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Part of a letter from Boston, brought by the Cerberus.
Boston, June 23, 1775
. . . An account of the action at Bunker's Hill, at the back of Charlestown, you will have in General Gage's and General Howe's letters. I will only tell you that General Howe was sent out with two thousand five hundred men, or better, to dislodge a body of our troops on Buncker's Hill. When the troops had begun their march, the ships threw carcases into Charlestown and have burned it entirely. It was a pretty town! but now there is not one house leh standing! It is nothing but a heap of ruins. Let this dispute end which way it will, though you can never conquer us, this once fair and opulent province is ruined! All America will revenge our cause.
On the first attack your troops gave way; they did not expect so heavy fire. General Howe rallied them; for near a minute he was quite alone; his aid de camp was killed at his side. The officers brought up the men and suf fered for their temerity. General Clinton with another corps presently followed. General Putnam, who had not quite 4ooo Connecticut men, thought the whole army was coming and without the least disorder, or even pursue a single step, left Buncker's Hill and went to another hill, about half a mile further, where he has remained ever since, without the least disturbance. If the mercenaries had offered to march a yard after him, GeneraBWard, with his New England men, was ready to give a good account of them. .
Believe me you cannot succeed in this mad and wicked attempt to conquer. Every hill will be disputed with you, and every inch of ground. Two more such actions will destroy your army....
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