he rails
run through the one in front, and the hay, mown in the vicinity,
suspended upon them, from the bottom to the top, which had the
appearance of a breast-work, but was, in fact, no real cover to the men;
it, however, served as a deception on the enemy. This wag done by the
direction of the 'Committee of Safety,' as I afterwards heard. That
committee exerted itself nobly.

"At the moment our regiment was formed in the rear of the rail-fence,
with one other small regiment from New Hampshire, under the command of
Colonel Reid, the fire commenced between the left wing of the British
army, commanded by General Howe, and the troops in the redoubt, under
Colonel Prescott; while a column of the enemy was advancing on our left,
on the shore of Mystic river, with an evident intention of turning our
left wing, and that veteran and most excellent regiment of Welsh
fusileers, so distinguished for its gallant conduct in the battle of
Minden, advanced in column directly on the rail-fence; when within
eighty or an hundred yards, displayed into line, with the precision and
firmness of troops on parade, and opened a brisk, but regular fire by
platoons, which was returned by a well-directed, rapid, and fatal
discharge from our whole line.

"The action soon became general, and very heavy from right to left In
the course of ten or fifteen minutes, the enemy gave way at all points,
and retreated in great disorder; leaving a large number of dead and
wounded on the field.

"The firing ceased for a short time, until the enemy again formed,
advanced, and recommenced a spirited fire from his whole line. Several
attempts were again made to turn our left; but the troops, having thrown
up a slight stone-wall on the bank of the river, and laying down behind
it, gave such a deadly fire, as cut down almost every man of the party
opposed to them; while the fire from the redoubt and rail-fence was so
well directed and so fatal, especially to the British officers, that
the whole army was compelled a second time to retreat with
precipitation and great confusion. At this time, the ground occupied by
the enemy was covered with his dead and wounded. Only a few small
detached parties again advanced, which kept up a distant, ineffectual,
scattering fire, until a strong reinforcement arrived from Boston, which
advanced on the southern declivity of the hill, In the rear of
Charlestown. When this column arrived opposite that angle of the redoubt
which fa