several concurring circumstances, we have great reason to suspect a part, or the whole of the Ministerial Troops are about to move. New-York is the place generally talked of as their destination. I give you the intelligence as it came to me, but do not vouch for its authenticity.

I am, with the most respectful regards to yourself and the body over whom you preside, your most obedient and very humble servant,

GO. WASHINGTON.

The Honourable Peter Van Brugh Livingston, Esquire, President of the Provincial Congress at New-York.

TO HIS EXCELLENCY GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Winter Hill, August 10, 1775.

MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENCY: Whereas, your Excellency was pleased, in the orders of yesterday, to signify your Excellency’s will and pleasure to have the names of those gentlemen who behaved themselves more valiant, bold, and brave than common in the late engagement on Bunker’s Hill, in Charlestown; and as there are vacancies in the several Regiments, that your Excellency would use your endeavour to have them commissioned, if they are not commissioned, or promoted if they are, provided their good conduct be sufficiently evidenced.

We, therefore, beg that we, whose names are hereunto subscribed, may lay before your Excellency the conduct and undaunted courage of William Lee, of Colonel Reid’s Regiment, who did service in the late engagement on said Bunker’s Hill. The said William Lee not only fought well himself, but gave good advice to the men to place themselves in right order, and to stand their ground well. The said William Lee, belonging to Captain Spaulding’s Company in Colonel Reid’s Regiment, is the first Orderly Sergeant of Captain Spaulding’s Company; and as there is a vacancy in the same company by a Lieutenant’s death, it is desired for the Ensign to take his place, and Sergeant Lee to take the Ensign’s or Second Lieutenant’s. This is desired by the subscribers if your Excellency sees fit to grant it.

LEVI SPAULDING, Captain,
THOS. BOFFE, Ensign of Capt. Spaulding’s Com’ny.
WILLIAM ROBY, Ensign of Capt. Walker’s Company.

Watertown, August 10, 1775.

Mention has been made in the New-London papers of the gallant and intrepid behaviour of Captain Knowlton, Captain Coit, and Lieutenants Dana and Hide, in the late engagement at Bunker’s Hill. I think it highly reasonable, that the names of all those officers, who by real and solid merit distinguished themselves in that action, should be recorded with honour, and had in everlasting remembrance by their countrymen; this is a tribute which a proper regard to merit, the dictates of justice and self-preservation, seem to require. I shall therefore proceed to mention a few persons (whose names I have obtained) that signalized themselves on this occasion, and whose conduct in the battle aforesaid has not been publickly noticed, hoping some friend to his Country will do justice to all as soon as they are known. In this list of heroes it is needless to expatiate on the character and bravery of Major-General Putnam, whose capacity to form and execute great designs is known through Europe, and whose undaunted courage and martial abilities strike terrour through all the hosts of Midianites, and have raised him to an incredible height in the esteem and friendship of his American brethren; it is sufficient to say, that he seems to be inspired by God Almighty with a military genius, and formed to work wonders in the sight of those uncircumcised Philistines at Boston and Bunker’s Hill, who attempt to ravage this Country, and defy the armies of the living God. Major John Chester, of Weathersfield, now Captain of a company in Gen. Spencer’s Regiment, and Lieutenant Samuel Webb, who marched up to the lines with their men, and re-enforced the Troops, by their undaunted behaviour, timely and vigorous assistance, it is universally agreed, are justly entitled to the grateful acknowledgments of their Country. Capt. John Kyes, of Ashford, who is First Lieutenant in Capt. Knowlton’s Company, and was on the left wing with him during the action, fought with spirit and invincible resolution; for the truth of this fact, I appeal to Capt. Knowlton himself, who was on the same wing and an eye witness to his martial spirit, animating and heroick behaviour. Lieutenant Thomas Grosvenor, of Pomfret, also merits a tribute of thanks for his valiant conduct in charging the enemy closely, and maintaining his ground like a hero, till disabled for action and forced to retire by reason of a wound received in one of his hands. Nor can I, without manifest injustice, pass over in silence the spirited and heroick actions of Lieutenant Bingham, of Norwich, and Ensign Bill, of Lebanon, who gave full proof of their courage and martial fire on that important day. These, with many other officers, perhaps, whose names are not yet publickly known, together with the soldiery under their command, beyond all question acquitted themselves with honour, and fought manfully for their Country and the Cities of God.

A FRIEND TO TRUTH.

MASSACHUSETTS ASSEMBLY.

The Committee of both Houses of Assembly, appointed to take into consideration a letter from his Excellency General Washington, with one enclosed from Gen. Greene, representing that one Captain Thomas Cowden, of Fitchburgh,

men are in high spirits, and greatly flushed with their unparalleled victory.—London Publick Advertiser, September 12, 1775.

Extract of a Letter from a Gentleman at BOSTON, dated AUGUST 10,1775.

On the 7th instant. General Gage detached five thousand chosen men before the break of day, under the command of Generals Howe and Burgoyne, to attack the Provincials in their camp. They marched with the greatest expedition and silence, and being favoured by the negligence of the enemy, were close at the intrenchments before they were perceived, which they forced after a very spirited resistance; but the panick which the suddenness and unexpectedness of their attack occasioned, threw our gallant Provincials into unavoidable confusion. The King’s forces found in the camp a vast deal of ammunition, &c. together with six thousand stand of small-arms, thirteen field-pieces, sixteen twenty-four pounders, and twenty-four twelve pounders, besides a vast quantity of provisions, and one hundred thousand pounds in specie. The loss of the King’s Troops is computed at about four hundred, killed and wounded, and the loss of the Provincials between two and three thousand taken prisoners; the number killed is not exactly known, but must be great. General Putnam and General Lee are taken prisoners, and many more Provincial officers of note.

I would give you a fuller account, but imagine you will have received despatches before this. Nothing but consternation reigns in this devoted City, which, from plenty and affluence, is reduced to a state of poverty, misery, and destruction.—London Publick Advertiser, September 12, 1775.

Extract of a Letter from a Lady in BOSTON to her friend in CHESTER, (ENGLAND,) dated AUGUST 10, 1775.

We are subject to continual alarms and cannonadings, the Provincials being very audacious, and advancing near to our lines, since the arrival of General Washington and Lee to command them. Believe me, I welcome the dawn of the day every morning, upon finding the Town is not in flames. The night of the 29th ultimo, at Charlestown Neck, where General Howe commands, an attack was made on our out-posts, and seven of our soldiers were killed and missing. Eighty Provincials attacked twelve of them. Two thousand men from New-York, and as many from Virginia, have joined the Provincial Army in New-England. The enemy’s intrenchments are extended many miles, one beyond another, two or three deep. They have plenty of fresh provisions, but want salt to season it. They were short of ammunition, but have got a supply of that and artillery, above forty pieces of cannon, and several mortars. It is said they are very sickly; the putrid fever, small-pox, and dysentery prevail amongst them. The transports which were expected are arrived, and General Grant came in the last on the 29th ult. Every body that can is quitting this place. Many families are embarking for England to settle there.

We were roused about one o’clock in the morning of the 31st ult., by the most dreadful cannonading I ever heard. It seemed to be a general attack on all sides round us. It is impossible to convey an idea how terrible it was in the dead of night, with the apprehensions that naturally seize every one, either of the enemy breaking in, or the Town being set on fire. It appears that they attempted again to cut off our out-posts, upon which General Howe attacked their intrenchments with cannon and bombs on that side; and we attacked them in several places besides at the same time, all in the dark. Our loss is small, the enemy’s much greater. They hare destroyed (a second time) the Light-house this morning, and taken above fifty men from thence. It is said they killed the commanding officer there in cold blood.—London, October 7, 1775.