The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-06-25
NEW HAMPSHIRE AT BUNKER HILL.
Her Sons Indignant Because Massachu-
sets Has Ignored Her Soldiers.

f. o. hnoWitou In the New York sun.
Monday was what is known in Massa-
chusetts as Bunker Hill Day." 1t being
the Hath anniversary OF the battle OF
Bunker Hill, and on that occasion, among
the tablets placed in position near the
battlefield, were some bearing the inscrip-
ton, 1.-THE troops were mainly from Mas
sachusetts." This has awakened storm
OF patriotic indignation throughout New
Hampshire, as the slight cast upon
her Revolutionary heroes cannot have
been otherwise than intended. As
il is at present and always has
been, son OF New Hampshire may
explore the battlefield, visit the lodge at
the foot OF tho monument, and even as
cend the monument itself, without en-
countering as much as q suggestion that
the men OF his native State bore any part
in the memorable battle which the huge
obelisk commentaries. From the very
beginning there seems TO have been q sys-
tematic attemp on the part OF Massachu-
sets to ignore tho part taken by New
Hampshire men in the only pitched battle
ever fought on her soil, and in this un-
charitable attempt she has succeeded won
derfully. The men OF New Hampshire
have taken part in every war, and have
shed their blood on the soil OF every Com
monwealth making up this Union. They
are fighters who have made history, but
have not written IL, and the result is that
not only has their memory been ignored,
but there Is not school history in the
United States which does them half JUS
tice. In these histories there is no intima-
ton that New Hampshire took part In the
battle Of Bunker Hill, and the little State
fares no better at the hands OF the Monu-
ment Committee, who caused the lying
legend 10 assume public place on Mon
day last, in spite OF the fact that New
Hampshire has been ably represented be-
fore the committee in the person OF Col.
George Q. Gilmore, OF this city, who was
appointed special commissioner for the
purpose by the Governor and Council OF
this state. Col. Gilmore labored in season
and ont OF season 10 have justice done,
and finally, In answer to his persistent ap.
peals, drew out the reply;
eve must either ignore you or fight The
whole city OF Boston,"
New Hampshire was ignored, and the
bronze tablets at Charlestown will prob
ably ever bear the empty boast, 1.-THE
troops were mainly from Massachusetts"
Here are few facts, however, which the
Monument Association, Massachusetts
school historians and tablets alike seek to
ignore and blot out:
George Bancroft, in his history con-
cludcs that not over 1900 Americans took
part in the battle OF Bunker Hill. Col.
Prescott's Massachusetts, regiment so
called, which constructed the redoubt and
occupied II, Is generally conceded to have
contained less than 500 men at the begin
ming OF the engagement, and Of
this command one full company was from
Hollis. n. H., under the command OF Capt.
Dow, while Capt Moore's company Of the
same command is known 10 have contained
several men direct from New Hampshire,
two Of whom were among the number
killed. In addition TO Capt. BOWS full
company, the Massachusetts regiment"
is known 10 have contained seventeen
men from Londonderry, n. H., eleven
men from Merrimack, n. H., six from
Brookline, N. H., and others from various
New Hampshire towns, making in all not
less than 100 men. A return Of Col. James
Reeds New Hampshire regiment made on
the l4th OF June, two DAYS before the
battle, shows that II was composed OF 637
men, and II Is reasonable 10 suppose that
this number was increased during time in
tervening before the battle. as recruits
were continually arriving from New Hamp.
shire. IL is also well established that Gen.
John Stark's New Hampshire regiment,
which went from this part OF the State,
WIS larger than Reeds lie himself says,
in letter two days after the battle, that
he sent 200 men with officers 10 the aid Of
Col. Prescott. and followed aiterward with
the remainder OF his command.
Stark's- regiment, together with Col.
Reeds, all New Hampshire men, took up
their position on the exposed American
left, stretching down toward tho water,
and fired upon the advancing British with
such deadly effect that the Welsh fnsilcers
were practically annihilated, mastering
tho next day only eighty men. Stark
aud Reeds regiments were the last 10
leave the field. and held thor positions
until the rout OF the Massachusetts, troops
from the rcdoubt made Il no longer pracii.
covered the retreat OF Prescottl
men, and poured in whitening vol
leys upon the pursuing redcoats.
Major Andrew McClary, Of Epson. n. H.,
was among tho very last 10 leave, and
|
work, was shot down, and yet Massachu
setts does not honor his memory with even
the mention that he was there from New
Hampshire, although he lost his life In
covering the retreat OF the only regiment
she claims TO have had on the field. Capt
Trove Baldwin, OF Hillsborough, N. H.,
another member Of Stark's regiment, alss
gave up his life there. and yet Massachu'
setis ignores his memory, rs she does al
New Hampshire men.
In addition 10 the troops named Il Il
veil authenticated that there were not lesl
than twenty men from the eastern town
OF the State who fought in Col. scammon'i
Maine regiment, this command being
credited 10 Massachusetts,, as Maine wal
then part Of that Commonwealth. Alto
gcther more than half the men who Tough
at Bunker Hill on the American side wer,
from the little State Of New Hampshire
and II was with tho possession OF thii
knowledge that the committee represent
ing Massachusetts made no mention o
New Hampshire whatsoever, aud instcaC
caused tic misleading inscription, 9TH,
troops were mainly from Massachusetts,,
o. be cast in bronze aud placed in a con
spicuous position.
This ungallant slight, TO characterize !
In no stronger terms, has thoroughly
aroused the patriotic men OF New llamp
shire. Al an early day the Hon. Olive
Branch, of WcaTc, II expected 10 bring thi
matter before the Legislature, and IN,
subject will probably take the form OF
Joint resolution looking 10 the erection o
a tablet in the State House at Concord
commemorative OF tho achievements o