teer militia belonging to Lexington, seven were killed, and ten wounded. It seems to have been a family of brothers, for among them were nine of the name of Smith, twelve of Farrington, and thirteen, (one for each state,) of Monroe.

"The famous battle of Bunker Hill followed at no great distance, and formed the second act of the great drama. It taught the enemy caution, and inspired the Americans with confidence. The place is not strong by nature, nor had the militia, who took possession, time to throw up any other defences, except a ditch of moderate depth and dimensions, and a paltry breastwork. They had neither cannon nor bayonets, and depended on their skill as marksmen, and their courage as the champions of a good cause.

"They had taken possession of the hill by night, and as soon as the light of the dawn enabled Governor Gage to see that they were there, a cannonade from his ships of war was directed to dislodge them: but they stood their ground, and continued their work. Three thousand men, with a train of artillery, under Howe and Pigot, were then landed near Charlestown, which, in order, as it would seem, to exasperate the Americans to a more determined resistance, they set fire to, and laid in ashes. They then formed, and advanced toward the hill, while the American and British armies, and the inhabitants of Boston were watching the result with breathless expectation. Here was to be the first

trial whether the posterity of Englishmen had degenerated in the new world, and the event was to decide whether they were worthy the liberty they were now about to assert.

"On the brow of the hill stood the Americans in their little entrenchment, watching with eyes that never winked, and hearts that never quailed, the approach of that enemy whom they were brought up to believe invincible. Their supply of ammunition being exceedingly scarce, they were directed to reserve their fire till the last moment. The brave 'old Putnam,' as he is called with affectionate license by a grateful people, ordered them not to throw away a single shot, nor to touch a trigger, till they could see the whites of their eyes.'

"The gallant British soldiers, for gallant they were, came steadily on, silent as the grave so many of them were soon to occupy, and were waited for by a foe equally silent. Not a word was spoken within the American line of defence; every man was marking out, with unerring aim, the victim who, instead of imagining he was advancing to his fate, dreamed that he should meet no resistance. But from this dream he was awakened by the messenger of death. Soon as the whites of their eyes became visible, a thousand triggers snapped, and a thousand muskets at one single discharge, that made but one report, arrested the career of the whole body, a considerable portion of it for ever. The British halted for a moment, keeping up an irregular fire, and receiving others more deadly

and unerring. They fell like armies smitten by the angel of death; but those who escaped stood their ground manfully, maintaining the ancient renown of their country, even in a bad cause. But the deadly fire was continued so rapidly, and with such horrible effects, that the commands of the officers were no longer heard or obeyed. They broke in confusion, and precipitated themselves down the hill. Again they were rallied; again they were met by the same deadly and determined fire, and again they were broken, and retreated down the hill. Fresh troops were sent to their assistance by those who were watching the conflict; and once more-with a perseverance and intrepidity, the result equally perhaps of an arrogant presumption of their own superiority, and a contempt for their enemy-once more they advanced with all the courage of desperation. But by this time the occupants of this immortal little breast work had expended all their ammunition, with the exception of a few rounds, and they retreated in as good order as could be expected, from irregular troops, after firing their last cartridge, and dealing a last blow with the butt ends of their muskets.

"The enemy, at length, gained the victory, but at a price which, perhaps, led him to calculate the cost of a contest that had thus commenced. Instead of songs of triumph, there was weeping and gnashing of teeth, for breathless friends and comrades, or living sufferers, some without limbs, others pierced through the body, others

bloodless as shivering ghosts. It was a sorrowful day for England, for she had lost many brave soldiers, many gallant officers, and gained no honour. The wages of so much slaughter were but a ditch and breastwork on the summit of a little hill. For this, thirteen hundred and upward of the enemy paid the price of their lives. The loss of the Americans was serious, yet by no means to be compared to that of the British. Among the killed was Dr. Joseph Warren, a distinguished volunteer, whose death was deeply lamented; and who, if Providence had spared him to the cause of his country, would, without doubt, have become one of the first among those that survived him. But his death was glorious, and his name will ever be quoted as that of one of the earliest, as well as most illustrious of the martyrs to the liberties of his native land.

"These two affairs of Lexington and Bunker Hill appertain exclusively to New-England. It was on New-England ground, and by the men of New-England, these battles were fought; for, as yet, the more distant colonies had not time to come to the aid of their brothers of the east. They constitute bright pages in the history of those states, most especially of Massachusetts; fortunate in being the first to be attacked, the first to resist, and the first to seal the charter of liberty with their blood. Truth demands this testimony; and the honour should be neither envied nor withheld.

"On the 12th of June, 1775, Governor Gage issued a proclamation, declaring the colony of

Massachusetts in a state of rebellion; threatening the severest punishment to the insurgents; and proffering pardon, on submission, to all, with the honourable exception of Samuel Adams and John Hancock."

CHAPTER VIII.

Meeting of the second congress-Washington elected commander-in-chief of the American armies-Repairs to Boston-Organizes the army-Difficulties-Evacuation of Boston by the British-Treatment of prisoners by the enemy -Washington remonstrates-Anecdotes illustrating his character.

THE time was now at hand when Washington was to be called from his quiet retreat on the banks of the Potomac, and intrusted with the destinies of a nation. When the second congress assembled on the tenth of May, 1775, the aspect of affairs was such as to call for decisive action. The petition of the former congress had been treated with marked neglect; the ministry had resolved on bringing the colonies to terms by force of arms; and the great tragedies of Concord and Lexington had been enacted. In short, the war was already begun, and all New-England was flying to arms to revenge the indignities and murders committed by the British soldiers stationed at Boston.

Under these circumstances congress did not long hesitate on the course to be pursued. A resolution was unanimously passed, that "these colonies be immediately put in a state of de