Indiana State Sentinel, Volume 24, Number 43, Indianapolis, Marion County, 17 June 1875 — Page 6

THE INDIANA STATE SENTINEL THURSDAY, JUNE 17 18761

"IIKKK WAHItEN FELL."

THE BATTLE OP BUNKER HILL. A Graphic and Full Account of the First Pitched Battle of the Revolution on Juno 17, 1775. THE PLUCK OF PRESCOTT. HY OF THE I.AND INTRENCHING THE HILL BRITI-H BOMRARDMKJiT NAMES CF SOME OF THE PATRIOTS WARBEN' BRAVERY IKS THREE JOliCEMENTS ASD AMMUSiriOS-THE RE D TRr FIN ALLY IiiriN'ATIOS. CARRIED PilESCOTI 8 IN Nrx rimrsdayyths centennial of the battie of Bunke Hill, Is to celebrated m mimlBcent style. The anniversary has rodaced several literary contributions in prose and Terse from eminent hands, amocg tb m a pamphlet ontainin? en account ol lh bsttlaty KIcbard Fiotbiughsm, fr;m wh'i the Nw Yc rk Kvenlag Post co inwibi tb3 following: Tbe pcuinaul of part -f Brwloa, and is hepar.te2 from :t by CfcarlfH Kivor. It is al-ou: a mils in length th t." south. Its greatest breadth, next to n-):on. is about half a mile, whence it trra.J3j:v uecisne-t unt?i uw. i-.l-.-. .n ithmu. called ibeNerk, connect ing it whh tbe raain land. The Mystic Kiver, ab;ut hilf a m'.le wid. is on the east ei io- an! on the west sido is Charles F.iver, which here forms a largo bay apart of whin':, by a dam m tio.i ot Cobblo II ill, i ftre'.cbtflz in the d:rectio.i ot Cobblo Uiil, 1 atnmpouu. iuocl, - i rr . "" . 1 - an ar! ilieial causeway, wa3 so ioy .u w frequently overflowed by tho tides. Hacker Hill begins attn isthmus and rises gradually for about tbroo hundred ycrda, farming a roand, smooth hill, sloping on two Hi-l toward. the water, and connected by a ridge of ground oa the south with tbe hoi gats now known as Breed's IIill. Leuker Hill" was well known tbe name bijc in the town records and deeds from ah early period. Not so with " Breed's Hill," for it is not namedjn any description oi streets previous to 15. Mr. Frcthlngham says that he never met with the name, in any private letter or public pap?r, prior to tho'date of the battle. Moullonfs Toint, a name coeval with tbe settlement ot tbe town, constituted the southeast corner of tbe peninsula. A part of this tract formed what is oalled, in 11 the account o! the battle, " Morton's Hill." Bunker Hill was o-?e hundred and ten ft-ethlgb, Breed's seventylive feet, and Morton's Hill thirty-five feet. There was near the Boston forry a marketplace, now tbe square. Here were a church, a court house, a scliocl-houe ami a Jail. On Friday, tbe ltith of Jane, 1775, the commanders of the provincial army took raea-ures to fortify Banker II ill. Orders were issued for Prescr:U's, Frye's and Bridge's regiments, and a laMgue party of -0J Couucticai troops, to parade at (i o'clock in the evening, with all tha entrenching tr.iUinthH f-imhriti'ze caniD. Cant. Gridley's company of artillery, of 4'J men and two field-pieces, was aUo ordered to parade. T: imihf,r in iv be fairly estimated at i "ixv Thfl.dtichm?nt was placed uador the ojfiimnl of Col. William Prefect:, c Ptpperttll, who had ORDERS IX WRITIXO ironi Gen. Vi'arJ to proceed that evening to Rnnknr Hill, build fortifications to be planned by Col. Richard Gridley, the chie engineer, and defend them until be should be relieved. This dotachnient paraded on Cambridce Common at tho time appointed After a fervent and impressive prayer I President Langdon, ot Harvard Collear?, it commenoeJ, about '. o'clock, its mcajorablo march for Charkstown. Preacolt was at us head, arrayed in a f-imple and appropriite unitorm, with a bine oat ana three cornered hat. Tha main body marched over Banker Hill. Here Prescott ca'Jfd the üid oQicers aronud hiai, and couim;i nlcated his order?. A long consultation took, placo in relation to ttuplacotobe fortiMed. The veteran Colonel Uridley and two eenerals. oneof whom wa3 (ienerai Putnam, took part lu it. The order waj explicit a to Banker Hill; and yet a position in the pastures near Boston, now known as Bree J's Hill, seemed belter adapted to the oLjects of the expedition, and better suited to tho daring spirit ot theomcers. "One general and tha engineer were ot opinion we ouht not to intrench on Charlcstown Hill (Breed's Hill) till we had thrown up some works on the north and south ends of Bunker Hill, to coyer our mon in their retreat, it that Bhouid happen; bat, on the pressing importunity of tbe other general oincer, it was cousemea io bezin. as was done." During the next forenoon a flood tida enabled the British to bring three or four floating bit teiesto play on the entnrcchments, when the fire becamo more severe, ihemenol war at intervals diehureed their guns the Glasgow, one account states, coctinusd to fire all tbe moruin?. The only return maio tothl terrific cannouade was atewinelfctual shot from a cannon in a corner of the rtnioiibt. About 11 o'clock tbe mn tad luoatly ceased labor cn the works. TI)3 in t renching tools had been p;led In the rear, and all were anxiously awaiting the arrival of refreshments and reinforcements. Sxm ifier this, the enemy was observed to be in motion in lioston. General Gaje had called a council of war early in the morning. As ii waa clear that the Americana were paining strength every boar, it was the uiaanimous opinion ttat it was necsssarv to change the plan of operations that had been agreed upon, and drive them from their uewiy-erected worta. It was decided to attack In front, and Gaga ioinedlately issued, at 10 o'clock in toe rnornine. the necessary orders. The force was pmt under tbe command of Gen. Uowe, l l . .1 (inAa VtifVt t?4W .Idtl T'i Tf M A Kome of the mct distinguished ofiicers in Uoston. He was ordered to drive the Americans from their works. About 12 'lock tha several regiments marched through the btreeta of Bot ton to their place ot embarkation, ana two snips oi warmovea up C.iarle Kiver to j ila tha others in firii:g open their work". Suddenly tho redoubled roar of the cannon announced that THS CRISIS TAS AT HAND. The Falcon and the Lively swept the low grounds in front of Breed's Hill, to disloJgs any parties of troops that rnlht bo pottad there to oppose a landing; the Somerset, end two floating batteries at the farry, and the battery on Copp'a Hill, poured shot on the Amaricac works; tne Glasgow irigue aad the Jjymmftry transport, mounting 20 cues, moored further up Charles Iliver, raked the Keck. Tbe troops embarked at tbe Ins? Wharf and the North Battery; and when a blue flag was displayed as a signal, tfce fleet, with field-ploces in the leading barges, moved towards Cbai-lestowti. The army landed in good ;rdr at Moalton' Point, about 1 o'clock. T-it boit the slightest molestation. "Several" a Jlri iih letter cava, "attempted to run away: i.n l five actually tojk to their heels to Join t.,- Air,9ricit3S,bal were presently brought I. k-'k, twvoof Hic-m were hanfr up io terr,,lw;i r, tufi rmz." Tho boati were all ordered back to Boston. Gen. Howe immediately formed his command in three lines. Altsr i bcoanoitreing tbe American works, bi eppliod to Gen. Gasolor a reinforcement. VhÜ3 wiltiog for it to arrive, his troops quietly dined. It proyed to many a brave man hia last meal. About 2 o'clock in the a'tercoon inton?9 anxiety prevailed at the lu;r?aohmeubou Breed's Hill. The pstriot btri wr.o r-iifd Unm "riad witneseed the iniliiLt landlos of tLo Bdlljlt rettraca aci

be return of the barges to Boston. They

naw troops again ßinng no,M, not without aoprenentu'jo. iu. : , ineviiable. Bat characters who had long been Identified with the patriot cause, who were widely known and widely beloved, appeared on tbe field to share their perils and assured them that aid was at hand. Gen. Pomeroy, a veteran ot the French wars, as brave as he was psinovc. . Ward a horse to take him to the field; and one was supplied. On his arrival at the Neck, he declined to expose the horse to tbe severe fire that raked it, and coolly walked across. He joined the lorce, gun In hand, at the rail fence, and was welcomed by cheers. Jame3 Otis was on the field. He was an invalid, stopping at Watertown with James Warren, subsequently tbe president of the Provincial Congress, who married bis sister Mercy. He, who bad so nobly served his country with bis pen and In the council, could not resist an impulse to aid it In the field. It is not possible to say at what time he arrived, or where he lought. General Warren was at Cambridge, in the Hastinzs House, near the College, attending a meet ing of the committee or eaiety. xie ueclared h'.s purpose of joining the men in the redoubt. To tho affectionate remonstrance of Elbrldjie Gerry, he replied, "Dulce et decorum t pro patria mori," "It is sweet and baconiin to die for tho country." "THB ARDOR OF DEAR DR. WARREN," wrote William Williams, June 20, "could not be restrained by tha entreaty of hia brethernof the congress." lie moaotea a hor3?, and, In company with Dr. Townsend, one of Lis students, set out for Charlestown. Totrnsend soon left him, and he overtook James Swan and James Winthrop, who were walking to tbe field of battle. Exchanging salutation, he passed on and came within the range of batteries at the Seek. Here be left his horse and walked up Banker Hill, where one of hia students, William Eustls, subsequently governor, served on tbH day as surgeon: and thence down the hill to the rail fence. Here he met Putnam, who offered to receive orders from him. But Warren replied, "I am here only as a volunteer. I know nothing cf your dispositions; nor will I interfere with them. Tell me where I can be most useful." Putnam directed him to the redoubt with tha romark. "There von will be covered," When Warren said, "Don't think I came to ceek a place of safety: but tell me whore the onset will bn the mot furious." Putnam named the redoubt. Warren then went to the redoubt. He was enthusiastically received. "All the men huzzaed." He said that he came to encourage a good cause, and that a reinforcement of two thousand men was on ifs way to their support. Prescott asked Warren if he ba3 any orders to give, who replif d that he had none, saying, "the command is yours." This is the relation by Heath.. Judge Prescott 13 more circumstantial. "General Warren," he says, came to the redcutt a short time before the action commencad, with a musket in h!s hand. Colonel Prescott went to him and proposed that he should take the command; observing that he (Prescott) understood he (Warren) haa been appointed a MajorGenral a day or two before, by the Provincial Congress. General Warrea replied, 4,I shall take ro command here. I have not yet received my commission. I came as a volunteer, with my musket, fo serve under yon, and shall be happy to learu from a soldier of your experience." He was obeying the call of duty. General Putnam, who had tbe confi.if xco of tho army, again rode on about this time, with the intention of remaiaicir to share their labors and peril The movements of the British alonz tho margin of Mystic river indicated an inten tiou of nankins tbe Americaus. and sur rounding tbe. radoubt. To prevent this Col. Prescott ordered tbe artillery, with two field-pieces, and Captain Knowlton, with tbe Connecticut troops, to leave tho In trencbrnonts, march down tbe hill, and opPtjo tao enemy's right wing. Captaia Knowlton took a position six hundred foat in the rear of the redoubt, near thebaeof Banker Hill, behind a fence, one-half o which W83 stone, with two rails of wood He then mad?, a little distance in front of this, anothor parallel line of fence, and filled the space between them with the new ly-cut grass lying in the fields While Cap tain Knowlton's party was doing this, be tween 2 and 3 o'clock. Col. Stark, with his regiment, arrived a; the Neck, which was then enfiladed by A Q ALLING FIRE from the enemy's ships and batteries. Capt Daarborn, who wa3 by the side of the colonel suggested to him the expediency of quick ening his step across; but Stark replied "Oaa fresh man in action is worth ten rationed ones," and marched s-eadily over. Gen. Putnam ordered part of these troops to labor on tho work then begnn on Bunker Hill, while Col. Stark, after an animated address to bis men, led the remainder to the position Capt. Knowlton had taken, and they aided in extending the line of tho breastwork to the water's ede by throwing una stonewall on the reach. Col. Keed lelt the Neck and marched over Bunker Hill and took position near Col. Stark at the rail-fence. The defences of the Americans, at a in tue alter noon, were still in a rude unfinished state. The redoubt on the spot where tbe monument stands was about eight rods sqnare. Its strongest Ida, the front, facing the settled part of the town, was maae wun projecting angles, and pro tected the south side of tbe hill.. The eastera side commanded an extensive field The north side had an open passage-way. A breastwork, beginning a short distance from the redoubt, and on a line with Its eastern side, extended about one hundred yards north toward a slough. A sallypan, oei ween me soutn ena oi the breast work and tha redoubt, was protected by a blind. These works were raised about six feet from the level of the ground. a&d hal platforms of wood, or steps made or earto, lor tne men to stand on when thev should fire. The rail-fence has been already described. Its south corner was about two hundred yards, on a diagonal line, in the rear of the north corner of the breastwork Tula line was siignuy protected; a part of it, however about one hundred yards between ths slough and the rail-fence, was opan to the approach oi in fantry. It was the weakest part of the de fauces. On the right of tbe redoubt, along a cm-way, a Isnce was made similar to tbe one on the left. Tbe redoubt and breast work constituted a good defence against cannon and musketry, but the fences were hardly more than tbe shadow of protection. Such is tbe lack of precision in the authorities, that accuracy cannot be arrived at a3 to the forces which lined these defences. The Massachusetts reinforcements, as they came on to tbe field, appear to have marched to theredontt, and were directed to take the most advantageous positions. In doing tbi, parts of reeiment, and even companies that came on together, broke their ranks. divided, and subsequently lought in varion parta or me neia in platoons or as lnoividusU, rather than under regular commands. Meantime, the main body of THE BRITISH TROOPS, in brilliant array, at Moulton'a Point, wait ed quietly for the arrival of reinforcements. It was nearly 3 o'clock when the barges return. They landed at the Old Battery and at Mardlin's shipyard, near tbe entrance to tho navy yard, the Forty-seventh regi ment, the firait batallion of marines and severl companies of grenadiers and light inlactry. The most of them marched directly toward tha redoubt. There had now landed about three thousand troops. Bsfore Genral Howe moved from Lis first position, he out fitrcj liJsU-guarcia and directed

his field pieces to play on the American lines. Tbe fire from Copp's Hill, from the ships tid from the batteries now centered on the entrenchments. "A furious cannonade," Heath writes, "and throwing of shells took place at tbe lines on Boston Neck against Roxbury, with intent to burn that town: but. although several shells lell

J among the houses and some carcasses near (Dem, ID(1 luv uaii wouft luruuiu suuiu! uuo man only was killed." Tbe lire upon the lines was but feebly retnrned from Gridley's and Callender's field pieces. Gridley 's guns were soon disabled, and he drew them to the rear. Capt. Callender, alleging that his cartridges were two large lor his pieces, withdrew to Bunker Hill. ;IIere he met Putnam, wbo ordered him to return. Callender returned, but soon left his post and was deserted by his men. About this time Captain Ford' company, of Bridae's regiment, came on to tbe field, and at the pressing request of Putnam drew the deserted pieces to the rail-fence. The gunner had quitted bis poet, but Putnam fired four guns. Meantime Prescott detached Lieut. Col. Robinson and Mai. Woods, each with a par ty, to flank the enemy. Both behaved wi:h courage aud prudence. No details, however, are given ot thoir tervice. Capt. Walker, with a few man, probably of one of these parties, met with ibe British near the navy yard, and fired from the cover of buildings and fences. On being driven in, he passed with a tew or the party to their right flank, along the margin of Mystic river, where he was wounded and taken prisoner. The greater part of his men, nnder a heavy fire, succeeded in regaining the redoubt. The general discharge of artillery waa intended to cover the advance of the British columns. They moved forward in two divisions Gen. Howe with the right wng, to penetrate the line at the rail fenca, and cut off a retreat from the redoubt: Gen. Pigot with the left wing, to storm the breastwork and redoubt. "The assault," Stedman say?, "was made on the whole lront." Tbe artillery, after playing a short time, ceased, and Gen. Howe was told that twelve pound balls had been sent with which to load six pounders. when he ordered the pieces tobe charged with grape. "The wretched blunder," a British writer says, "of the over sized balls sprung from the dotage ot an officer of rank in that corps; who spends bis whole time in dallying w ith the school-master's daughter." In advancing, however, the artillery was soon impeded by the miry ground at the baso of the hill, and took post near the brick kilns, whence the balls produced but liitle effect. The TROOPS MOVED FORWARD SLOWLY; for they were burdened with knapsacks fall of provisions, obstructed by the tall gross and the fences, and heated by a burning sun. "These posts and rails," a British writer says, "were to strong for the columns to push down, and the march was so retarded by the getting over them, that the next morning th3y were found studded with bullet, not a hand's breadth from each other.'' But they felt unbounded confidence in their strength, regarded their antagonists with scorn, and expected an easy victory. One of them says: " 'Let us take--the bull by the horns,' was the phrase of some great men among us, as we marched on." Tho Americans coolly waited their approach. Their officers ordered them to reserve their fire until the British were within tea or twelve rod3, and then to w ait until tha word was Riven. "Powder is scarce, and must not be wasted," th9y said; "fire low;" "aim at the waist band;" ,Jwait until' yon see the while of their eves;" "aim at the handsome coats;" "pick off the commanders." General Pilot's division consisted of th6 Fifth, Thirty-eighth, Forty-third, Forty-seventh, Fifty-second regiments, and the marines, under Major Pitcairn. The Thirty-eighth first took a position behind a stone wall. Bei nz Joined by the Fifth, they marched up the bill. Thf Forty-seventh and the marines moved from the battery where they landed directly towards the redoubt. The Forty-third and Fifty-second advanced in front of thebreastwork. Tbe troops kept firing aä they approached the linea. "They," Prescott'said, "commenced firicg too soon, and generally fired over the heads of my troops; and, as they were partially covered by the works, but" few were killed or wounded." When Prescott saw the enemy in motion, he went round the works to encourage the men, and assured them the red-coats would ' never reach the redoubt if they would observe hi3 directions. The advancing columns, however, having got within gun-shot, a few of the Americans conld not resist the temptation to return tbeir fire, without waiting for orders. Prescott Indignantly remonstrated at this disobedience, and appealed to their often expressed confidence in him as their leader: while his officers secondec. his exer tions, and some ran round the top of tbe parapet arid kicked up the guns. At length the British troops reached the prescribed distance, and the order was given to fire; when there was a simultaneous discharge from the redoubt and breastwork, that did terrible execution on the British ranks. But it was received with veteran firmness, and for a few minutes was sharply retnrned. The Americans, being protected by their works, suffered but little; but their murderous balls literally strewed the ground with the dead and wountca of the enemy. Gen. I'igot was obliged to order a retreat, when tbe exultin shout of victory rose from tho Amoricau lines. "On. the leit," 8 British writer fays, "Pigot was staggered, and actually retreated by orders. Great pains have been taken to huddle up this matter." Gen. Uowe, in the meantime, lad the right wing against the rail fence. The light infantry moved alone the shore of Mystic river to turn the extrenre leit of the American line, whi THE GRENADIERS ADVANCED directly in front. The Americans first opened on them with tbeir field pieces (Callender's) with great effect, some of the discharges being directed byPataam; and when the advancing troops deployed into line, a few. as at tbe redoubt, fired without waltinz for the word. Putnam hastened to the snot, and threatened to cut down the next man who disobeyed. "I," Philip Johnson states, "heard him say, 'men, you are all marksmen: don't one of you nre until you Bee tbe white of their eyes. "Lieut. Dana tells me," Chester says, "ne was the first man that fired, and that he did it sinzl? and with a view to draw tbe enemy's fire: and he obtained .his end fully. without any damage to oar party.' inis drew the enemy's fire, which they continued with the regularity of troops on parade; buitneir balls parsed over the heads ot the Ameri cans. At lencth theomcere gave ine word, when tbe fire from the American line was given with great effect. Many were marksmen, intent on cutting down the British officers; and when one was in sight they exclaimed, "There! see that officer! ' "Iiet us have a shot at him J" when two or tnree would fire at the same moment. They used the fence as a rest for their piece, and the bullets were true to their message. Tbe companies were cut up with terriole sever ity: and eo great wa the carnage that the columns, a few moments before so proud and firm in their array, were disconcerted, partly broken and then retreated. Many of t bo Americans were in favor of pursuio g them and some with exulting huzzas, jumped over the fence for this purposa.but were prevented by the prudence of tbeir officers. "A portion of tbe company," captain .Mann says, "twice passed the fenco huzzaing, supposing; at the time, that we had driven ths enemy." The British are uniform in oearng testimong to the murderous efiectof that fire. One says : 44 Our light Infantry were served up iL companies against the grass fence, without being able to penetrate; in(l:id, tow could we penetrate? Most of our

grenadiers and light infantry, the moment of presenting themselves, lot three-fourths, and many nine-tenths, ot their men. Some had only eight and nine men to a company left; some only three, four and five." Another says : " It was found to be tbe strongest post that was ever occupied by any set of men." And now moments of joy succeeded the long tours of toil, anxiety and peril. Tbe Ameri can volunteer saw tbe veterans of England fly before his fire, and felt a new confidence in himself. The result was obtained, too, with but little loss on bis side. Colonel Prescott mingled freely among his troops, praised tbe r good conduct, and congratulated them on their success. He leit confident that another attack would soon be made, and he renewed bis caution to reserve the fire until he gave the command. He found

HIS MEN IN HTQH SPIRITS, and elated by the retreat. In tbeir eyes the regulars were no longer invincible. General Putnam rode to Banker Hill, and to the rear of it to urge on reinforcements. Some had arrived at Chirlestown Neck, bat ,were deterred from crossing it by the severe fire that raked it. Portions of regiments bad reached Banker IIill, where they scattered. Col. Gerrish was here, and confessed that he was exhausted. General Putnam endeavored to rally these troops. He used entreaty and command, and offered to lead them into sclion, but without much effect. It 13 doubtful whether any considerable reinforcement reached tbe line of defence during tbe short interval that elapsed before a second attack was made by tbe British troops. Captain Chester says: "Tbe men that went to intrenching overnight were in the warmest of the tattle, and by all accounts they fought most manfully. They had got hardened to the noise of cannon ; but those that came up as recruits were evidently moat terribly frightened, many of them, and did net march up with that trus courage that their cause ought to have inspired tbem with." General Howe in a short time rallied his troops, and immediately ordered another assau.t. They marched in the same order as before, and continued to fire as they approached tbe lines. But, in addition to the previous obstacles, they were obliged to step over tbe bodies of their fallen countrymen. 4It was surprising," a British writer says, "to see how they would step over their dead bodies, as thongh they had been logs of wood." The artillery did more service on this attack. It moved along the narrow road between the tongue of land and Breed's Hill until within three hundred yards of the rail fence, and nearly on a line with the breastwork, when it opened a severe fire to cover the advance of the infantry. The American officers, grown confident in tbe success of their manouvre. ordered their men to withold their fire until tbe enemy were within five or six rods of the works. Charlestown, in the meantime, bad been set on fire in the square, by shells thrown from Copp's Hill; and in the easterly part by a party of marines from Somerset. As tbe buildings were cbietiy of wood, the conflagration spread with great rapidity. The burning of the town neither intimidated the Americans nor covered their, attack oa the lines. The wind directed the smoke so as to leave a full view of tbe British columns, which kept firing as they advanced. Cols. Brower, Xixon and Buckminster were wounded, and Major Moore was mortally wounded. Ia general, however, tbe balls of the British did bat little execution, as their aim was bad and the entrenchments protected the Americans. At length, at the prescribed distance, the fire was again given, which, in its latal impartiality, prostrated whole ranks ct officers and men. Tha enemy stood the shock, and continued to advance with great spirit; tmt the continued stream of fire tbet issued from the whole American line was even more destructive than before. "The discharge" says Judge Presco.t, 44 was simultaneous the whole length of the line, and though more destructive, as Ool, Prescott thought, than on the former assault, the enemy stood THE FIRST SHOCK, and continued to advance and fire with great spirit; but before reaching the redoubt the continuous, well directed fire of the Americans compelled them to give way, and they retreated a second time, in greater dis order than before. Their ofUcers were seen remonstrating, threatening, and even prick ingand striking the soldiers to . urge them on, bat in vain. Colonel Prescott spoke of it as a continued ctream of fire irom his whole line, from the first discharge nnti the retreat. The ground in front of tbe works was covered with the dead and wounded, some lying within a tew yards "My God!" Putnam taid, "I never saw such a carnage ot the human race!" Genera; Howe, opposite tbe rail fence, was in the hottest ot it. Two of his aids and other offi cere near him were shot down, and at times be was left almott alone. A British officer says: "He was three times in the field left by himself, so numerous were the killed and wounded about him." The British were compelled again to give way, and they retreated, even in greater disorder thau before, many running toward the boats The British acknowledgments are gener ous: "iney once ran ana nuea some of their boats." "Twice they were stopped, and twice returned to the charge." "It re quired the utmost exertion in all the off! cers, from the generals down to the subalterns, to repair tbe disorder which this hot and unexpected fire produced." "Tao kiug's troops gave way several times, and it required tbe utmost efforts of tte eener als to rally them." "A moment of tbe day was critical; Howe's left was staggered." The ground in front ot the American' works was covered with the killed and the wound ed. So long a time eiapsod before the British came up again, that some of the officers thought they would not renew the attack. General Putnam was on Banker Hill, and in the rear of it, urging forward the rein forcements. Much delay occurred in march ing- these to the field. Indeed, ereat confu Ion existed at Cambridge. Gen. Ward was not sumoentiv supplied with stafrofiicers to bear his orders; and some were neglected, aud others were given incorrectly. Henry .Knox, afterwards Gen. Knox, aided as volunteer during the day. and was engaged in reconnoitring service. Bate in tbe day Gen. ward dispatched his own regiment. Patterson's and Gardner's, to the battle held. Col. Gardner arrived on Banker Hill. when Putnam detained a part ot his regi ment to labor on the works commenced there, while one company, under Cap tain Josiah Harris, took post at tbe rail-fence. Part of a regiment under Lieutenant-Colonel Ward, arrived at A CRITICAL TIME of the battle. Other regiments, from various cause?, failed to reach tbe lines. Major Gridley, of the artillery, inadequate to his position, with part of the baiallion, marched a short distance on tbe Cambridge road, wien nauea ana resoivea io cover me re treat, which he thought to be inevitable. Col. Frye, freh from the battle, urged him forward, bat Gridlev, appalled by the hor rors of the scene, ordered bis men to fire at the Glasgow and batteries irom Cobble illll. He also ordered Col. ManeQeld to support him with bis regiment, who, violating hl3 orders, obeyed. Capt. Trevett, however, disobeyed his superior, led his company, with two field-pieces, to Bunker Hin, where he lost one of them, but drew the other to the rail fence. Col. Scammans was ordered to eo where the fighting was. and went to Lechmero's Point. Here he was ordered to march to the hill, which he understood to mean Cobble Hill, whence he seat a messenger to Gen. Putnam to inquire whether Lis regiment was

wanted. This delay prevented it from reaching he field in season to do any good, a , part of Gerrish's regiment, nnder Mjghil, marched from Cambridge to Ploughed Hill, where Adjutant Christian reuiger, a gallant Danish soldier wbo had seen service, took the command, called upon the men to follow him, and reached the heights In season to render valuable service. Three additional Connecticut companies, at least, under Captain Chester, Clark and colt, arrived in t4me to take part in the battle; as did also Major Durkee, an old comrade of General Putnam. Captain Chester rx arched on near the close of the engagement, while the British were coming up the third time. Three regiments were near him when be left Cambridge, which hastened forward in advance of his company; but when Chester overtook them at Bunker Hill there was hardly a company in any kind ol order. The men had scattered rehind rocks, hay-cocks and apple trees. Parties, lsx, were continually retreating from tbe field; some alleging they had left the fort with leave because they had been all night and all dav on fatigue without sleep or refreshment; Borne that they, had no officers to lead them; .frequently,' 20 were about a wounded man, when not a quarter part could touch him to advantage; while otters were going off without any excuse. Chester obliged one company, rank and file, to return to the liDes. Lieut. Webb writes: "Wo met many of our worthy friends, wounded, sweltering in thtlr blood, carried on tbe shoulders by their fellow-soldiers. Judge you what must be our feelings at this shocking spectacle; the ordcr3 were, press on, press on, our brethren are sudering, and will becutofl." While such was the confusion on Bunker Hill, gecd order prevailed at tbe redoubt. Col. Prescott remained at his post, determined in his purpose, undaunted in his bearing, inspiring his command with fcope and confidence, and yet chagrined that in this hour of peril and glory, adequate support had not reached him. He pass&d round the lines to encourage his men, and assured tbem that if the British were on more driven back tbey could not be rallied again. His men cheered him as they replied, "We are READY FOR THE BED-COATS again!" But his worst apprehensions, as to ammunition, were realized as the report was made to him that a few artillery cartridges constituted the whole stock of powder on hand. He ordered them to be opened, and the powder to bo distributed. He charged his soldiers "not to waste a kernel of it, but to make it certain that every shot should tell." He directed tbe few who had bayonets to be stationed at the points most

likely to be scaled. These were the only preparations it was in bis power to make to meet bis powerful antagonist. Gen. Howe, exasperated at the repeated repulses of his troops, resolved to make another assault. Some of his officers remonstrated against this decision, acd averred that is would be downright butchery to lead tbe men on again; but British honor was at stake, and other officers preferred any sacrifice rather than Buffer defeat from a collection of armed rustics. The boats were at Boston ; there wa3 no retreat: "Fight, conquer, or die!" was the repeated exclama tion. A second reinforcement of lour hundred marines, under Major Small had landed; and Gen. Clinton, who bad witnessed from Copp's IIill tae discomfiture of the British veterans, and saw two regiments on the beach in contusion, threw himsolf into a boat, crossed the river, joined Gen. Howe as a volunteer, and rendered essential aid in rallylrg the troops. "We," a British relation says, "should have been forced to retire if Gen. Clinton had not come up with a reinforcement of live or six hundred men." The troops had lost their confident air, appeared disheartened, and manifested great reluctance to marching up a third time. Tbe officers at length formed them for the last desperate assault. The British general had learned to respect bis enemy and adopted a wiser mode of attack. "One error," JStedtean says, was, "that instead of confining our attack to the enemy's left wing only, the assault was made oh the whole front;" and he now profited by this experience. He ordered the men to lay aside their knapsacks, to move forward in column, to reserve their fire, to rely on the bayonet, to direct their main attach on the redoubt, and to push the artillery forward to a position that would enable it to rake tbe breastwork. The gallant execution of these orders reversed the features of the day. General Howe, whose fine features and gallant bearing were observed at the American lines, led the grenadiers and light infantry in front of the breastwork, while Generals Clinton and Pigot led the extreme left cf tbe troops to scale the redoubt. A DEMONSTRATION only was made against the rail fence. A party of Americans occupied a few houses and barns that had escaped the conflagration on the accliyity ot Breed's Hill, and feebly annoyed the advancing columns. They, in j return, only discharged a lew Ecattering guns as they marched forward. On tbeir right the artillery soon gained its appointed station, enfiladed the line of the breastwork, drove its defenders int J the redoubt for protection, and did much execution within it by pending its balls through the passage way. All this did not escape the keen and anx ious eye of Prescott. When be saw the new dispositions of his antagonist, tbe artillery wneeled into its murderous position, and tbe columns withholding tbeir fire, he well understood his intention to concen trate his whole force on tbe redoubt, and i.elieved that it must inevita bly ba carried. He thought, bowhowever, that duty, honor and tbe interest of tbe country required that it should be defended to the last extremity, although at a certain sacrifice of many lives. In this try ing moment he continued to give his orders coolly. Most of his men had remaining only one round of ammunition, and few more than three rounds, and he directed tbem to reserve tbeir fire until tbe British were within twenty yards, At this distance a deadly volley was poured upon the advancing columns which made them waver tor an instant, but they eprang forward without returning it. The American fire soon slackened for want of means, while the columns of Clinton and Pigot reached a position on the southern and eastern sideB of the redoubt, where they were protected by its walls. It was now attacked on three sides at once. Prescott ordered those who hid no bayonets to retire to the back part of it. and tire on tbe enemy as they showed tbemselyes on tbe parapet. A soldier of noble bearing mounted toe southern side, and had barely shouted The day is ours!" when he was shot down and tbe whole front rank shared his fate. At his time Maf. Pitcairn iell. Maj. Tapper then took the command and pressed on to wards tbe redoubt. Young KichardsoD, or tbe Royal Irish, was the first to mount the Darao?c. The remains of the grenadiers of the 63rd regiment were the first that entered tbe redoubt. Afcer Capt. Horsford bad been wounded and Lieut. Dalrymple had been wounded, a sergeant took the command. made a speech to tbe few men left, saying i4Wemust either conquer or die," and en tered the works. Bat the deiendem had spent their ammunition another cannon cartridge furnishing the powder for the last muskets that were fired. Its substitute, stones, revealed tbeir weakness, and filled th9 enemy with hope. The rodoubt .was soon SUCCESSFULLY SCALED. General Pigot, by the aid of a tree, mounted a corner of It, and was closely tollowed by the men. when one eide of it literally bristled with bayonets. Tho conflict wa3

now carried on hand to band. Many stood and received wounds with swords and bav!S?t. Bat the British continued to entX. lh. W TLdTf.nclng towards e Americans, wr? F?" ??ve the order 10 retreat! dn.t-rfinmerlCaLD' 1ft the "dOabt the Ji.r ?h ?g.m lhediT. loose dirt was so ereat that the outlet was hardly visible, me ran over the top, and others hewed SSL-7 throu?h tbe army's ranks, rounded by the British, who made passes a Se tTmhM the bayonet, which he skillfully parried with bis sword. "He did not run, but stepped along, with his sword nP, escapiDgPurfharmed, thongh his banyarTand waiftcoat were pierced in several places. The retiring troops passed between two divisions of the British, one of which had turned the northeastern end of the breastwork, and the other had come round the angle of the redoubt, but they were too much exhausted tons the bayonet effectually, and the combatants, for fifteen or twenty rods from the redoubt were so mingled together that flrine would

T. u 8lr3 e friend and loe. The British. cheers. ix. i'v vvojiuu u( ilia WUlKc but immediately formed, and delivered a ciet.ractive fire upon tbe retreating troopa. iaEeD.,thls Piod. was killed and left Oil the field; Gridley was wounded; Bridge was acain wounded; and the lews of the Americans was greater than at any previous period ot the action. Colonel Gardner, leading on a part r.f his regiment, was descending BunRer Hill, Mbtn he received his death wound. Still bis men, under Major Jackson, prised forward, and, with Cush-ir-g's, Smith's and Washburn's companies of W ard s re ;iment, and Febiger's party of UeIr h Ve?lraent' P001 between Breed's and Bunker Hill, a well directed fire upon the enemy and covered their retreat. In the meantime, the Americans at the rail tenre. under St,rk, Hed sod Knowlton, reinforced by Clark's, Coil's end Chester's Connecticut companies. Captain Harris's company of Gardner's regiment.LieutenantColonel Ward and a few troops maintained their ground with great firmness and intrepidity, and successfully resisted every attempt to turn their flank. This line, indeed, was nobly defended. The lorce here did a greet service, for It saved tbe main body who were retre&ting in dirder from the re doubt, from beicg cat off by the enemy. W hen it was perceived at the rail fence that the force under CoLPrescott had leit the hill, these brave men "gave ground but with more regularity than could have been expected oi troops wbo had been no longer under discipline, acd many of whom neyer before saw an engagement." The wLoie body of Americans were now IN FULL RIAAT, the greater part ' over the top ol Bunker Hill. The brow of Bunker Hill was a place of great slaughter. Gen. Putnam here rode to the rear of the retreating troops, and, regardless of the balls flying about him, with his Bword drawn, and still undaunted in his bearing, urged them to renew tbe fight in the unfinished works. "Make a stand here," be exclaimed; "we can stop them yet!" "In God's name, form, and give them one shot more!" It was here that he stood by an artillery piece until the enemy's bayonets were almost upon him. The veteran Pomeroy, too, with his shattered musket In his hand, and his face to the foe, endeavored to rally tbe men. It was not possible, bowever, to cneck the retreat. Captaia Trevett and a few ol his men, with great difficulty and great gallantry, drew oil tbe only field-piece that was saved of the six that were in the action. Colonel Scammans, with part of bis rciaient, and Captain Foster'n artillery company, n their way to tbe field ot battle, reached the top of Banker Hill, but immediately retreated. The whole body retired over the Neck, amidst the fcfcot Irom tho enemy's ships and batteries, and were met by additional troops on their way to tbe heights. Among them Major Brooks, with two remaining companies of Bridge's legiment. One piece of cannon at the Neck opened on the enemy, and covered the retreat. The British troops, about 5 o'clock, with a parade of triumph, took possession of the same hill that had served them for a retreat on the memorable lPth of April. Prescott, indignaLt at the absence of support when victory Was within his grafp, repaired to headquarters, reported the issue of the battle, already too well known, and received the thanks of the commander in chief. He always thought he could have maintained his post with the handful of men under his command, exhausted as they were by fatigue and hunger, if they had been supplied with sufficient ammunition and with bayonets; and he offered to retake the hill that night, or perish in the attempt, if three regiments of fifteen hundred men, well equipped with ammunition and bayonets, were pat under his command. Ward wisely decided that the condition of his army would not justify po bold a measure. Nor was it needed to fill tbe measure of Prescott' fame. "He had not yet done enough to satisfy himself, though he had done enough to satisfy Lis country. He had Dot. indeed. secured final victory, but he had secured a glorious Imoiortality." Bad Spells. The World has fished cp two orthographical oddities which are positively frightful: Tbe spelling mania seema to be gradually subsiding with the advent of summer, and the social dispersion which summer as usual brings with it. But the bruised and beaten of laut winter's frays may take some comfort from the information that a mousing mortal bas discovered in tberecordsof the last century two caes of cacography which can hardly have been equalled in or out of tbe white house itself. Oce of these may be found in Captain Dunbar's Lettersa body of curious private correspondence mde up from tbe fam'ly record of the aristocracy of Morayshiro'ia Scotland. A gentleman who had sliced a neighbor's nose and bad been clapped into prison for it writes to a friend bewailing his inability to pay the "jelorfis." Tbi, it seeoc3. was Moray Scotch iu 1743 for "jailor's fees." The other is furnif hed by an ecoeutric old gentleman of Devonshire, nicknamed by his fiiends Redpost Fynes, because it pleased bicn to paint bis fences a bright vermilion, wbo contrived to spell tbe word "usage" without employing a single one of the letters commonly found in it, and wrote it down thus, "yowzitch." Perhaps a contemplation of these dreadful results of that "liberty of unlicensed spelling" which Webster so outrageously abused in his dictionary, may have a wholesome effect upon' the blind devotees ofthat most indefatigable but most iueccurate of lexicographers. There is now living la Manchester, Ea 1 land, a Mr. Cros!ey, who U perbar the most complete specimen of the Biblioinanhc lu that country. He has a library ot 50,000 bocks, and actually knows what is in tboui. He h8s the "nly complete sot t all the editions of Dj Fop, cud sundry other and earlier writings. nd the British Museum and other great public libraries ar watching for his death. Mr. CrossJey will answer any queit'on about any boo i or pamphlet ever publUhd in KGglatd, prve its date, tell anything upecial in It, atd all without touching a volume. He is eighty; he was a personal friend of Charles Lamb and other literary men of past generations; andycf, with the exception of a few excollsnt papers contributed to the "Retrospective Review," in 1S20, he bas written nothing-, and when he dies a great biblugrapher wlil perish. A cascade of ice-water, broken into eleven separate falls, cools the air cf Gilcort'i summer garden in New York.