The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-06-14

OF tue year ITS provision Was made to organize
the militia Tue answer OF the King 10 the de-
mands OF the colony MAD been received, ana war
seemed inevitable. The Committee or Safety au-
thorized the purchase or military supplies. Con-
cord became an arsenal General cage, COM
handing the British forces In Boston. determined
to destroy these military stores. Tne story OF
Lexington ana Concord, 50 recently told by orator
and poet Is fresh in your memory to-day The
Kings troops nred upon the militia but the noble
farmers OF Middlesex were equal TO the hour
After referring TO the organization OF the militia
for defence and the other events which preceded
the battle, the speaker contInued:-See the noble
yeomsnry as, little before sunset on the 10th OF
June, they assemble, 1900 In number, upon Cam
bridge Common to receive their instructions from
General Ward. Prayer Is offered by the reverend
President Langdon, Of Harvard college. after
which they all set out about nine O'Clock, on
their march. Colonel william Prescott or Pep
perell. conducts the secret expedition. A man,
we are told, over SIX ieet in height with blue eyes
and brown hair, large and muscular, ana with a
very intelligent face. Prescotrs written orders
were 10 fortify Bunkers Hin and defend the works
until relieved.
THE NIGHT BEFORE THE BATTLE.
Silently the column moves on. Charlestown
Neck, within reach OF the enemT's guns, safely
passed and Bunker's Hill reached. But Breeds
Boston, and after much elaboration it was re-
solved TO move forward and fortify this. II was
midnight before the nrst snovelful or earth was
thrown oat on the fortldcauons The enemy were
close at hand. The other shore OF the Charles was
lined with their sentInels, while It's fair bosom
bore up their men of-war. Through the clear,
stu night the men worSed in the trenches, and
dawn OF day found the Qualifications nearly I'm
isned. But returning light brings danger
nj me- I'm m nd n
the Lively brought his guns to bear, and
opened IRE upon the hill so suddenly
followed his example. Early in tue day Asa Pol
lard, private, was shot. A suoaltern reported
be done. "Bury him." he said. ''W nat SAID the
onlcer "without prayers ~ The chaplain was
ABOUT to read the burial service but Prescott
ordered the men TO go BACK TO their work ana the
dead be buried Imm edlatey. 10 was no time TO
dwell upon death. IL was the hour for acton. To
inspire fresh courage IN his men the noble COM
lander, whose anxiety had been 50 great during
the night as twice 10 lead him to the rivers side
10 watch the enemy, now leaps upon the parade
ana walks aDou., carefully examining the works
and speaking words OF cheer TO tne men.
"Wno II that oincer who appears TO be In COM
mandu asks General Gage, az he scans, with sur
prise, through glass, rom Copp's Hill, the tail,
erect form OF Prescott Willard recognized DIS
brother-in-law.
"Win ne nghtr' asked Gage. quickly
ayes sir - ne Is an old soldier and will fight as
long rs a drop OF blood remains Ia his veins"
''rae works must be carred,u exclaimed Gage.
At noon the dover OF the British troops cross
in twenty-eight 0arges and land al M0ulLons
Point, near tue present Navy Yard
After comparing the character Of the troops tho
reverend gentlemen recounted the wen known
story OF Warren's coming on the held, aud con-
unued:-
TIE Kings troops moved forward In two
dlvisions-General Howe with the right wing
the American force and so cut OF retreat from
tne redoubt; General Pgot with the lett wing, to
make the direct attack upon the fort. They begin
discourage OF musketry AZ great distance from
the forufcations. Doubtless they anticipated an
easy victory. Prescott quietly issues mis- orders;-
walt until the British are within ten tw elve
RODS ana then wait until the word IS giyen;n
Powder y scarce ana must not o D, wasted !"
I'll you see the wniEes OF their eyes," Pick OF the
c0mmanders.n
Nearer and nearer came the redcoas. Louder
ana more terrific grew tue discharges from their
guns. Bat little harm Is done because they aim
TO nigh. And now the space between the fort
ana tGe enemy Is narrowed to the appointed
WidtA. Prescott gives the order TO IRE. The
General Plgot Is obliged TO order q retreat But
General Howe Is farlng no better At the fence.
OBe OF hls soldiers wrltes:-"Our light infantry
were served up against the grass fence without
being able 10 penetrate; indeed, how could we
penetratea Mos Of our grenaders and infantry,
se-fourths and many nine-tenths OF their
men," such was the result OF !he
that fued the hearts OF the brave mlllsiamen as
they saw England'5 best aud brayest soldiers re-
treating before their aim. brief pause-and now
the enemy are coming forward Tor second as
sault. They move with greater caution tnan be-
advance tue Old form. Inc AMERICANS
are more confident than at the nrst attack. and
when the enemy are within the appointed range,
IRE upon taem with great GOODNESS and precision.
continued stream OF IRE all along the line moved
uown tue British. Tue rout OF the Kings forces
becomes complete. They retreat the second time
IN great disorder. The third assault came after
long pause. The enemy Is reinforced by
tue arrival OF fresh men from Boston. Prescott
undaunted as ever. passed through his lines.
the men cheered nm, saying, I'VE are ready for
the red coats aganW But even heroic valor
could not supply the lack or ammunition Neither
4 rel n
waich was promised, had arrived. There IL
shameful neglect somewhere. Prescott feels
that the crisis mas come. only a rev artillery
cartridges constitute the whole STOCK or po wder
on nand. lie charges his soldiers mot TO waste
snot should teli.u The feg bayonets at command
ne puts At the points most likely TO be scaled,
must determine Tue battle. me enemy
form In solid phalanx 20 attack the
they waver Tor an instant but return TO the
/ charge. second aud tnlrd yoiley, and tue
brave defenders are without ammunition. And
i now the enemy scale the paaapet the nrst one
/ excalming, "Ihe day 10 ours ~ But ne was
/ snOt down as soon as the words are uttered.
4 Hand 10 hand, musket 10 musket, shoulder 20
1 shoulder, the brave mea contend against the Brit
lsn, until Presc g Reluctantly gives tue order to
retreat In cutting their way Though the ranAso Of
the enemy IN the rear OF the fort Warren is shot.
\ Having covered the retreal OF Prescott, tue
i snS KaowlsoS also resIrs, otsSutino me
4 ground inca by incn, until Bunker's HUI IL
reached. here Putnam strives to rally tne forces
4
/ Of endurance Is exhausted, aud this IL equally
i true OF the British, who follow the retreaung
Americans as far as BunKer's Hill aud there matt.
I RESULTS or THB BATTLE.
Such was the battle OF Bunker's hill--a contest
a. far reaching In lis results upon our Revou-
tonary struggle as Marathon and fnerm0pylse
II upon the destiny OF Greece. Among the immediate
\ elects Of the battle may be counted the declara-
tiOn OF open war; the separation OF tbs people OF
tue colonies into two distinct and shal ply defined
classes; the inspiration OF all true patriots win the
profoundest seltsacrince ior the good OF country
tue unlhcauOn 81 all the colonies IN persistent re
sstanee to every form Of despOtlsm; the DIVISION
] Of sentiment In England IN regard 70 the prosecu-
+ uon VI King George pOlcy, aud the advantage
Afforded 70 those VINO sympathized with the colo
nists 10 enlarge their numbers and influence. If
the battle was a defeat IL brought TO The American
I cause an the fruits Of victory. Ths many
thoughts suggestedpy
TINS INSPIRING THINE
time will not allow nc 10 dwell upon, and must
leave EN- Tor some future occasion, out one
alone must press home upon your hearts.
4 Tnls Centennial observance Of the battle or Bun
i ker Hll ought 10 ushsY IN an era OF good feeling
u throughout our country. The blows aimed BY