humbly submit to the consideration of the Congress, the propriety of making some farther provision of men from the other Colonies. If these Regiments should be completed to their establishment, the dismission of those unfit for duty, on account of their age and character, would occasion a considerable reduction, and at all events they have been enlisted upon such terms that they may be disbanded when other Troops arrive. But should my apprehensions realized, and the Regiments here not filled up, the publick cause would suffer by an absolute dependance upon so doubtful an event, unless some provision is made against such a disappointment. It requires no military skill to judge of the difficulty of introducing proper discipline and subordination into an Army while we have the enemy in view, and are in daily expectation of an attack, but it is of so much importance that every effort will be made which time and circumstance will admit. In the mean time I have a sincere pleasure in observing, that there are materials for a good Army—a great number of able-bodied men, active, zealous in the cause, and of unquestionable courage.

I am now, Sir, to acknowledge the receipt of your favour of the 28th ultimo, enclosing the resolutions of the Congress of the 27th ultimo, and a copy of a letter from the Committee of Albany; to all which I shall pay due attention.

Generals Gates and Sullivan have both arrived in good health. My best abilities are at all times devoted to the service of my Country; but I feel the weight, importance, and variety of my present duties too sensibly not to wish a more immediate and frequent communication with the Congress. I fear it may often happen in the course of our present operations, that I shall need that assistance and direction from them, which time and distance will not allow me to receive.

Since writing the above, I have also to acknowledge your favour of the 4th instant, by Fessenden, and the receipt of the commissions and articles of war. The former are yet eight hundred short of the number required. This deficiency you will please to supply as soon as you conveniently can.

Among the other returns, I have also sent one, of our killed, wounded and missing in the late action; but have been able to procure no certain account of the loss of the Ministerial Troops. My best intelligence fixes it at about five hundred killed, and six or seven hundred wounded; but it is no more than conjecture, the utmost pains being taken on their side to conceal it.

I have the honour to be, with the most respectful regard, Sir, your obedient humble servant,

GO. WASHINGTON.

To the Honourable John Hancock, President, &c.

P. S. Having ordered the commanding officer to give me the earliest intelligence of every motion of the enemy, by land or water, discernable from the heights of his camp, I this instant, as I was closing my letter, received the enclosed from the Brigade-Major. The design of this manœuvre I know not; perhaps it may be to make a descent some where along the coast, it may be for New-York, or it may be practised as a deception on us. I though it not improper, however, to mention the matter to you; I have done the same to the commanding officer at New-York; and I shall let it be known to the Committee of Safety here, so that intelligence may be communicated as they shall think best along the sea-coast of this Government.

G. W.

Copy of a Report this moment received from the Camp at ROXBURY, two o’clock, P. M., July 11, 1775.

Camp at Roxbury, July 11, 1775.

SIR: Since I sent the report by the Adjutant this morning, five large ships have sailed from Boston; we are not able to determine how many of them are men-of-war, or how many were transports, as they were behind Dorchester Hill. There appeared to be a number of people on board I am, Sir, your humble servant.

By order of General Thomas:

THOS. CHASE, Major of Brigade.

To Horatio Gates, Esq., Adjutant-General.

The number of those Killed, Wounded, and Missing, in the Engagement on BUNKER HILL.

Colonel Frye’s Regiment, 10 killed, 38 wounded, 4 missing; Colonel Little’s Regiment, 7 killed, 23 wounded; Colonel Brewer’s Regiment, 12 killed, 22 wounded; Colonel Gridley’s Regiment, 4 wounded; Colonel Stark’s Regiment, 15 killed, 45 wounded; Colonel Woodbridge’s Regiment, 5 wounded; Colonel Scammon’s Regiment, 2 wounded; Colonel Bridge’s Regiment, 17 killed, 25 wounded; Colonel Whitcomb’s Regiment, 5 killed, 8 wounded, 2 missing; General Ward’s Regiment, 1 killed, 6 wounded; Colonel Gerrish’s Regiment, 3 killed, 5 wounded; Colonel Reed’s Regiment, 3 killed, 29 wounded, 1 missing; Colonel Prescott’s Regiment, 43 killed and missing, 46 wounded; Colonel Doolittle’s Regiment, 6 killed and missing, 9 wounded; Colonel Gardner’s Regiment, 7 wounded; Col. Patterson’s Regiment, 1 wounded; Colonel Nixon’s Regiment, 3 killed and missing; Connecticut, 13 killed, 26 wounded.—Total, 145 killed and missing, 304 wounded.

At a Council of War held at Head-Quarters, Cambridge, July 9, 1775. Present:

His Excellency General Washington; Generals Ward, Lee, Putnam, Thomas, Heath, Greene, and Gates.

The General laid before the Council a Letter from Mr. Warren, President of the Congress of Massachusetts-Bay, enclosing a Letter from Mr. Gerry, at Marblehead, dated July 8, 1775.

1. A question was then proposed and considered, viz:

What is the supposed number of the enemy near and in Boston, including the Troops formerly and lately arrived, and those expected hourly, the forces who may take arms, the sailors who may be spared from the fleet, and the negroes?

Upon which it was agreed, that from the best intelligence, the force on the side of the enemy now amounts to eleven thousand five hundred men.

2. It was then proposed and considered, whether it is expedient to keep and defend the posts at present occupied, or to retire farther back in the country?

Upon which it was unanimously determined, that the publick service requires the defence of the present posts.

3. His Excellency then proposed to the consideration of the Council, what number of troops may be necessary for the present service in and near Boston, to defend the posts already occupied against the force supposed to be employed against us?

Upon which it was agreed, that the Army for the above purpose ought to consist of at least twenty-two thousand men.

4. As it appears by the returns now made that the number of effective men is far short of the above estimate, a question was proposed, viz:

In what manner this deficiency should be supplied?

And it was unanimously agreed, that it ought to be done by sending an officer from each company in the forces raised in the Massachusetts-Bay to recruit the Regiments to which they respectively belong to the establishment fixed by the Provincial Congress, (the Colonies of Rhode-Island and Connecticut being already engaged in recruiting.) And that in the mean time his Excellency the General do apply to the Provincial Congress of this Province for their assistance in procuring a temporary re-enforcement, subject to the same military rules as the Army now raised, inasmuch as the present extent of lines, and the great probability of an early attack, renders such re-enforcement indispensably necessary.

5. As the events of war are uncertain, and a want of a proper rendezvous might, in case of any misfortune, occasion a dissolution of the Army, it was proposed to appoint a proper place for this purpose, in case our present situation should not be tenable.

N. C. agreed, That the Welsh Mountains, near Cambridge, and in the rear, of Roxbury lines, was a suitable place.

6. A question was proposed, whether it is expedient to take possession of Dorchester Point, or to oppose the enemy, if they should attempt to possess it?

Unanimously agreed in the negative as to both.