Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1861-12-07

tDt ulI uo haltiai husiO ohseitu theH
task; no time .hallowed banner waved
above their heads; there was nothing Of
the usual accompaniments Of war to excite
and madden their imaginations But there
were other things as spirio stirring for,
as they looked off toward the main land, g,
they could see the dim walls Of their
homes, and almost fancy they beheld, ga
aing on, their wives, their sires, or the
mothers that gave them milk. All ever
the surrounding hills were groups gath
cred in anxious expectation while, in
Boston, crowds lined the wharves, hung on
the roofs, or looked down from the church
steeples Not q cloud obscured the sky.
1t was panorama such as the world has
never seen but once.
Noon had scarcely passed, when the
British, to the number of three thousand
men, with three pieces of artillery, landed
ct Mortons Point, under command Of
General Howe. The Geld pieces of the
enemy Immediately began to play, and
were answered, for while, by some can.
non from the redoubt; but these soon be.
coming useless, were carried to the rear
Meantime Warren had arrived on the
field, and shortly after him General Pom
eroy. Both these we'll known patriots
were received with cheers as they rode
along the line. The men were in the
highest spirits, Putnam remained work
ing at his redoubt ou Bunker Hill, until
toward three o'clock, when it became eyi-
dent the enemy were about to advance
Then he fastened to Breeds Hill, where
he rode along the line, his presence in
creasng, if that were possible, the enthu-
siasm of the men.
1t was splendid spectacle, all cosem-
porary witnesses agreed to sec the British
army advancing to the attack. IL seemed
as if single volley from it would annhi-
late the Americans. The proud step of
the grcpadicrs, their lofty height, their
glitteripg arms, and the ezulting bursts of
music which accompanied their march re-
allied oil that had ever been imagined Of
the might and papoply of war. The men
came on in columns, their artillery playing
il the advance. As the imposing array
moved through the long grass up the hi /,
the provincials, manning their cntrench,
ments, stood anxiously awaiting the crisis
Few Of them had ever been in action be-
fore. Their best weapons were muskcts
without bayonets net few had only
rusty 6relocks. Doubtless many stout
yeoman's bosom throbbed that day with
terrible suspense. Putnam, Prescott and
Pomeroy passed among the men, oncoura,
ging and instructing them.
Dc not fire until you can see their
waistta nd. said Putnam. Take a
steady aim, and have care net to .hgow
away your balls"
The enemy advanced slcsly, stopping
TO let his artillery play, and aftcrward
moving quicker and di,charging yolley af.
ter volley. The Thousands of spectators
in Boston aud elsewhere, seeing no return
made to this FIRE, faneied he provincials
we're paralyzcd wi.b fear Nearer, still
nearer, the grenadiers approached, and
now were close upon the redoubt. Sud
denly a gush of fame streamed from one
end Of the eutrenchment, and ran swiftly
along the American line, until the whoie
front was blaze CT fire; white cloud o.
smoke shot forward, concealing the as.ail
ants from sight ; q rattling sound, SHARP
and incessant, followed and then, after {
breathless pause of suspense, which may
have continued ten or even twenty seconds
for iu that thrilling interval no one though
of time, the royal army emerged IN discr
der from the smoke, and was seen, in ful
retreat, recoiing down the hill. Just a
the British turned to fly, form leapcd u!
on the parapet, and voice cried taunt
ingly after one Of the fugitives who hat
spoken with sneer of American courage
" Colonel Abercrombie, do you call sht
Yankees towards now"
The proyincialS had conquered. Th'
spectators drew long breath. But sud
denly, and almost before their exhilara
ton lad time to spread, scene met theil
view which changed those feelings of tri
umpL into horror and bate. Charlestown
the home CT many of them, lying direotl,
at the foot CT Breeds Hill, was discovered
70 be in Aamcs-for Sir William How
had ordered i. to be set on fire while h
made his preparations for second attack
Soon the raging element was in full play