Rensselaer Republican, Volume 27, Number 44, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 June 1895 — BUNKER HILL BATTLE [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

BUNKER HILL BATTLE

MEMORABLE EVENT IN THE STRUGGLE FOR LIBERTY. Bkm the American Patriot's Mettle Vu Tested—Gallant Defense in Which the Revolutionary Heroes ■hewed Their Courage and Daring. Fight on Breed’s Hill. OflK of those engagements In the revolutionary war which tested well the mettle whereof Americans were made was the tght on Breed’s Hill, which by common «aage is known as the battle of Banker HilL The courage, heroism and bravery 0t those raw aiid comparatively untried troops when facitfg men who had "wongroat victories over the .best drilled armies •f Europe, is something to marvel at. As the story of it is a tale which can never grow old,' it is becoming to tell it now. la the summer of 1775 the British solwere stationed in Boston under Gen. Gage, while the American forces were mostly gathered at Cambridge. N,ear the former city were-two small heights roaaected by a ridge and known as Breed’s Hill and Bunker Hill. The latter •f these eminences, the Americans learned, the British intended to capture on the might of June 18 and afterward build a fort there, which should serve as a strongheld and a post of general observation. This design of the British the Americana determined to frustrate, and on the night of June l0"a party of 1,000 men

were sent to seize . and fortify Bunker Hill under Col. Prescott. Gen. Israel Putnam with hifl force joined them, and, after some deliberation, it was decided to fortify Breed’s Hill rather than the other mound. This they determined to do because Breed’s Hill was nearer Boston, t All that night the 5 American soldiers S toiled, but when day- * light came their «work—was still unS completed. Of course" ' the first dawn revealed their work to the

enemy and as soon as their design was, discovered the British vessel Lively opened fire upon them. The ot-her British ■hipping joined the Lively, the enemy’s lend forces were aroused and it was determined to give the Americans battle. Prescott was not alarmed* but kept his men diligently at work on their redoubt •and dispatched a messenger to Cambridge for the rest of the American forces. Soon all the soldiery came up, but their number was pitiably small, not exceeding 1,600, which was little when compared with the British. In order to surprise the Americans Gens. Howe and Pigot embarked their men on the Mystic river, intending to come ap behind. In this he was foiled, for the Americans caught sight of him and immediately threw up breastworks, utilizing a ■tone wall and rail fence which were there, between which was packed a lot of new-mown hay. The enemy advanced up Breed's Hill, pouring a heavy fire as they came; the Americans, however, had received orders not to fire until they could aee the whites of the British eyes and so ky behind their defenses. , Repulsing the British. Up came the British in two wings and when they had gotten near the .Americans the latter opened fire on them. Volley after volley was poured into their ranks, causing the greatest confusion. They,j pressed on; but still the Americans emptied their gun barrels, and finally the British became hopelessly discomfited~an(L were forced to retreat. Howe rallied his men at once and his force, reinforced by 400 marines, pressed forward for n second attack. As before the Americans reserved their fire until the British were close upon them and then let it forth with the same deadly effect as at first. A third attack was made by Gen. Howe, now reinforced by Clinton, and the British pressed eagerly forward. The ammunition of the Americans was almost used up before this last attack, and now, after the British had come upon them for the third time, they found their supplies quite exhausted. Still the British moved on once more to where the Americans were lying behind their ambuscade. Nothing daunted, the Mttle band of patriots rushed out upon the enemy, using their muskets as clubs, and a hand-to-hand fight ensued. Bravely they fought and desperately, but the odds were too great, so. overcome by numbers, the Americans were compelled to retreat. This was done in good order. Warren, •ne of the brave commanders on the

American side whose influence and courage were instrumental in carrying on the defense, fell shot through the head while h» retreat. Gen. Putnam endeavored to rally the retreating army, but in vain. The retreat continued across Charlestown aeck, and many were killed by a heavy fre from the shipping and batteries; but the British did not continue their pursuit beyond this point. The loss on both sides was extremely unequal. Of the Americans but 150 were killed and missing, and •01 wounded, while the British numbered their killed and wounded as 1,050. A picture is given of the Bunker Hill monument which now stands on Breed’s Hill, a splendid memorial of this heroic atruggle. It is a granite obelisk 221 feet high and can be seen from far and near. Lafayette laid the earner stone of it June 17, 1825, the anniversary of the battle, and Daniel Webster delivered one of his most eloquent orations op that occasion. The monument w»s in 1842 and the next year was dedicated, the President of the IJnlted States and his cabinet being present. On this occasion also Webster delivered the oration. • —— Health lu another ward for tempernan* and exercise, jgfc'

BUNKER HILL MONUMENT.

GENERALS PUTNAM AND WARREN.