From Diary of the American Revolution, Vol I. Compiled by Frank Moore and published in 1859.
A gentleman who travelled lately through Connecticut, informs us that he met with an old gentlewoman who told him that she had fitted out and sent five sons and eleven grandsons to Boston, when she heard of the engagement between the provincials and regulars. The gentleman asked her if she did not shed a tear at parting with them? “No,” said she, “I never parted with them with more pleasure.” “But suppose,” said the gentleman, they had all been killed.” “I had rather (said the noble matron) this had been the case, than that one of them had come back a coward.” 1
1 Virginia Gazette, June 24.