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To His Excellency GENERAL WASHINGTON, Commander-in-Chief of the Army of the United Colonies:
In obedience to your Excellency' s orders, we have considered
Signal in case the enemy begin to embark: a flag on Roxbury Meeting-House. If they actually land at Dorchester, two flags, one over the other. In case the number of the enemy exceed two thousand men, a flag at the east, and another at the west end of that Meeting-House. In case a reinforcement in addition to the two thousand are seen embarking, a flag on the east, a flag on the west, and a flag in the middle of that Meeting-House. In case the enemy begin to retreat, three flags, one above the other. In case the enemy carry the works, the flags are to be struck.
We further beg leave to recommend to your Excellency, that should it appear from the signals at Roxbury, or in any Other way, that an attack may be made upon Boston with good probability of success, we recommend that four thousand men embark at the mouth of Cambridge River — two thousand of them to be furnished from Cambridge, and two thousand from Prospect and Winter Hills; one thousand from each of those Hills. The two thousand from Cambridge to be commanded by Brigadier-General Sullivan, and the other two thousand by Brigadier-General Greene. The whole to be commanded by Major-General Putnam.
Signal for the embarkation: a pendant hoisted on Prospect-Hill.
The first division, under Brigadier-General Sullivan; to land at the Powder-House. The second division, under Brigadier-General Greene, to land at Barton' s Point, or rather to the south of it. Those who land at the Powder-House, to gain possession of Beacon-Hill and Mount-Whoredom. Those who land at Barton' s Paint, to gain possession of Copp' s Hill, and after securing that post, proceed to join the other division, and force the enemy' s works and gates at the Neck, by which means the Troops from Roxbury may be let in to assist in the reduction of the town.
The two divisions to consist of eight Regiments, of five hundred men each, the men to be chosen, the arms to be well examined, and the officers to be the best, most resolute, and experienced.
The three floating-batteries here to go in front of the other boats, and keep up a heavy fire on that part of the town where the landings are to be made.
ISRAEL PUTNAM,Report of General Officers of Signals
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the matters referred to us, and beg leave to recommend the following Signals to be given from Roxbury, in case of any movement of the enemy to distress our people at Dorchester-Hill.
JOHN SULLIVAN
NATHANIEL GREENE,
HORATIO GATES.