Fifes, 933 rank and file, 1 Chaplain, 2 Adjutants, 1 Quartermaster, 1 Surgeon, and 2 Mates. Sick: 1 Lieutenant, 4 Sergeants, 2 Drums, 103 rank and file.

GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Lebanon, July 31, 1775.

SIR: By the Resolve in Congress of the 19th instant, it is recommended to the New-England Colonies to complete the deficiencies in the Regiments belonging to them respectively. I have not been informed of any deficiency in the number of Troops sent from Connecticut.

It is recommended, also, to this Colony, to complete and send forward to the camp before Boston, as soon as possible, the fourteen hundred men lately voted by our Assembly. The 25th instant I sent orders to the Colonels of the last raised Regiments to march forthwith to the camp before Boston by subdivisions, if all were not in readiness. Expect many of the companies will begin their march this day, and that the whole will move forward very soon.

The honourable President Hancock, in his favour of the 22d instant, informs, that you had recommended, and the Congress have appointed Mr. Joseph Trumbull Commissary-General of the American Army. I am also informed that you have taken Mr. John Trumbull into your service and family. These instances of kindness shewn them justly claim my most grateful acknowledgments. A performance of their duty answerable to your expectation, will meet your approbation and continuance of regard, and afford me peculiar satisfaction and pleasure.

The Rose, Swan, and Kingfisher, ships-of-war, with a small tender, the 26th instant came into the harbour at New-London. On the 27th instant some men landed near the Light-house, broke off the trunnions and plugged up with old files three or four cannon. They sailed out again on Friday last. It is reported Mr. Collector Stuart is packing up his effects, in order to leave that port.

I am, Sir, with great truth and regard, your Excellency’s most obedient and humble servant,

JONA. TRUMBULL.

His Excellency General Washington.

TOWN-MEETING, PROVIDENCE, RHODE-ISLAND.

At a Town-meeting called by warrant and holden in Providence, on the thirty-first day of July, A. D. 1775, the Hon. Nicholas Cooke, Esquire, Moderator:

Voted, That there be an Intrenchment and Breastwork hove up between Field’s Point and Sassafras Point, sufficient to cover such a body of men as may be ordered there on emergency; that there be a Battery of six eighteen-pounders erected at Fox Hill; that there be four cannon mounted as field-pieces by the Committee hereinafter-named; that the same Committee draw up Rules for regulating the Battery; that Captain Nicholas Power be appointed to build the Battery and Breastwork aforesaid, and that he advise and consult with Captain Errick Hopkins, Ambrose Page, Esquire, Captain John Updike, Mr. Samuel Nightingale, Jun., Captain William Earle, and Captain Simon Smith, who are appointed a Committee far that purpose, on the manner of building the aforesaid works, and that he proceed on the same immediately; that there be a foot Bridge built over the Creek that leads to Fox Point; that the Committee aforesaid apply to the proprietors of the lands to get liberty to build the Batteries at Fox Hill, &c.; that Captain Power draw on the Town Treasury for defraying the expense of the aforesaid works, until the same shall be reimbursed by the Continental Congress, and if there is not money sufficient in the Treasury to answer Captain Power’s orders, he shall be allowed interest for the same till paid; that his Honour the Deputy-Governour be requested to represent the whole of this matter to the Continental Congress requesting that they would be pleased to reimburse the Town the expenses they may be at in erecting those temporary though necessary works of defence.

Voted, That the Committee appointed at the last meeting to erect a Beacon, be also requested to build a House for the materials for the Beacon.

Voted, That this meeting be adjourned to Saturday next, at four o’clock, P. M.

GENERAL, WASHINGTON TO THE SPEAKER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MASSACHUSETTS-BAY.

Camp at Cambridge, July 31, 1775.

SIR: I have considered the application made to me yesterday from the General Court, with all the attention due to the situation of the people in whose behalf it is made, and the respect due to such a recommendation. Upon referring to my instructions, and consulting with those members of Congress who are present, as well as the General Officers, they all agree, that it would not be consistent with my duty to detach any part of the Army now here on any particular Provincial service. It has been debated in Congress and settled, that the Militia, or other internal strength of each Province, is to be applied for defence against those small and particular depredations which were to be expected, and to which they were supposed to be competent. This will appear the more proper, when it is considered, that every town, and indeed every part of our sea-coast which is exposed to these depredations, would have an equal claim upon this Army.

It is the misfortune of our situation, which exposes us to these ravages, and against which, in my judgment, no such temporary relief could possibly secure us. The great advantage the enemy have of transporting troops by being masters of the sea, will enable them to harass us by diversions of this kind; and should we be tempted to pursue them upon every alarm, the Army must either be so weakened as to expose it to destruction, or a great part of the coast be still left unprotected. Nor, indeed, does it appear to me, that such a pursuit would be attended with the least effect. The first notice of such an excursion would be its actual execution; and long before any troops could reach the scene of action, the enemy would have an opportunity to accomplish their purpose, and retire. It would give me great pleasure to have it in my power to extend protection and safety to every individual; but the wisdom of the General Court will anticipate me in the necessity of conducting our operations on a general and impartial scale, so as to exclude any just cause of complaint and jealousy.

I beg, Sir, you will do me the honour to communicate these sentiments to the General Court, and to apologize for my involuntary delay, as we were alarmed this morning by the enemy, and my time was taken up in giving the necessary directions.

I shall be happy in every opportunity of showing my very great respect and regard for the General Court of Massachusetts-Bay; and am, Sir, &c.

GO. WASHINGTON.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER RECEIVED IN PHILADELPHIA, DATED CAMBRIDGE, JULY 31, 1775.

Last Friday we were informed by our out sentries at the foot of Bunker’s Hill, that the enemy had cut down several large trees, and were busy all night in throwing up a line and abattis in front of it. In the evening orders were given to the York County Rifle Company, to march down to our advanced post on Charlestown Neck, to endeavour to surround the enemy’s advanced guard, and to bring off some prisoners; from whom we expected to learn the enemy’s design in throwing up the abattis on the neck. The Rifle Company divided, and executed their plan in the following manner: Captain Dowdle, with thirty-nine men, filed off to the right of Bunker’s Hill, and, creeping on their hands and knees, got into the rear of the enemy’s sentries, without being discovered. The other division, of forty men, under Lieutenant Miller, were equally successful in getting behind the sentries on the left, and were within a few yards of joining the division on the right, when a party of Regulars came down the hill to relieve their guard, and crossed our Riflemen under Captain Dowdle, as they were lying on the ground in an Indian file. The Regulars were within twenty yards of our Riflemen before they saw them, and immediately fired. The Riflemen returned the salute, killed several, and brought off two prisoners and their muskets, with the loss of Coporal Crouse, who is supposed to be killed, as he has not been heard of since the affair.

In return for this, the enemy alarmed us last night in their turn. At one o’clock this morning a heavy firing of small-arms and cannon occasioned our drums to beat to