But their disgrace in the loss of the standard of the regiment and of helmets, arms and accoutrements, was great. A part of the officers and regimental baggage fell into our hands. I have hitherto omitted mentioning the militia to the amount of one hundred and twenty, who, together with the Continental foot, broke and dispersed at the appearance of the king's troops. The militia^ assembled again on eminences and in swamps, and before we quitted the ground on which the first charge was made, they fired at great distances. We were successful in killing, wounding and taking fifteen of them, the rest hovered almost out of our sight. The inveteracy of the inhabitants of Poundridge and near Bedford, in firing from houses and out houses, obliged (us) to burn some of their meeting and some of their dwelling houses, with stores. I proposed to the militia, terms, that if ihey would not fire shots from buildings, I would not burn. They interpreted my mild proposal wrong, imputing it to fear. They persisted in firing till the torch stopped their progress, after which not a shot was fired."

With pleasure I relate to your excellency, that the loss sustained by his

» Major Leavenworth commanded the militia.

14 HISTORY OF THE

majesties troops is trifling, one hussar of the legion killed, one wounded, one

horse of the 17ih dragoons killed. The whole of the detachment, except the

above, being returned to camp. The infantry of the legion mounted on horses,