USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Chelsea > Documentary history of Chelsea : including the Boston precincts of Winnisimmet, Rumney Marsh, and Pullen Point, 1624-1824, vol 2 > Part 60
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May 27, 1775.
Saturday, 27th. May. - A number of men (about six hundred) marched to Chelsea, with two cannon, in order to burn some hay, and drive off a number of Cattle and sheep from Hog and Noddle's Island. There came an armed schooner against them from Bos- ton, and ran aground between the islands and began a battle. Our men burnt the vessel, without the loss of a man, and she kept a continual fire all the time, till she was set on fire. She carried twelve cannon and four swivels.
Sunday, 28th. - Six hundred men marched to Chelsca, to re- lieve those that were there.6
27th. Saturday. About 200 men were detached to go to the Point [Dorchester ], to guard it. About 9 or 10 o.c., in the even- ing, we heard the cannon roar, and the small arms crack for about an hour, in the direction of Marblehead, or Medford, as we thought. We have since learnt, that it was Col. Putnam, & his men at Noddle's Island, where he engaged the regulars, and took 300 sheep, & 200 lambs. One ship ran aground, & they burnt it. He also took some cattle.7
Rhode Island Camp in Roxbury, May 29th, 1775. -
Dear Wife: we were yesterday, and the Night before last, under arms, which was Occasioned by An Engagement, Colonel putnam, With about 250 Men, had, with a Thousand Regulars; the En- gagement began at about half after nine O'clock, on Saturday Night, and Lasted till DayLight, when Coll. putnam Returned to the Head Quarters at Salem, having Burnt an Armed Schoner, and Taken 16 pieces of Small Cannon, Kill'd 13 of the Horses that Lately arrived from England, said to be for the LightHorse,
5 Mass. Archives, cxlvi. 131. Ezekiel Price's Diary, Proc. Mass. Hist. Soc., vii. 186. John Rowe's Diary, 2 Proc. Mass. Hist. Soc. x. 93.
6 Paul Lunt's Book, Proc. Mass. Hist. Soc., xii. 193.
7 Samuel Bixby's Diary, Proc. Mass. Hist. Soc., xiv. 285.
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and Taken 17 More. Coll. putnam had not a Man Killed, and only three Men Wounded. How many of the Regulars were Killed, we Cannot Learn, only that there were Discovered in the Action, three Regulars Killed, and it is thought Numbers more were Slain. The place of Action was at Chelsey, near winnysimmit ferry, Sixteen Miles from this place (by Land) : when we first Heard the firings, which was very Brisk, I mustered my forces, which were abont 240, at the first Alarm, Not Knowing but it was a General Attack, and Sent off Expresses forward toward the Enemy. Sent out Several Companies to Reconoiter, who went forward, untill they were Informed where the fire was, and were Sattisfied their Help was not wanted: (some went Down Head Quarters:) & in the morning The Fire Renewing, I Marched Down with all my men, but a few, who I Left behind to Guard the Incampment & Magazine; went to Head Quarters for Orders to go forward; were within Sight of the Ennemies fire, but the General, thinking it Best for Me to Return, and Refresh my Men, and hold My People in Readiness ; and Soon after my Return, Coll. Hitch- cock, Coll. Cornel, Arrived Here, and Took the Chief Command, and, toward Night, Major Sherburn Arrived Here. Since which, Several Companies are Arrived : we heard a Number of Cannon fired toward Chelsey, Last Evening, but have not Learn what they have Done; wherefore, I should be glad if you would Send me Some Linning, Such as Shirts, &e., when you have them Ready : if you want to Send any thing to me, Such as Shoes, or any thing Else, you will please to have them Bundled up, and a paper pasted on the Bundle, and a Letter Wrote Ready.
I am your Loving Husband,
WILLIAM T. MILLER.
[Addressed :] To Coll. William Turner Miller, Warren.
May 29 : 1775, Jamaica Plain.8
[1775.] May 28th. General Orders. - That Colonel Doolittle march, with four hundred men, to Chelsea, and relieve Colonel Nixon and his party, with the other troops, that went from this eamp; and he is to condnet in such manner, as he may judge will most contribute to the general safety. If the cannon, which are in the schooner, which was taken yesterday, can be secured, withont
8 Vide Summer's East Boston, 357, 369, 378, 379.
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too much exposing the troops, hic may bring them off; or, other- ways, conduct, as his best judgment shall direct. [Fenno's Orderly Book has, " the remains of the schooner, which was burnt on Win- nisimmet Ferry."] "
BOSTON IN 1775.10 A Letter
From Jesse Lukens to John Shaw, Jr.
[From the original manuscript in the Boston Public Library.]
Prospect Hill Sept. 13th 1775
DEAR SHAW
I had this morning the honor of yours by Mr. Lawrence - Why you dear dog, was there not time enough from the 21st. to the 29th of Augt. to write more than 7 lines? And those 7 to inform me you intended to have sent me 41/2 lines by Captain Wharton - If we were not, as I apprchend, on the eve of some important event, you should receive a Rowland for your 111/2 lines ; but as the case now stands & God only knows what a chasm there may be in our Correspondence, will forget your unkind negligence & excuse you on the supposition that the Lovely Widow, had some willing commands for you to execute, & you know I allow every thing to give way to her Supremacy. -
I suppose Patton received a confused heap of Lines wrote the Day we took possession of Plow'd Hill, while the thundering of Cannon & whizing of 24 lb. Bullets took up much of the attention of an unfleshed Soldier - he must on that score excuse all faults - That was on Sunday - in the evening the fire of the Artillary ccased and on Monday morning we saw the Red Coats busy in throwing up a Parapct within their former Lines, but so much higher on the Hill that the Cannon mounted there could fire at the same time & over those they had fired with on Sunday - this new Parapct had six Embrasures - On Monday evening they threw four Bombs from their new Battery & a few Guns from it, the old Battery & the Mud Lark in Mystic River without doing any harm - Over against Bunker Hill on the other side of Mystic River is Winnisimit Hill at the foot [of] wch. stands a large House & Farm called Chelsea, here we have abt. 200 men as a Guard, but no Works or Cannon. On the side of Bunker Hill next here & in
9 Col. Wm. Henshaw's Orderly Book, Proc. Mass. Hist. Soc., xv. 103.
10 See text, p. 459, ante.
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full view, is the Regular Tents, being on the opposite side & out of the way of our Guns on Prospect & Plowed Hills - On the Top of this Winnisimnit Hill we had a parcel of straw, etc. to set fire to as a signal whenever they saw the Regulars in motion - Accordingly on Tuesday about 10 o'Clock we saw the Fire, our Drums beat to Arms, all our lines were mann'd - & we Riflers were left at full liberty to range at large & take what ground we pleased - Col Thompson therefore posted us in the Seat of honor, that is, between all our Works & Bunker Hill, behind Stone Walls & in the Indian Corn patches, to receive and return with Interest their first fire & I think it impossible for men to behave better than Our Riflers did - 300 of them lay in a meadow, in full View of Bunker hill & with in Point Blank Shot -" before their Eyes in opposition sat grim death." altho we lay in this position & the Officers with myself were walking about, viewing and marking the most advantageous ground to aet upon they fired but seven large Guns & 30 or 40 Plattoons of Small arms all the Day, some of which knocked the stones abont our Ears but hurt none of us except one man a slight wound in the thigh - One 24 Pounder flew over our heads & killed a poor fellow walking along the Road half a mile behind us - The alarm proving false, we marched home about sunset & our Generals placed a strong Guard of Musket Men in the lines, since which every thing in that Quarter hath been quiet - we call 6, 8 & 10 Guns a Day nothing & 3 or 4 Bombs are only sport, just enough to keep us from falling asleep - We have had several Deserters from Roxbury & from the Mud Lark in Mystic - 4 poor fellows came off at one time & swam to shore unhurt, amidst a thousand Shot, tho' they say it was agreed with their companions left on board to fire over their Heads. - You must now set down a few false alarms wch. took us out of our Beds into the trenches at midnight, & some other matters of no great moment, until last Sunday, & I feel myself blush with shame and indignation at what I am forced to relate.
Our Camp is Separate from all others abt. 100 yards - all our Courts Martial and duty was separate- we were exeused from all working parties, Camp Guards, & Camp duty - this indul- genee together with the remissness of discipline & care in onr young Officers had rendered the men rather insolent for good Soldiers - they had twice before broke open our Guard House & released their Companions who were confined there for small erimes - & once when an Offender was brought to the Post to be whipped, it was with the utmost difficulty they were kept from resening him in the presence of all their Officers - They openly Damn'd them & behaved with great insolence - however the Col
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was pleased to pardon the man & all remained quict - but on Sunday last the Adjutant having confined a Serjeant for neglect of duty & murmering - the men began again, & threatened to take him out - the Adjutant being a man of Spirit, scized the principal Mutincer & put him in also- & coming to report the matter to the Col, where we all sitting after dinner, were alarmed with a Huzzaing & upon going out found they had broke open the Guard House & taken the man out - The Col & Lieut. Col with several of the Officers & Friends seized the fellow from amongst them & ordered a guard to take him to Cambridge at the Main Guard which was done without any violent opposition, but in abt. 20 minutes 32 of Capt Ross's Company with their loaded Rifles, swore by G-d they would go the Main Guard & release the man or loose their lives & set off as hard as they could run - it was in vain to attempt stoping them - We stayed in Camp and kept the others quiet - Sent word to General Washington, who rein- forced the Guard to 500 men with fixed Bayonets & loaded pieces - Col Hitchcock's Regt. (being the one next us) was ordered under arms & some part of General Greens Brigade (As the Gen- erals were determined to subdue by force the mutineers & did not know how far it might spread in our Battalion) Generals Washington, Lee, & Green came immediately, & our 32 mutineers who had gone about half a mile towards Cambridge & taken pos- session of a Hill & Woods, beginning to be frighted at their pro- ceedings, were not so hardened but upon the General's ordering them to Ground their arms they did it immediately - The Gen- eral then ordered another of our Companys (Capt Nagles) to surround them with their loaded Guns which was immediately done, and did the Company great honor - however to convince our people (as I suppose, mind) that it did not altogether depend upon themselves, he ordered part of Col Hitchcocks and Col Littles Regiments to surround them with their Bayonets fixed and ordered two of the ring leaders to be bound - I was glad to find our men were all true and ready to do their duty except these 32 Rascals - 26 were conveyed to the Quarter Guard on Pros- pect Hill and 6 of the principals to the Main Guard .- You can- not conceive what disgrace we are all in & how much the General is chagrined that only one Regiment should come from the Southward & that set so infamous an example; and in order that idleness shall not be a further bane to us, the General Orders on Monday were " that Col Thompsons Regiment shall be upon all parties of Fatague (working parties) & do all other Camp duty equal with any other Regiment "
The men have since been tried by a General Court Martial and
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convicted of Mutiny - & were only fined 20/. each for the use of the Hospital - too small a punishment for so base a crime - & mitigated no doubt on account of their having come so far to serve the Cause & its being the first crime - The Men are re- turned to their Camp, seem exceedingly sorrow for their inisbe- haveour & promise amendment. - This will I hope awaken the attention of our officers to their duty (for to their remissness I charge our whole disgrace) & the men being employed will yet no doubt do honor to their province - for this much I can say of them that upon every alarm it was impossible for men to behave with more readiness or attend better to their duty - it is in the Camp only that we cut a poor figure - tomorrow morning or some time in the Day may perhaps restore our honor, if we behave in the Day of Battle as well as I hope we shall - you must know that this is a conjecture of my own & founded on no better mate- rials than a poor inexperienced judgement. -
On Monday last Col Arnold having chosen 1000 effective men, Consisting of two Companies of Rifle men (about 140) the re- mainder Musketeers, set off for Quebee as it is given out (& which I really believe to be their destination). for we have intelli- gence that the Indians except 30 have deserted from General Carleton & that he hath not more than 700 effective men in Canada all which except one Company is at St. John's & Montreal to oppose General Schuyler - If this should be the Case & Col Arnold meet with a ready march, Quebec will undoubtedly fall into our Hands-for those people who have gone to sound the disposi- tion of the Inhabitants report that they are generally in our Favour, & that no opposition will be given by the country to our measures. I accompanied on foot as far as the Town of Lynn (9 miles) Doctr. Coates who goes as Surgeon, Mr. Matt. Duncan, Mr. Melcher & several other Southern gentlemen as Voluntiers - " here I took leave of them with a wet eye - the Drums beat & away - they go as far as Newberry Port by Land from there they go in Sloops to Kennebeck River, up it in Batteaux & have a carrying place of abt. 40 miles (over which they must carry on their Shoulders their Batteaux & Baggage - Scale the Walls and spend the winter in joy and festivity amongst the sweet Nuns. - Yesterday the wind being high & the Tide driving in. a Boat with a Serjeant & 5 men drove ashore and were taken by our people - the Serjeant seems a very intelligent person for his station - he says a Vessel arived at Boston a few days before & brought answers to letters sent out after the Bunker Hill Battle, but knows nothing of what they contain - he says that he was Orderly Serjeant a few days ago, and saw in Major Sheriffs
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Office (Muster Master or Commissary) a return of the killed and wounded at Bunker hill, being 1435 men. - It is amazing to me that so many were hurt there - for not more than 700 of our Men were in the Battle, but the most of them fired 30 rounds, as they say - I must from this conclude that they will hardly attempt our Lines in the Day time, or without a very heavy set of Artillary. -
Saturday 16th Prospect Hill
Here we are yet & all as peaceable as so many Lambs. I began this letter in the evening & as we were ordered to lie on our Arms kept on scribling until 1 o'Clock - On Thursday at firing the morning Gun we were ordered to Plow'd Hill, where we lay all that day - I took my paper & Ink along as you once desired I would, but found so much to do beside writing, that you had only a few lines manufactured (in the face of 18 battering Cannon) on a pile of timber intended for a Bomb-proof & just where you see the me" a Bullet from the Foway disconcerted all my Ideas, altho' it did not come near me. - I tho't the Banquette a safer place & took my station accordingly just in the Angle of a Traverse & was as safe as a thief in a mill - but there was too much noise for writing & the Generals appearing in sight I tho't it not quite so decent a Posture of a SOLDIER, thrust my writing materials under an old Blanket, Shouldered my firelock, and strutted with all the parade of a careful Lad. - a deserter is just taken in to General Greens - I attend & will inform you what he says - a good hearty looking Lad from Limerick - it is deserters intelligence therefore place what Credit to it you please - he informs that there are 3000 men on Bunker hill - that all the Grencdier and Light Infantry Companies are made up to their full complement & encamped there - all the Light-Horse he says are also on the Hill - but that they have no intention of coming out & keep very strong picquets every night to prevent our surprising them - that great numbers of deserters would come over, but the Soldiers are made to believe that a compact is agreed on between ours and their Generals to give up all deserters at the end of the Campaign, & that they will hang without mercy all such as desert from them - he also says there is a great coolness between the Irish & English Soldiers, but I am apt to believe without any foundation - he says there are Barracks going to be built on Bunker Hill immediately, by wch. we conclude they intend wintering there, & that there is talk of 6 Regiments coming over to reinforce them - but that the people of Ireland have stoped the Artillary & all their recruits - so much for this Lad - One came out this morn- ing from Roxbury & brings nearly the same intelligence except
7
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that he say's they are to give us Battle tomorrow, which we are always prepared for but don't believe a word of -they will not catch us asleep come when they please.
I hate all hasty conclusions, & therefore am pleased with the modesty of my expressions in regard to the Battle I prophecyed on Thursday last - I had many concuring circumstances in re- gard to their uncommon movements to suspect something was going on - but as nothing has been done, shall only say in future what hath been actually done & not what may probably happen.
I have many things that I could write & which I know would give you pleasure, or at least a right idea of this Army of 20,000 men - but it would not do that the Letter should fall by accident into the hands of infidels or the Heathen - such Sermons, such Negroes, such Colonels such Boys & such Great Great Grand- fathers. -
This I may safely say, that such a cursed set of sharpers cannot be matched -every article of convenience or necessaries, are raised to double the former price - but I hope a proper enquiry will be made before the accounts are passed - and that whatever falsehoods their news-papers may be stuffed with will be dis- regarded.
Sunday Evening
All's well. - From my Tent door on this Hill I have a full view of all the Enemies Batteries & Works on Boston neck & also our own; about 8 o'Clock this morning I saw a small Cannonade begun by our people with two large Guns & were immediately answered by two from our Antagonists - our people gave them about a dozen more & only received 3 in return. What the mat- ter was, or what occasioned so small a spell of sinart firing I have not had curiosity to enquire - for I have been so busy in hearing a most excellent Sermon from our Dear Mr. [ Samuel] Blair & in viewing some works on Lecehmore point (I might as well have said Cul de Sac for anything you will understand by it) that I had not before an opportunity of examining with attention -that I am tired & sleepy wch you have no doubt concluded before you were informed. -
Monday Morning.
I am just informed by one of our Officers that General Schuyler hath taken St. Johns by assault with only the loss of 300 men & that he hath taken 1700 Prisoners - this being post day I set off for Cambridge & if the news is true will put this in the Post Office contrary to my first intention to send it by Mr. Willing, but as
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there is no knowing when he will set off, cannot keep such good news from you a moment. -
Noarth who informs me he is writing to you is to relate all the little nannygotes with that humour wch will make them agreeable - my department is meer matters of fact.
Since I wrote the last two lines 20 cannon have been fired at Roxbury & they are firing now ding dong. -
Gen. Washingtons 11 o'Clk
The above St. Johns account is all a falsehood from first to last, & now I set my nose to Roxbury & will inform you why the Serpents fire so very briskly at Roxbury -
Roxbury 1 o'Clock
I met on my way hither a Bror Voluntier Mr. Dan'l Dorsey of Maryland who informs me he is going to leave the Camp tomorrow morning for your city - the firing at this place was not occasioned by any uncommon movement but just by the way of Sport - We fired no Guns this morning - nor by 100 Guns wch. they have fired hath one man been killed or hurt, altho' the Guard House & other Houses full of men have been shot thro' & thro' - The wind of a 24 Pounder knocked down a man & horse, struck the Limb of an apple tree & threw it against Dr. Hubley knocked him down & did none of them any kind of harm, except frightening them soundly. -
Peacock, Jamaica Plains 4 o'Clk
The firing at Roxbury hath ceased & all is quiet again. I came here from Roxbury with some of the Rifle Gentn. of that Division to ask Capt Cresap how he does who lies here sick, & for no other reason as Smith can well inform you - Mr. Conner is with me & begs his Complements be put in to you & the Club & if I know any thing of the matter, you might with ALL HIS HEART, present them to, [some words struck out] if mortal man can say which that is - & now to conclude if all this will not draw a line from you I can only say you are a very Lazy fellow, or that the Widow hath an undue influence on the friend of
Your Hble Servt
JESSE LUKENS
You need not write as I set off from here before yours can possibly leave Philada. To Mr. John Shaw Jr 11
11 Boston Public Library Bull., January, 1900, pp. 23-29.
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May 28, 1775.
" May 28. - Yesterday, a party of the American army at Cam- bridge, to the number of between two and three hundred men, had orders to drive off the live stock from Hog and Noddle's islands. In attempting to carry out these orders, they were attacked by the king's troops. The combat began on Ilog island, abont five o'clock, in the afternoon, and continued almost incessantly until mid- night. The attack was made with cannon, swivels, and small arms, from an armed schooner, sloop, and eight or ten barges. upon our people, who had small arms only, but were very ad- vantagcously posted by Colonel Putnam, who got to them just in season to station and command them properly. He placed them in a ditch up to their waists in water, and covered by the bank to their neeks. The schooner, sloop, and boats full of men, came within twelve or fifteen rods of them, and gave our people a fine opportunity to place their shot well. About midnight, the fire ceased a little, and our people retreated to the mainland, where they were soon after joined by Captain Foster, with two field pieces, which were planted on the way of Winnesimit ferry. At daylight, this morning, the combat was renewed, and as the schooner passed the ferry way, she was briskly attacked by our people, with the field-pieces and small arms, which soon clearing her deek, she drifted on shore, where our people set fire to her, and she blew up, notwithstanding the utmost endeavors of the people in the boats to tow her off, and save her from destruction. In this they ex- posed themselves much to our fire, and suffered greatly. When they found the schooner was lost, they with difficulty towed off the sloop, much disabled, and retired to their den ; and thus ended the combat. This afternoon, our people got out of the wreck. twelve four-pounders, six swivels, and everything else that was valuable, without molestation ; they afterwards destroyed, or re- moved from both the islands, all the stock, a large quantity of hay, and burned all the barns and houses.
All this was done in sight, and as we may say, under the noses of the whole tleet and army at Boston, without molestation. The killed of the enemy (General Gage's crew of enemies to the English Constitution). they themselves allow to be more than one hundred, besides wounded ; others, who have good opportunity to know, say their killed and wounded exceed three hundred. and I believe they have suffered as much, as in their precipitate flight from Lexington, on the memorable 19th of April. Our killed none ! wounded three! Heaven apparently, and most evidently,
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fights for us, covers our heads in the day of battle, and shields our people from the assaults of our common enemies. What thanks can speak our gratitude !
These interpositions, and our determined resolutions, may per- haps make our haughty enemies glad to quit their unjust profes- sions for a cooler and more calm retreat, in some distant quarter of the globe; and leave us peaceably to enjoy those rights and liberties which God, in our nature, has given us, as our inalien- able right, and which they are most unjustly endeavoring to rest from us by violence." 12
Jonathan Green's Speech.13
Mr. Speaker. Sir:
I am very sorry my town was so unhappy as to be under this Hon'ble Court's or Colonal's Displeasure, so far as to be Singled out, as not worthy of the priviledes, that Every other town in this State Injoyed, for I Can't find any one of the Very Smallest, or Remotest, towns, or plantations, in the state, that was neglected in the afair of ye nine month's men. But were Sent to for them, Last June, but Chelsea only, that was so Easey to be Sent too. 2ly. I am Informed that the Court in the Resolve for Raiseing Said men, ordered that the Colonal of Each Regiment Should Send to Each town, or Company, in his Rigument. But our Colonal never did Send to Chelsea for any one man, at that time, as I am able to prove by his own Certificate on ye table. 3ly. and we were so unlucky, at that time, that our Representitive was Sick, & So was absent from the Court, at the time when our quota of men were Laid on our town; therefore, he did not know that their was any one, or more, man Laid on our town by the Court, but Sup- posed that our Colonal would propotion the men, or ye Companies, in his Rigument, as usuall, & send to Chelsea for their quota; and I am Informed that our Representitive tell'd the Court So, in this house, Last year ; that he never knew, nor thought, that the Court had aportioned any men on Chelsea, or any other town, but had Left it to the Colonals to apportion them. 4. neither Did our Selectmen, nor Commission officers, know that their was any men aportioned to our town, Last Summer, by ye Court, but Expected, from day to day, & week to week, to Receive orders from our Colonal, for so many men as he Should please to apportion to us. but after haveing waited Some time, we all Concluded that the
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