Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-06-27

man. Putnam insisted that tbs men were not AFRAID
of their heads though they OF their legs cover
The latter said he, and they will fight forever ffesco''
dwelt on the bravery of the people, if driven 10 re-
treat every wall will be lined with the dead; ana
i C surrounded, they would teach mercenary troops
what men would do who determined TO 1--we or one
free. The determination to occupy the peninsula oil
Charesown has been termed unwise, If not rash. ~
was not more rash than the resolve of the patriots 10
/ brave the power OF the most powerful hingcom OF
Europe for an abstraction. ,
Meantime the adyices from Boston left doubt OF
nendne action on the part Of the British On the l3th
of jane the committee of safety passed resolve re,
uurng the army to prepare for action, ana enJo,heo
sprofound eecresy its members as 10 It's oeii'
beraons On the 15lh the militia of the colony were
requested to hold themselves readiness 10 mafcn az
moments warning, with thirty rounds OF cartridges
TO man. and the people were requested to attend meet
ing on the Lords day armed. On the same DAY u was
voIed unanimously, .sthat it be recommended 10 Inc
council of war" take possession of Bunker HILL
Accordingly the council of war resolved to occupy 'ne
| heights Of Charesown without delay. Col. ffescott
solicited the honor of executing this perllous WorK.-
General Ward, June l6 issued orders TO prepare ior
nm expedition the evening of that day, Prescott
at the head of his gallant band, marched from Gam.
bridge Common, took possession OF Breeds hi!', anu
ere The next morning had dawned, displayed Inc re-
ned redoubt TO the asonished OF the Britisn
Tn. space allotted TO this article, will not permit
full detail Of thrilling events Of the terrible conflict
that ensued. The morning, on both sides, was spenl
in preparalon-tbe afternoon in battle and carnage
The British distinctly saw the ProvincIals gathering
their strength if fof mighty efort-the Americans
heard as distinctly the rafting of artillery carriages IN
Boston, and the various movements OF the British
troops indicating attack. "Now, said Prescott,
tive shall have fght-we shall beat them, too -
The fight, in due time, came on. Inc BRUSH are
driven to their boats They rally again with desperate
courage Again they are forced 10 retreat. Better
counsels governed them the third trial. The officers
and longer despised their enemy. dear
bought victory crowned their last effort Such IS the
outline of this famed battle To fill itup with detail
of all the that took place, would require vo-
| lume. We shall glance at one or two scenes About
three o'clock in the afternoon the preparations for de-
fence and attack well nigh completed The eight
rods square redoub the breastwork and the iran rali
fence constituted all the military works OF the patriots
Most of the original detachment under Col Prescott,
were Mt the redoubt and breastwork. The New Hamp.
shire and Connecticut troops, under Stark heeo, ana
! Knowllon, were at the rail fence. General Putnam,
on horseback, was animatng the men wherever he
deemed his presence required. General Pomeroy,
glowing with military ardor was at the rail fence
General Warren, TO learn the art of war under vete-
ran was IN the redoubt AS The veteran oficers-vo-
luneerj for this day-appeared along The Lines, they
were received with enthusiastic shouts By the men,
| There was glitterng array OF polished armor-no
SPLENDID procession of gorgeous uniform. The troops
were in homely apparel, and with but little preenslon
TO military discipline. But they were full of enthu-
siasm firm and determined.
| At lille distance, IN lull vieWi Tue long lines o
British troops preparing for the battle Their
scarlet dresses, the glow Of the upon their burnsh
ed arms and brazen artillery the precision of their
movements-a made upa brilliant and imposing spec.
tace fleet of armed vessels and floating batteries
Law in the bay, from which, and from the forts in Bos
ton continual cannonade kept up. The
of action was the middle of amphtheare of hills,
second in the world for the beauty OF its posi-
ton and magnificent scenery. On these hls-on
every house and seeple of the metropolis, the popula
holh aatx to he
spot by the sound of The The season was ar
unccmmonly fine one and the Spring had clothed the
things of earth in their most beautiful array. The day
Of unusual serenity-not cloud obscured the
horizon, hardly ruffled the waters-nature lay
in silence and pose rejecting from the hnrbo below,
The river near. the islands and ships that adorned
their surface. "Spendd phenomena how soon 10
be deiled by stains Of dust and blood Fearful, omi
nous silence how soon to be broken by shouts of rage
and grouns of agony "
cool provincals, second time, are shouting the proud
huzza of victory; the brave troops of Howe second
tune rereating under the murderous lire OF the
Americans-a fire which, though IT moved down
whole ranks together they received with astonishing
fortitude. Then, too, Churlestown was on fire the
conhagraton spreading from house to house, from
street to street, and ascending the lofty spire OF the
Church seeple in pyramid of fame high over the
rest in awful subimity. Then the noise OF cracking
fires and crashing ed6ces was blended with the shouts
!
clang of the battle field. The wreaths Of smoke rolled
over the American lines TO the north, leaving to the
determined warriors full view of their flying enemy
And there they stood-that gallant band-f9d with
the heroism that ever supports men when fighting for
| their wives, their children and their country
| Such is the nature of the of the first and
most important battle Of the Revolution. 1t was the
first time that American vaor encountered British va
lor mortal strife. 1t opened the eyes of the defsnd-
of the Ministry the desperate struggle before
them. lite influence, it might be shown was felt
throughout the that ensued. The victory The
British gained was dear bought one; it cut down
large part of their army On the side of the Ameri-
the loss severe but nothing compared to that
of the British. The valor Of Prescott the self sacr
6cng bravery Of Warren, the undaun'ed courage of
Putnam-the names of Pomeroy, Stark, Knowlton,
hlcCleary-are all known TO every American. Their
fame part OF the inheritance Of the past Let their
memory be held sacred. And let the name of
BUNKER HILL be remembered long as freemen
thrill 10 the sound of freemen S deeds.
a VENERABLE PATRIOT correspondent OF The
Albany Atlas says: yesterday was favored with
IL