This was the commencement of open hostilities; the whole country round Boston was in the utmost agitation, and multitudes of countrymen equipped for battle repaired to Cambridge and Roxburg, and there threw up entrenchments. All intercourse between the garrison of Boston and the adjacent country was cut off, and the town was completely blocked up on the land side.
Soon after this event the party of the KING'S OWN stationed at Marshfield was withdrawn, and rejoined the regiment at Boston.
The rapid and judicious movements of the Americans appeared to be the result of a preconcerted plan, and having a very great superiority of numbers, they meditated driving the King's troops out of Boston. During the night of the 16th of June an immense body of provincials proceeded to the heights on the peninsula of Charlestown called _Bunker's Hill_, and commenced throwing up entrenchments with great diligence. General Gage resolved to dislodge the enemy from this post immediately, and a body of troops, of which the grenadier and light companies of the KING'S OWN formed part, was embarked in boats for this purpose about mid-day on the 17th of June.
About three o'clock in the afternoon the attack commenced, and in this contest British valour and discipline were eminently displayed. The Americans were in great force, strongly posted, and entrenched up to the teeth. The King's troops had to advance in a hot summer's day, in the face of a sharp and well-directed fire, and to ascend a steep hill covered with grass reaching to their knees, and intersected with walls and fences of various enclosures: twice they were stopped, and twice they returned to the charge, and by their undaunted resolution and steady perseverance they eventually triumphed over thrice their own numbers, and carried the heights at the point of the bayonet. This proved one of the most sanguinary battles on record, and the superiority of the British troops was pre-eminently displayed. The two flank companies of the KING'S OWN had one serjeant and thirteen rank and file killed; Captains Balfour and West, Lieutenants Baron and Brown, one serjeant, one drummer, and twenty-nine rank and file wounded.
Although the valour and discipline of the small British force in North America were so conspicuous as to excite the admiration and applause of their country, yet the circumstances in which the army at Boston was eventually placed rendered it impossible for these excellent qualities to be exercised with the prospect of ultimate success. The immense superiority of numbers of the enemy, the great strength of the works thrown up on Phipp's farm, Dorchester heights, and other places, with the want of provisions, induced the commander of the troops, Lieut.-General Sir William Howe, to vacate the town, and proceed with the army to Halifax, in Nova Scotia. This resolution was carried into effect in the middle of March, 1776; and on their arrival at Halifax several regiments were landed.