[March 1776, cont.] to work upon the Hills, and were to
be relieved at 3 the next Morning by
the rest part of our two Brigades consi=
-sting of about 25 Hundred besides 500
Rifle Men from Cambridge & Roxbu
ry -- But here I must not leave
unnoticed a grand pice of Generalship
which preceded our going upon the Hills.

On the Evening of the 2 of March [1776]
the General (knowing all things were
nearly prepared for the Works) gave
Orders for begining a Cannonading
& Bombardment of the Town, in order
to divert the Enemy that they need not
be mistrustfull of our Scheeme, as they
would possibly if they had notice of our
proceedings either annoy us while wor-
king with their Cannon, or perhaps
might come out with their Army before
the Work was finished -- The Cannon
ading Bombarding began from Prospect Hill about
12 o clock in the Night of the 2 of March
and as also from Leechmore's Point
& from our Lines at Roxbury & the Fortress on
Cobble Hill & from the Lines at Rox-
-bury the enemy Returned the Compli-
-ment to the Former Places but as they
had previously removed their Cannon