The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1858-05-07

RaQement. While the light infantry and
pa6 of the Rranadien were left to continue
The attack st tho nil.fence, Howe eoncen-
trsted the rest Of his forces upon tho 70,
doubt Cspnons were brought to bear in
such manner a. 10 rake the inside Of tho
breast. work, from one end to the other, %
that the Americans were obliged 10 crowd
within their fort. Then the British troops,
having disine umbered themselves Of their
nspsscks, advanced In column with fixed
bayoncts. Clinton, who from Copp's Hill
had watched the battle, at this critical mo-
ment, and without orders pushed of in .
boat, and put himself at the head Of two
bsttallions, the marines and tho 47th, which
seemed 10 hesitate on the beach a. u uncer-
tain what to do. These formed the extreme
LEFT Of the British, and advanced irom the
South the 5th, the 36th and 43d bsttalions
formed the center, and STACKED from the
East on their right was the SD with gren-
adiers, who forced the now deserted 10
trenchnents.
The Americans within the redoubt, at
tackled at once on three sides BY six battal.
ions, at that time numbered less than seven
hundred men. or these some had no more
than one, none more than three or four
rounds Of ammunition left. But Prescotts
elf.possession increased with danger. He
directed his men to wait ill The enemy were
within twenty yards, when they poured up
on them deadly volley. The British wav.
cred for an instant, and then sprang forward
without returning the fire. The American
Ere slackened, and began to die away. The
British reached the rampant on the Southern
side. Those who first scaled the parapet
were shot down a. they mounted. Major
Pitcairn fell mortally wounded, just as he
was entering the redoubt. A single artilc-
~ cartridge furnished powder for the last
muskets which the Americans fred. For
some time longer they kept the enemy at
bay, confronting them with the butt ends Of
their guns, and striking them with the bar
rels after the stocks were broken. The
breast.work being abandoned, the ammuni.
ton all expended, the redoubt half filled
with regulars and on the point Of being sur.
rounded, and no other re-enforcements hsv.
ing arrived, at q little before four, Prescott
gave the word to retreat. He himself was
the last to leave tho fort; escaping unhurt,
though with coat and waistcoat rent and
pierced by bayonets, which he parried with
I his sword. The men, retiring through the
sallyport or leaping over the walls, made
their way through their enemies, each Tor
himself, without much order, and the dust
which rose from the dry earth now POWDER
ed in the sun, and the smoke Of the engage;
nent gave them some covering. The Brit.
| ish. who had turned the Northeastern end
of the breast-work and had also come round
the angle Of the redoubt, were too much ex-
hausted to use the bayonet against them
with vigor, and at first the parties were too
closely intermingled to admit Of firing 1t
also appeared that q supply Of ball for the
artillery, sent from Boston during the battle
was too large for the feld-peces which ac-
compsnied the detachment.
The little handful Of brave men would
have been effectually cut OIL, but for the un..
failing courage Of the provincials at the rail
fence and the bank Of the Mystic. They
had repulsed the enemy twice they now
( held them in check, till the main body had
left the hill. Not till then did the Connec-
tcut companies, under Knowlton, and the
New Hampshire soldiers under Stark quit
the station, which they had "nobly defend
ed." The retreat was made with more reg.
ularity than could have been expected OF
troops who had been for so short time un.
der discipline, and many Of whom had never
before seen an engagement. Trevett and
his men drew of the only field piece that
was saved. Pomeroy walked backward,
facing the enemy and brandishing his musket
till 1t was struck and marked by ball. The
rcdoubt, the brow Of Bunker Hill, and the
passage across the Charlestown causeway,
were the principal places Of slaughter.
Putnam, at the third onset, was absent,
1employed in collecting men" for rein.
forcemcnt, and was encountered by tho re-
treating party on the northern declivity OF
Bunker Hill. Acting on his own RESPONSE
bility, he now for. the first time assumed the
supreme direction. Without orders from
any person, he rallied such Of the fugitives
a. would obey him, joined them to detach-
ment which had not arrived IN season to
share in the combat, and with respectable
force took possession Of Prospect Hill, where
he encsmped that very night.
Repairing to headquarters, Prescott offer
ed with three fresh regiments TO recover
his post. But for himself he sought neither
advancement, nor reward, nor praise, and
having performed the best service, never
,ho't ihs.t he had done more than his duty.
| Il is the contemporary record, that during
the battle mo one appeared TO have any
command but Colonel Prescott" and that
"his bravery could never be enough ac-
knowledped and applauded." The camp
long repeated the story Of his self.collccted
y.Ior. and a historian Of the war, Who best
knew the judgements Of the army, has right.
u awarded the "highest prize Of glory to
Prescott and bis companions"
The British were unable to continue the
pursuit beyond the isthmus. They had al.
ready brought their best forces into the field
more. than Q third Of those engaged lay
dead or bleeding, and the survivors were
fatipued and oyerawed by the courage Of
their adversaries. The battle put on end to
all offensive operations on the part Of Gage.
The number Of the killed and wounded
10 bis army was, by his own account, at
least l.054. Seventy commissioned officers
were wounded, and l3 slain. or these,
there were ! lieutenant.colonel, 3 majors,
and z captains. For near half an hour there
had been continued sheet Of fire from the
Provincials and the action was hot for
double that period. The oldest soldiers had
never seen the like. The battle Of Quebec,
which won half continent, did not cost the
lives Of 30 many officers as the battle oil
Bunker Hill, which gained nothing but q
place Of encampment.
Sir William Howe, who was thought "a
have been wounded, was untouched, though
bis white silk stockings were stained from
bis walking through the tall grass, red with
the blood OF the soldiers. That be did m!
fsll was marvel. The praises bestowed
on his spsthetic valor, on the gsllantry Q, OF
Pigot on the conduct Of Clinton. renec'ea
honor on the unframed farmers, who, lnoSg"
r 4. ,,,,h.,s had reduired the as