A Massachusetts minister, the Revered Peter Thacher, witnessed the first British attempt to seize Breed’s Hill.
"“The provincials in the redoubt and the lines reserved their fire till the enemy had come within about 10 or 12 yards and then discharged at once upon them. The fire threw their body into very great confusion, and all of them after having kept a fire for some time retreated in very great disorder down to the point where they landed, and there some of them even into their boats. At this time, their officers were observed by spectators on the opposite shore to come there and then use the most passionate gestures and even to push forward the men with their swords. At length by their exertions the troops were again rallied and marched up to the entrenchments. The Americans reserved their fire and a second time put the regulars to flight who once more retreated in precipitation to their boats.”"
Rev. Peter Thacher, an eyewitness account written two weeks after the battleCommager and Morris, p. 127.