USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Concord > History of the siege of Boston, and of the battles of Lexington, Concord, and Bunker Hill. Also an account of the Bunker Hill Monument. With illustrative documents > Part 37
USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > History of the siege of Boston, and of the battles of Lexington, Concord, and Bunker Hill. Also an account of the Bunker Hill Monument. With illustrative documents > Part 37
USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Lexington > History of the siege of Boston, and of the battles of Lexington, Concord, and Bunker Hill. Also an account of the Bunker Hill Monument. With illustrative documents > Part 37
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40
An alarm was given at break of day, on the 17th instant, by a firing from the Lively ship of war ; and advice was soon afterwards received, that the rebels had broke ground, and were raising a battery on the heights of the peninsula of Charlestown, against the town of Boston. They were plainly seen at work, and, in a few hours, a battery of six guns played upon their works. Preparations were instantly made for landing a body of men to drive them off, and ten companies of the grenadiers, ten of light-infantry, with the 5th, 38th, 43d, and 52d battalions, with a proportion of field artillery, under the command of Major-general Howe and Brigadier-general Pigot, were embarked with great expedition, and landed on the peninsula without oppo- sition, under the protection of some ships of war, armed vessels, and boats, by whose fire the rebels were kept within their works.
The troops formed as soon as landed ; the light-infantry posted on the right, and the grenadiers upon their left. The 5th and 38th battalions drew up in the rear of those corps, and the 43d and .52d battalions made a third line. The rebels upon the heights were perceived to be in great force, and strongly posted. A redoubt, thrown up on the 16th, at night, with other works, full of men, defended with cannon, and a large body posted in the houses in Charlestown, covered their right flank ; and their centre and left were covered by a breastwork, part of it cannon-proof, which reached from the left of the redoubt to the Mystic or Medford River.
This appearance of the rebels' strength, and the large columns seen pour- ing in to their assistance, occasioned an application for the troops to be
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reinforced with some companies of light-infantry and grenadiers, the 47th battalion, and the 1st battalion of marines ; the whole, when in conjunction, making a body of something above 2000 men. These troops advanced, formed in two lines, and the attack began by a sharp cannonade from our field-pieces and howitzers, the lines advancing slowly, and frequently halting to give time for the artillery to fire. The light-infantry was directed to force the left point of the breastwork, to take the rebel line in flank, and the grena- diers to attack in front, supported by the 5th and 52d battalion. These orders were executed with perseverance, under a heavy fire from the vast numbers `of the rebels ; and, notwithstanding various impediments before the troops could reach the works, and though the left, under Brigadier-general Pigot, who engaged also with the rebels at Charlestown, which, at a critical moment, was set on fire, the brigadier pursued his point, and carried the redoubt.
The rebels were then forced from other strongholds, and pursued till they were drove clear off the peninsula, leaving five pieces of cannon behind them.
The loss the rebels sustained must have been considerable, from the great numbers they carried off during the time of action, and buried in holes, since discovered, exclusive of what they suffered by the shipping and boats ; near one hundred were buried the day after, and thirty found wounded, in the field, three of which are since dead.
I enclose your lordship a return of the killed and wounded of his majesty's troops.
This action has shown the superiority of the king's troops, who, under every disadvantage, attacked and defeated above three times their own num- ber, strongly posted, and covered by breastworks.
The conduct of Major-general Howe was conspicuous on this occasion, and his example spirited the troops, in which Major-general Clinton assisted, who followed the reinforcement. And, in justice to Brigadier-general Pigot, I am to add, that the success of the day must, in great measure, be attrib- uted to his firmness and gallantry.
Lieutenant-colonels Nesbit, Abercrombie, and Clarke ; Majors Butler, Williams, Bruce, Spendlove, Small, Mitchell, Pitcairn, and Short, exerted themselves remarkably ; and the valor of the British officers and soldiers in general was at no time more conspicuous than in this action.
I have the honor to be, &c., THO. GAGE.
Return of the Officers, Non-commission Officers, and Privates, killed and wounded, of His Majesty's Troops, at the Attack of the Redoubts and Intrenchments on the Heights of Charlestown, June 17, 1775.
Royal Regiment Artillery. - Capt. Huddleton, Capt. Lemoin, Lieut. Shuttleworth, 1 sergeant, 8 rank and file, wounded.
4th Foot. - Capt. Balfour, Capt. West, Lieut. Barron, Lieut. Brown, wounded ; 1 sergeant, 13 rank and file, killed ; 1 sergeant, 1 drummer and fifer, 29 rank and file, wounded.
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5th. - Capt. Harris, Capt. Jackson, Capt. Downes, Capt. Marsden, Lieut. M'Clintock, Lieut. Croker, Ensign Charleton, Ensign Balaguire, wounded ; 22 rank and file, killed ; 10 sergeants, 2 drummers and fifers, 110 rank and file, wounded.
10th. - Capt. Parsons, Capt. Fitzgerald, Lieut. Pettigrew, Lieut. Verner, Lieut. Hamilton, Lieut. Kelly, wounded ; 2 sergeants, 5 rank and file, killed ; I drummer and fifer, 39 rank and file, wounded.
18th. - Lieut. Richardson, wounded ; 3 rank and file, killed ; 7 rank and file wounded.
22d. - Lieut .- col. Abercrombie, wounded, and since dead.
23d. - Capt. Blakeney, Lieut. Beckwith, Lieut. Cochrane, Lieut. Len- thall, wounded ; 2 sergeants, 1 drummer, 11 rank and file, killed ; 2 ser- geants, 1 drummer and fifer, 35 rank and file, wounded.
35th. - Lieut. Baird, killed ; Captain Drew, Capt. Lyon, Lieut. Massay, Lieut. Camphell, wounded ; 18 rank and file, killed ; 3 sergeants, 2 drum- mers, 41 rank and file, wounded.
38th. - Lieut. Dutton, killed ; Capt. Coker, Capt. Boyd, Lieut. Christie, Lieut. House, Lieut. Myres, Ensign Sergeant, Ensign Sweney, Quartermas- ter Mitchell, wounded ; 2 sergeants, 23 rank and file, killed ; 4 sergeants, 1 drummer and fifer, 69 rank and file, wounded.
43d. - Major Spendlove, Capt. M'Kenzie, Lieut. Robinson, Lieut. Dal- rymple, wounded ; 2 sergeants, 20 rank and file, killed ; 3 sergeants, 2 drummers and fifers, 77 rank and file, wounded.
47th. - Major Small, Capt. Craig, Capt. England, Capt. Alcock, Lieut. England, wounded ; Lieut. Hilliard, Lieut. Gould, wounded, since dead ; 1 sergeant, 15 rank and file, killed ; 3 sergeants, 47 rank and file, wounded.
52d. - Major Williams, wounded, since dead ; Capt. Addison, Capt. Smith, Capt. Davidson, killed ; Capt. Nelson, Lieut. Higgins, Lieut. Thomp- son, Lieut. Crawford, Ensign Chetwynd, Ensign Græme. wounded ; 1 ser- geant, 20 rank and file, killed ; 7 sergeants, 73 rank and file, wounded.
59th. - Lieut. Haynes, wounded ; 6 rank and file, killed ; 25 rank and file, wounded.
63d. - Lieut. Dalrymple, killed ; Capt. Folliot, Capt. Stopford, wounded ; 1 sergeant, 7 rank and file, killed ; 2 sergeants, 1 drummer, 25 rank and file, wounded.
65th. - Capt. Hudson, killed ; Major Butler, Capt. Sinclair, Lieut. Pax- ton, Lieut. Hales, Lieut. Smith, wounded ; 1 sergeant, 8 rank and file, killed ; 1 sergeant, I drummer, 25 rank and file, wounded.
1st battalion marines. - Major Pitcairn, wounded, since dead ; Capt. Ellis, Lieut. Shea, Lieut. Finnie, killed ; Capt. Averne, Capt. Chudleigh, Capt. Johnson, Lieut. Ragg, wounded ; 2 sergeants, 15 rank and file, killed ; 2 sergeants, 55 rank and file, wounded.
2d battalion marines. - Capt. Campbell, Lieut. Gardiner, killed ; Capt. Logan, Lieut. Dyer, Lieut. Brisbane, wounded ; 5 rank and file, killed ; 1 sergeant, 29 rank and file, wounded.
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CHESTER'S LETTER. 389
OFFICERS ATTENDING ON GENERAL HOWE.
67th. - Capt. Sherwin, aid-de-camp, killed.
14th. - Lieut. Bruce, killed ; Ensign Hesketh, wounded.
Royal Navy. - Lieut. Jorden, wounded.
Engineer Lieut. Page, wounded.
Volunteers, late Barre's, Lieut. Alex. Campbell, on half-pay, wounded. Royal Artillery. - Mr. Uance, wounded.
4th Foot. - Mr. Dorcus, wounded.
35th. - Mr. Maden, wounded.
52d. - Mr. Harrison, wounded.
59th. - Mr. Clarke, wounded.
2d Battalion Marines. - Mr. Bowman, wounded.
Total. - 1 lieutenant-colonel, 2 majors, 7 captains, 9 lieutenants, 15 ser- geants, 1 drummer, 191 rank and file, killed ; 3 majors, 27 captains, 32 lieu- tenants, 8 ensigns, 40 sergeants, 12 drummers, 706 rank and file, wounded.
N. B. - Capt. Downes, of the 5th regiment, and Lieut. Higgins, of the 52d, died of their wounds on the 24th instant.
No 4. -- LETTER OF CAPTAIN JOHN CHESTER, SUPPOSED TO BE ADDRESSED TO REV. JOSEPH FISH, OF STONINGTON, CONNECTICUT.1
Camp at Cambridge, July 22d, 1775.
Rev. and Much Respected Sir, - Your favor of the 4th instant I received the day before the Fast, and should have answered it by the bearer, Mr. Niles, had I not been that day on fatigue duty. The day after Fast Mr. Niles set off for home, from Roxbury. I want words to express my gratitude for your religious advice, your many useful and important hints, your arguments and reasons for our animation and support in the glorious struggle for freedom, and your tender expressions of friendship for my family, as well as your anx- ious concern for my own personal safety.
I shall endeavor, as far as my time and business will permit, to give you, sir, the particulars of the battle of Charlestown. Though, as to the greater part of account published, I may not be able to mend it.
In the latter part of the day before the battle, our adjutant informed me that orders were issued from head-quarters that 1800 province men, and 200 Connecticut men, parade themselves [ * * * * ] clock, with provisions for twenty-four hours, blankets [ * * * ] there wait for further orders. About nine o'[clock they were ordered to march to Bunker Hill, a nu[mbe]r of wag- ons accompanying them with intrenching tools, &c. Just about twelve o'clock at night they began intrenching, and went on with great vigor till day-break,
1 1 am indebted to Gurdon Trumbull, Esq., for this letter, who has the original. The conclusion of it is lost. I. Hammond Trumbull, Esq., has also kindly furnished matter for this work.
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and were then discovered by the regulars, who were heard to swear most terribly about the Yankees ; and they began a heavy fire before sunrise from the ships and Cops Hill, which was kept up with little or no cessation till afternoon. But finding our people paid little regard to their cannon, and knowing the great importance of the post, they landed, (I believe it was about two o'clock,) and formed in three or four solid columns, and advanced towards the fort. Those on their right soon changed their position into a line for battle, and marched on very regularly, rank and file. They were very near Mystic River, and, by their movements, had determined to outflank our men, and surround them and the fort. But our officers in command, soon perceiving their intention, ordered a large party of men (chiefly Connecticut) to leave the fort, and march down and oppose the enemy's right wing. This they did ; and had time to form somewhat regularly behind a fence half of stone and two rayles of wood. Here nature had formed something of a breast- work, or else there had been a ditch many years agone. They grounded arms, and went to a neighboring parallel fence, and brought rayles and made a slight fortification against musquet-ball. Here they received the enemy to very tolerable advantage. Our officers ordered their men not to fire till the word was given. Lieut. Dana tells me he was the first man that fired, and that he did it singly, and with a view to draw the enemy's fire, and he obtained his end fully, without any damage to our party. Our men then returned the fire, well-directed, and to very good effect, and so disconcerted the enemy that they partly brok[e and re]treated. Many of our men were for pursuing, [but by] the prudence of the officers they were prevented lea[ving s]o advantageous a post. The enemy again rallied and ad[vanc]ed, and in the same manner were repulsed a second, and some say, a third time. But. at last they stood their ground, and the action was warm, till the enemy carried the fort which was on their left wing, and soon there was a retreat of the whole of the pro- vincials. I am told that a gentleman on Chelsea side saw the whole engage- ment, and that he said it lasted thirty-five minutes with the musquetry, and that our first firings swept down the enemy most amazingly. The men that went to iutrenching over night were in the warmest of the battle, and, by all accounts, they fought most manfully. They had got hardened to the noise of cannon ; but those that came up as recruits were evidently most terribly frightened, many of them, and did not march up with that true courage that their cause ought to have inspired them with. And to this cause, I conceive, was owing our retreat. Five hundred men morc, that might easily have been there, if they were in any tolerable order and spirits, might have sent the enemy from whence they came, or to their long homes.
I wish it was in my power to give you a satisfactory reason "why our intrenchments were not supported with fresh recruits from Cambridge, and why that important pass over Charlestown Neck was not guarded against annoyance from Mystic River, as well as the other side from the fire of the ships and floating batteries, and our retreat secured," &c. &c. Possibly the whole attempt was rather premature, and not thoroughly well planned. If we might again attempt it, we should, undoubtedly, have contrived and
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executed much better. Perhaps it may be better, however, to prepare our- selves well for some future attempt, than to lament the unfortunate success of the last, which we cannot now possibly mend.
As to my own concern in it, with that of my company, would inform, that one subaltern, one sergeant, and thirty privates, were draughted out over night to intrench. They tarried, and fought till the retreat. Just after din- ner, on Saturday, 17th ult., I was walking out from my lodgings, quite calm and composed, and all at once the drums beat to arms, and bells rang, and a great noise in Cambridge. Capt. Putnam came by on full gallop. What is the matter ? says I. Have you not heard ? No. Why, the regulars are landing at Charlestown, says he ; and father says you must all meet, and march immediately to Bunker Hill to oppose the enemy. I waited not, but ran, and got- my arms and ammunition, and hasted to my company, (who were in the church for barracks,) and found them nearly ready to march. We soon marched, with our frocks and trowsers on over our other clothes, (for our company is in uniform wholly blue, turned up with red,) for we were loath to expose ourselves by our dress, and down we marched. I im- agined we arrived at the hill near the close of the battle. When we arrived there was not a company with us in any kind of order, although, when we first set out, perhaps three regiments were by our side, and near us ; but here they were scattered, some behind rocks and hay-cocks, and thirty men, per- haps, behind an apple-tree, and frequently twenty men round a wounded man, retreating, when not more than three or four could touch him to advantage. Others were retreating, seemingly without any excuse, and some said they had left the fort with leave of the officers, because they had been all night and day on fatigue, without sleep, victuals, or drink ; and some said they had no officers to head them, which, indeed, seemed to be the case. At last I met with a considerable company, who were going off rank and file. I called to the officer that led them, and asked why he retreated ? He made me no answer. I halted my men, and told him if he went on it should be at his peril. He still seemed regardless of me. I then ordered my men to make ready. They immediately cocked, and declared if I ordered they would fire. Upon that they stopped short, tried to excuse themselves ; but I could not tarry to hear him, but ordered him forward, and he complied.
We were then very soon in the heat of action. Before we reached the summit of Bunker Hill, and while we were going over the Neck, we were in imminent danger from the cannon-shot, which buzzed around us like hail. The musquetry began before we passed the Neck ; and when we were on the top of the hill, and during our descent to the foot of it on the south, the small as well as cannon shot were incessantly whistling by us. We joined our army on the right of the centre, just by a poor stone fence, two or three feet high, and very thin, so that the bullets came through. Here we lost our regularity, as every company had done before us, and fought as they did, every man loading and firing as fast as he could. As near as I could guess, we fought standing about six minutes, my officers and men think *
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No. 5. - EXTRACT FROM LETTER, DATED CAMBRIDGE, JUNE 25, 1775, FROM PETER BROWN, OF WESTFORD, TO HIS MOTHER IN NEWPORT.1
Friday, 16th of June, we were ordered, &c. The whole that was called for was these three - Colonels Prescott's, Fry's, and Nickson's regiments. About nine o'clock at night we marched down to Charlestown Hill, against Cops Hill, in Boston, where we intrenched, and made a fort of about ten rod long and eight wide, with a breastwork of about eight more. We worked there undiscovered until about five in the morning, before we saw our danger, being against eight ships of the line, and all Boston fortified against us.
The danger we were in made us think there was treachery, and that we were brought here to be all slain. And I must and will venture to say there was treachery, oversight, or presumption, in the conduct of our officers. And about half-after five in the morning, we not having one half of the fort done, they began to fire (I suppose as soon as they had orders) pretty briskly for a few minutes, then stopt, then again to the number of twenty or more. They killed one of us, then ceased until about eleven o'clock, when they began to fire as brisk as ever, which caused some of our young country people to desert, apprehending danger in a clearer manner than the rest, who were more diligent in digging and fortifying ourselves against them, &c. &c. They fired very warm from Boston, and from on board, till about two o'clock, when they began to fire from the ships in the ferry-way, and from the ship that lay in the river, against to stop our reinforcements, which they did in some measure ; one cannon cut off three men in two on the Neck. Our officers sent time after time after the cannon from Cambridge, in the morning, and could get but four ; the captain of which fired but a few times, and then swung his hat round three times to the enemy, then ceased to fire, it being about three o'clock, cessation of the cannons' warring. Soon after we espied forty boats or barges coming over full of regulars, - it is supposed there were about three thousand of them, - and about seven hundred of us left, not deserted, besides five hundred reinforcement, that could not get nigh to do us any good, till they saw that we must all be cut off, or some of them, so they advanced. When our officers saw that the regulars intended to land, they ordered the artillery to go out of the fort and prevent their land- ing, if possible ; from whence the artillery captain took his field-pieces, and went right home to Cambridge fast as he could, - for which he is now con- fined, and we expect he will be shot for it. The enemy landed and fronted before us, and formed themselves into an oblong square, so as to surround us, which they did in part. After they were well formed they advanced toward us, in order to swallow us up ; they found a choaky mouthful of us, though we could do nothing with our small arms as yet for distance, and had but two cannon and no gunner. And they from Boston, and from the ships, firing and throwing bombs, keeping us down till they got almost around us. But God, in mercy to us, fought our battle for us; and though we were but a
1 Peter Brown was in the battle of the nineteenth of April ; enlisted under Colonel Prescott, and was clerk of a company. This is taken from Stiles' Ms. Diary.
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GRAY'S LETTER.
few, and so was suffered to be defeated by the enemy ; yet we were pre- served in a most wonderful manner, far beyond our expectation, and to our admiration, -for out of our regiment there was but thirty-seven killed, four or five taken captive, and forty-seven wounded. If we should be called to action again, I hope to have courage and strength to act my part valiantly in defence of our liberty and country, trusting in Him who hath yet kept me, and hath covered my head in the day of battle ; and though we have left four out of our company, and some taken captives by the cruel enemies of Amer- ica, I was not suffered to be touched, although I was in the fort when the enemy came in, and jumped over the walls, and ran half a mile, where balls flew like hail-stones, and cannon roared like thunder.
Signed, PETER BROWN.
No. 6. - EXTRACT FROM A LETTER WRITTEN BY SAMUEL GRAY TO MR. DYER, DATED ROXBURY, JULY 12, 1775.1
To give you a clear and distinct account of a very confused transaction, - the causes and reasons of the proceedings of the late battle of Charlestown, and of our defeat, as 't is called, - will be impossible for me, who am not personally knowing to every fact reported about the transactions of that and the preceding day. As far as I am able to give the facts, I will do it, and choose to leave conclusions to you. Some reports, which I have from good characters, must make part of the history.
Friday night, after the 16th of June, a large part of the Continental army intrenched on the southerly part of Charlestown Hill, on the height toward Charles River. North of this hill lies Bunker Hill, adjoining East or Mystic River. Between these two is a valley. North of Bunker Hill is a low, flat, narrow neck of land, the only avenue to the hill and town. The low neck and the valley (both which must be passed in advancing to or retreating from the intrenchment) are exposed to a cross fire from the ships and float- ing batteries on each side, and the valley to the fire of the battery on Copps Hill, in Boston. About sunrise, the 17tb, our intrenchment was discovered, and a heavy fire immediately began from the ships and batteries, which con- tinued with very little cessation till about one o'clock, when a large party of the ministerial troops landed on a point of land S. E. from the intrenchment, about 4 o'clock. The savages set fire to the town, beginning with the meet- ing-house. A heavy fire from the cannon and musketry was kept up on both sides till about five o'clock, when our men retreated : - thus far my own know- ledge. I am informed that, in a council of war, it was determined to intrench on Charlestown Hill and on Dorchester Hill the same night, but not till we were so supplied with powder, &c., as to be able to defend the posts we might take, and annoy the enemy ; that on Friday a resolution was suddenly
1 I am indebted for this letter to Henry Stevens, Esq.
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taken to intrench the night following, without any further council thereon ; that the engineer and two generals went on to the hill at night and recon- noitered the ground ; that one general and the engineer were of opinion we ought not to intrench on Charlestown Hill till we had thrown up some works on the north and south ends of Bunker Hill, to cover our men in their retreat, if that should happen, but on the pressing importunity of the other general officer, it was consented to begin as was done. The Europeans suffered greatly from the fire of our men in their ascending the hill. A party of about 400, under the command of Capt. Knowlton, of Ashford, lay under cover of a fence thrown together, and reserved their fire until the enemy came within twelve or fifteen rods, when they gave them a well-aimed fire, and killed and wounded multitudes of them. The particular account of their loss cannot be known with. certainty ; but we generally give credit to the report, confirmed so many various ways, that their loss is about 1500 in killed and wounded, - the particulars of which you are before this made acquainted with. Our loss in killed, wounded, prisoners, and missing, I think, cannot exceed 200, by the best information I am able to get. I think our loss can never be ascertained with precision, as the order, regularity, and dis- cipline, of the troops from this province, is so deficient that no return can be made which is to be relied upon. However, the returns, for many reasons, (which you may easily divine when I have told you what their state is,) will exceed rather than fall short of the real loss. The officers and soldiers [torn out " drafted ? "] under command of Major Durkee, Captains Knowlton, Coit, Clark, and Chester, and all the continental troops ordered up, and some from this province, did honor to themselves and the cause of their country, and gave the lie to Colonel Grant's infamous assertion on our countrymen, that they have no one quality of a soldier. A little experience will, I hope, make us possessed of all those qualifications of the most regular troops, which, in this country, are worth our pursuit or imitation. The reason why our men on fatigue all night were not relieved, or attempted to be relieved, I cannot assign ; had they been supported in a proper manner, there can't remain a question but that the enemy must have been totally defeated. This battle has been of infinite service to us ; made us more vigilant, watchful, and cautious. We are fortified from Prospect Hill to Mystic River, and on the other hand to Cambridge River, I hope so as to secure us in case of an attack : our lines are very extensive, and will require a large force to defend them properly on that side. On this side we have a fort upon the hill westward of the meet- ing-house. An intrencliment at Dudly House, including the garden, and extended to the hill E. of the meeting-house. A small breastwork across the main street, and another on Dorchester road, near the burying-ground. One on each side the road, through the lands and meadows a little south of the George Tavern. Across the road are trees, the top toward the town of Bos- ton, sharpened and well pointed, to prevent the progress of the light horse.
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