His answer[10] was well calculated to keep up impressions essential to the success of that arduous contest into which the United Colonies had entered.
[Footnote 10: It is in the following terms: "Gentlemen,--Your kind congratulations on my appointment and arrival, demand my warmest acknowledgments, and will be ever retained in grateful remembrance.

In exchanging the enjoyments of domestic life for the duties of my present honourable but arduous situation, I only emulate the virtue and public spirit of the whole Province of Massachusetts, which, with a firmness and patriotism without example, has sacrificed all the comforts of social and political life, in support of the rights of mankind, and the welfare of our common country.

My highest ambition is to be the happy instrument of vindicating these rights, and to see this devoted Province again restored to peace, liberty, and safety.
"GEO: WASHINGTON."] {July 3.} [Sidenote: Strength and disposition of the two armies.] The first moments after his arrival in camp were employed in reconnoitring the enemy, and examining the strength and situation of the American troops.
The main body of the British army, under the immediate command of General Howe, was entrenching itself strongly on Bunker's hill.

Three floating batteries lay in Mystic river, near the camp, and a twenty gun ship below the ferry, between Boston and Charlestown.

A strong battery on the Boston side of the water, on Cop's or Cope's hill, served to cover and strengthen the post on Bunker's hill.