Harper's Encyclopedia of United States History
Benson Lossing, Ed.

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Noddle's Island, skirmish on

In the early summer of 1775, Noddle's Island and Hog Island abounded with hay, horned cattle, sheep, and horses belonging to the British, then in Boston. On the morning of May 27, about twenty-five men went to the islands and carried away or destroyed much of the stock. A party of marines was sent from the British squadron in the harbor on a sloop and schooner to arrest them. The Americans retreated from Noddle's Island to Hog Island, and took from the latter 300 sheep, besides cows and horses. Then they drew up in battle order on Chelsea Neck, and by 9 P. M. they were reinforced with two 4-pounders, and were led by Dr. Joseph Warren, with General Putnam as chief commander. They kept up a cannonade on the schooner for two hours, when the British deserted her, and at dawn the Americans boarded her, carried off four 4-pounders and twelve swivels, and then set her on fire. In this skirmish the British lost twenty killed and fifty wounded; the Americans had four slightly wounded.