The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1875-06-17

II
any good. A part of Gerrish;s regiment.
under Might, marched from Cambridge to
riougned Hill, where Adjutant Christian
reolger, q gallant Danish soldier who had
seen service, took the command, called upon
tne men 10 follow him, and reached the
heights in season to render valuable service.
| ihree additional Connecticut companies at
least, under Captains Chester, Clark and
Colt, arrived in time to take part in the
battle; as did also Major Durkee, an old
comrade of General Putnam. Captain
chester marched on near the close of the en-
gagement, while the British were coming up
the third time. Three regiments were near
him when De left Cambridge, which FASTENED
forward IL advance of his company: but
when Chester overlook them at Bunker
Hill there was hardly company in any
kind OF order. The men had scattered he
nlnd rocks, hay-cocks and apple trees.
| Parties, also, were continually retreating
rom the held; some alleging they had left
the fort with leave because they had
on fatigue without sleep or refresh
ment; some that they had no officers to
lead them; frequently, 20 were about
| wounded man, when not a quarter part could
touch him to advantage; while others were
going on without any excuse. Chester
oplged one company, rank and file, to re-
turn to the lines. Lieut.. Webb writes: ave
met many OF our worthy friends, wounded,
/ sweltering in their blood carried on the
| shoulders by their fellow soldiers. Judge
you what must be our feelings at this shock
ing spectacle; the orders were, press or,
press on, our brethren are suffering. and
will be cut off," While such was the con-
fusion on Bunker Hill, gsod order pre-
vailed ct the redoubt. Col. Prescott re-
NAMED at his post, determined IN his pur-
| pose, undaunted in his bearing, inspiring
his command with hope and confidence,
and yet chagrined that in this hour of peril
and glory, adequate support had not reached
him He passed round the lines to enconr-
| age his men, and assured them that if tie
British were once more driven back they
could moi be rallied again. His men
cheered him as they replied, "Weare
READY FOR THE RED-coArs
againW But his worst spprehensions, as to
ammunition,w were realized as the report was
made to him that a few artillery cartridges
constituted the whole stock of powder on
hand. he ordered them to be opened, and
the powder to be distributed. He charged
his soldiers ''not to waste kernel of it, but
to make it certain that every shot should
tell" He directed the few who had bay
onets TO be stationed at the points most
likely to be scaled. These were the only
preparations it was in his power to make to
meet his powerful antagonist. Gen. Howe,
exasperated at the repeated repulseS of his
troops, resolved to make another assault.
Some of his officers demonstrated against
this decision, and ayerred that is would be
downright butchery to lead the men on
again: but British honor was at stake, and
other officers preferred any sacrifice rather
than suffer defeat from a collection of armed
rustics. The boats were al Boston; there
was no retreat: "Figbt, conquer, or
ton. A second reinforcement OF
tour hundred marines, under
Major Small had landed; and Gen. Clinton
who had witnessed from Copp's Hill the dis
comfture OF the British veterans, and saw
two regiments on the beach in confusion,
threw himself into boat, crossed the river,
joined Gen. Howe as a volunteer, and rem
dered essential aid in rallying the troops.
"We," a British relation says, ''should have
been forced TO retire if Gen. Clinton had not
come up with reinforcement OF five or six
hundred men," The troops had lost their
confident air, appeared disheartened, and
manifested great reluctance TO marching up
third time. The officers at length formed
them for the last desperate assault. The Brit
ish general had learned to respect his enemy
and adopted wiser mode OF attack. zone
conhnlng our attack TO the enelny'S left wing
only, the assault was made on the whole
'front.'" and he now proited by this expert
eDce. He ordered the men to lay aside their
knspsacks, to move forward in column, to
reserve their fire, to rely on the bayonet, to
u.
to push the artillery forward to position
that would enable il TO rake the breastwork.
The gallant execution of these orders re-
versed the features of the day. General
Howe, whose fine features and gallant bear
ing were observed at the American lines.
led the grenadiers and light infantry in trent
OF the breastwork, while Generals Clinton
and PigOt led the extreme left CT the
troops to scale the redoubt. |
A DEMONSTRATION
only was made against the rail fence. A
party of Americans occupied few houses |
and barns that had escaped the confisgration
on the accliyity of Breeds Hill, and feebly |
annoyed the advancing columns. They, in |
return, only discharged few scattering +
guns as they marched forward. On their |
right the artillery soon gained its appointed |
station, eDfiladed the line OF the breastwork,
drove its defenders into the redoubt for pro-
lection, and did much execution within it
by sending its balls through the passage way.
All this did not escape the keen and snx-
ious eye of Prescott. When he saw the new
dispositions of his antagonist, the artillery
wheeled into its murderous position, and |
the columns Withholding their fire. be well
understood his intention to concen-
trate his whole force on the redoubs,
and believed that it must inevita-
bly, bs carried. He thought, how
however, that duty, honor and the interest
Of the country required that it should be de-
Tended to the last extremity, although at
certain sacrifice of many lives. In this try
ing moment he continued to give his orders
coolly. Most of his men had remaining
only one round of ammunition, and few
more than three rounds, and he directed
them to reserve their fire until the British
were within twenty yards, AT this distance
a deadly volley was poured upon the adj
vancing columns which made them waver
for an instant, but they sprang forward
without returning it. The American fire
soon slackened for want of means, while
the columns of Clinton and PigoG reached a
position on the southern and eastern sides
of the redoubt, where they were protected
by It's wallis. 1t was now attacked on three
sides at once. Prescott ordered those who
had no bayonets to retire to the back
part of il. and fire the enemy ,