In this retreat the Americans had to pass over the neck, which joins the peninsula of Charlestown to the main land. This neck was commanded by the Glasgow man-of-war and two floating batteries, placed in such a manner as that their shot raked every part of it. The incessant fire kept up across this neck, had, from the beginning of the engagement, prevented any considerable re-enforcement from getting to the Provincials upon the hill, and it was feared would cut off their retreat, but they retired over it with little or no loss.

With a ridiculous parade of triumph, the Ministerial Troops again took possession of the hill, which had served them as a retreat in their flight from the battle of Concord. It was expected that they would prosecute the supposed advantage they had gained, by marching immediately to Cambridge, which was distant about two miles, and which was not then in a state of defence. This they failed to do. The wonder excited by such conduct soon ceased, when, by the best accounts from Boston, we were told that of three thousand men who marched out upon this expedition, no less than fifteen hundred, (ninety-two of whom were commissioned officers,) were Killed or wounded, and about twelve hundred of them either killed or mortally wounded. Such a slaughter was perhaps never before made upon British Troops in the space of about an hour, during which the heat of the engagement lasted, by about fifteen hundred men, which were the most that were at any time engaged on the American side.

The loss of the New-England Army amounted, according to an exact return, to one hundred and forty-five killed and missing, and three hundred and four wounded. Thirty of the first were wounded and taken prisoners by the enemy. Among the dead was Major General Joseph Warren, a man whose memory will be endeared to his countrymen, and to the worthy in every part and age of the world, so long as virtue and valour shall be esteemed among mankind. The heroick Colonel Gardner, of Cambridge, has since died of his wounds; and the brave Lieutenant-Colonel Parker, of Chelmsford, who was wounded and taken prisoner, perished in Boston jail. These three, with Major Moore and Major McClary, who nobly struggled in the cause of their country, were the only officers of distinction which we lost. Some officers of great worth, though inferiour in rank, were killed, whom we deeply lament; but the officers and soldiers in general who were wounded, are in a fair way of recovery.

The Town of Charlestown, the buildings of which were in general large and elegant, and which contained effects belonging to the unhappy sufferers in Boston to a very great amount, was entirely destroyed; and its chimneys and cellars now present a prospect to the Americans, exciting an indignation in their bosoms which nothing can appease but the sacrifice of those miscreants who have introduced desolation and havock into these once happy abodes of liberty, peace, and plenty.

Though the officers and soldiers of the Ministerial Army meanly exult in having gained this ground, yet they cannot but attest to the bravery of our troops, and acknowledge that the battles of Fontenoy and Minden, according to the numbers engaged, and the time the engagements continued, were not to be compared with this; and, indeed, the laurels of Minden were totally blasted in the battle of Charlestown. The ground purchased, thus dearly purchased by the British Troops, affords them no advantage against the American Army, now strongly intrenched on a neighbouring eminence. The Continental Troops, nobly animated from the justice of their cause, sternly urge to decide the contest by the sword; but we wish for no farther effusion of blood, if the freedom and peace of America can be secured without it. But if it must be otherwise, we are determined to struggle. We disdain life without liberty.

Oh, Britons! Be wise for yourselves before it is too late, and secure a commercial intercourse with the American Colonies before it is forever lost; disarm your Ministerial assassins; put an end to this unrighteous and unnatural war, and suffer not any rapacious despots to amuse you with the unprofitable ideas of your right to tax and officer the Colonies, till the most profitable and advantageous trade you have is irrecoverably lost. Be wise for yourselves, and the Americans will contribute to and rejoice in your prosperity.

J. PALMER, per order.

“In regard to what I know of the setting fire to Charlestown, on the 17th of June, is: I was on Copp’s Hill at the landing of the Troops in Charlestown; and about one hour after the Troops were landed, orders came down to set fire to the Town, and soon after a carcass was discharged from the hill, which set fire to one of the old houses just above the ferryways; from that the meeting-house and several other houses were set on fire by carcasses; and the houses at the eastern end of the Town were set on fire by men landed out of the boats.

WILLIAM COCKRAN.”

“MIDDLESEX, ss., August 16, 1775:

“Then William Cockran personally appeared before me, the subscriber, and made solemn oath to the truth of the within Deposition.

JAMES OTIS,

A Justice of the Peace through the Province of the Massachusetts-Bay, in New-England.”

[The foregoing account of the battle of Charlestown was transmitted to London soon after the date, accompanied with a letter to Arthur Lee, Esq., of which the following is a copy, viz:

“In Committee of Safety, Watertown. July 25, 1775.

“SIR: The Committee of Safety of this Colony having been ordered by the honourable Provincial Congress to draw up and transmit to Great Britain a fair and impartial account of the late battle of Charlestown, beg leave to enclose the same to you, desiring you to insert the same in the publick papers, so that the European world may be convinced of the causeless and unexampled cruelty with which the British Ministry have treated the innocent American Colonies. We are, Sir, with great respect, your most humble servants,

J. PALMER, per order.

“To Arthur Lee, Esq., at London.”

MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.

At a Congress of Delegates from the several Towns and Districts in the Colony of the Massachusetts-Bay, began and held at the Meeting-House in Watertown, the thirty-first day of May, 1775:

Mr. Samuel Freeman was unanimously chosen Secretary, and the Hon. Joseph Warren, Esquire, President.

Resolved, That the Congress will now proceed to hear the Returns and consider the qualifications of the Members.

The Returns being read, it appeared that the following gentlemen were elected by the inhabitants of their respective Towns to represent them in this Congress, viz:

FOR THE COUNTY OF SUFFOLK.

ROXBURY.–Captain Aaron Davis.

DORCHESTER.—Colonel Robinson, Mr. James Robinson.

MILTON.—Captain Daniel Vosc.

BRAINTREE.—Colonel Joseph Palmer.

WEYMOUTH.—Deacon Nathaniel Bailey.

HINGHAM and COHASSET.—Benjamin Lincoln, Esq.

DEDHAM.—Hon. Samuel Dexter, Esq., Mr. Abner Ellis.

MEDFIELD.—Mr. Daniel Perry.

WRENTHAM.—Mr. Jabez Fisher, Mr. Lemuel Kollock.

BROOKLINE.— Captain Benjamin White.

STOUGHTON.—Mr. Thomas Crane.

MEDWAY.— Captain Jonathan Adams, Mr. Moses Adams.

NEEDHAM.—Colonel William McIntosh.

WALPOLE.—Mr. Enoch Ellis.

BELLINGHAM,—Dr. John Corbet.

CHELSEA.—Deacon John Sale.

COUNTY OF ESSEX.

DANVERS.—Dr. Samuel Holten, Capt. William Shillaber.

IPSWICH.—Col. Michael Farley, Dummer Jewett, Esq.

NEWBURY.—Joseph Gerrish, Esquire.