almost without authority to resist them. Besides this, the army was to be supplied with provisions, in the face of a formidable, well disciplined, and well furnished enemy. But the zeal and ability of the officers were equal to the crisis. Of some it is even recorded, that for a succession of days and nights, they were constantly at the head of their respective guards, without a change of raiment.

At this critical epoch, General Ward directed Colonel Ethan Allen to raise four hundred Green Mountain Boys, on the New-Hampshire grants, since then composing the state now called Vermont. With this force he was to surprise the garrisons of the English on Lake Champlain The colonel raised two hundred and thirty of the number, with which force he repaired to Castleton, where he met one hundred and seventy-two more, by concert with certain officers of the militia. In this plan, Dean, Wooster, and Parsons, with others in Connecticut, co-operated, and sentinels were posted on the different routes to Ticonderoga, to intercept intelligence of the intentions of the Americans.

About this time, Colonel Benedict Arnold, who had arrived to assist in the enterprise, consented to act in concert with Colonel Allen, and no unnecessary delay prevented them from moving forward to the object which they determined to accomplish.

Colonel Allen crossed the lake on the 10th of May, with a detachment of only eighty-three men, with which he attacked Fort Ticonderoga early in the morning. With this small number he rushed into the fort while the garrison was asleep. Captain Delaplace was ordered to surrender the garrison instantly, as he would save them from immediate destruction. The captain inquired by what authority, to whom Colonel Allen replied, "In the name of the Great Jehovah, and the continental Congress." The fort was immediately surrendered, and the soldiers paraded without arms. The prisoners consisted of four officers, forty-four privates, with several women and children, who were sent into Connecticut for security. The fruits of this victory were-120 iron cannon, 50 swivels, more than three tons of balls, two ten inch mor tars, and a quantity of shells, flints, gun carriages, powder,

flour, pork, &c. with two brass cannon, and many other valuables.

With the remainder of the party, Colonel Seth Warner, a native of Connecticut, crossed the lake, and took the fortress of Crown Point by surprise, with more than one hundred pieces of cannon. Colonel Arnold, who had embarked on the lake in a small schooner, captured an English armed vessel, and returned to Ticonderoga with his prize. Thus was a free communication with Canada secured by the command of the lake.

While the tide of success thus waited on the American arms in the north, General Gage contemplated an attack upon the American troops at Roxbury, under the command of General Thomas. The number of troops at this place amounted, in all, to but seven hundred militia, and they were nearly destitute of both arms and ammunition. What was wanting in force, however, was supplied by stratagem. The Americans were marched round a hill in full view of the enemy, and displayed to such advantage through the day, that the British general was completely hoaxed, and the attack was not made. Reinforcements soon arrived, and the place was saved.

The success which attended the American arms in their frequent skirmishes with the foraging parties of the British, among the small islands which abound in Massachusetts Bay, gave them confidence and courage to face the English forces with confidence and success in more important undertakings.

On the 25th of the month, the three British generals, Howe, Clinton, and Burgoyne, arrived at Boston. They were able and experienced, and to them was committed the task of putting down all opposition, and of bringing the revolted colonists to a state of absolute and unconditional submission, during the first campaign.

Two days after this, the provincials, under Putnam and Warren, defeated a strong force of the enemy on the islands, and destroyed the vessel, armed and stationed for their defence. The same success attended their arms on the 30th, and the British were greatly distressed by a removal of the cattle from the islands, and the communica tion with Boston was now closed.

On the part of the continentals, the sufferings were severe. The small pox had been communicated from Boston, and raged in the army to an alarming degree. Money was exceedingly scarce; and the whole force, including officers and soldiers, did not exceed eight thousand. Under all their discouragements, and in their undisciplined state, nothing could keep them together but the most ardent zeal for the cause of their common country.

A proclamation was issued by General Gage, on the 12th of June, in the king's name, offering a general amnesty, excluding only John Hancock and Samuel Adams. Those who should refuse these gracious offers, or correspond with, or aid and assist the refractory, were denounced - as rebels, and threatened to be treated as such. Martial law was also declared in the province.

The proclamation was very properly considered as a public declaration of war, and the precursor of hostile operations, and the enemy was watched with the utmost vigilance. Colonel Prescott, with a detachment of one thousand men, was ordered to fortify Bunker's Hill, in Charlestown but as the operation was in the night, he fortified a place which lay contiguous to it, called Breed's Hill, which was nearer to Boston. The boldness of this 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 reinforce ment was added to their numbers, 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 detachment 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 cartridge boxes 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 the 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 M'Claney, 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, General Washington, then a member from Virginia, was appointed to the responsible station of Commander in Chief of the American forces. He ac-. cepted the trust with great diffidence. In reply to the President, after accepting the appointment, he added"But lest some unlucky event should happen unfavourable 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."

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 Schuy ler, and Israel Putnam; and eight Brigadier Generals, Seth Pomeroy, Richard Montgomery, David Wooster,