Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1875-06-11
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PORT TQBA co:
Friday gning; June II, I'.' 1875
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great interest, well calculated to attract
the patriotic sympathy of the whole Amer
lean people. From the South as we'll as
i the North crowds will gather to do honor
to the occasion and to the memory Of those
who staked their lives that we might be
free. 1t is especially commendable that
this spirit should be so fully manifested
itaugurs well for the future of our COM
mon country that both sections are SO rea-
dy to bury their recent bad passions in
doing honor to that holy feeling of patri-
otism which made our ancestors rebel
against the expressions of England. AS
the spirit that actuated the men of those
times was not circumscribed by narrow
boundaries, but embraced the whole thir-
teen colonies, so it is right now that honor
should be done to it by their descendants
scattered as they are throughout the thir-
ries which now comprise, from ocean to
ocean, the great country then gained as our
heritage:
Though the first blow and the first blood
was shed at Lexington and Concord, and
the first entrenchment and general engage
ment took place at Bunker Hill, we must
not forget that the patriotic fire which
actuated these heroes burned as brightly
in the breasts of the other colonists. And
we should be doing wrong to the great
occasion and to ourselves if for a moment
we seek during these centennial times to
apportion our admiration to sections or
localities. 1t is but of little consequence
where the first outbreak occurred. We
know that the hearts of the whole people
were kindled to flames against oppression
and injustice, and that these flames burn
ed with unquenchable ardor until liberty
was gained. Therefore the celebration
which is to take place on this 18th Of
June ought to be of as much interest and
as dear to the son of Maryland as to him
of Massachusetts,.
After the news of Lexington and Con-
cord had spread throughout the colonies,
brief period of seeming quiet ensued.-
1t was the calm before the storm. Both
sides were earnestly engaged in the work
of preparation for the coming struggle
and eagerly watching their antagonist
The efforts of the colonists were of course
disiointed and disconnected, lacking the
controlling power of one head to direct
But still they-the people-were united
and firm in their purpose to be independ
ent There was yet hesitation on the part
of the political leaders. With a wise fore
cast they saw doubts and difficulties in
me mt1f6 which the less thoughtful and
more impuisive ignored. 1t was hoped
that the spirit of determined resistance
manifested would induce the home gov
eminent to become more conciliatory.-I
But whilst this was hoped for preparation
for the worst did not flag. At that time
Boston was occupied by the British under
Gen. Gage, who had recently received
large endorsements under Howe, Bur
goyne and Clinton. Encamped around
nOStOu uuttcl tullOuo SOhALhouoCios odb
independent of each other, were the minute
men. militia, and volunteers. None of
them had any military experience except
the few. who had gathered little at Con-
cord and Lexington and along the blood
stained march thence to Boston. They
were without discipline and were only
united by their devotion to the common
cause. Gen. ARENAS Ward was nominal
ly the Commander-in-C Chief and had his
headquarters at Cambridge.
In this condition of affairs, with the dali
ly increasing force of the colonists sur
rounding them, the British determined to
at once commence active hostilities against
the rebels. This fact becoming known in
the American camp, it was at once con-
cluded to anticipate the movements of the
enemy by Selling and fortifying the heights
of Charlestown, which commanded the
peninsula of Boston. On the night of the
10th of June, Col VIM. Prescott, who had
some military experience in the old war
o. between England and France, at the head
of 1000 men, was detailed to execute this
hazardous duty. At 9 o'clock at night at
the head Of his brigade he commenced
his march and was joined by wagons load
eda&ith entrenching tools under General
Pullman and Major Brooks. They pro-
ceeded undiscovered aud finally arrived
on Breeds Hill, about Is feet high and 700
Yards south of Bunker HILL with which
it was connected by ridge. This posi-
ton. was selected because it had better
command of Boston and the shipping
Here, during the night, a rude fertilization
was erected by the willing hands of the
rebels, and which at dawn of day, being
discovered by the enemy, brisk fire Was
opened by their ships. The Americans
however, undaunted, continued their work
until about midday, when the main work
being completed, the tools mere removed
by Putnam to Bunker Hill where he COM
menced the erection of another fortifica-
ton. Though repeated requests were sent
for enforcement, yet it was two O'Clock
before Stark and Warren arrived with as
sistance. The British meanwhile had not
been. idle. About 1000 men, uneser
a.,r, Gro frono the meu-of-war had land