Documenting the American South Logo
Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from Joseph Trumbull to William Hooper
Trumbull, Joseph, 1737-1778
March 06, 1776
Volume 10, Pages 484-485

[From MS. Records in Office of Secretary of State.]
Letter from Joseph Trumbull to Wm. Hooper.


Cambridge, 6th March, 1776.

Dear Sir:

I mentioned to Genl Washington the Letter mentioned in the Memo you left with me. He bids me say He sent it into Boston the next day after it came to his Hand, & has never heard anything from it since. You know an Attack was meditated by us on Boston when you was here. Last Saturday Night our People began a Cannonade & Bombardment on the Town, from Cobble Hill, Letchmere Point, & Lamb's Dam. Sunday Night it was Continued by us, & warmly resented by the Enemy. They sent us shot & shells 5 for one. The first Night we burst 1 13-Inch & 2 10-Inch Iron Mortars, & Sunday night, with the third Charge, the Brass 13-Inch likewise burst. We have been extreamly unlucky in this way. Monday Night our People went upon Dorchester Neck, on the 2 large Heights back of Nook Point. They had a strong Party, & more than 300 teams to carry on all necessaries for their Works. They marched on by seven o'clock in the Evening, & when the March began, a signal was made, & the Cannonade & Bombardment was renewed with redoubled Vigor. This proved a Diversion to the Enemy from Dorchester Hills, & we imagine they never discovered our Party there till 8 oClock in the Morning, by which Time they were well covered. We expected an attack yesterday at 12 oClock, & were prepared for it. Our Floating Battery's Boats &c., all ready to carry 4,000 men into Town, if they had made a vigorous Sally agst our Dorchester Party, but we were disappointed. Last Night we had a most violent Gale of Wind at South, by which the Enemy's Ships have suffered much, the particulars not known, & this day the weather is such it has not been in their Power to attack us. By to-morrow we shall be well prepared for them at Dorchester that they may come if they please; if they don't we shall soon move forward upon Nook Point,

-------------------- page 485 --------------------
& then if we can get Powder we shall endeavour to warm their Den. We have not had a Deserter, or Prisoner, nor an Inhabitant escaped from Town to give us any Information from thence. I dare say we have done great mischief among them. I was in Letchmere Point Saturday Night. The 13-Inch Mortar was directed at the Province House, & the Shells went very near it, I believe. We have had 2 men killed, one in Letchmere Point by the bursting of a shell, the other at Roxbury by a Cannon Shot; no more killed. Colo Mason of the Train slightly wounded by the bursting of a Mortar, & a few others, none badly.

The Militia & owners of Teams in this neighbourhood have behaved admirably on this occasion; a fine spirit prevails in General. I wish I could say the like spirit & ability was universal.

I am extreamly sorry to hear of the danger of Mr Lynch. I revere his Character & most sincerely wish his Recovery. Colo Dyer writes me that he saw you, & that you was gone on Rejoicing. I hope in this you are safe in Philadelphia, which I shall be glad to be assurtained of from yourself.

I am, with Respect & Esteem
Dear Sir Your most Humble Servt
JOS: TRUMBULL.

Colo Mifflin is pretty well recovered, & sends Compliments, in which Mrs M. likewise joins him.

Wm Hooper Esqr.