menu_book Chapter 6

children's book of patriotic stories by helen m winslow dickinson and asa don dickinson the battle of bunkers hill by washington irving don't fire till you see the whites of their eyes or the orders of old putt to the yankee farmers who first taught the enemy that they could and would stand and fight british regulars the sound of drum and trumpet the clatter of hoofs the rattle of gun-carriages and all the other military din and bustle in the streets of boston soon apprised the americans on their rudely fortified height of an impending attack they were ill-fitted to withstand it being jaded by the night's labor and want of sleep hungry and thirsty having brought but scanty supplies and oppressed by the heat of the weather prescott sent repeated messages to general ward asking reinforcements and provisions putnam seconded the request in person urging the exigencies of the case ward hesitated he feared to weaken his main body at cambridge as his military stores were deposited there and it might have to sustain the principal attack

at length having taken advice of the council of safety he issued orders for colonels stark and reed then at medford to march to the relief of prescott with their new hampshire regiments the orders reached medford about eleven o'clock ammunition was distributed in all haste two flints a gill of powder and fifteen balls to each man the balls had to be suited to the different calibers of the guns the powder to be carried in powder horns or loose in the pocket for there were no cartridges prepared it was the rude turn-out of yeoman soldiery destitute of regular accoutrements in the meanwhile the americans on breed's hill were sustaining the fire from the ships and from the battery on copse hill which opened upon them about ten o'clock they returned an occasional shot from one corner of the redoubt without much harm to the enemy and continued strengthening their position until about eleven o'clock when they ceased to work piled their entrenching tools in the rear and looked out anxiously and impatiently for the anticipated reinforcements and supplies

about this time general putnam who had been to headquarters arrived at the redoubt on horseback some words passed between him and prescott with regard to the entrenching tools which have been variously reported the most probable version is that he urged to have them taken from their present place where they might fall into the hands of the enemy and carried to bunkers hill to be employed in throwing up a redoubt which was part of the original plan and which would be very important should the troops be obliged to retreat from breed's hill to this prescott demurred that those employed to convey them and who were already jaded with toil might not return to his redoubt a large part of the tools were ultimately carried to bunker's hill and a breastwork commenced by order of general putnam the importance of such a work was afterward made apparent about noon the americans decried twenty-eight barges crossing from boston in parallel lines they contained a large detachment of grenadiers rangers and light infantry admirably equipped and commanded by major-general howe they made a splendid and formidable appearance with their scarlet uniforms and the sun flashing upon muskets and bayonets

and brass field-pieces a heavy fire from the ships and batteries covered their advance but no attempt was made to oppose them and they landed about one o'clock at moulton's point a little to the north of brede's hill here general howe made a pause on reconnoitring the works from this point the americans appeared to be much more strongly posted than he had imagined he decried troops also hastening to their assistance these were the new hampshire troops led on by start howe immediately sent over to general gage for more forces and a supply of cannonballs those brought by him being found through some egregious oversight too large for the ordnance while awaiting their arrival refreshments were served out to the troops with grog by the bucketful and tantalizing it was to the hungry and thirsty provincials to look down from their ramparts of earth and see their invaders seated in groups upon the grass eating and drinking and preparing themselves by a hearty meal for the coming encounter

Their only consolation was to take advantage of the delay while the enemy were carousing to strengthen their position. The breastwork on the left of the redoubt extended to what was called the slough, but beyond this the ridge of the hill and the slope toward Mystic River were undefended, leaving a pass by which the enemy might turn the left flank of the position and seas upon Bunker's Hill. Putnam ordered his chosen officer, Captain Knowlton, to cover this

pass with the Connecticut troops under his command. A novel kind of rampart, savoring a rural device, was suggested by the rustic general. About six hundred feet in the rear of the redoubt, and about one hundred feet to the left of the restwork, was a post and rail fence, set in a low foot-wall of stone and extending down to Mystic River. The posts and rails of another fence were hastily pulled up and set a few feet in behind this, and the intermediate

space was filled up with new-mown hay from the adjacent meadows. This double fence, it will be found, proved an important protection to the redoubt, although there still remained an unprotected interval of about seven hundred feet. While Knowlton and his men were putting up this fence, Putnam proceeded with other of his troops to throw up the work on Bunker's Hill, dispatching his son, Captain Putnam, on horseback to hurry up the remainder of his men from Cambridge.

By this time his compere in French and Indian warfare, the veteran Stark, made his appearance with the new hampshire troops five hundred strong he had grown cool and wary with age and his march from edford a distance of five or six miles had been in character he led his men at a moderate pace to bring them into action fresh and vigorous in crossing the neck which was enfiladed by the enemy's ships of batteries captain dearborn who was by his side suggested a quick step the veteran shook his head one fresh man in action is worth ten tired ones replied he and marched steadily on putnam detained some of stark's men to aid in throwing up the work on bunker's hill and directed him to reinforce knowlton with the rest stark made a short speech to his men now that they were likely to have warm work he then pushed on and did good service that day at the rustic bulwark

about two o'clock warren arrived on the heights ready to engage in their perilous defense although he had opposed the scheme of their occupation he had recently been elected a major-general but had not received his commission like pomeroy he came to serve in the ranks with a musket on his shoulder putnam offered him the command at the fence he declined it and merely asked where he could be of most service as a volunteer putnam pointed to the redoubt observing that there he would be under cover don't think i seek a place of safety replied warren quickly where will the attack be the hottest putnam still pointed to the redoubt that is the enemy's object if that can be maintained the day is ours warren was cheered by the troops as he entered the redoubt colonel prescott tendered him the command he again declined i have come to serve only as a volunteer and shall be happy to learn from a soldier of your experience such were the noble spirits assembled on these perilous heights the british now prepared for a general assault an easy victory was anticipated the main thought was how to make it most effectual

the left wing commanded by general pigot was to mount the hill and force the redoubt while general howe with the right wing was to push on between the fort and mystic river turn the left flank of the americans and cut off their retreat general pigot accordingly advanced upon the hill under cover of a fire from field-pieces and howitzers planted on a small height near the landing-place on moulton's point his troops commenced a discharge of musketry while yet at a long distance from the redoubts the americans within the works obedient to strict command retained their fire until the enemy were within thirty or forty paces when they opened upon them with a tremendous volley being all marksmen accustomed to take deliberate aim the slaughter was immense and especially fatal to officers the assailants fell back in some confusion but rallied on by their officers advanced within pistol-shot another volley more effective than the first made them again recoil to add to their confusion they were galled by a flanking fire from the handful of provincials posted in charlestown

shocked at the carnage and seeing the confusion of his troops general pigot was urged to give the word for a retreat in the meantime general howe with the right wing advanced along mystic river toward the fence where stark reed and knowlton were stationed thinking to carry this slight breastwork with ease and so get in the rear of the fortress his artillery proved a little avail being stopped by a swampy piece of ground while his columns suffered from two or three field-pieces with which putnam had fortified the fence howe's men kept up a fire of musketry as they advanced but not taking aim their shots passed over the heads of the americans the latter had received the same orders with those in the redoubt not to fire till the enemy should be within thirty paces some few transgressed the command putnam rode up and swore he would cut down the next man that fired contrary to orders when the british arrived within the stated distance a sheeted fire opened upon them from rifles muskets and fouling-pieces all leveled with deadly aim the carnage as in the other instance was horrible the british were thrown into confusion and fell back some even retreated to the boats

there was a general pause on the part of the british the american officers availed themselves of it to prepare for another attack which must soon be made prescott mingled among his men in the redoubt who were all in high spirits at the severe check they had given the regulars he praised them for their steadfastness in maintaining their post and their good conduct in reserving their fire until the word of command and exhorted them to do the same in the next attack putnam rode about bunker's hill and its skirts to rally and bring on reinforcements which had been checked or scattered in crossing charlestown neck by the raking fire from the ships and batteries before many could be brought to the scene of action the british had commenced their second attack they again ascended the hill to storm the redoubt their advance was covered as before by discharges of artillery charlestown which had annoyed them on their first attack by a flanking fire was in flames by shells thrown from copse hill and by marines from the ships being built of wood the place was soon wrapped in a general conflagration

the thunder of artillery from batteries and ships the bursting of bombshells the sharp discharges of musketry the shouts and yells of the combatants the crash of burning buildings and the dense volumes of smoke which obscured the summer sun all formed a tremendous spectacle sure i am said burgoyne in one of his letters sure i am nothing ever has or ever can be more dreadfully terrible than what was to be seen or heard at this time the most incessant discharge of guns that ever was heard by mortal ears the american troops although unused to war stood undismayed amidst a scene where it was bursting upon them with all its horrors reserving their fire as before until the enemy was close at hand they again poured forth repeated volleys with the fatal aim of sharpshooters the british stood the first shock and continued to advance but the incessant stream of fire staggered them their officers remonstrated threatened and even attempted to goad them on with their swords but the havoc was too deadly whole ranks were mowed down many of the officers were either slain or wounded and among them several of the staff of general howe

the troops again gave way and retreated down the hill all of this passed under the eye of thousands of spectators of both sexes and all ages watching from afar every turn of a battle in which the lives of those most dear to them were at hazard the british soldiery in boston gazed with astonishment and almost incredulity at the resolute and protracted stand of raw militia whom they had been taught to despise and at the havoc made upon their own veteran troops every convoy of wounded brought over to the town increased their consternation and general clinton who had watched the action from copse hill embarking in a boat hurried over as a volunteer taking with him reinforcements a third attack was now determined on though some of howe's officers remonstrated declaring it would be downright butchery a different plan was adopted instead of advancing in front of the redoubt it was to be taken in flank on the left where the open space between the breastwork and the fortified fence presented a weak point

it having been accidentally discovered that the ammunition of the americans was nearly expended preparations were made to carry the works at the point of the bayonet and the soldiery threw off their knapsacks and some even their coats to be more light for action general howe with the main body now made a feint of attacking the fortified fence but while a part of his force was thus engaged the rest brought some of the field-pieces to enfilade the breastwork on the left of the redoubt a raking fire soon drove the americans out of this exposed place into the enclosure much damage too was done in the latter by balls which entered the sally port the troops were now led on to assail the works those who flinched were as before goaded on by the swords of the officers the americans again reserved their fire until their assailants were close at hand and then made a murderous volley by which several officers were laid low and general howe himself was wounded in the foot the british soldiery at this time likewise reserved their fire and rushed on with fixed bayonet

clinton and bigot had reached the southern and eastern sides of the redoubt and it was now assailed on three sides at once prescott ordered those who had no bayonets to retire to the back part of the redoubt and fire on the enemy as they showed themselves above the parapet the first who mounted exclaimed in triumph the day is ours he was instantly shot down and so were several others who mounted at the same time the americans however had fired their last round their ammunition was exhausted and now succeeded a desperate and deadly struggle hand to hand with bayonets stones and the stocks of their muskets at length as the british continued to pour in prescott gave the order to retreat his men had to cut their way through two divisions of the enemy who were getting in rear of the redoubt and they received a destructive volley from those who had formed on the captured works by that volley fell the patriot warren who had distinguished himself throughout the action he was among the last to leave the redoubt and had scarce done so when he was shot through the head with a musket ball and fell dead on the spot

while the americans were thus slowly dislodged from the redoubt stark reed and knowlton maintained their ground at the fortified fence which indeed had been nobly defended throughout the action pomeroy distinguished himself here by his sharpshooting until his musket was shattered by a ball the resistance at this hastily constructed work was kept up after the troops in the redoubt had given way and until colonel prescott had left the hill thus defeating general howe's design of cutting off the retreat of the main body which would have produced a scene of direful confusion and slaughter having effected their purpose the brave associates at the fence abandoned their weak outposts retiring slowly and disputing the ground inch by inch with a regularity remarkable in troops many of whom had never before been in action the main retreat was across bunkers hill where putnam had endeavored to throw up a breastwork the veteran sword in hand rode to the rear of the retreating troops regardless of the balls whistling about him his only thought was to rally them at the unfinished works halt make a stand here cried he we can check them yet in god's name form and give them one shot more

pomeroy wielding his shattered musket as a truncheon seconded him in his efforts to stay the turret it was impossible however to bring the troops to a stand they continued on down the hill to the neck and across it to cambridge exposed to a raking fire from the ships and batteries and only protected by a single piece of ordnance the british were too exhausted to pursue them they contented themselves with taking possession of bunkers hill were reinforced from boston and threw up additional works during the night end of section six read by bill mosley lano county texas u s a january sixth twenty twenty three