Spirit of the times. [volume] (Ironton, Ohio) 1853-1858, 1855-08-14
regard TO tho intrenching tools, which
have been variously reported.

regard to tho intrenching tools, which
have beon variously reported.
The most probable version is, that he
urged 10 have them taken from thoir pres.
ent place, where they might fall into the
hands Of the enemy, and be carried TO
Bunker Hill, 10 be employed in throw.
ing up q redoubt, which was part Of the
original plan, and which would DO very
importont should tho troops be obliged
TO retreat from Breeds Hill. To this
Prescott demu~ed that those employed
10 convey them, aud who were already
jaded with toll, might not return TO his
redoubt. A large part Of the tools wcre
ultimately carried TO Bunker Hill, and
a breattwork commenced by order OF
Gen. Putnam. The Importance Of
such work was afterward made ap.
parent.
About noon tho Americans deserted
twenty. eight barges crossing from Bos.
ton in parallel lines. They continued q
large detachment Of grcnadiers, rangers
and light infantry, admirably equipped,
and commanded by Major General
Howe. They made splendid and for.
midable appearance with their scarlet
uniforms, and the sun flashing upon mus.
kett and bayonets and brass field. pieces.
A heavy fire from the ships and batter.
les covered their advance, but no attempt
was made to oppose them, and they
landed about one o'clock at Moulton' 8
Point, little 10 tho north Of Breeds
Hill.
Here General Howe made a pause
On reconnoilering the works from this
point, the Americans appeared 10 be
much more strongly posted than he had
imagined. He deserted the troops also
Fastening TO their assistance. These
were the New Hampshire troops, led on
by Stark. Howe Immediately sent over
to General Gage for more forces and a
supply of cannon.balls, those brought
by him being found, through some eyre
gious oversight, too large for the ord.
nance. While awaiting their arrival,
refreshments were served out to the
troops, with "grog" by the buckc,ful
and tantalizing il was 10 the hungry and
thirsty provincials to look down from
their ranpars Of earth and see their in
vaders seated in groups upon the grass,
eating and drinking, and preparing them.
selves by hearty meal for the coming
encounter.
The only consolation was to take ad.
vantage Of the delay, while the enemy
were carousing, to strengthen their po.
silion. The breastwork on the left Of
the position extended 10 what was called
the Slough, but beyond this the ridge o
the hill and the slope toward the Mystic
River were undefended, leaving pass
by which the enemy might turn the left
flank Of the position and seize upon
Bunker Hill. Putnam ordered mis- cho
sen officer, Captain Kuowlton, to cover
this pass with the Connecticut troops
under his command. A novel kind o
rampant. savoring of rural device, was
suggested by the rustic General.
About six hundred feet in the rear o
the redoubt, and about one hundred feet
to the left Of the breastwork, was post
and.rai fence, set in low foot.wall oI
stone, and extending down to Mystic
River. The posts and rails of another
fence were hastily pulled up and set q
few fee, IN behind this, and the nterme
diate space was filled up with new.lnowr
hay from the djdcent meadows. The
double fence, it will be found proved ar
important protection TO the redoubt, al
though there still remained an unpro
tected interval Of about seven hundred
feet.
While Knowlton and his men were
putting up this fence, Putnam proceeded
with other of his troops TO throw up tht
works on Bunker Hill, dispatching hi'
: son, Captain Putnam on horseback, to
, hurry up the remainder OF his men from
Cambridge. By this time, his compee
in French and Indian warfare, tho vete
ran Stark, made his appearance will
the New Hampshire troops, FIVE hundre,
strong. He had grown cool and war.
with age, and his march from Medford
{ a distance of FIVE or six miles, had bee
in character. He led his men at mod
' crate pace, to bring them into actio
t fresh and vigorous. In crossing tn
/, Neck, which was enfiladed BY the enc
: my's ships and batteries, Captain Dea'
J., born, who was by his side, suggested
quick stop. The veteran shook his hcat
!. 'one (rosh man in action is worth lei
9 tired ones" replied he, and marche
d steadily on.
i Putnam detained some Of Stark
e men to aid in throwing up the works o
;. Bunker Hill, and directed him to re.er
n force Knowlton with the rest.
II Stark made short speech 10 his mel
}. now that they we're likely to have war
d work. He then pushed on, and d
IS good service that day at the rustic bu
q wark. ....
n About two o'clock Warren arrive
70 on the heights, ready to engage in the
" perilous defence, although he had opp
u sed the scheme of their occnpation.-
i He had recently been elected Maj
" General, but had not received his cor
's. mission; like Pomeroy, he came ,
N serve in the ranks with musket on b
~ shoulder. ..a...a .a sA
- Putnam offered him the command
-, ~ the fence he declined it. and mere