THE writer of the following has no ambition or pretensions to be an author, but from his attention to military subjects, consented to describe a battle, one of the most glorious and important ever fought in America, and to render his feeble contribution to the monument of fame which history yet owes our ancestors. The materials lay scattered among newspapers, magazines, records and files of Congress, the scattered surviving veterans of the day, and others. He was compelled by circumstances to commence his researches in July, and finish his sketch in August; but he reminded himself that our fathers fought for us in the same oppressive season, and spared no effort to render the work complete. Not a single fact is stated of which he has not the most satisfactory evidence. That the public however may judge for themselves, he has deposited his documents and proofs for their use at the Boston Atheneum.

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PRELIMINARY CHAPTER.

WARD, Pomeroy, Thomas, Heath and Whitcomb were appointed by the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts general officers over the militia. These troops having defeated the British at Lexington, and driven them into Boston, could no longer be retained in quarters.

But five days after the battle, General Ward writes Congress that unless enlisting orders be immediately furnished him, he shall be left entirely alone. The day before, however, that body resolved, that an army of thirty thousand was necessary, that Mas

sachusetts would raise thirteen thousand six hundred, and that the other New England States should have notice given them, and be requested to furnish their respective proportions But the battle of Lexington was a beacon fire to the neighbouring states. The hardy yeomen, whom rage supplied with arms, did not wait to be summoned by the

tardy process of legislation; they seized their hunting pieces, and flew to join their brethren at the scene of danger.

The Committee of Safety, elected anew by Congress at every session, were the real executive of Massachusetts. The members were now John Hancock and Benjamin Greenleaf, who never took their seats, John Pigeon and Enoch Freeman, seldom present, and Joseph Warren, chairman, Benjamin Church, Benjamin White, Joseph Palmer, Abraham Watson, Samuel Holten, Azor Orne, Nathan Cushing and Richard Devens. They were empowered generally to watch over the safety of the commonwealth, and advise Congress of such measures as they thought beneficial, and expressly commissioned:

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"To assemble such and so many of the "Militia and them to dispose and place where "and detain so long as said Committee shall "judge necessary, and discharge said Militia "when the safety of the Colony will admit. "And the officers of the said Militia are en'joyned to obey the orders and directions of " said Committee of Safety. And also to direct "the army of this Colony to be stationed where " said Committee of Safety shall judge most "conducive to the defence and service of this "Colony, and the general and other officers of "the army are requested to render strict obe

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"dience to such orders of said Committee; but "Congress have power to control any order of "the Committee of Safety. Also to nominate persons to Congress to be commissioned off"cers in the army and to give enlisting orders "to such persons as they think proper. And "if any officers be ready to be commissioned "agreeable to the resolve of this Congress "during the recess of the same the Committee "shall fill up and deliver to them commis-ions "to be furnished said Committee in blank for "that purpose."

This committee distributed beating or enlisting orders throughout the state to those whom they thought qualified to raise recruits. The number of a company was reduced from one hundred to fifty-nine; and he who could enlist this number was entitled to a captain's commission, and one who procured ten captains with companies to serve under him commanded the regiment. The Congress of Massachusetts issued an eloquent address to the people, which would do honor to any legislature on earth. The recruits came in with spirit, and by the middle of June the New England army of citizen soldiers enlisted for a few months amounted to about fifteen thousand troops.

About ten thousand of these were of Massachusetts; animated with the same love of