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 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. 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.

The

A terrible cannonade was now commenced from the British ships and batteries, and the exertions of the ene my 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. 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

He

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 arúllery, ten companies of grenadiers, and four battas of infantry, for this purpose. On this occaston, Major general Howe and Brigadier general Pigot ecmed At Charlestown, a re-inforcement added to her members, and the force amounted to three thou

This force formed on the beach, and marchtaga battle array, a terrible cannonade was commenced. Trst shock of the battle was firmly sustained by el Prescott, aided by colonel Stark of New Hamp stre, and captain Norton, of Connecticut. The detachmeat was soon joined by generals Putnam, Warren, and Pomeroy, who imparted enthusiasm and energy et Charlestown was wrapped in flames as the Batch advanced.

to the

Inimitation 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 charge of the musketry was dreadful, and the enemy tied 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 provin 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.

cials was

was now commenced from the

A terrible cannonade British ships and batteries, and the exertions of the ene my were redoubled. The troops were pressed on by the swords and bayonets in the rear, and the points of were met by clubbed muskets, until

British bayonets

iled, and the Americans were compelled retreat was conducted in good order, and mbridge was regained, under a well diships and batteries, which raked them crossed over the neck at Charlestown.

it may be said, that in all the records of ot one action occurred, in which they ore dauntless courage, or a more obstir in which they obtained a harder vic

he Americans lost 139 killed, 278 woundg; in all 453. Among the killed, were 1. Gardner, Lieut. Col. Parker, and MaIcClaney, whose loss to the nation was shed a gloom over the country. ss, as reported by General Gage, was een of whom were commissioned offiofficers wounded. Total loss of the

he American loss in this battle, is said Wolfe in the capture of Quebec, but in rs, it stands as eighteen to thirteen in venty to sixty-six in wounded. From e can be made of the comparative revo conflicts.

May-the day on which Col. Allen derender of Ticonderoga in the name of ongress, that illustrious body assembled and commenced its session. The Hon. ph was re-appointed President, and on, Secretary.

special resolve, the Congress interdicted ith the enemy, and assumed the style of ed Colonies, under sanction of which, a as appointed for the 30th of July follow5th, Gen. Washington, then a member vas appointed to the responsible station in Chief of the American forces. st with great diffidence. In reply to the accepting the appointment, he addedunlucky event should happen unfavorable

He

nent both perplexed and astonished general Gage, saw that it jeopardized his own safety in Boston. termined to dislodge them from this position withlay; and on the 17th, about noon, he detached a of artillery, ten companies of grenadiers, and four ons of infantry, for this purpose. On this occaMajor general Howe and Brigadier general Pigot anded.

en.

At Charlestown, a re-inforcement added r members, and the force amounted to three thouThis force formed on the beach, and marchbattle array, a terrible cannonade was commenced. rst shock of the battle was firmly sustained by el Prescott, aided by colonel Stark of New Hampand captain Norton, of Connecticut. The detachwas soon joined by generals Putnam, Warren, and roy, who imparted enthusiasm and energy to the Charlestown was wrapped in flames as the

ct.

advanced.

mitation of the heroes on the plains of Abraham, e of the Americans was reserved until the English d to within seventy yards. A well directed fire of etry was then opened, which spread destruction in nks of the assailants, and kept them in check. ischarge of the musketry was dreadful, and the ened in disorder. The chagrin and mortification of ficers was extreme, and the men were rallied to er charge. They were again repulsed, cut to piend put to the rout. At this crisis, general Clinton up, and the troops being once more rallied, renewcharge, and the carnage became dreadful. was a critical one. The powder of the provinvas nearly expended, and the cartridges of the dead searched, that the fire might be continued, when wings were outflanked by the enemy, and the es were exposed to a raking fire from the British

The

ry. errible cannonade was now commenced from the h ships and batteries, and the exertions of the eneere redoubled. The troops were pressed on by ords and bayonets in the rear, and the points of bayonets were met by clubbed muskets, until

1