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

accounts concur In representing this one OF the
most memorable discharges Of musketry on secord.
Entire ranks were moved down with fearful pre-
C;sion. The carnage, considering the number Ell
Gagged WAS terrible and the British soldiers fed to
their boats in disnay. 1t was with difficulty that
the Americans were prevented by their officers from
pursuing them.
THE SECOND ASSAULT.
Howe soon rallied his troops for another assault.
The same order of advance was perscyered in both
upon the right and left the attack upon the rcdoubt
and the rail fence being simultaneous. Again nj the
distance prescribed fire given by the Americans.
whose defense had become more concentrated. The
British line was woefully shortened, and the second
fire was as fatal rs the first. But eaping over the
dead bodies of their comrades the British soldiers
pressed forward couragccusy, while still from the
American dcfcnscs poured the Calling fire, hottest
at the rail fence, when Gen. Howe lost two Of his
aids and at times was himself left almost alone
The officers were seen beating the men and piicking
them with their swords to urge them on. Again the
royal line wavcrcd, and again royal troops fed
headlong TO the boats Nobody has ever accused
Gen. Howe of want Of gallantry upon that fearful
day. He is described as "dcfantly conspicuous
with "hs silk stockings dyed with the blood OF his
followers"
TIE THIED ASSAULT.
Before narrating the third assault upon the Amer
lean works, it may be proper to notice the situation
at this moment of the American troops. At the
Headquarters ia Cambridge all was confusion.
Ward even if he had been himself efficient, was Ill
supplied with staff officers TO carry bis orders some
OF which were totally neglected, and Others given
incorrectly. Ward sent to the field his own regl-
mcnt. under Col Gardner put when II arrived al
BuDker's HILL Putnam detained part OF 1t To labor
on tho works. while ono Company, under Capt
Harris went down to the rai-fenee. Part of Naids
regiment reached the field at a critical moment
Grdcy drew oil his battalion to the Cambridge road
TO cover retreat, which he confidently anticipated
Here he amused himself by firing at the Glasgow
This was Of piece with all the rest. Hardly any OF
the reGn.orcaments for Cambridge at this time
of much service.
1t is stated that some of Howes officers remon-
strated warmly AGAINST n third attack. lt is even
said that ne himself had no stomach FOR il. Taught
by experience he adopted different plan, which
was to take tho redOnbt in flank the left, where
there was an open space between the breaswork
and the fence II seems also to have been known TO
him that the ammunition of the Americans was
nearly exhausted and preparations were made for
carrying the Notifications by the bayonef. Clinton
who had been watching the fight from Copps Hill.
came over as a volunteer. small reinforcement of
marines was also sent into the field. During
the last assault Gen. Clinton commanded
the extreme LETT, Gen. Pigot the center.
and Gen. Howe the extreme right. The
men were directed to throw by their knapsacls and
baversacks some of them took off their coats and
the whole force was in light marching order. The
directions were for the men to forward IN col
umn. to reserve their fire, and to push the artillery
forward to position which would enable it TO rake
the brcastwork. The left was to scale the redoubts.
Only demonstration was TO DO made against the
nil-fenee.
RETREAT OF TIIE AMERICANS.
The Americans witnessed these formidable prcpa-
ratioDs, with their resources nearly exhausted. In
the redOubt were only about so men. The mnsket
powder was nearly exhausted. few remaining
artillery cartridges were broken up for their powder
which was of a size unsuitable for small arms. The
men with bayonets were posted where it was sup
posed the enemy wOuld first appear; men without
bayonets sent To the rear with the small re-
naming stock OF powder; and thus dispersed. this
little band of heroes awaited the foe. Prescott.
whose conduct and ability during the day are
above all praise observing Howe's new dspo-
sitoas, and especially tho arrangement OF his
artillery saw that the redoubt to be attacked.
and felt that it would be carried Yet he determined
to defend it to the last extremity; nor did he for
moment lose his presence of mind. Again he gave
his old order to reserve fire until the assaulters
should be within twenty yards of tho redoubt.
Again vOlley deadly in ITS character met the adj
yancing columns; but this time they wavered only
for an instant. Meanwhile the columns of Clinton
and PgOt reached the southern and western sides of
the redoubt which was thus attacked three
sides simultaneously. The resistance of the Ameri-
cans became desperate. In the absence of powder.
even stones were hurled, which served only to
reveal the weakness Of the patriots But they
showed no intention of captivating. hand to
hand fight ensned but the British continued to
pour ill., and at last Col Prescott gave the order to
retreat About o'clock in the evening Breeds Hill
was abandoned by the Americans. Prescott was the
last to leave. lie surrounded by the British,
who made passes at him with the bayonet which he
parted with his sword. He did not rum" rs it is
said, "but stepped long with his sword up" The
combatants for time were SO mingled together that
firing was impossible. After the British had taken
possession of the works they formed and opened a
CALLING fire upon the retreating foe The loss Of the
Americans at this period was greatest, and it was
then that Gen. Warren fell. Tho men who had been
waiting upon Bunker's Hill now occupied the inter-
val between that point and Breeds Hi and were
useful in covering the retreat.
PUTNAM WARD, AND PRESCOTT.
The Americans at the rail fence held their ground,
manfully resisting all attempts to turn their flank.
This gaantry Of great service TO the force re-
treating from the redoubt, which otherwise must
have been cut OIL When they that Col. Pres
colt had abandoned Breeds, they gave ground. but
in good order, and joined the retreat BuDker's
Iii How these brave men were received by tho
Americans who had been watching the fight from
that comparatively safe position. is mat
ter which Wa dare not discuss. One writer
says: "1hey were met by the cowardly skulkers.
headed by their noisy and misehievous master