Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1855-08-11
I'll Mist&llautous.
From Irying's Life of Washington.l
THE BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL.

The sound of drum and trumpet, the clatter
Of hootS, the rattling of gun-carriages, and all
the other military din and hustle in the streets
of Boston, soon apprised the Americans, on
their rudey fortified height, of an impending
attack They were i'll fitted to withstand it,
being jaded with nights labor and want of
sleep hungry, and thirsty, having brought
but Scanty supplies, and oppressed by the heat
of the weather. Prescott sent repeated mes
sagcs to General Ward, asking reinforce
mcnts and provisions Putnam seconded the
request in person, urging the exigencieS Of the
case
Ward hestated. He feared to weaken his
main body at Cambridge, as his stores were de-
posted there and it might have to sustain the
principal attack At length, having taken the
advice of the Council of Safety he issued or
dcrs 10 Col Stark and Read, then at Medford,
to march TO the relief of Prescott with their
New Hampshire regiments. The order reach
ed Ncdford about ii o'clock Ammunition
was distributed in all haSte-two fints, gill of
powder and fifteen balls to each man. The
balls had TO be suited to the different calibreS
Of the guns the powder to be carried in horns
or loose in the pocket, for there were no cart
ridges prepared. 1t was the rude turn out of
veoman soldiery, destitute Of regular accoutrc-
ments
I'm the meanwhile the Americans on Breeds
Hill were sustaining the fire from the ships and
from the battery on Copp's Hill, which open
ed ulon them about ten o'clock. They return
ed an occasional shot from one corner of the
rcdoubt, without much harm to the enemy,
and continued strengthening their position un-
til about eleven O'Clock, when they ceased to
work, piled up their entrenching tools i'll the
rear and looked out anxiously and impatiently
for their anticipated rcnforcements and sup
plies.
About this time, General Putnam, who had
been to headquarters, arrived at the rcdOubt
on horseback. Some few words passed be-
tween him and Prescott with regard to the en-
tTcnching tools. which have been yariousiv re-
ported.
The most probable version is, that he urged
to have them taken from their present place.
where they might fall into the hands of the
enemy, and carried to Bunkers Hill, to be en-
pIoyed in throwing up "a redoubt, which was a
part of the original plan, and which would be
very important should the troops be obliged to
retreat from Breeds Hill To this Prescott
demurred that those employed to convey them,
and who were already jaded with toll might
not return to his redoubt A large part of
NE tools were ultimately carried to Bunker's
NM and breast-work commenced. by order
" ten Putnam. The Importance Of such a
"'fk was afterwards made apparent.
About noon the Americans deserted TWEEN
'!fght barges crossing from Boston in para
lr! lines. They contained large detachment
d 9renadlers, rangers and light infantry, ad-
,c'Fa0y equipped. and commanded by Major
general Howe. They made a splendid and
,"rhidabIe appearance, with their scarlet uni
,OFiAs' and the sun flashing upon muskets and
gd!ohetS and brass field pieces A heavy fire
nun The ships and batteries covered their ad-
vance, but no attempt was made to oppose
mt,n, and they landed about one o'clock,
~ IT., Moulton's Point, little north Of Breeds
= here Major General Howe made a pause
- GI feconnoitering the works from this point
VIE Americans appeared to be much more
nohgiy posted than he imagined He OBJ
aI'eu troops also fastening to their assis-
ihese were the New Hampshire troops, led
r., r. =! stark. Howe Immediately sent over to
~sn o, Vage for more forces, and supply of
tSupon t6u balls those brought by him being found
sn. ssaoGgn some egregious oversight, too large
wi ,.t 'ne ordnance. While awaiting their arr-
na b 'elreshments were served out to the troops
nn ,4 gFoS" by the basketball and tantaliz-
cislI rig II was to the hungry and thirsty provin-
sn5 F" look down from their ramparts of earth
''s 'neir invaders, seated in groups upon