[March 1776, cont.] things being in Readiness, we
ere
-cted a Small Breast Work on the afore
-said Point, without being discoverd
by the Enemy till Day Light next
Morning, when they began a most
Severe canonading from their
Works upon the Neck; but being un
-able to affect any thing to our Damage
they made a Most precipitate retreat
leaving the chief of the Effects of the
Inhabitants unhurt tho they Dam-
=maged many Houses and much furn
-iture; They left behind them three
excellent Mortars many Bombs,
and about 200 Cannon the most
of which were heavy Pieces all
Spiked up and about 100 of them
having their Trunions broke of
thus was the British Army routed
from a Fortress which they were
Sufferred peaceably to build, and
of the Strength of which they used
to make Such boastings; and also
from the Bunker Hill, which cost
them at least the Lives of 1800
Men, besides the vast Labour & Expense they
had bestowed to erect & defend it.