Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1855-08-11

regulars" He epraised them for their steadfast-
ness in maintaining their post, and their good
conduct in reserving their fire until the word
of command, and exhorted them to do the same
in the next attack
Putnam rode about Bunker's Hill and its
skirts, to rally and bring on reinforcements
which had been checked or scattered, in cross
ing CharlestOwn Neck, by raking fire from
the ships and batteries. Before many could be
brought to the scene of action, the British had
commenced their second attack They again
ascended the hill to storm the redoubt their
advance was covered as before with discharges
of artillery. Charlestown, which had annoyed
them on their first attack by fanking fire,
was in flames by shells thrown from Copps
Hill. and by marines from the ships. Being
built of wood, the place was soon wrapped in
a general conhagration.
The thunder of artillery from the batteries
and ships, the bursting of bombshells, the sharp
discharge of musketry, the shouts and yels of
combatants, the crash of burning buildings
and the dense volumes of smoke which obscur-
ed the summer sun, all formed a tremendous
spectacle, " Sure | am," said Burgoyne, in one
of his letters Sure l am, nothing ever has
or ever can be more dreadfully TERRIBLE than
what was to be seen and heard at this time
The most lncesSant discharge of guns that was
ever heard 10y mortal ears"
The American troops, though unused to war,
stood undiSmayed amid a scene where it was
bursting upon them in all its horrors Reserv-
ing their fire, as before, until the enemy was
close at hand, they again poured forth repeat
ed volleys with the unerring aim of sharp-shoot-
ers. The British stood the first shock, and
continued to advance but the incessant stream
of fire staggered them. Their officers remon.
strated threatened, and even attempted to
goad them on with their swords, but the havoc
was too deadly-whole ranks were moved
down-many of the officers were either slain
or wounded, and among them several of the
staff of Howe. The troops again gave way
and retreated down the hill
All this passed under the eyes of thousands
of spectators OF both sexes and all ages. watch
ing from afar every turn of the battle in which
the lives of those most dear to them were at
hazard. The British soldiery in Boston gazed
with astonshment and almost incredulity at
the resolute and protracted stand of raw mill
tia whom they had been taught to despise, and
at the havoc made among their own veteran
troops. Every convoy brought over to the
eral Clinton, who had watched the action from
Copp's Hill, embarked in a boat. hurried over
as volunteer, taking with him reinforce
ments.
A third attack was now determined on. al
though some of Howe's officers demonstrated,
declaring it would be downright butchcry. A
different plan was adopted. Instead of advanc-
ing in front of the redOubts, it was to be TAX
en- i'll flank on the left, where open space be-
tween the breastwork and the fortified fence
presented weak point. 1t having been ac-
cdentally discovered that the ammunition of
the Americans was nearly expended, prepara
tions were made to carry the works at the point
of the bayonet ; and the sodiery threw off
their knapsackS, and some even their coats to
be more light for action.
Gen. Howe, with the main body now made
a feint of attacking the fortified fence but
while part of his force was thus engaged, the
rest brought some field pieces to enflade the
brcastwork on the left of the redoubt A rak-
ing fire soon drove the Americans out of this
exposed place into the enclosure Much dam
age, too was done i'll the latter by balls which
entered the Sallyport.
The troops were now led on to assail the
works-those who hinched were as before goad-
ed on by the swords Of the officers. The Ameri-
cans again reserved their fire until their assail-
ants were close at hand, and then made mur-
derous volley, hy which several officers were
laid low, and Gen Howe himself was wounded
in the foot.
The British soldiery this time likewise re-
serving their fire. and rushed on with their
bayonets Clinton and Pigot had reached the
cont horn and ao or ciIoC of tbo rnlo
it was now assaied on three sides at once
Prescott ordered those who had no bayonets
to retire to the back part Of the redoubt, and
to fire on the enemy as they showed themselves
on the parapet The first who mounted ex-
claimed in triumph, "the day is ours !" He
was instantly shot down, and so were several
others who mounted about the same time. The
Americans, however, had fired the last round
their ammunition was exhausted ; and now sue
ceeded desperate and deadly struggle, hand
to hand, with bayonets, stones, and the stocks
of their muSkets
Al length, as the British continued to pour
in, Prescott gave the order to retreat. His
men bad to cut their way through two divis-
ions of the enemy, who were getting in rear
of the redoubt, and they received destruc-
tive yolley from those who had formed on the
captured works. BY that volley fell the pa
triot Warren, who had distinguished himself
throughout the action. He was among the
last to leave the redoubt, and had scarcely
done so, when he received a shot through the
head with musket ball, and fell dead on the
spot.
While the Americans were thus slowly dis
lodged from the redoubt, Stark, Reed and
Knowlton maintained their position at the for
tilted fence which indeed had been nobly de-
Tended throughout the action Pomeroy dis
tnguished himself here by his sharp shooting
until his musket was shattered by ball The
resistance at this hastily constructed work was
kept up after the troops in the redoubt had
given way, and until Col. Prescott hadlcft the
hill thus defeating Gen. Howe's design of cut