The Siege of Boston

Letters Written Home by Robert Dinsmoor, the Rustic Bard

The three following letters, dated at Medford, Mass., were written by Robert Dinsmoor to his parents the first winter of the Revolutionary War. He says: “I was an early friend to our Revolution and Independence, a true Whig; and had the honor of being a solider in the American army under the illustrious Washington. I wish to preserve the letters for antiquity’s sake:” (Robert Dinsmoor was 18 years old at the time.)

Medford, Mass., Dec 20th, 1775

My dear father:

In the first place I am well, for which I have reason to thank God who hath hitherto preserved me. The regulars fire last Sunday night from Bunker’s hill to Leechmore’s point at our men who were entrenching there, and a few bombs came from Boston to them, but they did but little damage, only wounded two men and killed one ox. Capt. Gilmore’s* company was there, and as uncle Robin Dinsmoor was wheeling a Barrow load of Sods, a cannon ball came along and split an apple tree close by his side, but did not hurt him. Some cannon fired from Cobble hill which made the Hornet’s nest* remove from Leechmore’s point. Our company has not been upon are duty yet, but ten of them are called upon to go upon the Piquet guard tomorrow at Plow’d hill. I have told you considerable, and must conclude, for want of paper. But I must not forget Lieut, Gregg desires in a particular manner to be remembered to both you and mother and to my sweetheart, if I have any —and so do all the other officers — give my respects to my friends, especially those who thought worthwhile to come a piece with us. Let Master McKeen know I do not forget him. Remember me by all means to my ancient Grandfather and Grandmother. I must conclude with sincere love to you, my Mother, Sisters, and Brothers. Your dutiful and affectionate son,

Robert Dinsmoor.
Ens 11 William Dinsmoor.

P.S. I am in the mess with the Officers the same as I was at the Great Island.

* A British frigate. (Which is odd since there were no British frigates by this name, however the Hornet and the Wasp were ships in the American navy placed into service at about that time.)

Medford Jan. 2, 1776

I enjoy perfect health at present. Thanks be to a kind Providence. I have nothing strange to write to you, except that orders are this minute come from the General that our company shall be freed from other duty, to go chop wood for the Army about half a mile from our Barracks — when we are cold! I sent a letter to you byColonel Moore. We are stationed in a Brick house about half a mile down the river from the Town. This minute Abraham Plunkett* came in with fifteen letters, which revives my spirits. I am sorry that you had so much trouble with your letters — and Jonny says Colonel Moore carried my letters to Derry which he promised to leave at Capt. Gilmore’s. I am glad you are all well.; let mother know that I received her letter very joyfully. I have gotten but one letter from you since I came here. Last Friday night General Sullivan gave orders to his under officers to enlist a party of volunteers, such as were willing to make a push at Bunker’s hill, and burn a number of houses on Charleston neck; according to Capt Reynolds and Lieutenant Gregg and 21 members of our company went with Arms and Ammunition. The whole number that went was about three thousand, provided with matches to set the houses on fire, and spears to scale the walls. They intended to go over the ice, but the channel being open, they were frustrated in their design. We were all paraded on Winter Hill, in order to run to their assistance as soon as the first gun was fired. But the statement that any of them fell through the ice is false. I hear my sisters have made a visit to Uncle Nesmith’s folks in Kenady*. I hope I am, your affectionate son, Robert Dinsmoor to William Dinsmoor.

Colonel Moore. We are stationed in a Brick house about half a mile down the river from the Town. This minute Abraham Plunkett* came in with fifteen letters, which revives my spirits. I am sorry that you had so much trouble with your letters — and Jonny says Colonel Moore carried my letters to Derry which he promised to leave at Capt. Gilmore’s. I am glad you are all well.; let mother know that I received her letter very joyfully. I have gotten but one letter from you since I came here. Last Friday night General Sullivan gave orders to his under officers to enlist a party of volunteers, such as were willing to make a push at Bunker’s hill, and burn a number of houses on Charleston neck; according to Capt Reynolds and Lieutenant Gregg and 21 members of our company went with Arms and Ammunition. The whole number that went was about three thousand, provided with matches to set the houses on fire, and spears to scale the walls. They intended to go over the ice, but the channel being open, they were frustrated in their design. We were all paraded on Winter Hill, in order to run to their assistance as soon as the first gun was fired. But the statement that any of them fell through the ice is false. I hear my sisters have made a visit to Uncle Nesmith’s folks in Kenady*. I hope I am, your affectionate son, Robert Dinsmoor to William Dinsmoor.

Medford January 19th 1776

My Dear Father,

As Colonel Gregg is going past your house, I cannot think of letting this opportunity pass without writing. No doubt you have heard of our Army being defeated at Canada, and all that went from here are either taken or killed — the thoughts of which seems to dampen the spirits of the most stout hearted among us. John Hunter came from Derry yesterday and said he overtook you on Spicket bridge on Saturday about eleven o’clock at night. I remain your loving son, Robert (“General Sullivan had made a special request that the militia men, as they were called, from New Hampshire should continue in the service one fortnight after heir first term was out — and the most of Capt. Reynold’s Company agreed to tarry, and among whom was Robert Dinsmoor, Jan, 19, 1776, in regard to this, in a letter to his mother, he says: ‘Had I attempted to return, In dishonor and disgrace…’ ”