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War commenced.

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the hill east of the town, has a healthy air, and beautiful prospect. The edifice is four stories high, 150 feet long, 46 wide, with a projection of ten feet on each side in the centre. From December, 1776, to June, 1782, it was used as a hospital and barrack by the French and American troops. It is now a flourishing institution. The president and a majority of the trustees, must always be of the Baptist denomination. They have a valuable li

brary and philosophical apparatus.

The limits of this little volume, prevent a detail of the various events, which produced the revolutionary war, and the independence of the United States. We only observe that new duties on various articles, the sending troops to Boston; the firing of the guard, after they had been highly provoked, which was called a massacre; the shutting up of the port of Boston, &c. again roused the indignation of the country. Votes of legislatures, committees of correspondence, liberty poles in towns and villages, displayed the resolute zeal of the pcople to defend their rights.

In the night of April 18th, 1775, General Gage sent 800 troops to destroy the stores at Concord. At eleven o'clock, they embarked at Boston common, and landed at Phip's farm with all possible stillness. But so watchful were the people, so alive to every motion of the British troops, that nothing could be obtainedby stratagem. News was instantly carried to Concord, and the country was alarmed.

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By two in the morning, 130 of the Lexington militia had assembled to oppose them. Between 4

and 5 o'clock, the enemy appeared. Major Pitcairn rode up, ordered the militia to disperse, fired his pistol, and ordered his men to fire. Some were killed, several returned the fire; but the British proceeded to Concord, and executed their commission. There they fired upon Major Butterick; he returned the fire, and the British soon began their retreat to Boston. The Americans closely followed, firing from fences and walls. At Lexington, Lord Percy met them with 900 men. These having two pieces of cannon, kept their pursuers at a greater distance. Before dark, they reached Bunkerhill, having travelled that day between thirty and forty miles. The next day they returned to Boston. Sixty five of their number had been killed, 180 wounded, twenty eight taken prisoners. The Americans had fifty killed, thirty eight wounded and missing.

The provincial congress, then sitting, voted an army of 30,000 men; 13,600 to be from their own province. They sent to the other New England colonies; an army of 20,000 men shortly invested Boston, under the command of general Ward. Soon were these joined by a large body from Connecticut, under general Putnam, whose name was then a host. The continental congress resolved to organize an army, and recommended a general fast. The clergy, in their sermons and

Bunkerhill Battle.

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prayers, consecrated the cause, and kept alive the ardour of the people. Colonel Arnold, sent from Connecticut, being joined by colonel Allen, May 10th, took Ticonderoga, and Crown Point, with all their military stores.

On the night of June 16, 1775, general Putnam with a thousand men, took possession of Breed's Hill, (erroneously called Bunker's.) They laboured with such diligence and ardour, that by the dawn of light, they had thrown up a redoubt, of eight rods square. As soon as the British ships discovered them in the morning, they began a heavy fire, which was supported by a fort on Cop's hill, in Boston. An incessant storm of balls and bombs, was poured on this handful of farmers, the greater part of whom had probably never heard the roar of artillery before. They diligently continued their work, and had almost completed a breastwork to the water, eastward. They had been laborious through the night; they had not been relieved, nor supplied with refreshment. In this exhausted situation, they were destined to meet the fury of British valour..

A little after noon, boats and barges filled with 3,000 veterans, the flower of the royal army, landed in Charlestown. Generals Howe, and Pigot, commanded.. Bourgoyne and Clinton stood watchful on Cop's hill. British troops and citi-... zens of Boston, crowded their roofs and steeples to witness the dubious conflict. The American:

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army and the country people, thronged the surrounding hills. The fleet, as well as the camps, gazed at the opening scene. The king's troops deliberately advanced, that their artillery might demolish the new raised works. Charlestown was now set on fire, by order of the British commander, and immediately 400 houses were in a blaze. The lofty steeple of the meeting house, formed a pyramid of flame, magnificent and awful, in view of many thousand anxious spectators. The slow approach of the enemy, gave time to assume greater presence of mind. In this crisis Putnam made an harangue. He reminded them "that they were all marksmen; and could bring a squirrel from the highest tree.” He charged them to be cool, and reserve their fire till the enemy were near; till they could see the white of their eyes." They obeyed. At the distance of ten rods, they began a furious discharge of small arms. The British, whose ranks were thinned, retreated with precipitation. Again Putnam addressed his men. He told them "they had done well, and would do much better, and directed them to aim at the officers." The British returned. The fire was terrible. Their officers exclaimed, "it is downright butchery to lead the men against the lines."

In telling the story, "My God," said Putnam, "I never saw such carnage of the human race." At the next assault, the enemy receiving new

Falmouth burnt.

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strength by the arrival of general Clinton; the cannonade from the ships, the batteries of Boston, and the field artillery increasing their fury, and the powder of the Americans failing, a retreat was ordered. Fifteen hundred Americans were engag ed; seventy-seven were killed, among whom was the brave general Warren, a volunteer in the action; two hundred and seventy eight were wounded and missing. The British lost one thousand and fifty four killed; of whom nineteen were commissioned officers. A greater number than they lost at the battle of Quebec, which gave them the province of Canada; a proof that Putnam's orders were not disregarded.

The people of Falmouth, now Portland, violently opposing the loading of a mast ship, captain Mowat received orders to burn the town. Privateers at this time were successful. Captain Manley brought in a vessel loaded with military stores, valued at £50,000. This summer, a detachment was sent from Cambridge to Quebec, under the command of colonel Arnold; they ascended the Kennebec, and had a dismal march thence into Canada. Many of the men became sickly; one third were discouraged and returned; those who bravely persevered were compelled to eat their dogs, their shoes, and even their cartouch boxes. In thirty one days they found inhabitants. They joined general Montgomery, and with him scaled the walls of Quebec. American valour was un

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