| Citation |
NHG-P.775.043
18 Jul 1775:12 (978)
Cambridge, July 13. Last Sabbath a trumpeter came from the
enemy's army with a letter from General Burgoyne to General
Lee, and was conducted blindfolded, by our guards to
headquarters in this town. After delivering the letter he
was permitted to return.---The contents of this letter has
occasioned much speculation, and variously reported; but we
hear the substance of it is nothing more than this:---That
General Burgoyne laments his being obliged to act in
opposition to a gentleman, for whom he formerly entertained
a great veneration; but that his conduct proceeds from
principle, and doubts to General Lee is actuated by the same
motive; that he wishes affairs might be accommodated, and
desires to have a conference with General Lee.----We are
informed General Lee has returned an answer, in which he
declines complying with General Burgoyne's desire of holding
the proposed conference.
. . . [9 more lines of news]
Last Saturday morning, before day-light, a party of our
men marched towards the enemy's advanced guard on Boston
Neck, drove them within their line, burnt their guard house
(formerly the dwelling-house of Mr. Brown) with several
contiguous buildings, took two guns, a halberd, and a drum.
Not one of our men was either killed or wounded,
notwithstanding a heavy fire from the enemy's lines, which
were within a quarter of a mile of the buildings we set on
fire. It is thought several of the enemy were killed or
wounded.
. . . [4 more lines of news]
We have undoubted intelligence that General Gage's troops
are much dispirited; that they are very sickly, and are
heartily disposed to leave off dancing any more to the tune
of Yankey Doodle.
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