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

ot sateCy, repileu warren, quickly Wnere
will the attack be hottest!" P" Putnam still
pointed to the redoubt "That is the enemy 9
object if that can be maintained the day is
ours" Warren was cheered by the troops as
he entered the redoubt. Col. Prescott rendered
him the command. Heagain declined. ~ have
come to serve only as volunteer, and shall be
happy to learn from a soldier of your expert
ence." Such were the noble spirits assembled
on these perilous heights
The British now prepared for general as
sault. An easy victory was anticipated the
main thought was, how to make it most effect
ual. The left wing, commanded by Gen. Pigot,
was to mount II e hill and force the redoubt,
while Gen. Howe, with the right wing, was to
push on between the fort and Mystic river, turn
fshAlaft flank of.the Americans, and cut off their
retreat. 3. ---'--- .-YY ,-----..-z- I
Gen. Pigot accordingly advanced up the hill
under cover Of fire from field-pieces and how
ltizers planted on small height near the land
ing-place on Moulton's Point. His troops COM
menced discharge of musketry while yet at a
long distance from the redoubts.
The Americans within the works, obedient to
strict command, retained their fire until the ene-
my were within thirty or forty PAGES, when
they opened upon them with tremendous vol
ley. Being all marksmen, accustomed to take
deliberate aim, the slaughter was immense, and
especially fatal to officers. The assailants fell
back in some confusion but rallied on by their
officers, advanced within pistol shot, Another
volley, more effective than the first, made them
again recoil. To add to their confusion, they
were CALLED by q fanking fire from the handful
of Provineials posted in Charlestown. Shocked
at the carnage, and seeing the confusion of his
troops, Gen. Pigot was urged to give the word
for treat.
In the meanwhile, Gen. Howe, with the left
wing, advanced along Mystic river, toward the
fence where Stark, Read and Rnowlton were
stationed, thinking to carry this slight breast
work with ease, and SO get in the rear of the
fortress. His artillery proved of little avail,
being stopped by swampy piece of ground,
while his columns suffered from two or three
field pieces with which Putnam had fortified the
fence. Howe's men kept up fire of musketry
as they advanced but, not taking aim, their
shot passed over the heads Of the Americans
The latter had received the same orders with
those in the redoubt, not to fire until the enemy
should be within thirty PAGES Some few
transgressed the command. Putnam rode up
and swore he would cut down the next man that
fred contrary to orders. 4s
When the British arrived within the stated
distance, sheeted fire opened upon them from
rifles, muskets and fowlng- pieces, all levelled
with deadly aim. The carnage, as in the Other
instance was Horrible. The British were thrown
| into confusion sudsall back some szfn retreat
Cd to the boats. "
There was general pause on the pirt Of th'
British. The American officers availed them
selves of it to prepare for another attack, which
must soon be made. Prescott mingled among
his men in the redoubt, who were all in higf
spirits at the severe check they had given thu
regulars" He praised them for their seadfast
ness in maintaining their post and their good
conduct in reserving their fire until the word o
command, and exhorted them to do the same il
the next attack.
Putnam rode about Bunkers Hill and it
skirts to rally and bring on reinforcement
which had been checked or scattered in crossin,
Charestown Neck by the raking fire from tn
ships and batteries. Before many could b
brought to the scene of action the British ha,
commenced their second attack. They agail
assembled the hill to storm the redoubts thei
advance was covered as before by discharges 0
artillery. Charlestown, which had annoye
them on their first attack by hanking fire, wa
in flames thrown from Copp's Hill and by ma
rines from the ships Being built of wood, tn
place was soon wrapped in a general conaagra
tion.
The thunder of artillery from batteries an
Ships the bursting of bomb-shells; the shar
discharges of musketry the shouts and yells
combatants the crash Of burning building
and the dense volumes of smoke which obscure
the summer sun, all formed tremendous spe,
tace. "Sure am" said Burgoyne in one
his letters Sure am nothing ever has or ev,
can be more dreadfully terrible than what WI
to be seen or heard at this time. The most i,
cessant discharge of guns that ever was heal
by mortal ears"
The American troops, though unused to wa
stood undismayed amidst scene where it W,
!, bursting upon them with all its horrors. r
serving their FIRE, as before, until the enemy VI
!. close at hand, they again poured forth repeatc
! volleys with the fatal aim of sharpshootcrs =
The British stood the first shock, and continu,
to advance but the incessant stream Of e
. staggered them. Their officers demonstrate
threatened, and even attempted to goad them
!. with their swords, but the havoc was too deadl
whole ranks were moved down many of ii
officers were either slain or wounded, and amo
= them several Of the staff of Gen. Howe. r
}. troops again gave way and retreated down
hill.
"a All this passed under the eyes of thousan
ID of spectators of both sexes and all ages, waite
No ing from afar every turn Of the battle in viii
n the lives Of those most dear to them were
Ie hazard The British soldery in Boston gai
w with astonishment and almost incredulity at
resolute and protracted stand of raw milit
10 whom they had been taught to despise, and
O. the havoc made among Cheir own veteran troo
Of Every convoy of wounded brought over to
ed town increased their conformation and G
/ 6dl.- l. 4 Il. IL e