[Extract]

Dear Sir  You will doubtless before the Rect of this have heard of the bloody Engagement at Charlestown. For a particular Acct of it I must refer You to a Letter I last Week wrote our Friend [Stephen] Collins. The ministerial Troops gain'd the Hill but were victorious Losers. A few more such Victories & they are undone. I cannot think our Retreat an unfortunate one. Such is the Situation of that Hill that we could not have kept it, expos'd to the mighty fire which our Men must have recd from the Ships & Batteries that Command the whole Eminence. 800 Provincials bore the Assault of 2000 Regulars & twice repuls'd them, but the Heroes were not supported, & could only retire. Our Men were not us'd to Cannon Balls, & they came so thick from the Ships, floating Batteries &c &c that they were discouraged advancing. They have since been more us'd to them & dare encounter them.

The American Army are in great Spirits, & eager to recover their late Defeat. I wish we had more Discipline But Genl Washington we hear is coming, & we expect much from his Conduct & Experience. The Colony Forces have thrown up very extensive Lines to secure Cambridge & there are four different Entrenchments in Roxbury. The Regular Troops cannot again fight under the like Advantages they did at Charlestown. They have dearly paid for one Mile's Advancement, & before they get another I much doubt if they will have Solds enough left to maintain it . . .

The loss of Dr [Joseph] Warren is irreparable, his Death is generally and greatly lamented. But

Dulce et Decorum est pro Patria mori