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

for the active suppression of the rebellion. Secret
intelligence had been received at Cambridge oil tho
intention of Gage to take possession OF dorchester
flights on the night of the 18Th OF June The
Committee in its letter sen; after the battle to En-
gland. claimed that il also had advice OF the
purpose OF Gage to occapy Bunkor's Ill., This
undoubtedly hastened the American movement.
The Committee resolved on the 18th OF june that
"BunkcI's Hin be maintained by sufficient forces
being posted thereon" A Committee was also ap-
pointed TO report upon the peculiar situation of Dor
chester Neck. Both parties" says Irving,
"pantcd for action, the British through impa-
thence Of their humiliating position and an eager
ness to ohastse what they considered the presunp-
ton Of their besiegeIs; the Provincals through en-
thusiasm in their cause, thirst for enterprise ana
exploit, and it must be added. an Inconsistencies
Of THEN own military deficiencies"
riIK OCCUPATION OF BREEDS HILL.
The Disputes respecting the orders upon which
portion If the insurgent army acted have been end
less and are likely TO remain The occupation OF
Bunlers Hill was undoubtedly ordered by the
Committee and that Of Breeds Hill has been at
tributed 10 culpable disregard by the American
officers ~ their instructions. Into these discussions
IL yyon,A servo no good purpose at present to enter
We proceed 10 a review of the action itself, which is
Of more importance. Breeds was doubtless less
suspicioas of treachery somewhere, which VIII
nrohahlv never be altogether dissipated. Tho re-
solut;ons which were adopted without dissent were
communicated 10 the generals commanding so much
ri the o,,c,es of Massachusetts, New-IIampslire,
end Connecticut MS was cncamped near Cambridge,
ard 10 the commanders of the right wing at kox-
hurry. Orders in writing arc SAID 10 nave
been issued by the generals; but II 80, they
have upsecountably disappeared If Buhkers
IA fba fD
the command WAS disregar'ed, and Breeds Hill
selectea in its place The old story Of mistake Is
onocryphai Whatever may have been bis motives,
Gen. Putnam warmly seconded the movement, while
Gen. Ward and Dr. Warren acceded TO IL with grave
reluctance arising from knowledge OF the exposure
of the post and the scarcity in the camp OF amnu-
ton and ordnance. The force mustered Tor the
service is generally stated by all historians at 1Ooo
men. viz: 900 from Prescotts Massachusetts
regiment 500 from the regiments Of Co.'s Frye ana
Bridue-the whole to be commanded by Prescott.
There was also a detail Of 900 Connecticut men
under Knowlton. Prescott of Peperell had seen
seryjce in the French war, and was known As
lieutenant of infantry at Cape Breton. He is spoken
Of A. wearing "a three-oOnered hat top
wig. and a single-breasted blue coat Win
facings and tapped up at the skirts This gave
him an air of consequence in an army unan"rheo ny
much military costume. Col Richard Gndley, VINO
had also served in the French war, was to act as
Chief Engineer aud plan the fortiGcatons. 1t is an
important fact that the number of men marching
10 the work was much less than 1000. Probably
mt ,oore than 700 men went 10 the Hill at first
certainly not l. 300 as stated by an historian. The
troops were mustered the Common, IN front OF
Gen. WaIds quarters, little before sunset on FIJI
day evening, June IS but were kept IN ignorance OF
the object of the expedition. They Were provided
with provisions for "a hours and with blan-
kets and packs. Langdop, the President OF
Harvard College, offered "a fcfyent ana
Impressive prayer" and the march began. PoneIoy
and Putnam it is stated joined the column on ITS
line of march. Gridlcy had under him 40 artillery
rner with couple of field pieces. Al Charlestown
Neck the WAGONS were waiting with the intronchng
tools and these gave to the heir first intlmaton
of the nature of the enterprise. Prescott is PIE
turesouely described as marching at the head of
the column, with two sergeants carrying dark-ian-
terms"
Charlestown Neck is q narrow stbiaus which con
meets the peninsula with the main land ID has the
Mystic River, about half mile wide, on the north.
and a deep embayment Of Charles River on the
eouth Upon its southern extremity stood the town
of CAarle.town. Bunker Hill. the spot designated
for occupation by the Committee of Safety is nearest
10 the Neck. Breeds Hill occupied the middle OF the
widest portion of the peninsula and was closer to
Boston, with Charles.own Immediately in front of
IT, IL WAS connected by high ground with Bdnkers
Hill and ON portion Of this ground was the rail
fence mentioned ina accounts of the action. Breeds
MAS much lower than Bunker. but ii rose more abb
ruptly. Ii was only 81 feet high, and easily com
mandsd by tho royal artillery. The crests OF the
two hills are about 700 yards apart.
Great eireumspectOp was required in crossing the
fsfhInus which was commanded by the eneMy's bat
terry OIL Copps Hill in Boston, and more or less directly
by the guns Of tho feet At tho foot Of Breeds Hill
the column halted and then If at any time the mis-
take 80 often alluded to was made Poineroy and
Gridley both protested against the occupation of
Breeds iii. unless communication was kept up with
the main body by corresponding occupation Of
Bunkers HILL Prescott always asserted that Wards
orders were for him to march to Breeds Hill and to
fntreneh it, Putnam, with his usual yehemence,
threw the weight Of his opinion in favor OF breeds
Hill and that point was, perhaps, unfortunately de-
termned on.
TIE REDoUBT.
Gridicy marked out the line of the defenses, and
between IL and IL o'clock ground wac broken The
plan was that of a rectangular redOubt with an
angie projecting at its southern face. which fronted
Boston. There WAS no time to lose, for much had
been wasted In discussion, and the dawn Of a sum-
mef day was close at hand. The enemy was 80 near
that the L" ALPS well" of the English sentinels and
the calling Of the watch on the English ships
could DO distinctly heard. Prescott detailed party
20 patrol the shore at the foot of the Hghs and to
watch for any movement of the enemy Twice he
went down himself 10 the waters edge to recon-
hotter and just before daybrcak the pstTolling
party was called in. Tie redoubt. about ten yards
long and eight wide, and tlanked on the left by
breastwoIk, partly cannon-proof, was supported on
the right by some troops thrown into the village Of