My Lord  The 17th. Inst. part of the Troops at Boston to the Number of about two thousand being Order'd to attack a Redoubt and the very Strong holds which the Rebels had in this place, the First Battalion of Marines being Included, Major [John] Pitcairn took the Command and Order'd me from the 2d. Battalion to Serve under him on this Occasion. I have now the honor to inform your Lordship that the Officers and Men of the Marine Corps shewed on this Occasion the greatest Intrepidity and Valour, for notwithstanding the incessant fire from the Rebels, they Surmounted every difficulty that is usual in this inclos'd Country, and were some of the first that got into the Redoubt tho they were oppos'd by a great body of Men and a heavy fire from the place, the taking of which decided the Affair in our favor, as they were Oblig'd to retreat, but My Lord the honor the Corps acquired in that Day was very much damp'd by the loss of Many brave Officers who then fell ー in particular that of Major Pitcairn, who was wounded a few Minutes before the Attack was made on the Redoubt and he died about two or three hours after, his loss is greatly regreted by the whole Corps who held him in very great Estimation. Inclos'd is a Return of the Kill'd and Wounded of our Battalion.

I take the Liberty to recommend to your Lordship favor Lieut. Jesse Adair who went with us as a Volunteer; as belong'd to the 2d Battalion, he was as I am inform'd the first who got upon the Redoubt and Shew'd the Example to others to follow him. he is the Eldest Lieutenant here. Lieut & Adjutant Waller distinguished himself also in a particular Manner; I must also recommend to your Lordship favor Mr. Thomas Simms and Mr. Samuel Davys Bowman both Volunteers the latter was Wounded.

Major Short is at present Confin'd with a flux, the Command of both Battalions is now under my Orders untill his Recovery. I have not included the private Men kill'd in the Grenadiers & Light Infantry Companys not having been able to obtain a Return as yet, they doing duty with those of the Regiments.

I have the honor to be My Lord [&c.]

Charles Town Hill Camp near [Boston] 21st June 1775