Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1858-06-26

| musket balls by Intervening the newly mOwn
grass between the rails, and by carrying forward
post and rail fence alongside of the first, and
piling the fresh hay between the two. But the
line of defence was still very far from complete.
| Nearer the water the bank was smooth and with
out obstruction, declining gently for sixty or
eighty yards, where it fell off abruptly. Between
the rail fence and the unfinished breastwork, the
space was open and remained SO the slough at
the foot of the hill guarded part of the dis
tance nearly hundred yards were left almost
wholly unprotected"
Here we have, at about two o'clock, p. NJ,
two positions taken by the americans the re-
doubt on the top of Breeds Hill and the rail
ter extending towards the Mystic river, and six
hundred feet in the rear of the former. Mr..
Bancroft says
AT the rail fence there were, as yet, but the
Connecticut men, whom Prescott had detached.
The two field pieces had been deserted by the
artillerymen. After the British had landed and
Just before they advanced q party of New
Hampshire levies arrived, led on by Col. John
Stark who, next to Prescott brought the lar
gest number of men into the field. When they
came to the sthmus, which was raked by can
non, Dearborn, one of his captains who walked
! by his side, advised quick step. Dearborn,
replied Stark, 'one fresh man in actionis worth
ten fatigued ones; and he marched leisurely
across Charlcstown neck, through the calling
fire of cannon shot, which buzzed about them
like hail. Of quickest perception, resolute in
decision, the rugged trapper was as calm as
though he had been hunting in his native woods.
At glance upon the beach along Mystic river.
Il saw there he related, the way so plain, that
the enemy could not miss it, While some of
htG col. q. L e. l..
weaving grass between the rails, others, at his
! bidding, leaped down the bank, and with stones
from adjacent walls, on the instant threw up a
breastwork to the waters edge. Behind this,
in the most exposed station that could have been
selected, where a covered boat, musket proof,
carrying heavy piece of cannon, if it had been
towed up the channel, could have taken them
on the side and instantly dislodged them, he
| posted triple ranks Of his men; the rest knelt
or lay down. The time allowed him no oppor-
tunity of consulting with Prescott; they fought
independently; Prescott to defend the redoubt,
! Knowlton and Stark, with Reeds regiment, to
/ protect its flank. These are all who arrived be-
fore the beginning of the attack and not more
than hundred and fifty others of various regi-
ments, led by different officers driven by their
own zeal, reached the battle ground before the
retreat. From first to last, Putnam took an
active interest in the expedition, and the ap-
| pontment of ofPrescott to its command, was made
with his concurrence. Without in the least in
terfering with that command, he was now plan
ming additional works on Bunker Hill, now min
Cling with the Connecticut troops at the rail
fence, now threatening officers or men who
seemed to him datory or tinid, now at Cam
bringe in person or by message, earnestly de-
manding re-enforcements, ever busiy engaged
in aiding and encouraging, here and there, as
the case required. After the first landing OF the
British. he sent orders by his son to the Con-
necticut forces at Cambridge, that they must
all meet and march Immediately to Bunker Hill
TO oppose the enemy Chester and his compa-
ny ran for their arms and ammunition, and
marched with such alacrity that they arrived at
the battle ground before the day was decided
We cite the description of the first attack -
"At half past two o'clock, or a very little lat
er, General Howe not confnng his attack to
the left wing alone, advanced TO a simultaneous
assault on the whole front from the redoubt to
Mystic river In Burgoyne's opinion, his dis
position was soldierlike and perfect Of the
two columns which were put in motion, the one
was led by Pigot against the redoubt; the 9TH
| by Howe himself against the flank, which SEEM
ed protected by nothing but fence Of rails and
hay easy to be scrambled over, when the left of
Prescott would be turned, and he would be for
ced To surrender on finding the enemy in his
! rear.
As they began to march, the dazzling lustre
OF summers sun was reflected from their bur
nished armori the battery on Copp's Hill, from
which Clinton and Burgoyne were watching ev-
| cry movement, kept up an incessant fire. which
was seconded by the Falcon and the Lively, the
Somerset and the two floating batteries the
town of Charlestown, consisting of five hundred
edihces of wood, burst into blaze the steeple
OF its only church became pyramid of fire ;
and the masts of the shipping, and the heights
OF the British camp, the church towers the
housetops of populous town, and the accv-
ties of the surrounding country were crowded
with spectators, to watch the battle which was
to take place, in full sight on a conspicuous en-
inence, and which, as the English thought, was
to assure the integrity of the British empire as
the Americans believed, was to influence the
freedom and happiness of mankind.
As soon as Prescott perceived that the enemy
were in motion, he commanded Robinson, his
| lieutenant colonel, the same who conducted HIM
self so bravely in the fight at Concord, and Hen
ry Woods, his major, famed in the villages of
Middlesex for ability and patriotism, with sep
arate detachments to flank the enemy; and they
executed his orders with prudence and daring.
He then went through the works to encourage
and animate his inexperienced soldiers. 'The
redcoats will never reach the redoubt,' such were
|
if you will but withhold your fire till give the
order, and be careful not to shoot over their
heads After this round, he took his post in
| the redoubt, well satisfied that the men would
do their duty.
The British advanced in line in good order,
steadily and slowly, and with confident impo-
sing air, pausng on the march to let their ar
tillery prepare the way, and firing with muskets
as they advanced. But they fred too soon, and
too high, doing but little injury.
Incumbered with their knapsacks, they ascen-
ded the steep hill with difficulty, covered as it
was with grass reaching to their knees, and in
tersected with walls and fences. Prescott wait
ed till the enemy had approached within eight
rods as he afterwards thought, within ten or
twelve rods as the committee of safety of Mass
achusetts wrote, when he gave the word Fire
At once from the redoubt, and breastwork, ev-
cry gun was discharged. Nearly the whole
front rank of the enemy fell, and to the rest
this determined resistance was unexpected, were
brought to stand. For few minutes, fifteen
or ten, who can count such minute! each one