| Title: | Extract of a letter from Boston to Waterford, June 25, 1775 |
|---|---|
| ID | 3875 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | 1771-80/27 |
| Year | 1775 |
| Sender | unknown |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | army officer |
| Sender Religion | unknown |
| Origin | Boston, Mass., USA |
| Destination | Waterford, Ireland |
| Recipient | unknown |
| Recipient Gender | unknown |
| Relationship | re military manoeuvres |
| Source | The Belfast News-Letter, Tuesday 8 to Friday 11 August, 1775 |
| Archive | The Central Library, Belfast |
| Doc. No. | 1200304 |
| Date | 08/08/1775 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | Document added by LT, 19:12:00. |
| Word Count | 466 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | WATERFORD, AUGUST 5. Extract of an authentic letter from an officer of General Gage's army, dated Boston, June 25, and received here on Wednesday last. " I have just got this opportunity (by a man of war that is going express to England from General Gage) to acquaint you that a few days ago we had an action with the Americans, when many were killed on both sides; however, we gained a compleat [complete?] victory, burnt to the ground a large town that is just over the water facing this, drove about 3000 of the rebels a few miles into the country, and took some of their men prisoners, among the rest, a Colonel, a Captain, and a Lieutenant and they inform us that there are some hundreds friends to government, among them, who would immediately quit the cause, and join us, if they could do it with any safety, but they are afraid of the rebels firing on them: I hope in a little time they may have the opportunity they want. " On the above expedition we sent the grenadiers and light infantry of all the regiments, and one brigade, which is three regiments more, besides some artillery; in the whole about 1800 men. The most we had killed and wounded were officers, they being too resolute, and exposing themselves before the men: your old acquaintance, Jack Thompson, was wounded in three places, through the body, arm and leg, notwithstanding which, he is in a fair way of recovery and in great spirits. He will be made a Captain in a few days, as the Major of his regiment was killed, and three of the captains. Two or three officers in the 10th, I am afraid will die; of which regiment there were only two companies in the battle. I was not there, but could see all the action. We put about two hundred of them to death as soon as we got possession of the fort. Until we kill 3 or 4000, probably we shall not be able to bring them to obedience. At present we remain very quiet, and I believe that shall be so, till the man of war returns from England, with further orders from the Ministry. There is as fine an army here as ever was in the world: We muster about 22 regiments of infantry and one of light horse, besides artillery. No fresh provisions can be had; even Lord Percy, and every other person of distinction, are obliged to live on salt pork. " This is all the news I have at present to tell you - only, that our regiment [the 10th] is encamped about 100 yards from town, and our duty so hard that we are not allowed to take off our clothes in the night: yet we are in hopes that this unhappy dispute will soon be terminated, and heaven-descended peace wave her olive branch over this distracted land." |
