Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1855-06-20
THE BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL.

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THE BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL.
The sound of drum and trumpet, the clat-
ter of hoofs, the rattle of gun-carriages and
all tie other military din and hustle in the
streets of Boston soon apprised the Amerl-
cans, on their rudely fortified height. of an
impending attack. They were ill-itted to
withstand it, being jaded by the nights labor
and want of sleep; hungry and thirsty, hav-
ing brought but scanty supplies. and oppres-
sed by the heat of the weather Prescott
sent repeated messages to Gen. Ward, asking
reinforcements and provisions. Putnam sec
-ouded the request in person, urging the ex-
igencies of the case.
Ward hesitated He feared to weaken his
main body at Cambridge, as his military stores
were deposited there and it might have to
sustain the principal attack. AT length, hav-
ing taken advice of the Council of Safety he
issued orders to Colonels Stark and Read.
then at Medford. to march to the relief of
Prescott with their New Hampshire regiments.
The order reached Medford about IL o'clock.
Ammunition was distributed in all haste
two Aints, a 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 powder-horns, or loose in the
pockets for there were no cartridges prepared.
1t was the rude turnout of yeonlen soldiery
destitute of regular accoutrements.
In the meanwhile tie Americans on Breeds
Till were sustaining the fire from the ships
and from the battery on Cops Hill. which
opened upon them about ten o'clock. They
returned an occasional shot from one corner
of the redoubt, without much harm to the en-
envy, and continued Strengthening their posi-
tion until about IL o'clock, when they ceased
to work, piled up their entrenching tools in
the rear, and looked cut anxiously and inpa-
tiently for the anticipated reinforccments and
supplies.
About this time Gen. Putnam, who had
been to headquarters, arrived at the redoubt
on horseback. Some words passed between
him and Prescott with regard to the entrench-
Ing tools, which have been variously reported
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 Bunker's Hill, to be
employed in throwing up redouht, which
was part OF the original plan. and which would
be very important should the troops be obliged
10 retreat from Breeds Hill To this Pres
cutt demurred that those employed to convey
them, and who were already iaded with toll,
might not return to his redoubt. A large
part of the tools were ultimately carried to
Bunker's Hill and breast&ork commenced
by order of Gen. Putaam The Importance
of such work was afterwards made appa-
rent.
About noon the americans deserted twen-
ty-eight barges crossing from Boston in paral-
lei lines. They contained large detachment
of grenaders, rangers and light infantry, adj
'nirably equipped, and commanded by Major
General Howe. They made splendid and
formidable appearance with their scarlet uni
forms, and the sun flashing upon muskets
and bayonets and brass field-pieces. A heavy
fire from the ships and batteries covered their
advance, but no attempt was made to oppese
them, and they landed about o'clock at Moul-
tons Point, little to the north of Breed s Hill.
Here General Howe made pause On
accommodating the works from this point the
Americans appeared to be much more strong
ly posted than he had imagined He deserted
troops hastening to their assistance These
were the New Hampshire troops led on bv
Stark. Howe immediately sent over to Gen
Gage for more forces and a supply of cannon.
balls, those brought by him being found
through some egregious oversight too lsrge
for the ordnance. While awaiting their ar.
rival, refreshments were served out to the
troops. with :" grog" by the bucket full; aud
tantalizing it was to the hungry and thirsty
provincials to look down from their ramparts
ofearth and see their invaders seated in groups
upon the grass eating and drinking, and pre-
pairing themselves by hearty meal for the
coming encounter.
ne only consolation was to take advantage
OF the delay while the enemy were carousing,
TO strengthen their position. The breastwork
on the lett OF the position extended to what
was scaiieo the Slough, but beyond this the
ridge of the bill, and the slope towards Nvst;e
river were undefended, leaving a mass Strs hv
which the enemy might turn the left AL y
the position and seize upon Bunker,s H;r n.
Putnam ordered his chosen Officer a..
Knowlton, to cover this pass with the Cao.
.necticut troops under his command. A novel
kind of rampant, savoring of rural device. was
suggested by the rustic general.
About six hundred feet in the rear of the
redoubt and about one hundred feet to the left
OF the breastwork was a post-and-rail fence
set IN low foot-wall of stone, and extending
down to the Mystic river. The post and
laiis OF another fence were hastily pulled up
.a sna set few feet in behind this, and the in
bau nsolate space was filed up with new mown
80 :n =. tae adjacent meadows. The double
-suce II will be found proved an ;,nnortsnt
rems;nsa ou 70 the redoubt, although there still
lemal1ed an unprotected intsrya, ~ .hsmt