| Citation |
VGW(PU.776.006
23 Feb 1776:23 (56)
Extract of a letter from Cambridge, Jan. 28. [10 lines
unrelated news.] It would now be no news to acquaint you
with the burning of the houses at Charlestown, or rather at
the foot of Bunker's hill; but the circumstances being odd,
and humorous, shall give them to you. When about 200 of our
people (col Mifflin in the number) were performing the
business, the regulars were acting a play called the Busy
Body. that being finished, the scenes were hoisted to
perform a farce (wrote by the officers) called the Blockade
of Boston. General Washington, with a large wig, and a long
rusty sword, had just appeared on the stage, together with
his orderly serjeant, who had a rusty gun of seven feet long
on his shoulder. At that instant, one of the regular
serjeants cane running (almost out of breath) on the stage,
on which he threw his bayonet, and hollowed out, Boston is
on fire, and attacked in fifty places. Those who were
unacquainted with the farce thought this part of it; but
general Howe cried out, Officers to your alarm posts, which
change the act to shrieking, crying, fainting, &c. [7 lines
conclusion.]
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