[Pamphlets. American history]

ably intended as the promised relief for l'rescott, and the garrison
of his fort, then supposed to be on Bunker's Hill.
It may well be doubted whether Gen. Ward realized the extent
of Prescott's variation from his orders, until Maj. Brooks reached
him, at or near Io o'clock, on the 17th; until which time, at least,
he considered it more probable that the attack would be made
upon his own unfortified position, at Cambridge. Then he saw
the gravity of the situation, and hurried forward Stark with the
remainder of his regiment; (i.) and, as the intentions of the enemy
developed, he ordered on all of his disposable force, assembling
them by beat of drums and ringing of bells, as if it were a case
of unforeseen attack.
These troops, unbrigaded, but half equipped and not half
supplied with ammunition, were with much delay pushed forward
in the direction of Charlestown. Stark, with his command, and
Reed's (N. H.), which was stationed at the Neck, arrived in good
order and did good service; but, what with the haste and confusion of the march, the effect of mid-day heat on raw troops so
circumstanced, and the raking fire at the Neck from the floating
batteries, it is clear that but a small portion of the intended
reinforcement actually reached the front, and the few who, after
the arrival of the New Hampshire troops, actually came to the
lines, did so in straggling parties and fell into the ranks with those
who were already in position behind the defences. (2.) With
them came Warren, Pomeroy and Frye, to serve as volunteers,
neither of them claiming authority. The enemy were advancing on
1. Colonel Stark to Matthew Thornton, June 19, 1775: "Upon which
[morning attack by shipping] I was required by the General to send a party,
consisting of 200 men with officers, to their assistance; which order I readily
obeyed, and appointed and sent [Lieut.] Colonel Wyman commander of the
same. And about 2 o'clock in the afternoon, express orders came for the whole
of my regiment to proceed to Charlestown, to oppose the enemy who were
landing on Charlestown Point. Accordingly we proceeded, and the battle soon
came on." —Provincial Papers, N. H., Vol. VII. p. 522.
2. Captain Chester's letter, 1775. " When we arrived there was not a
company with us in any kind of order, although when we first set out, perhaps
three regiments were by our side."
Peter Brown's letter, 1775, estimates reinforcements at 500 in all. William
Tudor states entire Provincial force at 800. Iivington's Gazette says 750 to 850.