New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-06-12

Deing 10 COl 1rtScolt an Oi'icl was SiNoh
for his immediate burial lest the sight of his body
should agitate the nerves of his comrades. The
New-Hampshire men posted at Mediord came up
after repeated orders to the support of the working
parties: but neither food nor drink seems to have
been sent to the little band during the entire day
Putnam who had been at Cambridge. came back
about O'Clock p. m and is said to have made 10
Prescott some suggestion of the fortificaticn OF
Bunker's Hill, which resulted in nothing oil ini-
portance The rcdoubt and breastwork wero COM
plcted about IL o'clock 9. IN.
THE PLAN OF ATTACK.
The Importance of dislodging the Americans was
at once evident to tho British commander. The fire
OF the Lively had created great commoton IN the
town and its environs, and from every available
point clusters Of anxious men were observing the
operations. At 0 o'clock fire had been opened from
Copp's Hill and from the Glasgow, o. AT haf-past
/ o'clock 10 companies of grenadiers, 10 ccmpa-
MES Of light infantry, with tho 9th and 3Sih reg-
ments of foot, were moved to Long Wharf for 'mme-
date enbarkment. At noon the cannonade was fu-
rious. The Somerset 81, with two foating
batteries, and the battery on Cops Hill.
fired continually on Breeds Hill, while the
Falcon 49, and the Lively 90, swept the low grounds
and covered the landing of the approaching troops.
Two floating batteries, with Al guns, commanded
the Meek" Still upon the little hill the work went
on Prescott Is described as mounting the paiapet
and walking calmly about, directing everything and
pleasantly talking with his soldiers who remained
in the best spirits The General is said to have been
seen through a glass, from Cops Hill and Gage
asked Counselor willard, Presco.ts brehcr-in-law.
who he was. Being told, he again asked VIII he
fghtY' "Yes, Strip responded willard; she is an
old soldier and will fight 10 the last drop Of blood
hut cannot answer for his men," They answered
for themselves before evening!
in the British council Of war there some diff
ference of opinion as to the best method Of attack.
majority, which included Clinton and Grant, adj
vised that force should be landed on Charlestown
Neck under the protection of the batteries, as to
attack the Americans in the rear. To this Gage
made the objection that il would place his troops
between the enemy at Cambridge and upon Breeds
Hill. h. therefore, ordered landing in front OF
the works. and a direct attack upon the redoubts.
At noon about 1000 troops commanded by Gen.
Howe left Long Wharf, in Boston, in % bargcs,
under cover of a heavy fire from the shps and
batteries but no attempt made TO oppose them.
They took with them battery of eight sixponnGers.
The striking spectacle which they presented while
crossing has often been described. Their scarlet
uniforms their arms flashing under the Summer sun,
as they slowly rowcd around the northern extremity
of the town and approached the PENINSULA with the
hibition at once formidable and beautiful. About
o'clock they landed at Montons Point, little to
the south of Breeds Ill., and just at the confluence
of the Charles and the Mystic Prescott had detached
Capt. KnowltOn with Capt. Calender and two field
pieces to harass the landing, but nothing came of it,
Calender went with his artillery back TO Cam
bridge. and Knowlton with his troops to Bunker's
Hill, followed by many others.
At the TOP of Mortons IIill Howe paused for Oh
scryaOn. the result OF which that he SEN; over
TO Gage for the rcscrvc-trce companies Of grena-
dicrs, three companies Of light infantry, the 17tb
foot and the marnes-about 1000 additional men.
While waiting there Howe ordered the troops TO eat
their dinner and "grog' in large quantities was
served TO them. Irving pauses in his narrative TO
remark in his peculiar vein that it must have been
tantalizng to the hungry and thirsty prOvncials to
look down from their ramparts Of earth and their
invaders in groups upon the grass eating and drink
ing and preparing themselves by a hearty meal for
the coming encounter" II is n noteworthy fact
that at MoultOn's Point several of the British sol
diers attempted to desert, and to join the Ameri-
cans. Howe hung two in terrorem upon the field.
During this delay the Americans improved the oppor-
tunity to strengthen their position. The breast
work on the left of the re1oubt extended to spot
called The SlOugh but beyond this the patriots were
exposed to flank movement which might result in
the occupation by the enemy OF BunktfS mn.
About COO feet in the rear Of the redoubt and about
100 feet to the left Of the breastwork, postand
rail fence, set in low foot wall of stone, extended
down to the Mystic. Hastily pulling the posts and
rails of another fence, the Connecticut troops under
Knowlton set them few feet behind the first, and
filed the interval with -mown hay found in TIE
ncghbOri ng meadows. An unprotected interval OF
about 700 feet renamed by this time Stark,
with the New-lIampshre troops, 500 in num-
Der had come up. Some OF them remained
to assist Putnam at Bunkers Hill, and
the rest reinforced Knowlton at the fence. Abont
o'clock Gen. Warren arrived upon the field. He had
not yet received his commission, and he came to
serve as a volunteer in the ranks, with muskct at
his shoulder. Col. Prescott rendered him com
mand, which he declined.
BATTLE.
The British forces were now pnt In motion for
general assault. Howe's plan was 10 turn the
IRENE left of the insurgents lines. For this he was
To employ the light infantry with covering parties of
crenadicrs infantry, and artillery. The left wing
under Gen. Piggot was to mount the hill and carry
the redOubt. Howe was to advance between the
fort aud Mystic River, turning the Americans left,
and cutting off their retreat. Gen. Piggot accord
ingly moved up The hill, covered by battery
near the landing place. He fired as he advanced,
but no response from the American line of any
importance. Prescott had ordered his men TO re-
serve their fire until the English were within thirty
PAGES and at that point simaltancous discharge
from the redoubt and breastwork checked the enc
my's advance with terrible slaughter. The orders
of the American officer were, Fire low" " Aim at
the waistbants; Wait until you tho whites of
their eyes -" Aim at the handsome coats !" " Pick
of the commanders" Gen. Pigot compelled to
draw his out Of range movement met by the
Americans with an exulting cheer
BURNING or CHARIEsTOwN.