Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1843-07-15

IL ITOID us DaSe. ana tnal IL would actually
totter 10 its fall, if ACKNOWLEDGMENT should
be the affection Of our land, and cannot
say that it would mingle its own frag-
ments with those of broken Constitution.
But in the happening of snch events, who
is there that could dare to look up TO III
Great sensation) WHO'S there that from
beneath such load of modification and
shame as would overwhelm him, could ap-
proach TO behold III Who is there that
would not expect his eye.balls to be scared
by the intensity of its silent reproofl (Grea,
applause.) For my part, | say, that if it
be a misfortune designed by Providence
for me TO live to see such a time, ! will
look at it no more-I will avert my eyes
from it forever Great appIause.)
1t is not as a mere military encounter of
hostile armies that the battle of Bunker
Hill finds its principal claims for comment
Grafton and importance; yet, as mere bat
tie. there are circumstances attending it of
an extraordinary character, and giving to it
peculiar distinction. 1t was fought upon
this eminence in the neighborhood of yon-
der city, in the presence of more specta-
tors than there were combatants in the fight;
men and women. and children, drawn from
their homes, filling the towers ofthe church
es, covering the roofs of public dwellings,
and all their residences, looking on for the
result of a contest of the consequences of
which they had the deepest conviction.
The 10th Of June, under bright sun, these
fields exhibited nothing but verdure and cul-
ture; there was indeed note of awful prep
aration in Boston; but here, all was peace;
| tba fol kor al l., G, 10
early harvest, told of nothing but tranquil
itv. The morning of the l7th saw every
thing changed; in the night, redoubts had
been thrown up by few hardy men, un-
der the direction of Prescott. In the dawn
of the morning, being perceived by the en-
envy, cannonade was Immediately opened
upon them from the floating batteries on
the water. and the land on the other side OF
Charles River suppose it would be diff
fcult in military point of view, to ascribe
any just motive to either party for that con-
flict 1t probably was not very important
for the provincial army TO hem in the Bri
fish in Boston, by force little nearer
when that could probably have been expec.
ted by force a little further in the rear
On the other hand, it is quite evident that i
view but TO dislodge the occupants Of Bun
ker Hill the British commanded the wa
tiers, the Mystic on the one side, and tn,
Charles river on the other, it was perfect
ly competent to cut off all communication
and reduce Prescott 10 famine in eight anc
forty hours. But that was not the day fol
such sort of calculation on either side
The truth is, both parties were ready anc
anxious, and determined to try the strength
of their arms. The pride Of the British
would not submit that a redoubt of the reb
els, as they were called, should be here, ano
stand in their very face and defy them tc
their teeth. Without calculating the cost
or caring for ii, their object was to destroy
the redoubt at once by the power of tn,
Royal Army, and take vengeance as wei
as attain security. On the other side
Prescott and his gallant followers, fully per
suaded that the time was near when III,
existing controversy must break out into
open hosliities long thrsted for the contest
They wished to try it, and 10 try it now
and that is the secret which placed Pres
colt there with his troops. (Cheers) Twill
not attempt to describe what has so offer
been described better than can do it. Tht
cannonading from the water, the ASSAULT
from the land, the GOODNESS with which ,h'
provincial army if it might be SO called
met the charge of the enemy, the valor will
which thay repuised il. the second attack
the second repulse, the burning of Charles
town, and finally the closing scene of tht
retreat of the Militia of New England o
yer the Neck, shall not attempt to describe
-; he &C RI
ker Hill stands amongst the most importan
that ever look place between rival States
1t was the first great controversy in th'
Revolutionary War, and in my Judgmen
il was not only the first blow struck in tina
war. but it was the blow that determined
the issue of that contest. (Cheers.)
certainly did not put an end TO the war, bu
il put the country in state of open hostil
ity; it put the controversy between then
TO the arbitration of the sword, and mad
one thing certain--that after Warren fel
after the troops Of the New England hal
been able TO meet and repulse the attack o
the British regulars, it was certain tina
peace would never be established between
the Two countries except on the basis O
an acknowledged of American indepen
dence. When that sun went down, the in
dependence of these States was certain
Cheers.] No event of great military mag
nitude took place between June rs and re
when independence was formally declared
1t rests, | know, on the most indubltabl
authority, that when General Washington
, having just then received his appointment
as Commander in Chief Of the America
army, heard of the battle of Bunker Hi
and was told that for want of ammunilio