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

were depoSlted tnere anu IL iniBh0 h"'0 w
the principal attack At length, having taken
advice of the Council of Safety, he issued OF
ders to Colonels Stark and Read, then at Med
ford, to march to the relief of Prescott with
their New Hampshire regiments. The orde.
reached Medford about II o'clock. Ammunl
tion.was distributed with all haste-two filnts, a
gill Of powder, and fifteen balls to each man.
The balls had to be suited to the different CALI
1bres of the guns the powder to be carried in
powder-horns, or loose in the pocket, for there
were no cartridges prepared. 1t was th9 rude
tusn-out of yeoman soldiery destitute of Ha1lar
accoutrements
In the meanwhile the Americans on Breeds
Hill were sustaining the fire from tbeA ships
and from the battery on Cops Hill, WHICH
\ snad ana sl.ot ftc,l. eala essT -,
redoubt, without much harm to the encn( IHhd'
. continued strengthening their position >Sntil
about II O'Clock, when they ceased to work Nil
cd up. their intrenching tools in the rear, and
looked out anxiously and impatiently e6r the,
anticipated reinforcements and supplies.
About this time Gen Putnam, who had been
to headquarters, arrived at the redoubt on horse
back Some words passed between him and
Prescott with regard to the intrenching tools,
which have been varously reported.
The most probable version is that he urged to
have them taken from their present place e,where
they might fall into the hands of the enemy,
and carried to Bunkcr's Hill, to be employed
in throwing up redoubt, which was part of
tho original plan, and which would be very i'm
portant should the troops be obliged toretrcat
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 the tools were
' ultimately carried to Bunker's Hill and breast
work commenced by order of General ,Patnam.
The importance of such a work was afterwards
, !, made apparent
About noon the Americans deserted twenty
= eight barges crossing from Boston in parallel
: lines They contained large detachment of
:. grenadiers rangers, and light infantry admirably
y equipped, and commanded by MajorsG
y Howe. They made splendid and formidable
appearance with their scarlet uniforms, and the
- sun flashing upon their muskets and bayoncts
~ ~ and brass fed pieces. A heavy fire from the
ships and batteries covered their advance, but
no attempt was made(to oppose them, and they
landed at o'clock at Moulton's Point, a little
+ to the north of Breeds Hill. A
es Here General Howe made pause On re-
g connoitering the works from this point the
|. Americans appeared to be much more strongly
y posted than he had imagined. He deserted
10 troopsalso hastening to their assistance These
v were the New Hampshire troops, led D. by Stark
4 taewa iafhediatel5 sent ssas 70 Gosf for
le more fUsses ant su II. 8 thos.
IN brought by him being found, through some eyre
,e gious oversight too large for the ordnance
r. While waiting for their arrival, Refreshments
1t were served out to the troops, with "grog " by
ID the bucketful; and tantalizing it was to the
a. hungry and thirsty proyincials to look down
c. from their ramparts of earth and sec their in
vaders seated in groups upon the grass eating
as and drinking, and preparing themselves by a
s- hearty meal for the coming encounter
tn The only consolation was to take advantage
d, of the delay while the enemy was carousing, to
ee strengthen their position. The breastwork or
nd the left of tho position extended to what wa,
ng called the slough, but beyond this the ridge O.
ell the hill, and the slope towards Mystic Rive
k, were undefended, leaving pass by which th'
ng enemy might turn the left flank of the position
N. and seize upon Bunkcrs HILL Putnam ordered
ad his chosen officer, Capt. Knowlton, N cover thi
Ter pass with the Connecticut troops under his com
EN- mand. novel sind of rampant, syoring o
We rural device, was suggested by the rastic Gen
he eral
nd About six hundred feet in the rear of the re
EN- doubt, and about one hundred feet to the lef
ns of the breast-work was post-and-Iail fence 80
de in low foot-wall of stone, and extending dow
his to Mystic River. The posts and rails of anoth
er fence were hastily pulled up and set fey
Ter feet in behind this, and the intermediate spac
he was filled up with new mown hay from the ad
op acent meadows. This double fence, it will b
on found, proved an important protection to tn
tor redoubt, although there still remained unpro
ty' tected interval of about seven hundred feet
not While Knowlton and bis men were putin
the up this fence, Putnam proceeded with other c
ny his troops to throw up the works on Bunker
isi Hill, despatching his son, Capt, Putnam, 0
ON horseback to hurry up the remainder of hism me
VS. from Cambridge. By this time bid compeer
French and Indian warfare, the veteran Starl
iei' made his appearance with the NJ sampshi
ely troops, five hundred strong. He hid grown CO..
ave and wary with age.and his march from Medic,
ing q distance of five or six miles had been in cha
, as acter He led his men at u moderate pace,
rk' bring them into action fresh and vigorous.
i''y crossing the neck which was enfladed by I'll
any enemy's ships and batteries, CAPT. Dearborn
mat who was by his side, suggestedp quick ste
In The veteran shook his head. s0ne fresh mi
had in action is worth ten tired ones" replied h
iage and marched steadily on.
inst Putnam detained some of Stark's men to q
in throwing up the works on Bunker Hill, a
directed him to reinforce Knowlton with
Itter rest Stark made short speech to his me
the now they were likely to have wath work,
Of then pushed on. and did good service that d
heir at the rustic bulwark. %
at- About two o'clock Warren arrived on
be- heights, ready to engage in their perilous
eep fence, although he had opposed the scheme
Inty their occupation. He had recently been cleo