Gage's Instructions   By: Ensign de Berniere

Gage's Instructions

Thomas Gage

The New York Times & Arno Press

Reprinted from a microfilm copy in The American Antiquarian Society Library

Reprint Edition 1971 by Arno Press Inc.

LC 78 140865 ISBN 0 405 01198 9

Eyewitness Accounts of the American Revolution, Series III ISBN for complete set: 0 405 01187 3

Manufactured in the United States of America

GENERAL GAGE's

INSTRUCTIONS,

Of 22d February 1775.

To Captain Brown and Ensign D'Berniere , (of the army under his command) whom he ordered to take a sketch of the roads, passes, heights, &c. from Boston to Worcester , and to make other observations:

With a curious

NARRATIVE

Of OCCURRENCES during their mission, Wrote by the Ensign .

Together with an ACCOUNT of their doings, in consequence of further Orders and Instructions from General Gage , of the 20th March following, to proceed to Concord , to reconnoitre and find out the state of the provincial magazines; what number of cannon, &c. they have, and in what condition.

ALSO,

An ACCOUNT of the Transactions of the British troops, from the time they marched out of Boston , on the evening of the 18th, 'till their confused retreat back, on the ever memorable Nineteenth of April 1775 ; and a Return of their killed, wounded and missing on that auspicious day , as made to Gen. Gage .

[Left in town by a British Officer previous to the evacuation of it by the enemy, and now printed for the information and amusement of the curious .]

BOSTON Printed, and to be sold, by J. GILL, in Court Street. 1779.

INSTRUCTIONS, & c.

Boston, February 22, 1775.

GENTLEMEN,

You will go through the counties of Suffolk and Worcester , taking a sketch of the country as you pass; it is not expected you should make out regular plans and surveys, but mark out the roads and distances from town to town, as also the situation and nature of the country; all passes must be particularly laid down, noticing the length and breadth of them, the entrance in and going out of them, and whether to be avoided by taking other routes.

The rivers also to be sketched out, remarking their breadth and depth and the nature of their banks on both sides, the fords, if any, and the nature of their bottoms, many of which particulars may be learned of the country people.

You will remark the heights you meet with, whether the ascents are difficult or easy; as also the woods and mountains, with the height and nature of the latter, whether to be got round or easily past over.

The nature of the country to be particularly noticed, whether inclosed or open; if the former, what kind of inclosures, and whether the country admits of making roads for troops on the right or left of the main road, or on the sides.

You will notice the situation of the towns and villages, their churches and church yards, whether they are advantageous spots to take post in, and capable of being made defencible.

If any places strike you as proper for encampments, or appear strong by nature, you will remark them particularly, and give reasons for your opinions.

It would be useful if you cou'd inform yourselves of the necessaries their different counties could supply, such as provisions, forage, straw, &c. the number of cattle, horses, &c. in the several townships.

I am,

Gentlemen,

your most obedient humble servant ,

THOMAS GAGE.

To Capt. Brown 52d regiment, and } Ensign D'Berniere 10th regiment . }

(COPY)

NARRATIVE, & c.

The latter end of February 1775, Capt. Brown and myself, received orders to go through the counties of Suffolk and Worcester , and sketch the roads as we went, for the information of Gen. Gage , as he expected to have occasion to march troops through that country the ensuing spring.