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

were now plainly heard wnh faint means
from the wounded and dying, and when
the smoke fairly passed over, Good God
wha, q sight met the eye. From every
part Of the hill where the English had
been fred upon, their men lay in rows
upon the ground like grain beneath the
sickle Of the reaper. Some rested still
TO move no more-0thers were writing
IN pain aud agony. Some crawled along
on their hands and knees looking pite-
ously towards tine lines, as il imploring
relief and pity. Officers and men lay
alike On the field amid the dead and the
dying, there was no distinction in the
aim of the Americans. And this was
the fate Of that brilliant array OF soldlery
which few moments before challenged
in their beautiful evolulions the admra-
ton oi the world
The remains Of the British army had
reircated out Of musket- shot, toward the
beach, and the officers were seen to
meet in consultation around Gen. Howe.
lmme ediately after a boat was seen 10
leave for the Boston side, and il was
supposed, on the hill, she was despatch
ed with orders for reinforcements.
In the course Of half an hour boats
were seen leaving Boston loaded with
troops under the command OF Clinton
This reinforce nent consisted Of the forty
seventh regiment, two battalioDs oi ma
rines, and some light infantry companies.
They landed more towards the centre OF
the American works, towards Charles
town. In short time the lines were
again in motion, advancing as before,
Clinion's and Pigot's command making
q circular movement to attack the re-
doubts on the Charlesiown river side.
Their movements as seen from the re-
doubt and lines were more beautiful than
before. The precision with which they
marched--the glaring OF tho sun upon
their sccou,remeDis and the sound Of the
bands on The shore, with the dead aud
dying betw cen them and the enemy they
were so attack, made the scene graDdly
rmnmniic. Suddenly, rockets and shells
from Burgoyne's battery were thrown
into Chnrlesiown, and the whole place,
built mostly Of wood, was in flames. The
tall spire of the village church, around
which the cracking flames twisted them
selves like fiery serpents, seemed bea-
con TO Iigh, up more furiously than ever
the hatred OF the Americans.
"rhey shall pay dearly for this" said
,re soldier to another.
Yes" replied ano,her, as he put
swo bullets into his gun, "some one shall
take q double dose Of lead for that fire
yonder."
On came the British soldiers. They
were allowed to reach the same distance
as before the same order was given TO
fire, aud anoiLer sheet Of flame, with its
foIal messengers Of death, passed along
the ranks, cutting down hundreds Of men !;
md they recoiled again, in spite Of all
that their officers could do, and fed
down the bill. il seemed to them butch
cry and IL wns So in reality.
Bm now the ammunition Of the Amer
nnns began TO fail, and no reinforce
incnts came to their relief. Several reg
imeDis wcro on Bunker's Hill, but few
hmdreds yards of, yet the cowardice Of
their officers was such that they would
rrt odv ance, OF account of the fire from
the vessels of war, which raked the rear
of the ground between them and their
gallant eounlrymen.
Burnham left the breastwork and went
up into the redoubt, for the purpose Of
getting some ammunition, having fired
all bis own away. lIo there saw War
reD.
All Bnrnham, is not this a glori
Gus day for our country 7"
Yes, General, the haIbinger Of sue
cess and triumph, hope, for our cause"
I" may not live to witness the end Of
this business to-day" replied Warren /;
"bnt whoever does, will see now coun-
try IN the rank Of nations"
This was The last meeting between
BurDham and Warren. In fifteen min
utes after, that glorioIs and high-minded
patriot rested forever with the deAd.
Failing to get even single charge of
powder, Burnham returned 10 the breast
work. whore bm halfhe troops had ammu
Dll'on suflirieDt to load again. And now
caure The third and final advance Of the
British troops. They were received with
another fatal discharge, bu, on the right Of
the redoubi The fortv-sevenlh regiment,
with the marines, succeeded in getting
into the rear, and hand-to-hand fight
took place with dubbed muskets ag aiDst
the British bayonets. Other regiments
succeeded in mounting the redoubt, and
otders were now given to retreat, from
every portion Of the lines, across Charles