them. I beg that powder may be sent at the rate of a quarter of a pound per man, for the Troops destined for this route. As it is very improper they should march to Ticonderoga without it, I have been obliged to supply this division from a small reserve I had made for Tryon County, out of that which lately arrived from Philadelphia.

I am, Sir, with great respect, your most obedient servant,

RICHARD MONTGOMERY.

ALBANY COMMITTEE TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS.

Albany Committee Chamber, August 10, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: We find ourselves once more obliged to trouble you with respect to the soldiers who were taken prisoners at St. John’s, who have been furnished with provisions by Elisha Phelps, Esq., Commissary, appointed by the Governour of Connecticut, till a few days ago, when Mr. Phelps went into Connecticut upon business, and left no order with his Deputy to supply them, who being unwilling to supply them without orders from our Board, spoke to the Chairman, who told him he thought, as the Army was now properly organized, it was their business to give orders concerning prisoners, and referred him to Gen. Montgomery, who, as the said Deputy informed us, found much fault with their insolence, and thought it improper that they should be suffered to remain in this Town, as being a frontier place, where they might do disservice to the publick cause, and therefore declined doing any thing in the affair. Upon which Mr. Phelps’s Deputy made application to us again, advising us at the same time, that the soldiers were so insolent as to threaten to take provisions by force if he refused to supply them. We have come to the resolution to supply them as formerly, till we have your further instructions in the premises.

We are, Gentlemen, your humble servants. By order of the Committee:

ABRAHAM YATES, JUN., Chairman.

To the Provincial Congress of the Colony of New-York.

R. McDONALD TO ALBANY COMMITTEE.

Albany, August 10, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: I am heartily sorry that I have to trouble you; these few lines will inform you of our situation at present. We are here as prisoners, and get nothing to support us. We think it a very hard case. We applied to the Commissary’s Clerk, who told us that he had nothing for us. We have fasted for some days, and therefore I hope that you will take it into consideration and get us some supply. If so be that you will not look into it, we must get it where we can come athwart it.

Gentlemen, your humble servant,

R. MCDONALD, Sergeant 26th Regiment.

The Gentlemen Committee.

DR. JOHN WILLIAMS TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS.

Albany, August 10, 1775.

SIR: I arrived here in order to devise with Colonel Van Schaick how the medicines were to be obtained for the use of his Battalion, and, upon inquiry, I found Mr. Stephen McCrey was appointed Surgeon, at which I was greatly surprised, as my name was entered in the arrangement at the Provincial Congress before their late adjournment. Mr. Sylvester acquaints me that all the Surgeons were to pass an examination, which I would very readily have undergone. I cannot discover whence the partiality has arisen in regard to placing one in my room, after being already appointed, and had already planned my business accordingly.

As to my abilities, they are well known in this part of the country, and my practice is very extensive, particularly in surgery; and I have now a wounded man from Ticonderoga under my care, which has been given over by the Surgeons there, and hope in a few days I shall discharge him perfectly sound.

I have walked St. Thomas’s Hospital, in London, one year, and can produce my diploma, certifying the same, which I look upon as a sufficient recommendation to my appointment, exclusive of being first mate in a man-of-war. I would have come down to York were it not for a crowd of business interrupting me. However, if it is required, I will immediately repair to New-York, or be examined by the Surgeons of those battalions now, or to be at Ticonderoga. Likewise I have amputating and all kinds of instruments fit for a campaign.

I am, with great respect, your very humble servant,

JOHN WILLIAMS.

To John McKesson, Esquire, Secretary in Provincial Congress, New-York.

When the report was made by the Committee appointed for the arrangement of officers in the New-York proportion of Continental Troops, to the best of my recollection I saw John Williams’s name thereon as Surgeon of the Albany Regiment. While the report was under consideration, some person was proposed in the room of Mr. Williams, which I objected to upon this principle, that Mr. Williams was one of that Committee; that it ought to be presumed that the gentlemen who composed that Committee would not offer to nominate any person to such a place of trust and confidence, unless they were satisfied of his skill and abilities from their own knowledge, or the recommendation of others; and as he stood on the list of nominations, and was then absent, it would not be civil treatment to strike him off so hastily. It was then mentioned that he should not stand confirmed as Surgeon without a previous examination; which being reasonable, I consented and approved of it. In this situation that matter remained when the Congress adjourned, as far as I know or believe, and I know of no other appointment, change, or alteration of Surgeon, till I am now informed of it.

P. SILVESTER.

August 10, 1775.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS.

Camp at Cambridge, August 10, 1775.

SIR: Your favour of the second instant is duly received, but it is out of my power to comply with the request it contains of forwarding commissions. All those I have yet received from the honourable Continental Congress are far short of the number required in this Army; for which reason, when at New-York, and by letter from this, I directed General Schuyler to apply to the Congress at Philadelphia for those of his department, as the shortest and easiest mode, to which I must also now refer you.

We have had no occurrence in the camp for several days worthy of notice.* But by some advices from Boston, and

* Extract of a Letter from an Officer in the Army at BOSTON to his friend in LONDON, dated AUGUST 12, 1775.

I shall give you some account of a most glorious victory obtained by the King’s Troops over the Rebel Army on the seventh instant. On the preceding day it was resolved to attack the enemy on Roxbury Hill, The difficulty of the attempt was easily foreseen, but, if successful, the glory obtained would be immortal. Agreeable to the resolution, early in the morning General Gage detached five thousand chosen men under the command of General Howe. It being dark when we began our march, and the carelessness of the enemy’s advanced guard favouring our design, we were close at the enemy’s lines before they had the least knowledge of our motion. The consternation that ensued upon the discovery is not easily described, nor shall I attempt it, that through the bravery of our officers, and the intrepidity of our soldiers, we forced the enemy’s intrenchments with a slaughter dreadful to think of. The number of the enemy killed is not exactly known, but we have made twenty-five hundred prisoners; amongst whom are General Patnam, General Lee, and several other officers of rank in the Rebel Army, who, in general, behaved with great resolution during the engagement. Our loss is very considerable, as the manner in which we attacked them into such immediate confusion on all sides, that they were unable to make any great resistance. Our greatest loss is by the death of a few brave officers, who fell in forcing the intrenchments. Among these is Colonel Pigot, whose conduct has gained his immortal honour. We have about one hundred and fifty men killed, and as many wounded. We have taken a considerable quantity of ammunition and military stores, as well as their cannon and every thing in the camp.

The glory which the Generals Howe and Burgoyne have acquired, will be recorded to the latest posterity; nor could any thing be more judicious than the disposition of our Troops, which was so well contrived that we attacked the enemy on all quarters at once with irresistible fury.

What will be the consequence of this overthrow is not yet known; but it has so far disabled the Rebels, that it will be impossible for them to take the field again for some time.

I am sorry my time will not permit me to give you a more circumstantial account, at present, of this very memorable action, but I will write again as soon as things are a little settled. At present the confusion is very great; provisions are tolerable plenty but dear. Our