t the British utterly failed to appreciate the
fact that, with the control of the Mystic and Charles Rivers, they
could, within twenty-four hours, so isolate Charlestown as to secure the
same results as by storming the American position, and without
appreciable loss. This was the advice of General Clinton, but he was
overruled. They did, ultimately, thereby check reinforcements, but
suffered so severely in the battle itself that fully two thirds of the
Americans retired safely to the main land.

The delay of the British to advance as soon as the landing was effected
was bad tactics. One half of the force could have followed the Mystic
and turned the American left wing, long before Colonel Stark's command
came upon the field. The British dined as leisurely as if they had only
to move any time and seize the threatening position, and thereby lost
their chief opportunity.

One single sign of the recognition of any possible risk-to themselves
was the opening of fire from Boston Neck and such other positions as
faced the American lines, as if to warn them not to attempt the city, or
endanger their own lives by sending reinforcements to Charlestown.

THE MOVEMENT.

It is not the purpose of this article to elaborate the details of
preparation, which have been so fully discussed by many writers, but to
illustrate the value of the action in the light of the relations and
conduct of the opposing forces.

Colonel William Prescott, of Pepperell, Massachusetts, Colonel James
Frye, of Andover, and Colonel Ebenezer Bridge, of Billerica, whose
regiments formed most of the original detail, were members of the
council of war which had been organized on the twentieth of April, when
General Ward assumed command of the army. Colonel Thomas Knowlton, of
Putnam's regiment, was to lead a detachment from the Connecticut troops.
Colonel Richard Gridley, chief engineer, with a company of artillery,
was also assigned to the moving columns.

To ensure a force of one thousand men, the field order covered nearly
fourteen hundred, and Mr. Frothingham shows clearly that the actual
force as organized, with artificers and drivers of carts, was not less
than twelve hundred men.

Cambridge Common was the place of rendezvous, where, at early twilight
of June 16, the Reverend Samuel Langdon, president of Harvard College,
invoked the blessing of Almighty God upon the solemn undertaking.

This silent body of earnest men crossed Charlestown Neck, and