Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-06-26

| thooe dileduy Known an air OF novelty. Ever
puollshed account from authentic sources has bee
carefully compared the recollections of the su,
| wing eye witnesses in 1925 were diligently ia
ken down at that time; and many letters writte
shortly after the battle, by those who bore pa,
in it, have at different periods been brought t
| light. Several such, of great interest, are cor
tanned in the valuable work of Mr.. rockingham
of this place, lately published. Among these
| one of extreme interest from COL Prescott himself
written but few weeks after the battle, to Johi
Adams, then member of the Continental Con
gress at Philadelphia. But even this account o
| the battle Of Bunker Hill, from the pen of Pres
| colt, throws no new light upon the main event
although proves conclusively, what no man doubt
ed, that the modesty of this sterling patriot was
not less remarkable than his heroism.
AS far as the narrative of events is concerned
the battle of Bunker Hill must now be committed
to the classical historians of the country, to take
its fitting place on one of the brightest pages oil
our annals To the vigorous and brilliant pen Of
Bancroft, which has already recorded the settle.
ment and colonization ofthe United States, and to
the accurate and p osophical research of Sparks,
| to which we are indebted for the lives of Wash.
lngton and Franklin, and the standard editions Of
their works, we can safely leave the great event
OF this day, to find its permanent record in those
histories of the Revolution, which they permit us
to expect from them. There is another Ameri-
can Historian, whose name rises spontaneously ia
my lips, as | stand at the foot of Bunker Hill
Had he not achieved the highest reputation 70,
himself, and reflected the greatest honor upon his
country, by his admirable works on subjects Of
more remote and even foreign interest, we coulc
almost wish that he too had selected topic, which
would have given US a description of the battle of
Bunker Hill from the pen of Prescott; that the
courage and conduct on which the cause of Amer
lea reposed on this day of her great peril, might
be illustrated by historian of kindred blood
The importance of the battle of Bunker Hill
rests mainly on its consequences. Its influence
on the success of the Revolution lifts it I'D from
the level of vulgar gladatorial contests, and gives
1t a place among those few momentous appeals to
arms, which have influenced the cause of liberty
and the condition of man for ages. But even in
itself considered, l know not what element of
stirring interest is wanting to make it one of the
most extraordinary events in history Need re-
mind you of the solemn parade on Cambridge COM
mon, at the close of day on the 10Th of June,-the
blessing invoked by the President of the Unver-
sity on the yet unannounced expedtion-the silent
and thoughtful march of the column under the
veteran Prescott, preceded by sergeants with dark
lanterns the lines marked out by Gridley, the
same whoat Louisburgh at the third trial threw
shell into the citadel, and who drew the only two
tield-peces used at the fall of Quebec up the
Heights of Abraham the midnight toll in the
trenches the cry of the sentinel 'All's we'll %
from the British ships moored between Boston
and Charlestown, heard by Col. Prescott and Mai.
Brooks, as twice in the course of that short and
anxious night they went down to the waters side
The day dawns and the fire of the 'Lively" opens
on the redoubt. The garrison in Boston, the
American encampments, the surrounding country
start at the sound AS the morning advances,
every roof steepe tree, and hilltop that commands
the scene is alive with expectation. At noon the
British troops cross in twenty-eight barges from
the Long wharf and the North battery in Boston,
and as they move, the rays of a meridian sum
mers sun are reflected from their FURNISHED arms,
gay uniforms, and the sparkling waters.
NeedI speak Of the landing on this spot under
cover of the fire of Copp's hill, the ships of war
and floating batteries: the flower of the british
army, troops that hadwon laurels at Bettingen and
Mnden, officers trained in all the wars of Europe:
of the two hours pause for reinforcements; of the
suspense and exhaustion on the part of the Anne
rcans, who had now toiled from midnight without
repose or relief; of the welcome reinforcement of
Stark and Reed, marching leisurely across the
neck under fire of the batteries, because, in
Stark's estimation, one fresh man in battle is bet
ter than ten who are exhausted; of the return of
"sAi"" iioHA SotHoIioSOs WuClC llC lldQ lWlC6
gone to hasten the reinforcements; of the arrival
of Warren, the all-glorious volunteers
The battle began at three o'clock. You are IA
miliar with the tale. The advance of the royal
troops in two columns, one against the rail fence
on therver, and the other against the redoubt.-
AS they ascend the hill, they pause from time to
time. to give their feld-pieces an opportunity to
make an impression on the American lines but
their gallant defenders counted unmoved these
fearful pulsations of the battle the sharp, short
conflict, the retreat, the second advance, the Sc
cond more cisve repulse: the third terrible as
sault, when, with new renforcements, his troops
all concentrated in one column, his artillery
brought up between the rail fence and the breast
work, and thus commanding the interior of the re-
doubt, under cover cf sheet of fire and smoke
from three hundred dwellings, the redoubt is car
rled at the point of the bayonet Few of the Anne
rican guns are furnished with that weapon; Pres
colt defends himself with his sword against bay
onet, which passed more than once through his
garments; the American force at the redoubt is
now reduced to hundred and fifty men, certainly
not TENTH probably not a twentieth of the hos
tile force and reluctant order to retreat is given
Warren was among the last to quit the redoubt,
and the first steps of the pursuers were over his
dead body. Ages to come will weep tears of ad-
miration on the stone which marks the spot where
Bunker Hill, (properly so called0 but without sue
cess. The power of physical endurance was
exhausted No attempt at pursuit was made by
the royal commander. Sir Henry Clinton strong
ly urged that the dear bought advantages of The
day should be followed up; but Howe, with great
er prudence, was we'll content with the possession
of the field of battle.
The losses of the two parties attest the severity of
this great day On the royal side the official report
killed and wounded greater number than the entire
amount ct Prescott's detachment. On the American
side, according to the official account one hundred and
fifteen were killed, three hundred and five were wounds
ed and thirty were made prisoners in all four hundred
and htty greater loss than that Of the Grecans at
Marathon or Platea, or of Caesar at Pharsalia If
Gen. Cages loose statement OF the number OF his
troops in action correct halt his troops
killed wounded He entrenched himselfth next day
on Breeds and Bunker HILL and from these positions,
so long the royal army remained in Boston, never
ATTEMPTED to advance a foot into the country