The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1845-07-03
FROM THE CINCINNATI CHRONICLE.
BATTLE OF BUNKERHILL.


self, gives a detailed account of this celebra-
ted battle. Gen. Heath was in command of
the forces on the retreat of the British from
Lexington, on the 18th of April previous,
and until the arrival of Gen. Ward, upon
whom the command devolved by seniority.
At the time of this battle Gen. Ward was
COMMANDMENT Chief. His immediate com
mand was on the Cambridge side of Boston.
General Thomas commanded on the Rox-
bury side, with whom Gen. Heath was sta
toned during the battle, as it appears from
the "Memoirs.n w.
"June IT'S the army soon became strong,
il being reinforced by the arrival of Gen.
Putnam from Connecticut, Gen. Sullivan
from New Hampshire and Gen. Greene from
Rhode Island; each with a respectable body
Of troops; and, in the month of June, it was
determined to take posse ssion of the heights
of Charleston. Pre operations were made for
the purpose and on the 10Th, at night, a
strong detachment from the American army
marched on, and broke ground on Breeds
Hill, in front of Bunker's Hill. The latter
ought to have been taken possession of at
the same time, but it was some how omitted.
BY the morning of the 17th, the troops had
a redoubt and line on its left flank in good
forewardness, when they were discovered by
the British. The Lively man-ofwa first be-
gan to %cannonade the Americans; she was
soon seconded by other ships, floating batter
les, and some heavy cannon on Cops HILL
on the Boston side, which the Americans
bore with a good degree ~ofirnness, and con-
tinued at their work. The British army in
Boston were greatly alarmed at this near ap-
proach, and Immediately resolved on an at
tack before the works could be completed
A detachment was formed for the purpose,
consisting of ten companies of G~renadiers,
ten of Light Infantry, and the 9Th, 36th, 43d,
and SD regiments and a corps of Artillery
under the command of Mai. General Howe,
and Brig, Gen. Pigot. In the afternoon they
landed of Charlestown Point without opposi-
ton, where they were afterwards reinforced
by the Nth regiment, and first battalion Of
marines. The regiments in Cambridge camp
were ordered down to support the detach-
ment at Charlestown, and to occupy other
posts thought to be essential; and contiguous
thereto. The British began their attack with
a severe fre=eeart:Hc ua-a5ra=-GE is 4
slow and regular pace. The Americans who
had marched on 10 the aid ofthe detachment,
consisting of the New Hampshire, Massachu-
sets and Connecticut troops, hastily formed
a line OF defence, composed of rails and 9TH
er materlals found nearest al hand. The line
extended down towards the low ground on
the left, and was nobIy defended. The A
mericans reserved their fire until the British
came very near, when they gave it TO great
effect; it staggered, and even broke them,
but they rallied and returning TO the charge
again and again, drove the Americans from
the lines on the left of the redoubt, and had
nearly surrounded it, when the Americans
rushed out of the redoubt, their ammunition
being expended, and made their retreat, ev-
en- through a part of the British forces. A
bout this time Maj. Gen. Warren, who had
been buta few days before commissioned,
and was thenon the hill as a spectator only,
was killed. A number of the Americans
u were killed In retreating from Breeds Hill,
10 Bunker Hill, and some in passing off over
the neck. Perhaps there never was a better
fought battle than this, all things considered
and too much praise can never be bestowed
Oh the conduct of Col. VIM. Prescott, who,
notwithstanding any thing that may have
been said, was the proper commanding off
cer,' at the redoubt, and nobly acted his part
as such, during the whole action.
Just before the action began, Gen. Put
nam came to the redoubt, and told Col. Pres.
colt that the e%ntrenching tools must be Sent
of, or they would be lost, the Colonel replied
that if he sent any of the men away with the
tools, not one of them would return 10 this
the General answered, they shall every maj
return. A large party was then sent off with
The tools, and not one of them ever returned
in this instance the Colonel was the best
judge of human nature.
In the time of action, Col. Prescott obser
wing that the brave Gen. Warren was neaI
the works, he Immediately stepped up to him
and asked him if he had any orders TO give
re him. The General replied that he had none
tha he exercised no command there-NThC
command" said the General sis yours"
While many officers and soldiers g~allantly
or distinguished themselves in this action, other:
were blamed, and some were brought 10 tria
by court-martial. This was a sore battle tc
lie the British, who did not forget it, during sew
eral campaigns, nor until a tide of successes
in their favor had removed il from their minds
Their whole force on this day, which was il
action, was supposed TO be about 1000, anC
their whole loss, in killed and wounded, wa
said to be upwards of 1000, of whom 2<t
were killed, and of these, 10 were commits
stoned officers, including one Lieutenant
Colonel, two Majors and seven Captains
A nnfhPr account cfafoJ 1Lo;. l;IIoJ m,