diligence and alacrity, fo that by the dawn of day they had thrown up a small redoubt, about eight rods fquare. Such was the extraordinary filence which reigned among them, that they were not heard by the British on board their veffels in the neighbouring waters. The fight of the works was the first notice that the Lively man of war had of them, when the captain began firing upon them about four in the morning. The guns called the town of Bofton, the camp and the fleet to behold a novelty which was little expected. The profpect obliged the British generals to alter the plan which they meant to execute the next day. They grew weary of being cooped up in Bofton; and had refolved upon making themfelves mafters of Dorchefter heights, and fecuring the elbow room which general Burgoyne propofed enjoying. But the prefent provincial movement prevented the expedition. They were now called to attempt poffeffing themselves of Breed's hill: on which the provincials continued working, notwithstanding a heavy fire from the enemy's fhips, a number of floating batteries, and a fortification upon Cop's hill in Boston, directly oppofite to the little American redoubt. It is called Cop's hill, though the original name was Cope's hill, from the name of the first owner. An inceffant fhower of fhot and bombs was rained by the batteries upon the American works, and yet but one man was killed. The Americans continued Jaboring indefatigably till they had thrown up a fmall breaft-work, extending from the eaft fide of the redoubt to the bottom of the hill, but were prevented completing it by the intolerable fire of the enemy. By some unaccountable error, the detachment which had been working for hours, was neither relieved, nor fupplied with refreshment, but was left to engage under these difadvantages. Between twelve and one o'clock, and the day exceeding hot, a number of boats and barges, filled with regular troops from Bofton, approach Charlestown. The men are landed at Moreton's point. They confift of four battalions, ten companies of the grenadiers, and ten of light infantry, with a proportion of field artillery, but by fome oversight their spare cartridges are much too big for them, fo that when the Americans are at length forced from their lines, there is not a round of artillery cartridges remaining. Major general Howe and brigadier general Pigot, have the command. The troops form, and remain in that pofition, till joined by a fecond detachment of light infantry and grenadier companies, a battalion of the land forces, and a battalion of marines, making in the whole near upon 3000 men. Generals Clinton and Burgoyne take their stand upon Cop's hill to obferve and contemplate the bloody and deftructive operations that are now commencing. The regulars form in two lines, and advance deliberately, frequently halting to give time for the artillery to fire, but it is not well ferved. The light infantry are directed to force the left point of the breaft-work, and to take the American line in flank. The grenadiers advance to attack in front, fupported by two battalions, while the left, under general Pigot, inclines to the right of the American line. One or two of the continental regiments had been posted in Charlestown; but afterward removed to prevent their being cut off by a fudden attack; fo that the British are not hurt in the leaft by any mufketry from thence, whatever may hereafter be pre tended; tended; neither do generals Clinton and Burgoyne perceive any*, though properly ftationed for obferving all that paffes. General Gage had for fome time refolved upon burning the town, when once any works were raised by the Americans upon the hills belonging to itt: and while the British are advancing hearer and nearer to the attack, orders come to Cop's hill for executing the refolution; soon after a carcass is discharged, which sets fire to an old houfe near the ferry way; the fire fpreads, and moft of the place is inftantly in flames. The houses at the eastern end of Charleftown are fired by men landed from the boats. The regulars derive no advantage from the fmoke of the conflagration, for the wind fuddenly fhifting, carries it another way, fo that they have not the cover of it in their approach. The provincials have not a rifleman among them, not one being yet arrived from the fouthward; nor have they any rifle guns; they have only common muskets, nor are these in general furnished with bayonets; but then they are almost all marksmen, being accustomed to fporting of one kind or other from their youth. A number of the Maffachusetts troops are in the redoubt, and the part of the breast-work nearest it. The left of the breast-work, and the open ground ftretching beyond its point to the water fide, through which there has not been the opportunity of carrying the work, is occupied partly by the Maffachusetts General Burgoyne's Letter. + This refolution was affigned by a near female relation of the general, to a gentlewoman with whom he had been acquainted at fchool, as a reason why the other, upon obtaining a pass to quit Bofton, fhould not tarry at her father's (Mr. Cary's) houfe in Charlestown. I forces, AMERICAN REVOLUTION. forces, and partly by the Connecticut, under capt. Nolten execution, execution, that the regulars retreat in diforder, and with great precipitation toward the place of landing, and fome feek refuge even in their boats. The officers are feen by the spectators on the oppofite fhore, running down to them, using the most paffionate geftures, and pufhing them forward with their fwords. At length they are rallied; but march with apparent reluctance up to the intrenchment. The Americans again referve their fire, till the enemy come within five or fix rods; then discharge their well-directed pieces, and put them a fecond time to flight. Such is the lofs already fustained, that several of the officers fay, "It is downright butchery to lead the men on afresh against the lines." But British honor is at ftake: these must therefore be carried. General Howe and the officers double their exertions. The |