lieutenants killed; one one of whom, with the most fincere regret I inform What will become you, is of his two helpless boys plolds an si floq sids mov .msd -910 quasial di edt diw bendme owoH I :21sod ni nem baluodt ows 10ods lie ai 038 038 esiban beziosits bas llid adi to soot odt to gaibaal s boog obem aw nad: auoremun stor doum 915w doiw dowied bed .baBoque T gailsq to awon isovel diw how find go yov sa benuft 919 doiw to clavisni od bris egbo aliotaw od ot nwob ylons ved to agad div Ilid od bapor flomis Hided to oba od: no botauti ei doidw) nwoT-2shado orwhom boms rhiw bolli esw (noflo ws stilogge yard pas bonoqqul 508 luod od: 10 ago od moit LETTER iedT [5] od at inlogog vis birlw Bubno to Somni viso baborg aids LETTER III. Charles-Town Heights, June 29th, 1775- ONVINCED that all my friends, your fide the At- CON folicitous of lantic, muſt be folicitous to know the fituation of this little army, I fhall with pleaſure embrace every opportu- nity of fending you an account of fuch occurrences, as fhall appear to me worthy of notice.. The night of the 17th the remainder of the army lay on their arms, on this ground, and encamped as foon as the equipage could be tranfported to this fide of the water. The fatigue we have undergone, has not contributed to leffen the feverity of the duty at prefent, of which you can form fome idea, when informed that we furniſh one third of our numbers (off duty) for work at the entrenchments we are throwing up at Charles-Town Neck; and are re- lieved every four housr, the corps taking the advanced poft alternately. Yet believe me, each duty is carried on with the greateft chearfulneſs. This, in a great meafure, is to be afcribed to the unremitting attention of General Howe, who has. never left us fince the action of the 17th inftant, and fhares our fatigue as much as his fituation will admit; a line- of C [6] of conduct which has rendered him very popular in the army here. The following appeared in his orders the day after the action. "General Howe hopes the troops will, in every inftance, fhew an attention to difcipline and regularity on this ground, equal to the bravery and intrepidity he with the greateſt fatisfaction obferved they difplayed fo remarkably yesterday. "He takes this opportunity of expreffing his public tefti- mony of the gallantry and good conduct of the Officers un- der his command during the action, to which he in a great meaſure afcribes the fuccefs of the day. "He confiders particularly in this light, the diftinguiſhed efforts of the Generals Clinton and Pigot." st egroo art LETTER [7] LETTER IV. bee vet edge w Charles-Town Heights, July 2d, 1775. WITH ITH infinite concern I inform you, that all the Surgeons and their affiftants, of the different corps encamped on this ground, (except four) have received orders to go to Bofton, to attend the general hofpital. The exigency arifing from the ftate of the fick and wounded, in confequence of the action of the 17th of laft month, makes this arrangement neceffary.pineq Never had the British army fo ungenerous an enemy to oppofe; they fend their Rifle men, (five or fix at a time) who conceal themſelves behind trees, &c. till an opportunity prefents itſelf of taking a fhot at our advanced centries, which done they immediately retreat. What an infamous method of carrying on a war! Laft night they landed a party on Nantafket Ifland, and carried off a few cattle we had there, for the uſe of the different hofpitals. This lofs we fhall feel feverely. By the affiftance of my glaſs, I can diſcover ſeveral large veffels at anchor in Nantafket Road. LETTER [ 8 ] Tin LETTER V. Charles-Town Heights, July 23d, 1775- HE veffels I difcovered on the 2d inftant, at anchor in Nantaſket Road, proved to be a fleet of tranſports from Europe, with the 22d, 27th, 40th, and 44th Regi- ments on board. Thefe corps have fince landed, and are now encamped on Boſton Common.ning yong By this reinforcement, the duty will become lefs fevere; particularly as the Regiments were compleat in their num- bers on leaving Europe, and are in general healthy. (I much fear this will not continue any time; fo material a change of diet, as well as climate, will increaſe the fick reports; particularly as freſh provifions are fcarce, and what we have, not of the beft quality.mVegetables, we have sw to go to bodom This morning the enemy fet fire to the light-houfe at the entrance of the Harbour. bad sw slitso none. The paffage from thence to the Quay at Bofton is very beautiful; ; you pass a number of fmall islands, on fome of which are handfome fettlements. ni odas 20 alley By the information of deferters, we find the enemy have fitted up fome armed veffels to cruife againft our tranſports and victuallers. LETTER [9 LETTER VI. 21 AuguAdagioll Charles-Town Heights, 31ft July, 1775. INCE my laft, a detachment from the army encamped SINCE on Bofton Common, embarked and failed the fame tide; but their deftination is not yet publicly known. Another detachment from the fame encampment, this day marched out towards Roxbury. This town is fituated on the fide of a hill, and is about eighteen hundred yards diftance from our moft advanced works on Bofton Neck. The troops, without any material oppofition, entered the town, and fet one houfe on fire; but the wind not favouring the flames, only a few of the houfes moft contiguous were deſtroyed. How much is the face of this country altered within thefe few weeks! Where pleafure gardens, &c. appeared, nothing but fortifications now rife to our view. We are ftrengthening our advanced works at the neck of land, leading from Bofton to Roxbury; the enemy have two redoubts on the hills above the town, with fome heavy artillery. Boboo seriona sa dle vod D sd) LETTER [ 10 ]] A! LETTER VII. Charles-Town Heights, 9th Auguft, 1775- Fleet of victuallers and tranfports, with the fick and wounded on board, will fail for England in a few days; I therefore embrace the opportunity of writing ນາ 150ion A onA to you. omst The enemy defert in numbers, fcarcely a night paffes but fome come to our advanced poft here, and alfo to that at Bofton; they are moftly Irish, and bring in their rifled barrelled guns.loggo nga v lat no 23 TOW From them we learn, that the Provincials are fo appre- henfive of our paying them another vifit, that they work without intermiflion at the fortifications they are throwing up, which they fay already extend fifteen or fixteen miles, and that they are running a fecond line with feveral re- doubts. woty auo of slit won and Rinol sud enidson On the 1ft of this month, they fent a detachment to attack a working party of ours, but they met with a warm reception and were foon driven back, which brought on a brifk cannonade. On the 4th inftant, they alfo fent another detachment to the light-houfe. I am concerned to add, that they fuc- ceeded [ 11 ] ceeded better there, than in their former attack, having killed a Lieutenant of Marines, (who was pofted there) made his party prifoners, and again fet fire to the light- houſe. МУ Я Е Т ТАЛ * AugA bangia woT-shad have had an alinei poeffant "W anonivong egit odT ni sit I inom dosib och dw belist doidy Bovins sis danoor fin lo fug do sol y private. We threw alooft vil isdi griredigratorio Show is lift open T how won qu gniwords to blo ano ovd (ast ni) ew bas egando con la eow and aldidong nad som at 31 Isoval: vlud gov sin penins ons naniweide shiel erwooй cofo nidi wob bollugionsfestood won lo quaworded as ei drow яат тял TE LETTER [ 12 ] grived closite normol jadi baltog en isda ni nedt onw) anteM to stedt med boboso nomi bolly gil or om qg aid obem Όλμος LETTER VIII. Charles-Town Heights, 22d Auguft, 1775. WE E have received a moft feafonable fupply of freſh provifions. The fhips which failed with the detachment I mentioned in my letter of the 31ft of laft month, are arrived with live ftock. The enemy are ftill at work, either ftrengthening their old, or throwing up new works; and we (in turn) have cut down feveral trees to make fafcines, &c. It is more than probable that we fhall not change our latitude this winter, as the engineers are very bufy; feveral houſes are pulled down within Bofton Neck, where a new work is to be thrown up. яят тял LETTER [ 13 ] For LETTER IX. Charles-Town Heights, 26th Sept. 1775. OR fome days paft, we have had an almoft inceffant cannonade; I am however happy to inform you, our lofs has been inconfiderable. On the 17th inftant, as the relieving guard was march- ing to the lines at Bofton, a cannon fhot from the enemy's moft advanced work, killed one private. We threw feveral fhot and fhells amongst them, which filenced for that time the battery they had opened; nor had we a fhot from them till the 23d, when an eighteen pound ball went through the guard-room, in the left hand baftion, and unfortunately ftruck off an officer's leg. Yefterday they fired a few fhot at a working party of ours, which brought on a very heavy cannonade from us. The feafon grows wet and cold which renders our en- campment very difagreeable. -monoflo E LETTER [ 14 ] ON LETTER X. Charles-Town Heights, 18th Oct. 1775- N the 6th inftant the enemy again fired on the re- lieving guard, and killed one man; we immediately opened a battery upon them, and directed feveral fhot through the town of Roxbury, which appeared to be un- ufually full of people. By deferters fince come in, we find that thirty-two men were killed. General Howe is now Commander in Chief, Gen. Gage having failed for England on the 10th inftant, on board the Pallas tranfport. A fmall fleet has alfo failed, with a detachment from the army on board, with intent, if report be true, to deſtroy fome of the towns on the coaft. The Nautilus frigate has had a narrow efcape. In purfu- ing one of the enemy's veffels into a harbour near Salem, fhe unfortunately got a-ground, and was with great diffi- culty got off; having firft deftroyed the object of her pur- fuit. Last night the enemy faluted the camp on Bofton Com- mon; they brought three floats (with a piece of cannon in each) out of Cambridge River, and fired a number of ſhot, fome [[[15]] fome of which went over, feveral fell fhort; in fine, we had not even a tent cord broke. There is little doubt but fome accident happened amongst them, for on the laft firing, a very confufed noife was heard; and this morning feveral pieces of oars and planks were picked up by our people on the fhore. By the information of a deferter juft now come in, we find that one of their guns burft, killed two of their people, wounded eight or nine, and broke the float to pieces.st bas The weather for fome time has been very wet and dif- agreeable, and what ftill renders it more fo, our tents do not keep out the rain. Inoval gnotil ov Our works are daily increafing; we are now erecting redoubts on the eminences on Bofton Common; and a meeting-houfe, where fedition has been often preached, is clearing out, to be made a riding-houfe for the Light Dragoons. diis oil ben avi als bebow bar abat DW to doid moil elisib sb to outsole od ever tomigste art 2918ed enT od diw omod hombro 1 od ni ali odai gainsvil aqu good agios God, jo nom staving on namigs digg bon od niecor and are LETTER [216]] End owon ni od el larovalovo anoma bin sw Ston belu LETTER adalq bas aro lo sosio O XI. brod Charles-Town Heights, Nov. 13th, 1775. N the 9th inftant, fix companies of Light Infantry, and a hundred grenadiers, embarked in flat boats, and landed on Phipps's farm, (the Cerberus frigate covering the defcent) a piece of land which at high tides is an island; it lies directly under mount Pifga, where the enemy have a very strong redoubt; they threw feveral fhot at our people, who brought off fome cattle, and returned to camp without having a man hurt. no no ddóber Immediately on the embarkation of our troops, the enemy came on the farm in great numbers, and boldly fired with fmall arms after the boats; the Cerberus threw fome fhot amongst them, which by the information of deferters fince come in, killed feven and wounded eleven. The feafon grows very fevere, exceffive hard froft, with high North Weft winds. His Majefty's fhip the Phoenix is arrived, and feveral tranfports with drafts from the Royal Artillery, and part of the 17th Regiment. The bearer, Lieut. will have the pleaſure of de- livering this; he fails in the fleet ordered home with the parties for the recruiting fervice and the officers of the 18th and 59th Regiments, the private men of thefe corps being drafted into others that remain here. LETTER [ 17 ] 24 de LETTER XII. Charles-Town Heights, Nov. 30th, 1775- no soos adi o baise at silen EVERAL Regiments have ftruck their tents, and got into houfes allotted them in Bofton, for winter quarters. The grenadiers, 4th, 44th Regiments, and the marines remain in camp on the Common, as do alfo the troops on this ground. to vinov The Fowey Sloop of war has captured an armed Brig, called the Washington; the carries ten guns, has feveral fwivels, and eighty men on board. Within theſe few days feveral fhips from Europe and fome from Halifax have arrived. We have received a paper containing the articles of capitulation, between Mr. Montgomery (now a General in the rebel fervice) and Colonel Prefcot, for the furrender of Fort St. John's at the entrance of Lake Champlaine. clad pod homes A Many of the meeting-houfes in Bofton are converting into barracks, for the reception of troops now in the field. enoqlash, bas iv lo ow of girls biro lo soluoll died of d orit CRIT anoilist sig edt gaine LETTER [ 18 ] LETTER XIII. Bofton, 31ft December, 1775. ΟΝ On rich N the 11th inftant, the remainder of the troops on Bofton Common went into winter quarters, as did alfo the troops on Charles-Town Heights. The cold is fo intenfe, that the ink freezes in the pen whilft I write by the fire-fide; yet, notwithſtanding the feverity of the feafon, the Provincials are ftill at work. They are now throwing up a redoubt on the hill, from whence our Light Infantry and Grenadiers took fome cattle laft month. If the froft continues as fevere as it is at prefent, we fhall have it in our power to pay them a vifit, without the affift- ance of boats; as a great part of the river, between us and the oppofite fhores of Cambridge and Dorchefter, is already frozen. An armed fchooner belonging to the enemy was this day brought in by the Lively floop of war.moo Jacolo Admiral Shuldham arrived yesterday in his Majefty's fhip the Chatham; alfo a number of victuallers and tranſports with the 17th and 55th regiments on board. By this fleet we have received his Majefty's fpeech to both Houſes of Par- liament on the opening the prefent feffions. This [ 19 ] This day puts a period to the year; and happy fhould I be to have it in my power to fay, it alfo did to this moſt unhappy conteft. Our little army has fuffered feverely from the dampneſs of the feafon, and from living totally on falt provifions, without the ſmalleft portion of vegetables. Sot no modi of gala vd at any doodt egni od T pi ayol arm motel fial he al daw nadimo od svods) gali noin na bony bario iad egli nM 1 (esgitt enser to edmun adil od sveg bas Ka barily ows zu bist oved onedi grote dar Blonde Silt as low as) nodwed to spin odi no HOR's Vos (tania ou auto blow sign sdt to Two-cultad to nonamed to vil bar bab he home real sham babestod blood of 15 H ested stori ni qp bio of co odw or no dodinhnetvong nên hai ot to indin deo linh airadda odio not q bevoren bris ob brata mar indoM basplit - fo fit. wood best to lose bogul ognili nosimo booneybs 10 Theilg Visbille for two saibash folaty of bo poffers the country LETTER [ 20 ] I blood vgged basissy art of boho sa ab end Stout aid of bib olla ti yil of and of ed vggedau anolivorg 1 no vil mol boa LETTER XIV. nola er lo uod Bofton, 26th January, 1776. HE Provincials have entered on the new year with The spirit. THE The King's fpeech was fent by a flag to them on the 1ft inftant. In a fhort time after they received it, they hoifted an union flag (above the continental with the thirteen ftripes) at Mount Pifga; their citadel fired thirteen guns, and gave the like number of cheers. Since that time they have paid us two vifits; the firft on the night of the 7th, when (as well as the darkneſs of the night would fuffer us to determine) nearly a hun- dred and fifty of them came to the fort of Charles-Town Hill, fet fire to two old houfes, and made four men pri- foners, who, contrary to orders, flept in thofe houfes. Again on the night of the 14th, a far greater number of them came down, and removed part of the abbatis, at the neck of land between Charles-Town Hill and Mount Pifga. Our advanced centries, on difcovering fo large a body, with the utmoft fteadiness, retreated to the officers' guard in the Flefches. Яят тял We [[ 21 ] We had every reafon now to hope they intended an at- tack. Every proper and neceffary difpofition was accord- ingly made for giving them a warm reception; but we were diſappointed, for they did not even advance within the reach of grape fhot, and were fuffered to return with impunity. thadal Imons bodast I am concerned to inform you, that there has not been good difcipline preferved on board Admiral Greave's fhip (the Prefton); for laft night fome of the crew found means to defert the fhip, and take the Admiral's long boat with them. The Mercury fhip of war failed this morning for Vir- ginia, with Major General Clinton on board, and two tranfports with the light companies of the 4th and 44th regiments on board. We have now a greater ftock of freſh provifions than we have had fince the blockade commenced. Several veffels from Halifax are arrived freighted with fresh beef, &c. &c. fo much frozen, that if you ftrike the beef with a chopper it flies into pieces, nearly as if you ftruck a piece of glafs. Put it to the fire in this ftate, it becomes fo tough as not to be eatable, we therefore fteep it for feveral hours in falt water; it then dreffes well, and has a flavour fuperior to any I ever eat in Europe, though not fo large, nor yet fo fat. You poffibly may imagine, that my having lived fo many months on falt provifions, makes me give a quality to the beef it in reality does not poffefs; but reft affured I am right, as I have eat it in the country it is fed in, and G at [ 22 ] at a time when we had plenty of fresh provifions of all forts:-but I cannot be miſtaken, as it is a general ob- fervation. By fome deferters lately come in, we have received an account, that Montgomery, the Provincial General, at- tacked General Carleton (at Quebec) with fix or ſeven hundred men, and that Montgomery, his Aid-de-Camp, and moſt of the principal officers under him, fell in the attack; their total lofs in killed, wounded, and prifoners, amounting to nearly five hundred. enomigot W Jed disit LETTER [ 23 ] tashini dgr or lodgin ads no flodio is siqosq ol Soapbar 20w and demonicnc integro) Davieasy plso lott es vish babnuow saw odw anemigat d18g odt to 19ibang A is is pd) iqA to digt or no oli les bas seid stem of ensom brugt end (notgnixs. LETTER XV. H odw in 91 aval goon no lo noiBotong ads isbau 19g of yqqad od bluow Jomste odt ni gailil Bofton, zoth February, 1776.d and SAT DMIRAL Shuldham has fucceeded to the co ADMIRAL fucceeded to t com- mand of the fleet, in the room of Admiral Greaves, who failed for England on the 1ft inftant. According to my expectation, we have had a little expe- dition on the fea. On the night of the 13th inftant, about feven hundred of our Light Infantry and Grenadiers croffed the fea to Dorchefter, fet fire to feveral houfes, took fome prifoners, and returned without pulling a tricker. There was an officer's guard confifting of about feventy, part of which found means to eſcape. After difarming the prifoners we had, General Howe told them, they were at liberty to return to their compa- nions, if they thought proper: two of them only feemed inclined, and they were accordingly fuffered to depart; but the remainder faid, that neceffity had compelled them to take up arms, and that they were now willing to ferve his Majefty: they were accordingly put on board fome of the fhips of war. By deferters fince come in, we have learned, that the officer who abandoned his poft on the appearance of our people [ 24 ] people at Dorchefter, on the night of the 13th inftant, not only received corporal puniſhment, but was reduced to ferve as a private. A grenadier of the 38th regiment, who was wounded and taken prifoner on the 19th of April (the affair at Lexington) has found means to make his eſcape. He fays, there are many friends to Government who would be happy to get under the protection of our troops, but are apprehenfive of failing in the attempt. The weather, for fome time, has been very wet and difagreeable, and the fnow is almoft gone off the ground. Since the thaw commenced, the enemy have been bufied in ftrengthening their old and erecting new works, parti- cularly on Phipps's farm, where they have thrown up a srli no nofib very extenfive one. We alfo have erected a three gun battery near the ad- vanced redoubt on Whoredom Hill, which totally com- mands their new works on Phipps's farm. be Todoints gailluq tuorliw boston bas Vinaval anods to gaininos breng ahsoifto an aw swol Imons Bad Sola of Bath brot dod ind of motor of oling of giminib edit to Bomes) no mort to ows : 15qog tilgood yo T and rings of baitut vigubos now yerli ban benilor or mods bolisquico bed voilleen aid swish is bit robniamos yedi on to emel bied non vibros orts Jars, bonusal svad ew,di smo bil LETTER 0036 comme si no fog aid bosohned oder we [ 25 ] cobands fiord noflod blo baratos in Stear Std 9to on navib ad vimivoni Auct awor es bisa di ila ads ar am bamponi futube 0 leteibamml moitulelor dwLETTER TH XVI. di con lled I bamnot gi Bofton, 7th March, 1776. HIS month was ushered in with a violent crafh of heavy artillery from the enemy's works on Phipps's farm, and their advanced works under Roxbury, without doing us any material injury. And from the 2d to the 5th, we, in return, kept up an almoſt inceffant fire upon them from Barton's Point, ad- vanced works, and three gun battery; throwing feveral fhells into their works on Mount Pifga, Phipps's farm, Cobler's Hill, Roxbury, and alfo fome into Cambridge. An eighteen pound fhot, from the enemy's works near Roxbury, unfortunately went through the regimental guard-houfe of the 22d regiment, and wounded fix men; one of whom is fince dead, having his legs and thighs broke in a fhocking manner. During the whole of laft night nothing was heard but the thunder of four and twenty pounders and thirteen inch mortars; and at day-light this morning, we diſcovered about two thoufand of the enemy compleating two very ftrong redoubts they had thrown up during the night on Dorchefter Hills. AITTEI H Thefe [ 26 ] Thefe hills command old Bofton entirely: the enemy muft inevitably be driven from thence, or we must abandon the town. Our adjutant has juft informed me, that all the field officers are ordered to attend at Head Quarters immediately. I fhall not therefore clofe this till I hear what refolution is formed. The 40th, 44th, 49th, 52d and 55th regiments, received orders to embark immediately, under the command of Brigadier General Jones, to endeavour to make good a landing near Dorchefter town, and then to attack the enemy in their new works on the hills. After the embarkation of the troops, the weather changed aftoniſhingly, and it blew a rank ftorm. There was fo great a furf on the fhore where the troops muft have landed, that it was impoffible a boat could live; the expedition was accordingly put a stop to, and the gar- rifon has fince received orders to prepare to vacate the town. I know not yet for certain where we fhall go to; but the general opinion is, to Halifax. You may rely on my embracing the firft opportunity that prefents itſelf of wri- ting to you. LETTER [ 27 ] neuly TH LETTER ling Avotra XVII. Spy Tranfport, Nantafket Road, 27th March, 1776. to no 3001 HE heavy artillery, ftores, &c. being fhipped, and every neceffary preparation made for abandoning, not only Bofton and the feveral pofts contiguous, but alfo the poft on Charles-Town Heights, which coft us fo much blood; in order to give you a juft idea of the heavy expence it has been to Government, I herewith inclofe a plan of the works thrown up by us. At five o'clock in the morning of the 17th inftant, the embarkation of the troops commenced; about one, the whole was compleated without the leaft interruption; and at three, the fleet fell down to King's Road. On the 19th, we began to deftroy the out works at Caftle William. This fort is fo fituated, that no fhips of any confiderable burthen can get up to Bofton, without coming immediately under the command of its guns. The barracks and the two block-houfes being burnt, and the remainder of the works blown up, the place was abandoned, and the 64th regiment, which had done duty there for feveral months, embarked. This day the Milford frigate arrived from England with difpatches for the Commander in Chief and Admiral. LETTER oil ( Mineralno [ 28 ] A LETTER я л т XVIII. Halifax, 16th April, 1776. T four o'clock in the afternoon of the 27th of laſt month, the whole fleet failed out of Nantaſket Road, fteering Eaft half North, with a light, fteady breeze; and about two o'clock at noon on the 2d inftant we dif- covered the land, bearing N. by W. diftant three or four leagues; between five and fix o'clock the fame evening made Sambra Light-houfe, and at eight o'clock anchored oppofite this town. qunwordt eliow Halifax is fituated on the fide of a hill, which not only commands it, but alfo the entrance of the harbour, which is efteemed the fafeft and largeſt in this part of the world. Near the entrance there is a large ifland called Corn- wallis's, and nearer the town is another called George's. A ſhort diſtance above the town, there is a very com- modious dock-yard for the ufe of his Majefty's fhips. There is alſo a very good houfe within the yard, built folely for the accommodation of the Admiral or Commandant of the naval force.wold dow Nearly a league above the town there is an extenfive and beautiful bafon, which abounds, as well as the harbour, with all forts of fiſh. in sight boli od vab aldr The country, a few miles from the town, is very poor and uncultivated; but there are fome handſome fettle- ments towards the North Weft arm. Halifax market is fupplied with game by the Mick- macks, (a degraded nation of the Indians) who have feveral fettlements [ 29 ] fettlements on the oppofite fide of the water, commonly called the Dartmouth fide. The woods abound with hares and partridges; the hares are not fo large, nor yet the colour of the European hare. e. nor Partridge, there are two kinds, diftinguiſhed by the names of the Birch and the Spruce. The plumage of thefe birds are nearly alike; but are very different to the European partridge in point of fize, being much larger. They are a remarkable ftrong bird in their flight, and are frequently fhot on the branches of trees, and on the tops of the Indian wigwams. When the fpring commences they are not eatable, fo remarkably bitter is their flesh from feeding on the fhoots or buds of the fpruce and birch trees. has ans noa The Indians alfo bring to market beaver and ſquirrel fkins, and the hides of the Moofe deer. 20 sagibbon brasporto sing a sod gaivil yie sin lol bas eso to qonador to bauoqs beses nellopw lido Les saviw isq's bevisnos olla ovid ribas gaisu vins als oved dostige Nida, or to esta a Isles lo soiubs agahdagi od qiraj zi soroljon lowo di don t levins d'unpopul -nobnedslamiques or tar bastora s i no plotaibommi 53 egged isdt lie ani. edi to LETTER [ 30 ] belles LETTER XIX. 018 Halifax, 31ft May, 1776. HIS day the army received orders to be in readineſs TH to fail on the 5th of next month. This poft is now capable of being defended by a ſmall, against a very fuperior force; as we have thrown up a ftrong redoubt on the hill above the town, and feveral other works near it. [100 The fick and wounded are fent to the hofpital on George's Ifland, where they are to be left under the care of a phy- fician and two furgeons. olls annibal onT Several veffels have lately arrived from England with drafts and recruits for the army. His Majefty has been pleafed to fend out for the ufe of the army ferving here, a pair of fhoes and ftockings, a woollen cap, and a pound of tobacco per man: the foldiers: wives and children have alfo received a pair of ſhoes and ftockings each. The remainder of the Weft India fleet, and four com- panies of the 46th regiment, have alfo arrived. His Majefty's fhip the Niger, brings advice of General Burgoyne's arrival at Quebec with a powerful reinforce- ment, and that the enemy retreated precipitately, abandon- ing all their baggage, &c. immediately on the appearance of the troops. LETTER [ 31 ] LETTER XX. Staten Island, 5th July, 1776. ON N the 4th of laft month the whole army embarked; and on the 10th the fleet failed from Halifax, con- fifting of a hundred and forty fail. 83 Our paffage from thence has been tolerably pleaſant, except for two days, when we had ftrong gales at S. S. Weft, and a heavy head fea. 1 At five o'clock on the morning of the 1ft inftant we made the land, called Never Sink; and before fun-fet on the evening of the 2d, the whole fleet came to anchor in Sandy Hook. On the 3d, the fleet got under way and failed towards New York; but the wind fhifting, obliged us to bring to in Jamaica Bay.. SMART) sto odi bas 75 The day following, the wind being more favourable, the whole fleet paffed the Narrows (fo called) being two bluff points of land on the oppofite fhores of Staten and Long Island, and anchored off Carroll's Ferry, Staten Ifland; and this day the Light Infantry and Grenadiers. landed without oppofition. 10 ft als basa gin, ong amigen ban bexo sdi bus aqoon niño anooga gil 30 anemiyan iw shev and based o ofisH' Jona Iob no tang) save I fioimooly od ea idgia I on or a blea nego na liga duw befie und A SH LETTER: [ 32 ] T хх яат ТЯЛ LETTER XXI. jody edi Staten Island, 31st July, 1776. HE whole of the army is now on the island. Here hot ban berbaun we experience greater luxury than we have done fince the commencement of hoftilities: as yet, we can purchaſe freſh meat much more reafonable than even at Halifax; eggs, butter, milk, and vegetables, on what we now think reaſonable terms. 2000 balls basl.ed sharp This iſland is in the province of New York, its length not exceeding fixteen miles, and its breadth between fix and feven; it is efteemed much more healthy than York Ifland, and is inhabited principally by Dutch. His Majefty's fhip the Phoenix, commanded by Captain Parker, and the Rofe frigate, commanded by Captain Wallace, have failed up the river towards the city of New York. The enemy fired feveral fhot at them from a three gun battery on Long Island, from Governor's Illand, and allonir Ho boton from the town. Admiral Lord Howe is arrived in the Eagle, a the Eagle, a fixty-four gun fhip; and alfo a fleet of tranfports, with the 16th regiment of Light Dragoons, the 42d and 71ft regiments on board, and one veffel with Heffian troops, and the Heffian General, D'Heifter. Last night was the gloomieft I ever ſpent on duty. I was pofted with a picket in an open field near the ſhore. ЯЛТТЭ About [ 33 ] About eleven o'clock there came on a fevere burft of thunder and lightning, attended with moft violent torrents of rain. Two of my centries being pofted near fome trees, got for fhelter under them, and unfortunately were ftruck by the lightning. They were both knocked down, and found fenfelefs; one of them is yet in that ſtate. The tree againſt which he ftood had two great branches torn off. livabeigs drop or 20 nomiga A said quievilch to asla ods over Grenadanilow on Devin nonin J si oival bis Emme tid abou anilormo bisnes as or lo dung also adi bas ad boscoitomcom tog s odno avißoglerazioded bod no beiseib unsmis gniwollo dband daddies was da od siv anot minha lo sbagidirs, babyl Bed Rits, they dolls bo que door basi bosh bopedia bellors enemigo si Dai bas so gain an tomigo fire od has 89705 morph bit lo Buong ot or no dools' nol JA based any boabadme svisler har yumint might eir lobes foW duo es so non logo odw babael vd bag adobadurgitisvoo hich hell? Si no bow (box. sahib solist wat sy holled on a в lo To buscamos od has ploilodrop to S ATTI K st mento AM LETTER nigy to อย่าง add slow if banol has i [ 34 ] no smo od bolo'o navels sood A Lefloq galed esin o y lo owT And sw vlstenunong based obou notfort LETTER XXII.idgit Long Iſland, 25th Auguft, 1776. IEUTENANT - of the 50th Regiment, will I have the pleasure of delivering this; that Regiment being drafted, the officers are going home on the recruiting fervice. Lieut. Gen. Clinton, and the greater part of the army under his command, are arrived from Carolina. On the 17th inftant, the army got into motion, and the following Regiments embarked on board their respective tranſports, viz. the 15th, 28th, 37th, 46th, 54th, and 57th. The day following, the 2d, 3d, and 4th brigades of Britiſh and the 71ft Regiment embarked alfo. Several Heffians corps landed on the ifland, and took up the ground of the different Regiments that had embarked. At four o'clock on the morning of the 22d inftant, the Light Infantry and referve embarked in flat boats, and landed without oppofition on the South Weft end of this ifland, near Utretch and Gravefend, the neceffary meaſures being taken by the fleet for covering the defcent, and by the 24th; the remainder of the army (the Heffians corps excepted) were on the iſland. Several deferters have come in, who fay the enemy is in full force at a place called Brooklyn, a few miles diftant from the North coaft; the whole under the command of a Mr. Putnam. MITTEI LETTER [ 35 ] $19 them boravi o des od: To gainom end no vigil- LETTER XXIII. ni ymsg ment Intens to boo no -19700 how aid ho fo Long Island, 29th Auguft, 1776. O be ons N the morning of the 26th inftant, Lord Corn- wallis with the referve, marched to a village called Flat Bufh, and as foon as it was dark that night, the whole army got into motion. General Clinton, at the head of the Light Infantry, Grenadiers and Light Dragoons; and alfo Lord Cornwallis with the referve, and fourteen field pieces, marched from Flat Land; and paffing through a country called the New Lots, arrived upon the road which croffes the hills from Bedford to Jamaica; where, turning to the left towards Bedford, they feized a pafs of the utmoſt importance, which was left totally unguarded by the enemy.or The main body of the army under Lord Percy, with ten field pieces, followed the van at a convenient diftance. The whole army paffed the hills without oppofition, and defcended by the town of Bedford, into the level country which lay between them and Putnam's lines. gagns smit sed The Heffians under the command of Gen. D'Heifter, compofed the center at Flat Buſh. è The left wing, which extended to the coaft, was com- manded by Major General Grant. 150 odw fhi edi 919w This wing fell in with a detachment of the enemy, under the command of a Colonel Bird, pofted in a field of Indian - tiods Демолир od aqoon 100 yd be evi corn; [ 36 ] corn; they were foon routed, and the Colonel with two inferior officers made prifoners. At day-light on the morning of the 27th, we difcovered the enemy in the following pofition. THI A ftrong force under the command of General Putnam near Brooklyn, on the North coaft, where his works cover- ed a ſmall peninfula. The Eaft river, which feparated him from New York, on his left; a marsh on his right, with the bay and Gover- nor's Ifland in his rear. The armies were now feparated by a range of hills cover- ed with wood, which interfect the country from Eaft to Weft, called the Heights of Guana. 10 Our army advanced; the left to the North coaft, the right to the South, with Flat Buſh to the center between both. 09 w brot Early in the morning the engagement commenced by General Grant on the coaft, and by the Heffians at Flat Bush, with a heavy cannonade and a brifk fire of muf- quetry; which was fupported for fome hours, with great eagerness on both fides. In the mean time our fhips attacked a battery on Red Hook, with intent to diftract the right of the enemy, at that time engaged with General Grant, and call off their attention from the left and rear; this manoeuvre had the defired effect. Thofe who oppofed the Heffians in the left and center, were the firft who perceived their danger; they accordingly retreated in large bodies, in tolerable order, with their ar- tillery, and attempted to recover their camp; but foon found themfelves intercepted by our troops, who with their ac- cuftomed [ 37 ] cuftomed intrepidity, attacked and drove them back into- the woods, where they again met the Heffians, and were alternately chafed and intercepted by them and the Light Infantry. In fhort, never was a body of men more effec- tually entrapped, or more compleatly routed. Their right, which was engaged with Gen. Grant, were fo ignorant of what was paffing, that their retreat was cut off by our troops, who, befides turning their left, had traverfed the whole extent of country in their rear. The lofs of the enemy amounted to upwards of three thoufand, nearly one third of which are prifoners. Major Gen. Sullivan, with Brigadier Generals Udell and Lord Stirling, and ten field officers, are amongst the pri foners.gol vo ballshoy or by ullins The lofs on our fide is inconfiderable, not exceeding three hundred and fifty killed and wounded. I am concerned to add that our Lieutenant Colonel is amongst the former, and the only officer of the Regiment. qu bodług ovs In the evening we encamped in front of the enemy's works, and laft night broke ground in form, within about fix hundred yards of a redoubt that covered their left. rol moit olls bas guiqqih od moît shanom belles B fillan a no both and no qu'avoni sved o show gnom nabosomos doidwolinoM ball doY cooo/atoll in L LETTER [ 38 ] bigorani barnofre 10 LETTER XXIV. ashi Long Island, 12th Sept. 1776. A S foon as a thick fog was difpelled, on the morning of the 30th of laft month, we found the enemy's works abandoned, their troops withdrawn from the encamp- ment, and with their baggage, ftores, and part of their artillery, conveyed to York Ifland, over a long and dan- gerous ferry. 100 Our army changed its ground on the 4th inftant, and took poft along the coaft. Several of the fhips of war have pushed up the North river, which divides York Ifland from the Jerfeys, and alfo up the Eaft river, which divides this from York Ifland. main fiel For fome days paft, we have had an almoft inceffant can- nonade from the fhipping, and alfo from fome works we have thrown up on this fhore; and on a fmall iſland called Montrefor's, which commands a ſtrong work of the enemy's at Horen's Hook, on York Ifland. LETTER [ 39 ] hol is to conof bas yallis yvaad isds olls lol yedT 1601191 5dr gorub ballid ni atol emol bagisl 159 164 LETTER boude ni XXVans ni baa arnoling ni odmuk loq door chipa no obsynd) York Ifland, 21ft Sept. 1776. ON N the morning of the 15th inftant, the enemy's 1510 Othe works on this ifland being rendered too hot for them by the well directed fire of our artillery, aided by Trods apho brond ſhips of war, not I the firft divifion of our army, confifting of two battalions of Light Infantry, two of British grenadiers, two alfo of Heffians, and a brigade of British, embarked in flat. boats at the head of New-Town Bay, which runs a con- fiderable diſtance into Long Island. General Clinton, Lord Cornwallis, Major General Vaughan, Brigadier General Leflie, and Colonel Donop of the Heffian troops, embarked with this army. The whole of the embarkation was effected without a poffibility of the enemy's having a view of what was going forward; owing not only to the diftance from the head of the bay to the entrance, but alfo to the entrance being totally covered by five fhips of war. The boats with the troops having paffed the fhips at the entrance of the bay, proceeded to Kepps's, nearly three miles North of New York, where the Rofe frigate and the Phoenix fhip of war covered the deſcent. The troops landed without oppofition, and marched to- wards Blooming Dale, near the banks of the North river; the enemy having abandoned not only the city of New York, but alſo all their works on that end of the island, which were far from being inconfiderable. They [ 40 ] They left alfo their heavy artillery, and ftores of all forts in abundance, powder excepted. The enemy fuftained fome lofs in killed during the retreat, and in a number of fkirmishes fubfequent, but a far greater number in prifoners. General Robertſon with a brigade of British, took pof- feffion of New York the fame day; and the reft of the army encamped with the right at Horen's Hook on Eaft river, and the left at the North river near Blooming Dale. the The ifland of New York is about fixteen miles long.. and not much more than one broad, from the banks of the Eaft to that of the North river. - an doidwy Chngind a bas Letted Hlo olle woT-woИ to bar or is irod ball gaoloni soanlib sidrisba nadgueV Isions rojaM eillewo boot neifeHiods to gono fonolo basis. Imeri bibagia yans aid daw hard cou to slowed'T : aniog aw dw to waive gaived among our to yiilidifoq to ad bcoded most consilio ers or vino son gniwo browot limoi gnied ods of oile rust onsite salt of yad ed vid To aqirit ayn yd agid ada baling anivad angonads (diw od T Sloods stod hoY wal to do alim lo girl ziatori I bloggo tool babant aqoon T hon od loaded sill oldw ball on To gaimoola abury LETTER [ 41 ] SINCE LETTER XXVI. IX York Island, 28th Sept. 1776. we have been on this ground, fcarcely a day has paffed without fome fkirmiſhing. The prefent pofition of the enemy is on the heights of Harlem, where they have an extenfive encampment, dif- tant from us about a mile and a half. The once beautiful city of New York is now nearly a heap of rubbish. Some incendiaries, who, no doubt, had concealed them- felves for the purpofe, on the night of the 20th inftant, ſet fire to the town in feveral places; dry weather and a briſk wind favoured their bafe defign, and nearly one third of the city is deſtroyed, notwithſtanding the activity of the troops, and failors who were diſpatched from the fleet. During the fire, a villain had the hardiness to knock a feeble old woman down, and with a blow of a fledge broke her arm, at the inftant fhe was affifting fome of the failors with water to extinguish the flames of the houfe adjoining to that in which the lived. But he experienced a fummary juſtice, being by the failor sprecipitated into thofe flames him- felf had kindled. 36 Every thing wears the appearance of a fpeedy movement of the army; we have been employed for fome days in making fafcines, throwing up fome redoubts, and running an abbatis in front of our encampment. M LETTER [ 42 ] LETTER XXVII. barong New Rochelle, 21ft Oct. 1776%, NCE more, my friend, we have got footing on the ON continent. The Light Infantry, British and Heffian grenadiers, and indeed the greater part of the army, embarked on the morning of the 12th inftant at Horen's Hook, in flat boats; paffed the dangerous navigation of Hell-gate, and landed on a point of land called Frog's Neck, near the town of Weft Chefter, on the Connecticut fide. Two brigades of British troops, and one of Heffian, are left in the lines near Harlem, under the command of Lord Percy, to cover New York. bad lib stew odw eolia bus This morning the royal army got into motion and march- ed through Pelham's Manor, to the town of New Rochelle, fituated on the coaft of the found, which channel feparates Long Island from the continent. Mingaiize of tow By this judicious movement of the army, we are now mafters of the lower road to Connecticut and Bofton, and have a fair profpect of bringing on a general engagement, or cutting off the enemy's communication with the Eaftern Colonies. ginner bas AETTEJ edi qu gaiwon aonista), goblac LETTER and to noiled [ 43 ] So sorgid ba od div -be as mot mens sri sgbolli of mot bosgel asw tadt boigne voda og ausget LETTER XXVIII. lanololens sillal bas xnd & sili baliq ans XXVIII. White Plains, 29th Oct. 1776. IN yonds of mid baldaus N order to gain the upper road to Connecticut and Bofton, it was neceffary our army fhould advance to the White Plains, a ftony and rough tract. The enemy have quitted the ftrong pofts they occupied on the North end of York Island, and have formed a line of fmall and entrenched camps on every height from Va- lentine's Hill; a very ftrong and commanding piece of ground, but a fhort diftance from King's Bridge, on the right to the White Plains, the upper road to Connecticut on the left.bas biswol bavoca T os By this pofition they face the whole line of march of the royal army, and have the river Brunx in their front, and the North river in their rear. A divifion of Heffians, and the regiment of Waldeck,.. having taken poft at New Rochelle, in order to preferve the communication, and to fecure fupplies of provifions, &c. our army yesterday morning marched in two columns towards the White Plains, the left under the command of General D'Heifter; and about noon we formed, with our right upon the road to Mamoroneck, and left to the Brunx. The Light Infantry and Heffian Chaffeurs having driven back all the advanced parties of the enemy, Brigadier Generali [ 44 ] General Leflie, with the 2d brigade of British, the Heffian Grenadiers under Colonel Donop, and a battalion of that corps, received orders to diflodge the enemy from an ad- vantageous poft they occupied, that was feparated from their right flank by the river Brunx. Previous to Brigadier General Leflie's attack, Colonel Ralle, with a brigade of Heffians, paffed the Brunx, and took a pofition which enabled him to annoy the enemy's flank, whilft the troops, under the command of General Leflie, attacked them in front. 2577 The 28th and 35th regiments, which compofed part of the 2d brigade, were the firft that paffed the river; which done, they formed with the greateft fteadiness, though expofed to a heavy fire. They then afcended, unfupported, a fteep hill, in defiance of a fevere and well fupported fire from the enemy; whom they, notwithſtanding, foon routed, and drove from their works. edi The Heffian troops then moved forward, and drove them alfo from behind fome hedge-rows and walls contiguous to their works, and from which they fupported, for fome fhort time, a fcattering fire. The Heffian Grenadiers then took poft on fome ftrong ground within cannon fhot of the enemy's lines. The fecond brigade of Britifh formed in their rear, and on the left of the fecond brigade, two brigades of Heffians. 30 Silf bes of bapa sila req LETTER [[45]] à sds of flog sloot bas ball hoy boots nothoggo tuo W not to doй 30 bp I or to sha foW sill no hotapi ai fiol-eidT - son sghina agui mort bot yeho od noL ETTER THE soy woИ no XXIX. doo Hovis in ods to 962 Fordham Heights, 13th November, 1776. HE whole army lay on their arms the night of the 29th of last month, in full expectation of attacking the next morning; but during the night they had drawn back their encampment, and made feveral addi- tional works. the enemy Every neceffary difpofition was alfo made for attacking them on the morning of the 31ft; but we were obliged to abandon the defign, owing totally to the violent rain which fell during the preceding night and that morning. On the night of the 1ft inftant, the enemy again changed their pofition, and took poft on much more commanding ground, towards what is called the North Caftle diſtrict. They fet fire to the village of White Plains, and to the forage near the lines; and the following morning our army took poffeffion of their entrenchments. All hope of enticing the enemy to riſk a general engage- ment (and which the nature of the country they then were in put totally out of our power to force them to) having left us, our army returned flowly by the North river, and encamped on this ground, with our right to the North river, and left to the Brunx. General Knyphaufen, with a detachment of Heffians, yeſterday took poffeffion of the lines at King's Bridge, with- N out [ 46 ] out oppofition; entered York Island, and took poft to the North of Fort Washington. This Fort is fituated on the Weft fide of the Iſland of New York, a fhort diftance from King's Bridge, near Jef- fery's Hook, and almoft oppofite Fort Lee on the Jerſey Gide of the North river. begildo baga linora tid to s dsbed mad HA LETTER [ 47 ] hologis TH LETTER XXX. bd: 610dw ho igid onT oled vino Olli is bas yusup Eaft Jerfey, 18th November, 1776. HE garrifon of Fort Washington being fummoned to furrender, on the morning of the 16th inftant, the commander, Colonel Magaw, refufed the fame, and de clared he would defend it to the laft extremity o Having made every neceffary preparation, the four fol- lowing attacks were made nearly at the fame time.gibnels The firft attack was conducted on the North fide by Ge- neral Knyphaufen, at the head of two columns of Heffians and Waldeckers. edgied rigor ban qof a qua Brigadier General Matthews and Lord Cornwallis em- barked with the following corps in flat boats, viz. the firft and fecond battalion of Light Infantry, firft and fecond of Grenadiers, two battalions of Guards, and the 33d Regi- ment. They croffed the Eaft river, and landed under cover of two redoubts erected for the purpofe on the oppofite fhore, Eaft of the Fort. This, the fecond attack, was led by General Matthews, at the head of the two battalions of Light Infantry, and the two of Guards, fupported by Lord. Cornwallis with the Grenadiers and 33d Regiment. noqong Lieutenant Colonel Stirling, of the 42d Regiment, em- barked with that Regiment only, and paffed the Eaft river, lower down than where the troops under Gen. Matthews and Lord Cornwallis had landed. And this corps formed the third attack. I svoda slits soda baba I Boscovit The fourth was made by Lord Percy with the troops un- der his command, on the South of the Ifland. The troops under General Knyphaufen were much ex- pofed, having a thick wood to pafs, where the enemy was.. very advantageously poſted. The [ 48 ] 1 The Light Infantry were alfo very much expofed, not only before but after they landed, to a continual fire of muf- quetry and artillery. After their landing, they had a very fteep and rough mountain to afcend, where the enemy was covered by the rocks and trees; but they were foon driven by the unparalleled activity and bravery of the Light Infan- try, who bid defiance to all oppofition, and gave time for landing the reft of the troops. o si bastab blow ed belo Lieutenant Colonel Stirling now received orders to attempt a landing. This fervice the Colonel effected with the greateſt honour to himſelf and the corps he commanded. Having advanced his boats through a very heavy fire, he forced his way up a fteep and rough height, notwithſtanding every yard was difputed; gained the fummit, and took nearly two hun- mh dred prifoners.nod ni eqroogniwollol ada diw sd To Colonel Ralle, who led the right column of Gen. Knyp- haufen's attack, having driven the enemy in his line from their ftrong pofts, pufhed forward, and lodged his column within an hundred yards of the Fort.19 adobe ow balThe garrifon, confifting of about three thousand men, furrendered prifoners of war. I am happy to inform you that our lofs is inconfiderable, in proportion to the warmth, length, and variety of the action. This morning the first and fecond battalion of Light In- fantry, the first and fecond of Grenadiers, the Heffian Chaf- feurs, and the fourth brigade of British, the whole under the command of Lord Cornwallis, paffed over the North river, and landed about a mile above Fort Lee, brids odz On the appearance of our troops, the of our troops, the enemy abandoned the Fort, leaving behind them their tents, artillery, and ftores. yes of show as or boow LETTER honog vloogansybs bs vow I 49 1 LETTER XXXI. IIXXX Prince-Town, 21ft D Prince-Town, 21ft December, 1776. INCE the enemy abandoned Fort Lee, they have fled SINCE before us through the greater part of both the Jerfeys; from the banks of the North River, to Trenton on the banks of the Delaware.odobnu s A large body of the Heffians, who diftinguifhed them- felves at the reduction of Fort Washington, compofe the garrifon of Trenton, under the command of Colonel Ralle. The remainder of the army is cantoned at this town, New Brunſwick, Bonnam Town, and Perch Amboy. i qu I am happy to inform you, that the inhabitants, not only of the towns where we are cantoned, but also for feveral miles round the country, have delivered up their arms, and taken the oath of allegiance. quoy moti nolo, aniq sher to bellia odbio yout doidw to mol ads fignome-91815aio 19rito Imovel iti sli wals ons belooor son evad on 8 IMI 4 O LETTER [ 50 ] JXXX ITTI LETTER XXXII. 10 Prince-Town, 31ft December 12 ball over yors od 10 1776. rapha pri dodao je 19tig od gords au noted BOUT the 8th of this month a detachment from AB the army, under the command of Lieutenant General Clinton, embarked in tranfports, and failed up the Sound, under convoy of fome fhips of war. od in asviel I am happy to inform you, that the troops have fince landed on Rhode Ifland, and the fhips of war have blocked up the enemy's fleet, under the command of a Mr. Hopkins. To counterbalance that fuccefs, on the night of the 25th inftant, a large body of the enemy croffed the Delaware fome miles above Trenton, and, with infinite concern I inform you, furprifed the garrifon there; the greater part of which they either killed or made prifoners. Colonel Ralle, with feveral other officers, are amongst the former. The enemy have fince recroffed the Delaware. 沉 ​FINI S. The reader is requested to correct the following errors, occafioned by the Author's diftance from the prefs. Page 17, laft line, for reception of troops, read re ception of the troops. Page 20, line 6, for Mount Pifga; their citadel, read Mount Pifga their citadel; Idem, line 11; for came to the fort, read came to the foot. Page 23, line 6, for fea, read ice. Page 39, line 18, for Kepps's, read Keps's Bay. Page 49, line 9, for Perch, read Perth, C 1784 Ca