Author’s Note: In this installment, Albert reports on the first skirmishes for food and fodder as well as the arrival of three new generals. DRS

Hail and well met, fair gentlefolk,

General Gage seems to be contented by sitting within Boston’s confines as our ragtag little army grows. Every since we last tugged on this English lion’s tail, the frail feline has taken to hiding, only daring to come out when hunger drives him.

Provisioned from the sea, the King’s Men must now subsist on heavily preserved food brought in by the Navy, much to the dissatisfaction of Loyalist and Redcoat alike. Only the harbor islands provide any opportunity for fresh provisions as the garrison is cut off from farms inland. A fact that will be soon remedied.

Our own Dr. Joseph Warren, president of the Massachusetts Provincial Congress, has issued orders that all supplies to be found on the islands or near the coast shall be confiscated or destroyed to prevent their capture and use by the King.

Not ten days ago, the timid tabby sallied forth to secure fodder for His Majesty’s horses with a raid on Gage Island to no avail, alas, as Patriot militia beat him to it, setting fire to the hay before it could be carted off. 

And not but four days ago, a detachment of 400 of His Majesty’s Marines attempted to burglarize some bovines along Chelsea Creek, losing the opportunity to not only secure fresh food, but losing one of His Majesty’s ships, the schooner Diana, in the process when she ran aground in shallow waters attempting to cut off the escape of Colonel Stark’s New Hampshire men.

The pursuing Marines were driven back when Stark’s men "squatted down in a ditch on the marsh and gave a hot fire until the Regulars retreated".

Not only did Stark elope with the cattle, but also Diana’s guns, before setting her alight.

Despite the relative success at keeping the cat caged, there is some troubling news coming from within Boston. The English Lion, King George, has sent three of his more ferocious cubs to America. 

Less than a fortnight ago, Generals Howe, Clinton, and Burgoyne arrived. While Gage seems to be defanged, these lions have all their teeth. And they are experienced men as well. Clinton and Burgoyne served with distinction in Europe during the last war while Howe is a veteran of the American campaigns, having been at Braddock’s Defeat and Wolfe’s victory at Quebec. He is well-versed in the American style of warfare.

The arrival of these three lions does not bode well. I feel a much larger bloodletting is soon to come in the weeks ahead.

Your obedient servant,

Alby Louder