The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-06-08

Yet the hghminded will always appreciate the INTEGRITY
OF the motive which seeks to dist DguIsh petween uo
places and the modes Of service where those who alike
love their country enjoy the opportunity o. secuenS
chamber and the forum and the high pace in the pub
lie assembly eer 10 the patriot statesman ne opporu
nifty for winning remembrance ana honor 20 nus nams
patriot soldier for there alone he earn the wreath
Let the chvalry and the magnanmity Of War; forever
bomsge attach HIM the honor to which another has
righui claim. II Twas part Of his pure purpose in
minglng with his brethren that held to monopoiize
its honors and to figure its hero. 1t enough that he
stood among equals in devotion and airotism. Here,
them his claim which, when fully allowed leaves the
donors OF that summit to the leader Of the heroic band
And while such the issue at the redoubt the left
wing at tho rail fence aided by reiniorcemens
which had arrived too late making vigorous stand
at their defences But the retreat at the redoubt
peed the resolute defenders to yield with slow and re-
uctant steps, ss their flank was opened to the enemy
Putnam pleaded aud cursed he commanded and mplored
the scattering bands TO rally and he that he would
win them the victory For his foul profanity he made
sincere confession before the church and congregation
Of which he was a member after the war.
Pomeroy likewise implored the men to rally, but in
van The last resistance at the rail fence restrained the
enemy from cutting off the retreat OF the provncias Yet
the enemy were in condition to pursue, as they we're
alike aus,ed and content with the little patch OF
ground which they had dearly purchased. The pro-
vncia retreaed to Cambridge by the Neck and by the
Winter Hill road taking with them only one Of the six
The battle had occupied about two hours the provincas
retreating just before tive o'clock. The British lay
their arms at Bunker Hill all night discharging their
upon Prospect Hill at the distance Of a mile.
Gen. Prescott repaired to head quarters to make
turn Of his trust He indignant at the loss Of the
battle and implored Gen. Ward to commit to him three
fresh regiments, promising with them to win back the
day. But he had already honorably accomplished all
that his country might demand. He complained bitterly
that the achievements which might have given to his
triumph the completeness that needed to make il
victory, had failad him. year afterwards, when he
was in the American camp New York. he vas informed
how narrowly he had escaped with lite. A British
gean who was brought into the camp, on meeting with
m nv trad
how or where he had known him. The man replied
that he knew him well. and that his acquaintance began
at the battle in Charestown. Prescott had there been
polntee out to him the commander and in the first
attacks, he had singled him out and taken deliberate
aim. Though his position at each time so favorable
to convince him the shot would be fetal vet Prescott
had been unframed On the third attack, impelled by
the same purpose he had charged at the
point of the bayone but the strong and the sword
Of Prescott thrust aside the weapon and the baed
geaDt concluded him to be invunerabe Prescott kindly
presented the soldier with gift Of charity to relieve
his disappointment The pierced garments OF the hero
preserved in his family bear witness to the repeated
The number OF troops in the action including the
occasional achievements and those who only to
cover the retreat did not exceed hit reached, 5000 or
these lis were killed and missing, 305 wounded
and 30 were taken proners making whole loss $50
rrescotts regiment suffered most severely.
The whole British loss rated by the Provincial
Congress- their best information at 1900, but Gage
acknowledged only 1854 including SO ocers 2a6 being
killed, and s2s wounded
Loud and agonizng was the MOURNING in Boston when
the wounded were committed to the crowded hosptals
and the symPathies of the inhabitants demanded
But though the sword lifted against fathers by
their own brethren, and in which must pro.
nounce to have been unrghteous and rannicsl feel
mpelled topay just tribute to the bravery and gallant
ry OF the British officers and soldiers upon the field
march boldly forward, they did thrice and bare their
their spirit which allows us TO withhold from them no
praise or glory which giveto fathers, that
which belongs to our fathers the champions of the bet
ter The highest honor can bcstow upon the
herosm OF the enemy u.s. in regreng that the king and
his ministers found such devoted servants
II is not strange that confusion and disorder should
have attended the proceedings Of the proyncas thai
dreadful day Their measures were hastily concerted in
anticipation OF the occupancy of the Heights by the
Brtish there time to plan opportunity to de-
llberae The Provincial Congress was then sitting at
Watertown through its President DR. Warren vino was
also Chairman Of the Executive Committee Of Safety
was in the scene Of strife General Wards Orderly
Book does not contain any reference to the action OF the
day. The reasonable expectation and fear that the BIZ
fish would mske attack ut some other quarter, may
explain the apparent mssncss of the Amer aer
in not concentrating all their force upon the action in
Charlestown. The severe bombardment of Roxbury,
aad anxiety for the stores at Waier,own very naturally
divided their attention. 1t likewise TO have been
dcult some days after the battle TO learn with
actness the chief ulaIs concerning it. The
in Edes' Gazette, viii h printed at Watertown on
the following MOnday is very meagre Indeed it would
appear that the death Of Warren net then known for
certain Among the resolutions Of the Provincial Con.
gress on Monday, the 10Th, read the following: Re
solved, That three o'clock 7. NJ, be assigned Tor the
choice President Of this Congress- in the room OF the
Hon. Joseph Warren ESQ supposed 10 be killed in the
In letter from j. Pitts Dated Watertown
July 20, l77b, aud dressdd to Samuel Adams.
at Philadelphia, read the following" 1 find
the letters in general from you and the rest OF
friends complain OF having
relative to the late battle of Charlestown do you
the particulars, any further than what have already
wrote you have been able to obtain from an one
70 be plain appears to there never confu
sion and less command No appeared to have but
Colonel Prescott, whose bravery BIZ enough
acknow lodged and applauded General Putnam EN-.
ployed in collecting the men, but there officers
enough to lead them on"
More evidences Of this confusion that attended the ope
ratlon OF day. will themselves to the reader
OF the Documents which form part OF this volume He
will find them to abound in discrepancies OF statement
which, however, will for the most part and
monize each other One writer for instance
known by the British the night of the 6th
the Americans at work the Heights OF this state
ment there is no proof nor Is it probable yet may have
teen that vague repart othe intention Of the Americans
had reached Boston. Another writer that the Amer
force amounted to nine thousand Probably he intend
ed In his estimate to include all the provncias who
then under at Cambridge and Roxbury, well
those at Charlestown.
The connsg ration of the town of Charlcs.own must
have mingled wild and fearful spectaces with the awful
scene of blood The order for the ncendisry
was sent over by boat TO the generals Copp's Hill
on account OF the annoying fire which the Americans
concealed in the dwellings poured in upon the left wing
Of the British. The town then contain ed $50 dwelling
houses and its of 375 families numbered ra,h
more then 1000 souls or course, many Of its inhab
tants especially the and children had been
moved from tho town during the night and the
ing OF the battle Househoders busily engaged
removing their effects. Many valuable articles
buried in the fields gardens, and cellars of which,
however, discovered by the British in their long
cupation Of the peninsula, though the treasures
crockery and furniture which inferred found
safe conceamen till after the Boston, and
still cherish ed honored relics by the descendants
Of their Many Of the householders and traders
Of Boston, who had removed their effects Charssown
the ement of hostlties likewise lost their
all The newspapers Of the time abound in advertise
ments Of losses and hets. DR. Mather's library
sumed in the conHagration The American prisoner,
suffered great hardships. They confined in the Jail
in Boston, during the sege, where several ofthem perish
ed The survivors taken to Haxifax by the British
on their departure Some few OF them after incredible
trials succeeded in making their escape and returning
their homes by one, told their moving tales. It was
not however, until after the peace, that the remnant
restored.
Such is but faint delinea,ion Of the action which has
associated great degree interest with the heights
of Charlesown. The intrenching and the defence OF
Breeds Hill may be described the most important Incl
dent in the OF the American Revolution The whole
proracted struggle decsvely influenced by this
opening contest The battle fought by the provn.
cisls in earnest with determined spirit with proud sue