BOOK situated in the interior parts of Virginia, solely XVI. occupied in the arts of agricultural improvement 1775. and cultivation. His character for understand ing, probity, and patriotism, stood in the highest degree of estimation. His personal accomplishments corresponded with those of his mind; and his countenance and figure were singularly noble and engaging. No choice ever met with more general and zealous approbation, nor ever reflected in the event more honor on the judgment and sagacity of those by whom it was made. The new general signified his acceptance of this high and arduous appointment in a very handsome speech, in which he modestly declared his incompetency to the command, which he styled "a field too boundless for his abilities, and far, very far, beyond his experience: but in obedience to the call of his country, he would, without hesitation, enter upon this momentous duty, and exert every power he possessed in support of so glorious a cause; at the same time informing the assembly, that he would receive no pecuniary emoluments in compensation of his services." Horatio Gates, esq. was appointed by the congress adjutant-general, and Artemas Ward and Charles Lee, esqrs. first and second major-generals. The last of these officers was a man of extraordinary and eccentric genius, who had served with great reputation in Portugal and elsewhere XVI. 17758 during the last war. Passionately attached to the BOOK principles of democratic liberty, rather from a proud disdain of superiority than from the pure and genuine ardor of benevolence-on the prospect of a war with the colonies, he had resigned his commission in the British army, and immediately offered his services to congress, by whom they were gladly accepted; and on his military talents, skill, and experience, they justly placed very great dependence. The English generals, weary of their confined situation, and feeling no doubt the disgrace of being with so great a force blockaded by an enemy they had affected to despise, had formed a plan to possess themselves of the heights of Dor chester, southward of the town: but, on the morning of the 16th of June, 1775, they were greatly surprised at the appearance of a redoubt breast-work and entrenchment thrown up in the night on an eminence called Bunker's Hill, to the north of Boston, on a peninsula divided by a narrow channel from that on which the town of Boston itself is situated. A resolution was immediately taken to attack this post, from which they were liable to be so much annoyed; and a detachment of 3000 chosen troops was immediately ordered on the service, under the command of general Howe. The troops ascended the hill with great resolution, but with slow and XVI. 1775. BOOK deliberate step. The Americans, under the direction of the old veteran Putnam, reserving themselves till the British forces were within ten or twelve rods, then poured in an unexpected and furious fire, which suddenly arrested their progress, and threw them into great disorder. Being rallied by the exertions of their officers, they again advanced, till a second discharge again threw them into a similar confusion. The generals Howe and Clinton, now placing themselves at the head of the troops, and for a time almost unsupported, led them on to a third attack; and the redoubt being now assailed on both sides, and enfiladed by the cannon from the ships and batteries, the provincials were compelled to abandon their works, retreating across the isthmus to Cambridge with inconsiderable loss. But on the part of the British, not less than 1100 were killed or wounded, and amongst them 89 officers, who were particularly aimed at by the American riflemen. This was one of the warmest and most bloody conflicts ever known. for the time it lasted, and the number of men engaged and it was remarked, that at the battle of Minden, where the British infantry sustained the fire of the whole French army, the officers suffered much less, and of privates the loss was scarcely greater. In the heat of the action, Charlestown, a sort of suburb to Boston, situated. XVI. on the opposite peninsula, and containing several BOOK hundred houses, was set on fire by the British orces, and entirely consumed. In the beginning of July, general Washington arrived at the head-quarters near Boston: he was received with all civic and military honors, and an addresss of congratulation was presented to him by the assembly of Massachusetts; in return for which he declared, that his highest ambition was to be the happy instrument of vindicating the common rights of America, and of restoring that devoted province to peace, liberty, and safety. The town of Boston, together with the post now occupied by the English at Bunker's Hill, continued to be closely invested: and though the American army was at this time suffering under every species of privation, and extremely deficient in powder, ammunition, and military stores of every kind, happily no attempt was made by the English generals to molest them. For this disgraceful supineness, which excited the utmost astonishment of the American commander, no reason has ever been assigned. In the beginning of August, general Washington writing to the president of congress, declares himself unable to account for the delay, unless the enemy are waiting in expectation that the colonies must sink under the weight 1775. XVI 1775. BOOK of the expense or the prospect of a winter campaign. In the same dispatch he avows the situation of the American army in the article of powder, to be most alarming, and that the safety of the country depends upon its being kept a profound secret. In the month of November, he again speaks of the extreme distress of the army, of which he says general Howe is well apprized, it being the common topic of conversation. And he subsequently declares, (Jan. 4, 1776,) that it is not in the pages perhaps of history to furnish a case like theirs: for six months together to maintain a post without powder, and all that time within musket shot of a superior enemy. In these circumstances, the capture of a large brigantine laden with military stores for Boston, was a most seasonable and important acquisition. The general congress had, in the beginning of June, come to an important resolution, that the colonies of America would not only continue to grant extraordinary aids in time of war, but also, if allowed a free commerce, pay into the sinking fund such a sum annually for an hundred years, as should be more than sufficient in that time, if faithfully applied, to extinguish ALL the present debts of Britain. But the intelligence at this period arriving of the prohibitory and other MAD ACTS of the British parliament, it was not suf |