| Citation |
NHG-P.776.033
29 Oct 1776:41,42,43 (23)
In a London paper is the following account of the evacuation
of Boston, being the contents of a letter from an officer of
distinction in the British army to a person in London, dated
March 3, 1776.
'For the last six weeks, or near two months we have been
better amused than could possibly be expected in our
situation. We had a theatre, we had balls, and there is
actually a subscription on foot for a masquerade. England
seems to have forgot us, and we endeavoured to forget
ourselves. But we were roused to a sense of our situation
last night, in a manner unpleasant enough. The rebels have
been for some time past erecting a bomb battery, and last
night began to play upon us. Two shells fell not far from
me. One fell upon Col. Monckton's house, broke all th
windows, but luckily did not burst till it had crossed the
street. . . [39 lines] From these hills they command the
whole town, so that we must drive them from their post, or
desert the place. The former is determined upon, & five
regiments are already embarked. A body of light infantry,
under the command of major Musgrave, an excellent officer,
and body of grenadiers, are to embark to night at seven. I
think it is likely to be so far a general affair, that we
shall take our share in it: Adieu balls, masquerades, &c.
for this may be looked upon as the opening of the campaign.
. . [86 lines]
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