eer which was to end so brilliantly, by the
daring and burglarious capture of two forts, of which he forced the
doors. Three generals from Bond Street, with a large reinforcement,
were on their way to help Mr. Gage out of his ugly position at Boston.
Presently the armies were actually engaged; and our British generals
commenced their career of conquest and pacification in the colonies by
the glorious blunder of Breed's Hill. Here they fortified themselves,
feeling themselves not strong enough for the moment to win any more
glorious victories over the rebels; and the two armies lay watching
each other whilst Congress was deliberating at Philadelphia who should
command the forces of the confederated colonies.

We all know on whom the most fortunate choice of the nation fell. Of the
Virginian regiment which marched to join the new General-in-Chief, one
was commanded by Henry Esmond Warrington, Esq., late a Captain in
his Majesty's service; and by his side rode his little wife, of whose
bravery we often subsequently heard. I was glad, for one, that she had
quitted Virginia; for, had she remained after her husband's departure,
our mother would infallibly have gone over to give her battle; and I was
thankful, at least, that that terrific incident of civil war was spared
to our family and history.

The rush of our farmers and country-folk was almost all directed towards
the new northern army; and our people were not a little flattered at
the selection of a Virginian gentleman for the principal command. With
a thrill of wrath and fury the provinces heard of the blood drawn
at Lexington; and men yelled denunciations against the cruelty and
wantonness of the bloody British invader. The invader was but doing his
duty, and was met and resisted by men in arms, who wished to prevent him
from helping himself to his own; but people do not stay to weigh their
words when they mean to be angry; the colonists had taken their side;
and, with what I own to be a natural spirit and ardour, were determined
to have a trial of strength with the braggart domineering mother
country. Breed's Hill became a mountain, as it were, which all men of
the American Continent might behold, with Liberty, Victory, Glory, on
its flaming summit. These dreaded troops could be withstood, then, by
farmers and ploughmen. These famous officers could be outgeneralled by
doctors, lawyers, and civilians! Granted that Britons could conquer
all the world;--here were their