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


on the entertainments. "a furious cannon
ade, - Heath writes, "and throwing of shells
took place at the lines on Boston Neck
against Roxbury, with intent to burn that
town; but, although several shells Tell
among the houses and some carcasses near
man only was killed." The fire upon the
lines was but feebly returned from Grid
lev's and Callender's field pieces. Gridley's
guns were soon disabled, and he drew them
to the rear. Capt. Calender, alleging that
his cartridges were two large for his pieces,
withdrew 70 Bunker Hin. Here he met Put
nam, who ordered him TO return. Calender
returned. but soon left his post and was
deserted by his men. About this time Cap
tain Ford,s company, of Bridges regiment,
came on to the field, sn0 at the pressing re-
quest of Putnam drew the deserted pieces
to the rail-fence. The gunner had quilted
his post, but Putnam fired four guns.
Meantime Prescott detached Lieut.. Col.
Robinson and Mai. Woods, each with par
ty, to flank the enemy. Both behaved with
courage and prudence. No details, however,
are given oil their service. Capt. Walker,
with few mon, probably of one of these
parties, met with the British near the navy
yard, and fred from the cover Of buildings
and fences. On being driven in, he passed
with few OF the party to their right flank,
along the margin of Mystic river, where he
was wounded and taken prisoner. The
greater part of his men, under heavy fire,
succeeded in regaining the redoubt. The
general discharge OF artillery was intended
TO cover the advance ofthe British columns.
They moved forward in two divisions-Gen.
Howe with the right wing, TO penetrate the
line at the rail fence, and cut OF retreat
from the redoubt: Gen. Pigot with the LETT
wing, to storm the breastwork and redoubt.
"rhe assault" Stedmsn says, "was made on
the whole 'front.'" The artillery, after play
ing short time, ceased, and Gen. Howe
was told that twelve pound balls had been
sent with which to load six FOUNDERS,
when he ordered the pieces to be charged
with grape. "The wretched blunder," a
British writer says, s'of the over sized balls
sprung from the dOtage OF an officer OF rank
in that corps; who spends his whole time in
dallying with the school masters daughter"
soon impeded by the niry ground at the
base of the hill, and took post near the
brick kilns, whence the balls produced but
little effect. The
TROOPS MOVED FORWARD SLOWLY;
for they were burdened with knapsacks full
of provisions, INSTRUCTED by the tall grass
and the fences. and heated by burning sun.
''These posts and rails" a British writer
says, "were to strong for the columns to
push down, and the march was so retarded
by the getting over them, that the next
morning they were found studded with bull
lets, not hands breadth from each other"
But they felt unbounded confidence in their
strength, regarded their antagonists with
scOrn, and expected an easy victory. One
of them says: 20 Let us take the bull by
the horns,' was the phrase of some great
men among US, as we marched on" The
Americans coolly waited their approach
Their officers ordered them to reserve their
fire until the British were within ten or
twelve rods. and then to Wait until the word
be wasted" they said; "fre low;'
" aim at the waist b2nd;" "wait
until you see the white of their
eves;'' "aim at the handsome costs;'' "pick
of the commanders" General PigOt's di-
vision consisted of the Fifth, Thirtv-eighth,
Forty-third, Forty-seventh, Fifty-second
regiments, and the marines, under Major
Pitcairn. The Thirty eighth first took q
position behind a stone wall. Being joined
by the Fifth, they marched up the hill. Tn
FOrty-seventh and the marines moved from
the battery where they landed directly to-
wards the redoubt. The Forty-third and
Fifty-second advanced IN front of the breast
work. The troops kept firing as they sp-
proached the lines. They" Prescott said,
commenced firing too soon, and generally
fired over the heads of my troops; and, as
they were partially covered by the works,
but few were killed or wounded" When
Prescott saw the enemy in motion, he went
round the works to encourage the men, and
assured them the red-coats would never
reach the redoubt if they would observe his
directions. The advancing columns, how
ever, having got within gun-shot, a few OF
the Americans could not resist the tempta y.
ton to return their fire, without waiting for
orders. Prescott Indignantly demonstrated
at this disobedience, and appealed to their
leader: while his officers seconded his exer-
tions. and some ran round the top of the
parapet and kicked up the guns. At length
the British troops reached the prescribed
distance, and the order was given to
fire; when there was q simultaneous
discharge from the redoubt and
breastwork, that did terrible execution on
the British ranks. But it was received with
veteran frmness, and for few minutes was
sharply returned. The Americans. being
protected by their works, suffered but
little; but their murderous balls literally
strewed the ground with the dead and
wounds of the enemy. Gen. Pigot was
obliged to order a retreat, when the exulting
shout of victory rose from the American
lines. "On. the left," British writer says,
"Pigot was staggered, and actually re-
treated by orders. Great pains have been
taken to huddle up this matter" Gen.
Howe, in the meantime, led the right wing
against the rail fence. The light infantry
moved along the shore of Mystic river to
turn the extreme LETT OF the American line,
whi9
THE GRENADIERs ADVANCED
directly in front. The Americans first
opened on them with their field pieces
(Gallender's) with great effect, some of the
discharges being directed by Putnam; and
when the advancing troops deployed into
line, a few, as at the redoubt, fired without
waiting for the word. Putnam fastened
to the spot, and threatened to cut down the
next man who disobeyed. 81" Philip
Johnson states, "heard him say, men, you
are all marksmen; don't one of you fire
until you see the white of their eyes,"
"Lieut. Dana tells me-" Chester says, "ne
was the first man that fired, and that he
did il singly and with view TO draw the
enemy's fire; and he obtained his end fully,
without any damaged to our party. This drew
the enemv's fire. which they continued with