Philadelphia, 23 June.
I have this morning been out of town to accompany our generals,
Washington, Lee, and Schuyler, a little way on their journey to the
American camp before Boston. The three generals were all mounted on
horse-back, accompanied by Major Mifflin, who is gone in the character
of aid-de-camp. All the delegates from the Massachusetts, with their
servants and carriages, attended; many others of the delegates from the
Congress; a large troop of light horse in their uniforms; many officers
of militia besides, in theirs; music playing, etc., etc. Such is the
pride and pomp of war. I, poor creature, worn out with scribbling for my
bread and my liberty, low in spirits and weak in health, must leave
others to wear the laurels which I have sown; others to eat the bread
which I have earned; a common case.
We had, yesterday, by the way of New York and New London, a report which
distresses us almost as much as that we had last fall of the cannonade
of Boston. A battle at Bunker's Hill and Dorchester Point. Three
colonels wounded, Gardner mortally. We wait to hear more particulars.
Our hopes and fears are alternately very strong. If there is any truth
in this account, you must be in great confusion. God Almighty's
providence preserve, sustain, and comfort you.