Kentucky Irish American. (Louisville, Ky.) 1898-1968, 1908-07-04
BUlsIIGN .|
Something About Battle That
Encouraged the Colonists
to Fight.
The British Commander ViO-
lated Agreement With Bos-
ton SOlOns.
Many Irish Names Among the
Soldiers Who Fought and
Died.
VICTORY WAS DEARLY BOUGHT


American history was the battle of
Bunker Hill, fought on June II, 1775,
more than a year before the famous
Declaration of Independence upon the
part of the American colonies. The
American soldiers were raw recruits,
while the flower of the trained vet
Grams of the British army were sent
against them. The object of the
British invading force was to cap
ture Boston. The British veterans
were hired men; the Americans were
volunteers, men who were fighting
against oppression, men who wanted
liberty, who were waging war for
the protection of their affairs and
homes.
AS Michael Doheny writes, they
neither received nor expected pay
for their dangerous service, and
were kept together solely by vir-
tuous patriotism. The troops, if
such they may be called, asknowl-
edged no control, and though they
sat down before the city prepared
to brave danger and death, they
were bound by no obligation save
their own courageous purpose. The
army was, in fact, multitude of
men brought together by the inn
pulsive enthusiasm of sudden emer-
gency. but there was no instance of
devotion in ancient or modern times
to suggest a hope that without
provisions. ammunition, clothing, or
pay. beyond the uncertain supplies
of patriotism. they could be main
tanned after the first flush of victory
subsidized or necessity began to press
upon them. They had scarcely any
of the agencies which in all ages en-
abled nations to wage successful
war.
On the other hand. the British
were supplied to repletion with all
that the Americans lacked. They
had able Generals and disciplined
troops, and their army was well
stored and provided with all the re-
quirements for aggression or de-
Tense. Their vessels of war, too,
were moored around the town, so
placed as to prevent approach or
destroy it at a moments notice. And
behind all stood the most un-
scrupulous and powerful nation in
the world on land or sea.
General Gage, the British COM
mander, backed by such seasoned
veterans as Generals Howe, Clinton
and Burgoyne, made an agreement
with the Selectmen, or city fathers,
of Boston, to allow those who wished
to leave the city with their families.
The movement to leave became gen
eral, and then Gage violated his
agreement. He would not allow
women or children to leave but kept
them as hostages for the good be-
havior of the patriots. But on the
morning of June II, 1775, the British
outposts discovered that the Ameri-
can patriots had fortified Breeds
Hill during the night. The order
had been given to fortify Bunker
Hill, but for reasons of eXpediency
the main defenses were erected on
Breeds Hill. There the battle took
place but to this day, and probably
until the end of time, it will be
known as the battle of Bunker Hill.
As the patriots labored with their
picks and spades they were cheered
on i'm their work by the distant
signals of "Alrs well' that came
from the British ships of war and
their sentinels on shore. They pro-
claimed that they were still undis-
covered. and at every cry of the
grateful words the patriots Piled
their tools with increased vigor.
When Gen. Gage was notified soon
after dawn that the Americans We're
intrenched. he gave orders for the
ships and batteries to begin n
Simultaneous attack on the breast
works. Toward noon he found that
the fire of the ships and batteries
had not interfered with the Ameri-
cans. and gave orders for an assault
| upon the heights. 1t was 3 o'clock
| i'm the afternoon when the British
force of picked men advanced upon
the breastworks. Col. Prescott,
knowing that his men were short OF
powder. ordered them to withhold
their fire until they could see the
whites of their enemies eyes, and
then to fire low. About this time,
also. the British army set fire to
| Charlestown, suburb of Boston.
The fire did not discourage the
| American patriots. Instead, II
aroused them to greater enthusiasm
against the enemy.
The first assault of the British
was repulsed, and red coats went
down as if swept by a scythe. The
second assault was no more success
full. BY this time the powder OF the
Americans was exhausted. but they
made a gallant stand and fought
with the butt ends of their mnskets
until driven from their entrench-
ments. Though the British forces
claimed the victory ii was one dearly
bought. The British lost 1880 men,
while the Americans sustained loss
of 115 killed. 305 wounded and thirty
taken prisoners, in all $50 men.
There were men of Irish birth and
parentage at the battle of Bunker
Hill. The blood they shed in the
cause of liberty was not wasted, and
today there are few cities in Ireland
that numbers more Irish names than
the city of Boston. Col. Prescott was
in command of the Americans at the
battle of Bunker Hill. and his prin.
cipal aide was Major Richard Nc
Cleary. Besides there were Capt
Samuel Dunn, Lieut.. Charles
Dougherty and hundreds of Other
volunteers of Irish birth or descent