Year: 1861

gard to the second and most important, as wei as alarming object we have only l84 barrels oi power in all, (inclUding the late supply from Philadcphia,) which is not sufficient to give 25 musket cartridges to each man, ana scarcely to serve the artillery in any brisk action one single day. Under these circumstances, dare say you will agree with me that 1t would not be very eligible to take Q post 90 miles distant, (by land. )trom this place, when we have already line of communication round Boston ot at least 10 miles in extent to defend, any part Ol which may be attacked without our having Iii the enemy will keep their own counsel,) an hours previous notice of 1t, and that 1t would not be prudent in me to attempt measure which would necessarily bring on consumption of all the ammunition we have, thereby leaving the army at the mercy of the enemy, or to dis perse and the country to be ravaged and laid waste at discretion. To you, sir, may account for my conduct; but l cannot declare the mo tiveS of 1t to every one, notwithstanding know, by not doing 1t, that 1 shall stand in very un- favorable light in the opinion of those who eX- pect much, and will find little done, without understanding, or perhaps giving themselves the trouble of inquiring into the cause. Such, however. is the fate of all those who are obliged to act the part do. I must, therefore, submit IL, duty to the best of my abilities.

 On Saturday night last, we took possession of a hill in advance of our own lines, and within point blank shot of the enemy on Charlestown Neck We worked necessarily the whole night with l.200 men, and before morning got an en- trenchment in such forwardness as to bid deli ance to their cannon. About 9 o'clock on Sunday they began heavy cannonade. which continued through the day without any injury to our work, and with the loss of four men only, two of which were killed through their own folly. The insult of the cannonade, however, we were obliged to submit to with impunlty, not daring to make use of artillery, on account of the consumption of powder, except with one nine -pounder, placed on point with which we slenced, and indeed, sunk, one of their float ing batteries. This move Of ours was made to prevent the enemy from gaining thls hill, and we thought was giving them iair challenge to dispute il. as we had been told by various peo pie. who had left Boston, that they were prepa- ring to come out;) but instead of accepting it, we learn that it has thrown them into great consternation. which might be improved had we the means of doing it. Yesterday afternoon they began bonn bardment without any effect as yet

 There have been so many great and capital errors and abuses to rectlty-so many exam ples to make and so little inclination i'll the officers of inferior rank to contribute their aid to accomplish this work, that my life has been else (since I came here but one continual round of vexation and fatigue. In short, no pecuniary recompense could induce me to un- dergo what have; especially, as l expect. by showing so little countenance to Irregularities and public abuses as to render myself very ob noxious to a great part of these people. But as I have already greatly exceeded the bounds of letter. l will not trouble you with matters relative to my own feelings.

 As l expect this letter will meet you in Phil adelphia, must request the favor of you to present my affectionate and respectful compli- ments to Dr. Shippen, his lady and family, my brothers of the delegation, and any other enqui- ring friends-and at the same time, do me the justice to believe that am, with sincere re- gard,

 Your affect ate friend and ob't ser'vt,

 (Signed,) GEO. WAsHlSGToN.

 RICHARD HENRY LEE, Esq.