Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1861-11-21

death and confusion 70 the solid ranks
Nearly the whole Of the front line wa.
destroyed The Americans hutrahed
and some leaped the breastwork, tc
charge the wsvering troops. but wer,
called back. Pigott's division. on th.
left retrrated, and defiant shout rang
out from the rebel fort. ,1' bsi795z3 2
General Gage saw this check, ant
ordered Charlestown to be fred, and
the eonaagration increased The confu
sion. Putnam galloped to the rear, tc
hasten up reinforcements; but many
would not cross the Neck. swept as i
was BY grape and chain shot, from the
guns Of floating battery, and many
were afraid to plunge into such chaos
He rode across tbe Meek; be ordered.
hs appealed. he threatsned he taunted.
he swore; but only few would follow.
He found all in disorder at Bunker
Hill; discipline gone, and squads oI
men without leaders, moving off, with
no purpose but their own. In disgust
and rage. he again sought the lines oD
Breeds Hill, where all were staunch.
Under cover of the distraction pro-
duced by the confAgraiion. Howe and
Pigott led both their divisions to a
second attack. Again. the sure aim Of
the marksmen destroyed them. OIL
GERS and soldiers could not stand be-
fore the deadly muskets Of the Pro-
vincials.
The ground was strewn with dead
Nearly all Howe's aids we're down
Again their broken ranks reeled and
retreated before this mob Of wood.men.
An Unsurpassed murmur OF congrat-
ulation passed along the American
crowd in Boston, at this stern defense.
Gage was covered with modification at
this second repulse, and General Clin-
ton came across in haste from Boston,
to reorganize the dismayed troops
Generals Howe and Pigott, with every
officer, determined to die TO the last
man. rather than suffer defeat. They
reformed their shattered ranks. re-
posted their artillery, so that the breast
work was turned, and gave the order,
THAT the redoubt should be carried
at the point of the bayonet."
Prescott's men were hot with enthu-
siastic courage, and shouted,
"LetMe Red coats come on! Hurroh!
Hurrah Hurroh!"
But now a startling rumor ran along
their ranks:
THERE IS NO MORE PowDER!"
What was to be done; for few OF
their muskets were armed with bayo-
nets? Prescott determined to hold his
position, if he could. He encouraged
his men, and distributed the last pow
der, saying
LET EVERY SHOT TELL" ...
The honor Of the British army was
at stake. The soldiers were led and
driven up to the third attack. Clinton
and Pigott led the left, and Howe the
right, as before. His artillery raked
the bresstwork, and Prescott saw that
he could not maintain the fort; but he
held on and gave one more murderous
discharge; then his ammunition was
spent.
Pigott and his troops came on steadi-
ly and scaled the ramparts, and then
in the rsdoubt, went on a hand-to-hand
fight. man to man, bayonets to dubbed
muskets Every man fought for his
life. When the British troops came
over the ramparts. the struggle was
desperate. Edward Brown stood side
by side with Gershom Smith. in, the in
treDchments. Brown saw his danger,
discharged his own and Smiths gun
when they came so close as to push
over our small breastwork." says
Webb, Brown sprang, seized Regu-
lars gun. took it from him, and killed
him on the spot; brought of the gun
in triumph and has it now with him. .
Then Prescott gave the word, and slow
" the Provincials retreated from the
fort they had defended so well. The
British soldiers cbeered, formed, and
poured volley into their retreating
foes. The troops and Tories in Boston
answered with a shout; while among
the Americans, there and on the hill
side, the silence was that of sorrow,
mingled with tears. r .F1 2
Stark, Reed, and Knowlton, bravely
stood their ground at the Grass Fence
and saved the retreat from being a
complete destruction. In great dis
order, the flying troops poured over
Bunker Hill. followed by the Regulars.
Putnam and Pomeroy vainly endeavor.
ed to rally them for a stand there; Put
nam swore at them till he. WAS hoarse;
but it was useless. They rushed over
the hill, and across the Neck, till some
fresh Connecticut troops came up in
time to cover their retreat. 1t was al
Bunker Hill that the slaughter of the
Americans was greatest. for the breast.
work there was not sufficient for pro.
lection. One only, of the six field
pieces was saved. by Captain Trevett
By FIVE O'Clock the battle was over, and
the British troops encamped on Bunker
Hill in triumph. A wounded Negro al
the Rail Fence. lay on the ground, and
loaded both guns for Aaron Smith. oI
Shrewsbury, who shot them at the
British. In the retreat. Smith carried
of the Negro on his back, but was al
last obliged to leave him.
| The Americans were.driyen back. de-
feated; but it was a splendid defeat