They soon forced them, and drove the Provincials across the neck of Charlestown, who were also much harassed by the cannon of his Majesty's ship Glasgow, in their retreat. The Glory of the Army, upon this day, was great, but it was dearly earned. Their total loss amounted to 1 Lieutenant Colonel, 2 Majors, 7 Captains, and 9 Subalterns of the land forces and Marines killed; besides 70, of different descriptions in both, wounded. Two hundred and seven Non-commissioned and rank and file also fell, and 828 were wounded. Amongst the slain was Major Pitcairne, of the Marines, whose death was alike deplored by his Corps and his Country. Major Short also left behind him a reputation sufficiently worthy of deep regret. The Marine Battalion sustained fully more than its proportional share of casualties, and its gallant conduct upon the 17th of June, demands, from the whole of our Establishment, its commemorative and indelible gratitude, when each of us casts an eye upon that laurel which now encircles his button, and reflects that it was purchased _by their valour_. The following appeared in the General Orders of the 19th of June, 1775:-- "The Commander in Chief returns his most grateful thanks to Major-General Howe, for the extraordinary exertion of his military abilities on the 17th instant. He returns his thanks also to Major-General Clinton, and Brigadier Pigot, for the share they took in the success of the day, as well as to Lieutenant-Colonels Nesbitt, Abercromby, Gunning, and Clarke; Majors Butler, Williams, Bruce, _Tupper_, Spenlove, Small, and Mitchel, and the rest of the Officers and Soldiers, who, by remarkable efforts of courage and gallantry, overcame every disadvantage, and drove the rebels from the redoubt and strong holds on the heights of Charlestown, and gained a complete victory." By the return of Major Tupper to Europe, and the fatal events of the 17th of June, the command of the Marines soon after devolved upon Major (now Lieutenant-General) Souter. Bunker's Hill was fortified, and our troops retained the Peninsula, which rendered their duties very severe. The Americans prevented every supply from the interior, and compelled our Army to subsist upon salt, and indifferent provisions. Cut off from the Continent, their sufferings were great, when sickness became prevalent. The Provincials having constructed works upon a hill opposite Bunker's, completed the blockade of the Peninsula, which they gradually extended close to the fortifications on Boston Neck.