Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1855-06-14

~ "oaiu oo uo"HriBnt putcnery. n ulHerent
plan was adopted. Instead of advancing in
front of the redoubt, it was to be taken in flank
on the left, where the open space between the
breastwork and the fortified fence presented a
weak point 1t having been accidentally dis
covered that the ammunition of the Americans
was nearly expended, preparations were made to
carry the works at the point of the bayonet; !;
and the soldiery threw off their knapsacks, and
some even their coats, to be more light for ac-
ton.
Gen. Howe, with the main body, now made a
feint of attacking the fortified fence but while
part of his force was thus engaged, the rest
brought some feld-pieces to enflade the breast
work on the left of the redoubt A raking fire
soon drove the Americans out of this exposed
place into the enclosure Much damage, too,
was done in the latter, by balls which entered
the sallyport
The troops were now led on to assail the
works; thoass4-,lt esneheG were as before goad-
ed on by the swords of the officers. The Amer
leans again reserved their FIRE until their assail-
ants were close at hand, and then made q mur-
derous volley, by which several officers were laid
low, and General Howe himself was wounded
in the foot.
| The British soldiery this time likewise reserv-
ed their fire, aud rushed on With fixed bayonets.
Clinton and Pigot had reached the southern and
eastern sides of the redoubt, and it was now as
sailed on three sides at once. Prescott ordered
those who had no bayonets to retire to the back
part of the redoubt, and fire on the enemy as
they showed themselves on the parapet The
first who mounted exclaimed in triumph, The
day is ours " He was instantly shot down,
and so were several Others who mounted about
the same time. The Americans, however, had
fred their last round, their ammunition was ex-
haustsd and now succeeded desperate and
deadly struggle, hand to hand, with bayonets,
stones and the stocks of their muskets.
AT length, as the British continued to pour
in, Prescott gave the order to retreat. His men
had to cut their way through two divisions of
the enemy who were getting in rear of the re-
doubt, and they received destructive vo'ley
from those who had formed on the captured
works. By that volley fell the patriot Warren
who had distinguished himself throughout the
action He was among the last to leave the re-
doubt and had scarce done so when he was shot
through thehead with a musket- ball .'and fell
dead on the spot ssh
While the Americans were thus slowly dis
logged from the redoubt, Stark, Read and Knowl-
ton maintained their groand at the fortified
fence, which indeed hadbeen nobly defended
throughout the action Pomeroy distinguished
himslr here by his sharp shooting until his
muskct was shattered by ball. The resistance
at this hastily constructed work was kept up
after the troops in the redoebt had given way,
and until Col Prcscottshal left the hill, thus
defeating Gen, Hoye's design Of cutting of the
: associates Of the fence abandoned their weak
outpost retiring slowly, and disputing the
ground inch by inch with regularity remark
able in troops many of whom kaA never before
been in action. ="
The main retreat was across Bankers Hill
where Putnam had endeavored to throw up
breastwork The veteran, sword in hand, rods
to the rear of the retreating troops, regardless
of the balls whistling about him. His only
> thought was to rally them at the unfinished
works. e" Halt make stand here !! " criet
he, '' we can check them yet. In Gods name
form, and give them one shot more
Pomeroy, welding his shattered muskst as
u truncheon, seconded him in his efforts to sta,
the torrent. 1t was impossible, however, tt
+ bring the troops to stand. They continued OIL
u down the hill to the Neck, and across to Cam
bridge, exposed to raking fire from the ship
' and batteries, and only protected by a singl
: piece of ordinance. The British were too ex
9 hausted to pursue them; they contented them
: selves with taking possession of Bunker's Hill
were re-enforced from Boston, and threw up ad
u ditional works during the night.