[75] Continuation of Stearne.
[76] The origin of grenadier companies is mentioned in [Chapter I]. Light infantry companies were officially recognised soon after the end of the Seven Years’ War (1763); they were composed of small, active men, trained to act as skirmishers and in the outpost line. It was the custom to collect the flank companies of different regiments and turn them into provisional battalions: for instance, in the attack on the Terra Nova at Namur the grenadier companies of thirteen battalions were detached from their own corps and brigaded together; and, nearly a hundred years later, both the grenadier and the light infantry companies of the garrison of Boston were used in the same way at Lexington and Bunker’s Hill. After the Crimean War flank companies were abolished.
[77] See [Appendix 2 (C)].
[78] The engagement ought strictly to be called that of Breed’s Hill, but it has always been known as Bunker’s Hill, and will be, as long as the American War of Independence is remembered.
[79] The reinforcements sent to Prescott raised the number of provincials on the peninsula to about 4000, but in Washington’s opinion not more than 1500 were engaged at any one time during the day.—Trevelyan’s ‘American Revolution,’ vol. i. p. 363.
[80] Trevelyan, vol. i. pp. 359, 360.
[81] Some historians consider that this number should be increased to eleven hundred and fifty.—Fortescue, vol. iii. p. 159.
[82] See [Appendix 2 (C)].
[83] The following officers are shown by the muster roll as present at Boston on June 25, 1775:—
Major—I. Hamilton (in command).