The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-06-09

tie will themselves allow that they have
visited this famous spot at other times and
have not beheld anything like what APP
peared to their vision on that day.
For the last seventy years there has
been a sort of charm in this pretended bat
tie and kind of glory has seemed to
gather around the head Of everyone who
has succeeded in making the public be-
lieve that he was an actor in that scene.
This has led many a bOastful pretender to
assert that he was one of the choice few
who stood forth in defense of liberty on
that eventful day-that he was one Of those
gallant spirits who fought, bled and died
on Bunker's awful mount
ITO such excess have the public run upon
this subject that many are DESTROYS of re-
tanning the honor in their family of having
been on that venerated spot during the bat
tie in the lOins of their ancestors; hence we
frequently meet in graveyards. among the
inscriptions (Which are generally more re-
markable for their eXtrava gance and want
of truth than for their modesty and fidel-
ity) a declaration that the deceased was a
revolutionary hero or that he was in the
battle of Bunker HILL.
Not that accuse those of perjury
who have made oath that they were in the
battle. We know the propensity of some
men to believe. They Will begin by desir-
ing to have been actors in certain scene:
they will soon fancy that they were in
some way or other connected with 1t; they
will go on adding little by little and repeat
ing the tale so often that at length they will
not be able to distinguish between what
often repeated; and hence, by this progress
sive faith, will really become believers in
their own idle tales This principle may
operate upon some of the witnesses of this
pretended battle.
There is also an improbability in the
success of this pretended battle. Who can
believe that a few undisciplined troops,
brought together on a sudden emergency,
with poor arms and a very scanty supply
of ammunition, could for so long time
withstand the veterans troops of Great
81 hrax-
commanders and supported by the battery
eopp's hill and by three or four ships
of war?
There is so much of romance In this
page of pretended history that we are
even called upon to believe that after the
Americans had expended their powder and
ball they sustained themselves for a time
by throwing stones at the enemy.
REACHING A CONCLUSION.
There is also just that confusion in
localities which we might naturally ex-
pect in fiction. 1t is called the battle of
that region will tell you that there
never was a battle fought upon Bunk
er's hill. Even those who have been so
fearful that the whole account would be
disbelieved or forgotten as TO attempt
TO perpetuate the fiction by the erection
of monument have virtually confessed
lnat lneTe was no Ddtllt on bunker ;
hill by placing their monument on Breeds
hill.
May we not safely infer that some
knowing one, Judging rightly the effect
that such a battle would have upon the
colonies generally, invented this story in
order to bring aid from abroad and to
show the people that England was de-
termined 10 reduce them to vassalage by
fire and sword? | do not say that this was
the fact; but is there not a strong prob
ability in it's favor? May we not fairly in
fer that il was a Yankee trick, got up and
played off to answer the purpose mentioned
above?
Application was made TO the Legisla-
ture of Massachusetts for aid in the cree
ton of the monument, but with all the local
interest which was brought 10 bear upon
the subject the State did little or nothing
in furtherance of the subject.
Now is il not almost certain that the
patriotic Legislature of the patriotic State
of Massachusetts, would have contributed
largely TO that magnificent undertaking If
they had believed that II was cOmmem-
orative of an event which had actually
taken place.
would a government which extends its
fostering care to pickerel and herring, 10
woodcocks and the least wing that fits
across the sky, withhold its patronage
awaken patriotic emotions and pay de-
served tribute TO the memory OF those who
la zarded all for their country's good?
LAS further evidence that real doubts
existed we may mention the fact that part
OF the ground on which the battle was re-
sold for building lots.
Il have shown. on the great principles
of Mr.. Hume's theory, that the battle of
Bunker hill Is not entitled 10 our belief:
truth. Is decidedly against It; that the