The Sun.
London, England, 1856-11-06 00:00:00

THE BATTLE OF BUNKE teS HILL.

The following letter has been addressed to the
editor of the Times:—

Sir,-ob3erving that your correspondent, in his
letter from Boston, says, in regard to the battle of
Bunker's!hill, " who commanded on the American
side is still disputed ;" and, farther on, " who
conceived the Flan of seizing on the hill is not
known," I, as a descendant of one who commanded
on that day, will endeavour to enlighten your
readers on what is known by every schoolboy iu the
United States.

With regard to the conception, says Washington
Irving, " the heights, which swell up in the rear
of the village (Charlestown), overlook the town
(Boston) and shipping. The project was conceived
in the besieging camp to seize and occupy those
heights. A council of war was held upon the sub-
ject. General Putnam was one of the most strenu-
ous in favour of the measure. Some of the most
wary and judicious, among whom were Generalt
Ward and Dr. Warren, doubted the expediency,"
&c.

Putnam made light of the d
fident of the bravery
having seen it tried in tthhee olade militia,gFerr .ejnr.
el:, Isitrrewarasirhevon-t;
was seconded by Gen. Pomeroy, a leader of like
stamp, and another veteran of the French war. He
had
been a hunter in his time, a dead shot with
the rifle, and was ready to lead troos gainst the
enemy, " with five ctertridges to a man. He was
p a
seconded by Col. gym.. Prescott, whose opinion,
says Irving, "probably settled the question, and it
was determined to seize 012 and fortify Bunker's-
hill. Col. Prescott was e 'hose'
by Gen. Ward to
conduct the enterprise .et
while on the march they w Charlestown-neck ;
t re m b Gen. Put-
nam with waggons laden wi t.‘l intret ency hing tools."
the neck and elopes
Bunker's-hilt commences at'
1 about 300 yards to the stunt, n i`e t ; it is
crests connected
by a ridge with Brud'Atill. '.1.1..
hills are about 700 yards apart. , t
"On attaining these heights,' says our author,
"a question arose which of the tw r, • they should pro-
ceed to fortify; Banker's-hill wa s specified in the
written orders, but Brufs bill we a much nea: • to
After a consultat ion, Brud's-hill
Boston, and bad a better comma lid of the
town
avrna ds sh
determined
iPPing'" on, and I e-e the ac tj.on, oommonlv
called " the battle of Bunker's-hill,"' was fought. '
With regard to the command . Prescott un-
doubtedly ad it, alt.bough other teicers of note
were on the ground and commanded • t'
pm" ions of the
redoubt.
General Gage is said tt have caught '
e t ght of him
through his glass walking. the parapet, and to have
asked who he was, and ~ V e fight h 'll • ' ?"
IThe re-
ply, "To the last drop of Wood," does not, how-
ever, seem to have shakt in his determination to
carry the hill, for the trc lops from Boston were
despatched at once.
General Warren was off, a ed the command of a
pcor2l of the redoubt, but ti'eclined it, and served
merely as :: volunteer with hi s musket.
"
„
r., irness you -a 'ill insert this, when,
I trust in alt
me, you will ~eceive ei le thanks of
believe
YOIiNG AMERICA..
London, Nov. 5.
MMINIMMIIIIIM ..t..."""..".477: STATICS,--Liverpool,

EMIGRATION TO THE PSErlij
.......,,,,,
L iity of Wash niton,
Wednesday.—The screw st,..Nule,rot . Mersey for Phila.
Captain Wm. Wylie, sailed iroa. sr ,if passengers, and
delplaia to-day, with a, large Aura,'
a full cargo of merchandise on fright.