nt was quartered in Medford, distant about four
miles from the point of anticipated attack. It then consisted of
thirteen companies, and was probably the largest regiment in the army.
About ten o'clock in the morning, he received orders to march. The
regiment being destitute of ammunition, it was formed in front of a
house occupied as an arsenal, where each man received a gill-cup full of
powder, fifteen balls, and one flint.

"The several captains were then ordered to march their companies to
their respective quarters, and make up their powder and ball into
cartridges, with the greatest possible despatch. As there were scarcely
two muskets in a company of equal calibre, it was necessary to reduce
the size of the balls for many of them; and as but a small proportion of
the men had cartridge-boxes, the remainder made use of powder-horns and
ball-pouches.

"After completing the necessary preparations for action, the regiment
formed, and marched about one o'clock. When it reached Charlestown Neck,
we found two regiments halted, in consequence of a heavy enfilading fire
thrown across it, of round, bar, and chain shot, from the Lively
frigate, and floating batteries anchored in Charles river, and a
floating battery laying in the river Mystic. Major M'Clary went forward,
and observed to the commanders, if they did not intend to move on, he
wished them to open and let our regiment pass: the latter was
immediately done.

"Soon after, the enemy were discovered to have landed on the shore of
Morton's Point, in front of Breed's Hill, under cover of a tremendous
fire of shot and shells from a battery on Copp's Hill, in Boston, which
had opened on the redoubt at day-break.

"Major-general Howe and Brigadier-general Pigot, were the commanders of
the British forces which first landed, consisting of four battalions of
infantry, ten companies of grenadiers, and ten of light infantry, with a
train of field-artillery. They formed as they disembarked, but remained
in that position until they were reinforced by another detachment.

"At this moment, the veteran and gallant Colonel Stark harangued his
regiment, in a short, but animated address; then directed them to give
three cheers, and make a rapid movement to the rail-fence which ran to
from the left, and about forty yards in the rear of the redoubt, towards
Mystic river. Part of the grass, having been recently cut, lay in
winnows and cocks on the field. Another fence was taken up--t