Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1847-06-24

Morton's Point, on Charlestown side.
These troops consisted Of ten companies
Of grenadiers and ten Of light infantry
The grenadiers were flank companies ol
the same regiment TO which most OF the
light infantry companies belonged, oil
from the fourth, fifth, tenth, twenty-third,
,hiry-fith, tbirty-eighth, forty-third, fil-
ty-second, fiity-ninth and sixty-fith reg
iments, and four battalions from the fifth,
thirty-eighth, iorty-third and flty-sec-
ond regiments Of the British army. Two
companies Of artillery with six pieces Of
twelve-pounder cannon accompanied the
detachment. They landed without OPP
position on the lower grounds extending
from the hill, and but a few hundred
yards from the redoubt Howe rested
his men as they landed, and permitted
them to take their dinner, they having
brought over twenty-four hours provis-
ions in their baversacks. it being intend
ed that the troops should occupy the pc
ninsula after its capture. They then
shortly after commenced forming in line
under the sound Of music, and sheltered
by their field pieces, which began to
play furiously in advance upon the re.
doubt. Their slow march up the hill
was beautiful in the extreme. From
time to time they halted, allowing the AZ
tillery to play, and then again, as the
booming sound died away, the music Of
the bands came waited up in the air, fill
ing friend and foe alike with enthusiasm
and fear as to success on their respec-
tive sides,
At this time, say about two o'clock,
the New Hampshire regiments, under
Stark and Reed, reached the scene OF
conflict, making a rapid march across
Bunker Hill, and reaching the lower
edge of the rail fence where Knowlton
was stationed with the Connecticut
troops. Putnam Immediately directed
Stark to take position on the left, skirt
ing Mystic river to bar the progress of
the British troops in that direction, from
getting in the rear Of the redoubt. sThe
New Hampshire boys gave three cheers
and took up their position as directed,
throwing up a breastwork Of fence and
hay similar to that OF Putnam's.
"Now, General Warren, let US take
a look at the redoub.. | shall return,
Knowlton, before the attack commences
on our portion of the lines" And the
two Generals took their way up the side
Of the declivity and disappeared in the
en,renchment.
"Load all, officers and men J" was
the command of Knowlton.
The order was obeyed on the instant.
No form Of discipline was required on
such an occasion. Officers as well as
men carried fusees, and fired equally
with their men in the celebrated action
of Breeds or Bunker's Hill.
"Look to your fints, chip their edges,
and then prime ~ was the next COM
mand
For few seconds the sound of ram
rods charging home, the pecking OF fl'nts,
and the opening and shutting of pans was
heard along the breastwork. 1t was
moment of GOODNESS and decision on the
part Of Knowl,on, for but few OF his men
or officers, with the exception Of himself,
and one or two others, were ever in ac-
tion before.
"Officers march-to tho centre ad-
vance !" was the next order, given in,
the military terms of the day.
The officers advanced to the centre,
where Knowlton, leaning on his fusee,
surveyed them, with the eagle eye OF
a soldier, from lef to right as they stood
around him, and then addressed them.
Brother officers, it is matter Of du-
,y that l should say a few words to you
on this occasion. We are defending
our own land, yonder is the enemy
Shall we beat him or not | think we
can read them lesson at any rate. We
have been ordered TO defend this posi-
ton and we must do it, come what will
Let us declare a, once, that we will not
give up the post, unless ordered to do SO
by our superior officers"
Aye, aye" shouted the officers,
and the men catching tho words, they
ran along the line.
"Ths is only what supposed" said
Knowlten, after pause, now then re-
turn to your posts Putnam will be with