Major Jonathan Williams Austin, an officer with the Massachuetts Militia, wrote an effusive letter to John Adams after the battle which reflected the idealism that fired the imagination of many colonial soldiers at the start of the war. The subsequent years of privation, danger, and uncertainty would test that idealism, but enough of that spirit endured through the next eight years to see the Continental Army to victory.
"“You have I suppose ere this heard of the action at Bunker’s Hill. Posterity will with Difficulty believe that about 8 or 10,00 Provincials could make such Slaughter, of well disciplind, regular Troops. They fight like Men who are conflicting pro Aris et Focis [for our altars and firesides], for all this is dear to them, and
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