The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1901-06-22
BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL.

comparison with other battles, so far
as the numbers engaged are concern
ed, yet it's 126th anniversary was cele-
brated ON Monday, June II, by patri-
otic Americans in various parts of the
country. At Concord and Lexington
the American farmers of the Revolu-
ton came in conflict with the British
redcoats for the first time and held
their own with the trained soldiers of
King George. On the 18th of June,
1875, they met again on Bunker Hill.
The British were repeatedly repulsed
by the brave Americans. The latter
had no artillery or bayonets and when
they ran out Of ammunition they met
the regulars with dubbed muskets and
stones, killing 226 and wounding 1923,
while their own loss was 40 killed,
271 wounded and 80 captured. The
gallant Warren was among the killed
on the American side.
The battle of Bunker Hill was the
beginning of the end of British
domination and tyranny on this conti-
nent. Some of the bravest men in the
American ranks on that fateful day
were sons of the Emerald Isle. Among
them were $50 who bore distinctively
Irish names, which can be seen on the
muster rolls preserved in the official
archives Of the state of Massachusetts.
For years previous to the outbreak
of the war for Independence, practi-
cally all the emigration was from Ire
land. Gradually old Milesian names
became altered or corrupted from their
original shape so that by 17175 tlhous
ands of distinctively Irish names were
SO changed and distorted they scarcely
bore any resemblance to their original
forms. Thus on this account, as also
because of rampant Anglomania. the
true strength Of the Irish in the war
for American independence will never
be accurately known.
But one thing is known and tlat is,
i that at the outbreak of the Revolu-
tion of the three millions who inhabit-
ed the thirteen colonies. one-half of
them were Irish by birth or descent.
This is attested by the fact that for Il
century and half previous to ITO.
England had been employed In depopl-
lnting Ireland. Irish trade and manu-
features We're legislated against, and
SO the Irish had no other course but
to emdgrate to the American colonies.
We shall not enlarge on the SPLEEN
did service in THE cause of liberty rem
dered by the Irish during the Revolu-
tionary war. AT present we shall only
furnish our readers with the follow
ing sketch of the battle of Bunker Hill,
for which we are indebted to the Irish
World, of New York:
Finding that the English were about
to attack them, Prescott was detailed
With 1000 men to seize Charlestown
on the night of the 10th and fortify
the heights. He was Joined by Put
nam and they made n gallant defense
as the British swept against them at
Bunker Hill, where breastworks We're
being hastily put up. About II O'clock
next day. in response to Prescott's call
for reinforcements, General Stark.
with his New Hampshire troops, large
~ composed Of Irish-Americans. was
sent to his relief. When he arrived on
the scene the enemy had already rap
idly approached. He stationed his men
near the rail fence MT the base of Bun
ker Hill. and. making an address to
his troops. gave his. orders for tho
fight.
At this point Stark and his gallant
troops fought for hours. 1t was a
strategic point, and General Howe led
In person the attack upon it. The
English generals and soldiers had un-
derrated their American opponents;
that they would drive them from the
redoubt they never questioned. 1t was
trying time for the gallant men who
We're waiting for the attack, ignorant
vet of the power Of their own stern
purpose Charlestown was in flames;
shots from ships and batteries were
kissing around them; many of them
had never been in battle before: very
many had worked all night long, and
were almost ready to sink to the
ground from exhaustion.
Twice they had hurled back from
their defenses the flower of the British
army. and when they did retire it was
only after their powder had given out
and they were overwhelmed by the
superior force Of their foes. At the
rail fence they successfully resisted
every attempt to turn their flank.
Stark's men, like most of the other
patriots. We're marksmen, and they
used their skill with deadly effect.
They were intent on cutting down the
British officers. When one was in
sight--that is, when they could "see
the white Of his eye"-they exclaimed,
"There, see that officer? Let us have
a shot at him." and two or three
would fire at the same moment. They
~.