Plymouth advertiser. [volume] (Plymouth, Ohio) 1853-1988, 1855-07-14
gelerteh Misrellany,
BATTLE OF BUNKER's HILL,

The following description OF the Battle
of Bunker's Hill, is from new work by
Washington Irving entitled "The Life Of
George Washington"
The sound of drum and trumpet, the
clatter of hoofs, the fattling of gun-carri-
ages and all the other military din and bus
tie ia the streets of Boston soon arprised
the Americans on their rudely fortified
hight of an impending attack. They were
i'll fitted to withstand it, hungry and thirs,
ty, having brought but scanty supplies,
and oppressed by the heat Of the weather.
Prescott sent repeated messages to Gen.
Ward, asking reinforcements and provis-
ions. Putnam seconded the request in per-
son, urging the exigencies 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. Al
length, having taken advice of a Council
Of Safety, he issued orders to Coils. Stark
and Read, then at Medford to march tc
the relief of Prescott with their New Hamp.
shire regiments. The orders reached Med,
ford about IL o'clock. Ammunition was
distributed in all haste-two fints, gill ot
powder and fifteen balls to each man.
The balls had to be suited to the different
calibers of the guns; the powder to be car.
ried in powder horns, or loose in the pock'
ct, for there were no cartridges prepared
1t was the rude turnout OF yeoman sold
iery destitute ofregular accoutrements.
In the meanwhile the Americans or
Bleed's Hill were sustaining the fire from
the ships and from the battery on Copp's
Hill, which opened upon them about 10 O
clock. They returned an occasional shot
from one corner of the redoubt without
much harm to the enemy, and continued
strengthening their position until about ]
o'clock. when they ceased to work, piled
up their intrenching tools in the rear and
looked out anxiously and impatiently
for the anticipated reenforcements and sup
plies.
About this time Gen. Putnam. who had
been to headquarters, arrived at the re-
doubt on horseback. Some words were
passed between him and Prescott with re-
gard to the intrenching tools which have
been variously y reported. The most prob
able version is that he urged to have then
taken from their present place, where they
might fall into the hands of the enemy
and carried to Bunker's Hill, to be EN-
ployed in throwing up redoubt, which
would be very important should th'
troops be Obliged to retreat from Breeds
Hill To this Prescott demured that thes,
employed to convey them, and who wer'
already jaded with toll, might not return
to his redoubt. A large part of the tool
were ultimately carried to Bunker's Hill
and breast-work commenced by order 0
Gen. Putnam. The importance of such
work was afterward made apparent.
About noon the Americans deserted
twenty eight barges crossing from Bosto
in parallel lines. They contained larg
detachment of grenadIers, rangers an
light infantry, admirably equipped an
commanded by Major-General Howe
They made splendid and formidable ar
pearance with their scarlet uniforms an
the sun flashing upon muskets and bayc
nets and brass tield-pieces. A heavy fiji
from the ships and batteries covered the
advance. but no attempt was made to OI
pose them, and they landed about / o o'cloc
at Moulton's Point, little to the north
Breeds Hill.
Here General Howe made a pause
! On reconnoitering the works from tn