Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1876-06-02
CENTENNIAL PICTCREs-NO. Nv.
BY DANIEL WISE, DID.

"-115 DsDs
-r..rrf
PATRIOT SUCCESSES AT 'BosToET AMI
FORT MoULTRIE.
The British lost over one thousand
men, killed and wounded, in theiI
struggle to win Bunker Hill. The
patriots lost about FIVE hundred, OF
whom one ..hundred aud forty-tive
were killed. Among the latter was
the beloved, eloquent, pure-minded
General Warren. Before going In
to action, in reply to Elbridge Ger.
", who begged If him not TO expose
lis fife, be had said:
''It is pleasant and becoming to
die for ones country"
Animated by this sublime senti-
ment, he fought like hero until the
redOubt was lost. He was the last
to retreat from the trenches, where
he fell, covered with the glory of
his own self-sacri6eing courage.
His fellow martyrs had died in the
same lofty spirit, and their names
were embalmed in the affections of
their cOuntrymen. But who could
think of their fallen foes without re-
feeting that, though they were brave
men they had died for an evil cause.
Eighteen days after the deadly
strife on Bueker Hill, a man stood
on the Common, at Cambridge,
whose stately form and commanding
presence attracted every eye and
fascinated every heart. He was full.
1y six feet in height, well proper.
toned, sinewy, broad-chested, and
moved with the graceful dignity of
one born to command. ellis com.
plexion was forid, his hair dark
brown; his broad nostrils seemed
formed TO give expression and es.
cape to scornful anger. His dark
blue eyes, which were deeply set.
had an expression of resignation,
and an earnestness which was al
most sadness" f,f-.x ...r,f 81.
This distinguished parsonage was
George Washington, as he appeared
on the third day of July, when he
took command of the army around
Boston. The Continental Congress
had elected him its commander-in-
chief two days before the battle of
Bunker Hill. The troops received
him with enthusiasm, and he set to.
work at once to organize them into
an army. Previous to his coming
they were little else than a half
armed crowd. They had no maya
zines, no money chest, no uniforms,
a poor supply of arms, very little
artillery were undisciplined, enlisted
for short periods only, poorly Off
cered, and little disposed to cultivate
that spirit of subordination, which
is essential to all military lorganiza-
tIons. Nevertheless, their courage,
which had its roots in an intelligent
patriotism, made them formidable. =
The Continental Congress had Civ
en- w Washington a commission, but
paid very little attention to his ur-
gent requests for money and sup
plies. 1t was, IN fact, too solicitous,
as yet, trying to make terms with
England, to push war with vigor.
Hence Washington had to depend
upon the voluntary offerings of the
New England people for the sup
port of his soldiers. His success in
keeping them together must ever be
reesassSd as one of the most mar
velOus achievements. He did more
than this He maintained their spir-
its, and early in the following March
put their mettle to the test by
movement to fortify the Heights
of Dorchester, which commanded
Boston from the south.
To cover this movement he opened
Gre upon Boston from Cambridge,
on the nights of the second and
third of March; on the evening of
the fourth he renewed his cannonade
with greater fury. The English re-
piled TO mis- FIRE tiercely, and, direct
ing their whole attention toward
Cambridge, left him at liberty to
march two thousand men with en-
trenching tools and countless bun.
dies Of pressed hay, with which to
form the breastworks of q fortress.
All night his men toiled with a &C.
lerity which nothing but an enthusi-
astie and intelligent patriotism could
have inspired. perhaps there new
er was SO much work done in SO
short space of time" Hence, at
aaybFeak the British srmy was as
founded, and the patriotic citizens of
Boston delighted, at beholding
strong Tedoubts, surrounded by an
almost impossible abattis, crowning
dorchester Heights, which com
manded the city and the harbor. 1t
-seemedsas If the tabled genii of Ori-
entai romance had wrought an un-
heard-of wonder in behalf of the
patriot army. Howe, the British
General, was confouuded. for he saw
that he must either drive the Amer.
leans from the Heights or yaoate the
city. The admiral of the English
feet also sent him this ominons
word: "1f they retain the possess.
ion of the Heights l cannot keep a
ship in the harbor.'' The perplexed
General was at his wits end. ia
At first he resolved to dislodge
Washington, and ordered out force
for that purpose. But the memory
Of Bunker Hill was fresh in the
minds of his men, and they showed
so little relish FOR the movement that
IL was ahandnnad Ennliu hn ~