numbers prevailed, and de EnETETZTE to retire. The retreat was rNCIP M the camp at Cambridge was TrueL rected fire from ships aut severely as they crommet me DF Of this battle it may be British valour, not ce were met by a more dames Funda nate resistance, or a vid be tory. Σ T In this battle, the Amets ed, and 36 missing; nul Gen. Warren, Col Garmen Lu jors Moore and M.Cauer GE severely felt and sted a poom over S 226 killed, nineteen af Troug.. The result of the nemen vs = to equal that of When he some the loss of officers, I made se killed, and as seventy xXI this some estimate can be nate o sistance in the two eindfire On the 10th of May-te ur a manded the surrender a Ime the American Congres na liner s in Philadelphia, and commences Peyton Randsich was Charles Thompaca. Semar In June, by a special une te all intercourse with me een the Twelve United Cournies. 1: 2 day of fasting was appointer ing. On the 156. Gen. Far from Virginia, was appointed a 1 of Commander in Cher be vader accepted the trust wiá ga dira. President, after accepting the animat "But lest some lacay event is die LE - movement both perplexed and astonished general Gage, who saw that it jeopardized his own safety in Boston. He determined to dislodge them from this position without delay; and on the 17th, about noon, he detached a train of artillery, ten companies of grenadiers, and four battalions of infantry, for this purpose. On this occasion, Major general Howe and Brigadier general Pigot commanded. At Charlestown, a re-inforcement added to their members, and the force amounted to three thousand men. This force formed on the beach, and marching in battle array, a terrible cannonade was commenced. The first shock of the battle was firmly sustained by colonel Prescott, aided by colonel Stark of New Hampshire, and captain Norton, of Connecticut. The detach ment was soon joined by generals Putnam, Warren, and Pomeroy, who imparted enthusiasm and energy to the conflict. Charlestown was wrapped in flames as the British advanced. In imitation of the heroes on the plains of Abraham, the fire of the Americans was reserved until the English arrived to within seventy yards. A well directed fire of musketry was then opened, which spread destruction in the ranks of the assailants, and kept them in check. The discharge of the musketry was dreadful, and the enemy fled in disorder. The chagrin and mortification of the officers was extreme, and the men were rallied to another charge. They were again repulsed, cut to pieces, and put to the rout. At this crisis, general Clinton came up, and the troops being once more rallied, renewed the charge, and the carnage became dreadful. The time was a critical one. The powder of the provincials was nearly expended, and the cartridges of the dead were searched, that the fire might be continued, when their wings were outflanked by the enemy, and the trenches were exposed to a raking fire from the British artillery. A terrible cannonade was now commenced from the British ships and batteries, and the exertions of the enemy were redoubled. The troops were pressed on by the swords and bayonets in the rear, and the points of British bayonets were met by clubbed muskets, until numbers prevailed, and the Americans were compelled to retire. The retreat was conducted in good order, and the camp at Cambridge was regained, under a well directed fire from ships and batteries, which raked them severely as they crossed over the neck at Charlestown. Of this battle it may be said, that in all the records of British valour, not one action occurred, in which they were met by a more dauntless courage, or a more obstinate resistance, or in which they obtained a harder victory. In this battle, the Americans lost 139 killed, 278 wounded, and 36 missing; in all 453. Among the killed, were Gen. Warren, Col. Gardner, Lieut. Col. Parker, and Majors Moore and McClaney, whose loss to the nation was severely felt, and shed a gloom over the country. The British loss, as reported by General Gage, was 226 killed, nineteen of whom were commissioned officers, and seventy officers wounded. Total loss of the British, 1054. The result of the American loss in this battle, is said to equal that of Wolfe in the capture of Quebec, but in the loss of officers, it stands as eighteen to thirteen in killed, and as seventy to sixty-six in wounded. From this some estimate can be made of the comparative resistance in the two conflicts. On the 10th of May-the day on which Col. Allen demanded the surrender of Ticonderoga in the name of the American Congress, that illustrious body assembled in Philadelphia, and commenced its session. The Hon. Peyton Randolph was re-appointed President, and Charles Thompson, Secretary. In June, by a special resolve, the Congress interdicted. all intercourse with the enemy, and assumed the style of the Twelve United Colonies, under sanction of which, a day of fasting was appointed for the 30th of July following. On the 15th, Gen. Washington, then a member from Virginia, was appointed to the responsible station of Commander in Chief of the American forces. He accepted the trust with great diffidence. In reply to the President, after accepting the appointment, he added"But lest some unlucky event should happen unfavorable to my reputation, I beg it may be remembered, by every gentleman in the room, that I this day declare with the utmost sincerity, I do not think myself equal to the command I am honoured with. "As to pay, sir, I beg leave to assure the congress, that as no pecuniary consideration could have tempted me to accept this arduous employment, at the expense of my domestic ease and happiness, I do not wish to make any profit from it. I will keep an exact account of my expenses. Those I doubt not they will discharge, and that is all I desire." 66 On presenting this special commission to Gen. Washington, a resolution was unanimously adopted, that " they would maintain and assist him, and adhere to him, with their lives and fortunes in the cause of American liberty." Immediately after this, was the appointment of four Major Generals, Artemas Ward, Charles Lee, Philip Schuyler, and Israel Putnam; and eight Brigadier Generals, Seth Pomeroy, Richard Montgomery, David Wooster, William Heath, Joseph Spencer. John Sullivan, and Nathaniel Greene. On the 2d of July, fifteen days from the date of his commission, Washington arrived at Head Quarters, in Cambridge, accompanied by General Lee, and several other gentlemen. The sentiment felt and expressed throughout the country was, that "under God, Washington must be the Saviour of his country." What is their presentiment, is now historic record. He General Washington entered on the duties of his new office, under the most discouraging circumstances. was indeed, at the head of 14000 men, but without discipline, without order, and nearly destitute of military stores, and of most of the conveniences necessary to the well being of an army. New efforts and new energies became necessary, and they were applied with effect. At this time, general Howe commanded the main body of the British army, which was posted on Bunker's Hill. Another division was securely stationed near Roxbury. The fleet covered the reserve, and Boston. The main body of the American army was posted at Cambridge, under the guardianship of the commander in chief. The right rested on Roxbury, under General Ward, and the left was securely posted on Prospect Hill, under general Lee. About 3000 men filled the intermediate spaces, under the command of general Putnam and others. The American army, thus posted, held a controlling power, which left the British in a state of siege, or at least of a land blockade. On the 14th and 22d of June, Congress ordered a battalion of riflemen to be raised in Virginia and Pennsyl vania, and such was the spirit of patriotism in these States, that on the 7th of August, they were raised, accoutred and embodied with the army, without drawing on the public treasury for a single cent. At this time the wants of the army were truly embarrassing, and exposed the Americans to great danger, in the event of an attack, which was anticipated. Among the most important, were the want of ammunition and bayonets. Camp equipage and engineers were in great request, and the disaffection of officers, occasioned by certain appointments of Congress, were truly distressing. Added to this, that many of the troops were to be disbanded in November, and the longest term of service would close with the year. But the zeal which was the fruit of a righteous cause, prevailed, and they were enabled to conquer their difficulties. Had the enemy known their vulnerable points the result might have been very different. The British force had lately been augmented by a reinforcement of 8000 men, and the commander in chief of course called a council to settle on a plan of operations for the summer campaign. This council determined on a blockade as the want of ammunition precluded the idea of an assault on the town. Of the British force it had been well ascertained, that since the 19th of April 2500 of the army had, by various means been lost, and it was thought that before the recruits should arrive in the spring the army would be much weakened. About this time, an invitation was sent to New York, by general Gage, to enlist as volunteers the foreign seaman who might be there. In October, Falmouth, in Massachusetts, was burnt by order of the English gov |