 | Letters of Mrs. Adams, |  |
I had scarcely finished these lines when my ears
were again assaulted by the roar of cannon. I could
not write any further. My hand and heart will
tremble at this "domestic fury and fierce civil strife,"
which "cumber all" our "parts"; though "blood
and destruction" are "so much in use," "and dreadful
objects so familiar," yet is not "pity choked,"
nor my heart grown callous. I feel for the unhappy
wretches, who know not where to fly for safety. I
feel still more for my bleeding countrymen, who are
hazarding their lives and their limbs. A most terrible
and incessant cannonade from half after eiglht
till six this morning. I hear we lost four men killed,
and some wounded, in attempting to take the hill
nearest the town, called Nook's Hill. We did some
work, but the fire from the ships beat off our men,
so that they did not secure it, but retired to the fort
upon the other hill.
I have not got all the particulars; I wish I had;
but, as I have an opportunity of sending this, I shall
endeavour to be more particular in my next.
If there are reinforcements here, I believe we shall
be driven from the seacoast; but, in whatever state
I am, I will endeavour to be therewith content.
Nor wants that little long."
You will excuse this very incorrect letter. You
see in what perturbation it has been written, and,
how many times I have left off.
| Letters of Mrs. Adams, | |