92 LETTERS OF JOHN ANDREWS.
Aboul noon they werejoin'd by the other brigade under Earl Piercy, when another very warm engagemenl came on :it Lexinton, which the troops could nol stand ; therefore were oblig'd to continue their retreat, which they did with the bravery becoming british soldiers — bul the country were in a manner desperate, not regarding their cannon [any more] in the least, and follow'd 'em till Beven in the evening, by which time they got into Charlestown, when they left off the pursuit, leasl they mighl injure the inhabitants. I stood upon the hills in town and saw the engagemenl very plain. It was very bloody for seven hours. li- conjectur'd that one half the soldiers at leasl are kill'd. The last brigade was sent over the ferry in the evening to secure their retreat — where they are this morning entrenching themselves upon Bunker's hill [to] get a safe retreat to this town. Its impossible to learn any particulars, as the communication between town and country is at present broke off. They were till ten o'clock last night bringing over their wounded, several of which are since [dead], two officers in par- ticular. "When I reflect and consider that the fight was between those, whose parents but a few generations ago were brothers, I shudder at the thought, and there's no knowing where our calamities will end.
April 'l[ili. Yesterday, though Sunday, we had town meetings all day. and finally concluded to deliver up all our Arms to the Selectmen, on condition that the Governor would open the avenues to the town, which is to be comply'd with tomorrow, when if I can escape with the skin of my teeth, shall be glad, as I don't expect to be able to take more than a change of apparel! with me, as Sam. and his wife with myself and Etuthy intend for Nova Scotia.
And as I see no prospect of ever getting the money of Captain Hamilton or of Mr. Prideaux, have thought best, as this is the last sate conveyance, and as I don't know who intends staying here that I could leave 'em with, to enclose them to you by Mr. Breck, who sets out for your place with his family as soon as he is at liberty to leave this distress'd town. I don't doubt, Bill., but you will sympathize with us, as I can safely say, I never knew that my nature was capable of enduring such poignant distress as at present, more on your sister's account than my own, as if we are not gone soon I fear she will go distracted, lie it as it will, Bill., I expect to become a beggar ere long, as our own countrymen have not compassion, but persist in threatening the town with storming it, which pray God avert before I depart.
May 5th. You'll observe by this that I'm yet in Boston, and here
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