Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1855-06-29

ammunition OF the Americans was
nearly expended, preparations were
made to carry networks at the point
OF the bayouet and the soldiers
threw Off their knapsacks, and some
even their coats, TO be more light for
action.
Gen. Howe, with the main body,
now made feint of attacking the
fortified fence but while while a
part of his force was thus engaged,
the rest brought some field-pieces to
enhlade the breastwork on the left Of
the redoubi. A raking fire soon
drove the Americans out of this ex-
posed place into the inclosurc. Much
damage, too, was done in the latter,
by balls which entered the sally
port.
The troops were now led on to as
sail the works; those who finched
were as before goaded on by the
swords of the officers. The Ameri-
cans again reserved their fire until
their assailants were close at hand,
and then make a murderous volley,
by which several officers were laid
low, and Gen. Howe himself was
wounded in the foot. The British
soldlersS this time likewise reserved
their fire, and rushed on with fixed
bayonet. Clinton and Pigot had
reached the southern and eastern
sides of the reboubt, and it was now
assalled on three side at once. Pres
colt ordered those who had no bay
oneis TO retire TO the back part Of the
redoubt, and fire on the enemy az
they showed themselves on the par
apei. The first who mounted ex-
claimed in triumph, The day is oursr
He was instantly shot down, and SO
were several others who mounted a.
bout the same time. The Ameri-
cans, however, had fred their last
round, their ammunition was exhaust
ed 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 redoubt, and
they received destructive volley
from those who had formed on the
captured works. By that volley fell
the patriot Warren, who had dis,ing-
uished himself throughout the action.
He was among the last 10 leave tho
redoubt, and had scarce done SO,
when he was shot through the head
with a musket ball, and fell dead on
the spot.
While the Americans were thus
slowly dlslodged from the redoubi,
Stark, Read and knowlton maintain
ed their ground at the fortified fence,
which indeed had been nobly defend
ed throughout the action. Pomeroy
distinguished himself here by his
sharp shooting, until his musket was
shattered by bail. The resistance
at this hastily constructed work was
kept up after the troops in the re-
doubt had given way, and until Col.
Prescott had left the hill, thus defeat
ing Gen. Howe's design of cutting
OIL the retreat OF the main body,
which would have produced scene
Of dlreful confusion and slaughter.
Having effected their purpose, the
brave associates Of the fence aband-
oned their weak outpost, retiring
slowly, and dispu,ing the ground
inch by inch, with regularity re-
markable in troops, many of whom
HAD never before been in action.
The main retreat was across Bun.
ker's Hill, where Putnam had en-
dcavored 10 throw up breastwork.
The veteran, sword in hand, rode to
the rear Of the retrea,ing troops, re-
gardless of the balls whistling about
him. His only thought was to rally
them at the unfinished works. Halt!
make stand here = cried he, 'we
can check them yet In Gods name,
form, and give one shot more
Pomeroy, welding his shattered
musket as truncheon, seconded
him in his efforts 10 stay the torrent.
II was impossible, however, to bring
the troops to stand. They continued
on down the hill to the Neck, and
across it TO Cambridge, exposed to a
raking fire from the ships and Bate
rics, and only protected by single
piece Of ordnance. The British
were too exhausted TO pursue them
they conienied themselves with TAX
ing possession of Bunker Hill, were
reinforced from Boston, and threw
up additional works during the night.
-Irving's life Of Washington.