USA > Connecticut > A history of Connecticut > Part 14
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The attempt, under what was known as the Meeting Act, to quarter British troops in New York at the expense of the colonies, was unsuccessful. As a punishment for their dis- obedience, Parliament suspended the legislative powers of
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HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
[1769-73.
New York. Not long after, a Revenue Bill was passed, laying port-duties on wine, oil, and fruit from Spain and Portugal, and on glass, paper, lead, colors, and tea. The opposition to these measures was so great at the commercial centres of New York and Boston, that soldiers were sent to both cities to keep the people quiet. The excitement, how- ever, did not decrease.
Early in 1769 a British sloop-of-war was stationed near New London to watch vessels entering and leaving the port, and see that the revenue laws were not violated. This did not prevent considerable smuggling. While Massachusetts, New York, and Virginia were the prominent points of active disturbance, Connecticut was eager and ready to unite in every plan suggested for the common welfare and union of the colonies. The British ministry were alarmed at the re- bellious and defiant attitude of the colonists, and promised to repeal the duties on every article except tea. This did not satisfy the people ; for they well understood, as long as one tax remained, they had gained nothing. In no colony was the agreement more faithfully kept not to use imported articles than in Connecticut. The women with earnest pur- pose encouraged by their personal industry this determination. The spinning-wheel did active duty in their dwellings, and " homespun " clothing was the badge of patriotism worn by rich and poor. Committees of inspection were appointed, to see that the agreement not to use imported goods was sacredly kept. The discovery of unfaithfulness was enough to ostracize the culprits, whatever might be their position.
During the years 1771 and 1772, the popular sentiment in favor of active resistance increased. In December, 1773, some English ships laden with tea were sent to Boston. The citizens were determined that it should never be landed upon their wharves. They did not propose to have a taxed article forced upon them. We need not repeat the story of the dis- cussions that were finally brought to an end by a party of
183
THE BOSTON PORT BILL.
1774.]
Bostonians, who, in the disguise of Indians, boarded the ves- sels, and flung their contents into the sea. It was the act of a mob; but the colonies understood the spirit that had prompted it, and generally approved it.
When the news reached England, the king exulted in the opportunity that now offered of crushing the rebellious spirit of the Americans, and bringing them into full subjection to the royal authority. " The die," he wrote his minister, Lord North, " is cast. The colonies must either triumph or submit." "If we take the resolute part," he sagely re- marks, " they will undoubtedly be very meek." Even this narrow-minded and stubborn specimen of royal incompetence soon realized his mistake. In the beginning of 1774 a bill was introduced into Parliament to punish riotous Boston by closing its port against all commerce. At the same time the charter of Massachusetts was altered. The Crown was here- after to choose its council ; and the governor was not only to nominate the judges, but had the right to send all persons charged with a share in the recent disturbances, to England for trial.
The blow struck at the liberties of Massachusetts was felt by all the colonies as if directed against their own life. If Parliament could cancel the charter of Massachusetts, and destroy the trade of her great seaport town, how long had they reason to expect that they would escape the same fate ? The British Government could not have done more to hush the jealousies of the colonies, and unite them for their com- mon protection. The town-meetings of Connecticut that had so vigorously denounced the Stamp Act, again gathered to express their abhorrence of the action of Great Britain towards Massachusetts. Sympathy for their sister colony took a very practical form. Almost every town sent dona- tions to Boston for the relief of the poor. Two hundred and fifty fat sheep were sent from Windham ; and besides money, wheat, and corn, Norwich sent a flock of three hundred and
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HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
[1774.
ninety sheep. Other towns were equally liberal and thought- ful. Letters were sent from these little republics to their brethren in Boston, breathing sentiments of lofty patriotism and earnest purpose. The day when the law took effect was observed in Hartford as a day of public mourning. The town-house was draped in black, and the bells tolled all day. Early in September news was received that Boston had been attacked, and several citizens killed. Before the rumor could be contradicted, it was estimated that twenty thousand men were on their march for Boston. The country was in- deed ripe for revolution.
As soon as the passage of the Boston "Port Bill " was announced, steps were taken to call a convention of dele- gates from the colonies. All of the legislatures, save that of Georgia, sent representatives to this Congress, which assem- bled in Philadelphia on the 4th of September. Eliphalet Dyer, Roger Sherman, and Silas Deane were in attendance from Connecticut. Massachusetts meanwhile took a defiant and rebellious stand. Disregarding the orders of the royal governor, its Assembly met as usual, and voted arms and ammunition to the militia. The Congress at Philadelphia, under the influence of the delegates from Virginia, passed resolutions that were moderate and conciliatory in tone. This was an encouragement to those in England who were anxious to avert open hostilities. Chatham once more raised his voice for peace. In consultation with Franklin, he intro- duced a bill providing for the repeal of the Acts which the Americans deemed unjust and oppressive. The troops were to be recalled, and the decision left to a colonial Assembly as to the way in which they might contribute towards the payment of the public debt. "It is not cancelling a piece of parchment," he said, " that can win back America : you must respect her fears and her resentments."
The conciliatory measure of Chatham was rejected by the Lords ; and a similar measure, introduced by Edmund Burke
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THE BATTLE OF LEXINGTON.
1775.]
into the House of Commons, met the same fate. War was inevitable. Boston was full of British troops, and a skir- mish between a party of English soldiers and the militia at Lexington opened the long struggle. The General Assem- bly was in session at Hartford when news came of this battle. It was not a surprise, and there were many who rejoiced that the trial of arms had begun. The time was ripe for Connec- ticut men to carry out a plan that should win a substantial victory at the very beginning of the war. This plan was to surprise and seize Fort Ticonderoga. A number of wealthy gentlemen borrowed the money from the Colonial Treasury that was necessary to defray the expenses of the expedition. Sixteen chosen men proceeded to Berkshire, and, having laid the matter before some of the leading citizens, gained the aid of a re-enforcement of about forty soldiers. Proceeding to Bennington, they were there joined by Colonel Ethan Allen, Seth Warner, and not far from one hundred volunteers.
The little army in command of Colonel Allen reached the shores of Lake Champlain, opposite Ticonderoga, towards evening on the 9th of May. There were but a few boats at their disposal, and the entire night was consumed in getting the officers and eighty-three of the men across the lake. The boats had been sent back to bring over the rear-guard in command of Colonel Warner, when Colonel Allen saw that the morning would soon break, and that no time could be lost if they surprised the sleeping garrison. Without waiting longer, he drew up his forces in three ranks not far from the walls of the fortress. "I now propose," he said, " to ad- vance before you, and in person conduct you through the wicket-gate ; for we must this morning either quit our pre- tensions to valor, or possess ourselves of this fortress in a few minutes ; and inasmuch as it is a desperate attempt, which none but the bravest of men dare undertake, I do not urge it on any contrary to his will. You that will undertake voluntarily, poise your firelocks."
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HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
[1775.
Every soldier brought his musket to position. In silence Colonel Allen advanced to the wicket-gate. A solitary sen- tinel snapped his fusee. Allen rushed towards him, and across a covered passage-way into the parade-ground within the fort. In a moment he had formed the ranks of his men facing the barracks in which the soldiers of the garrison were sleeping. The sentries within had given the alarm ; and one of them made a pass at an officer with his bayonet, and slightly wounded him. Allen raised his sword to kill him at a blow, but changed his purpose, and gave him a cut on the side of his head. The sentinel threw down his gun, and begged for his life. Allen granted the petition, and de- manded where the commanding officer slept. The sentry pointed to a flight of stairs leading to rooms above the bar- racks. Running up the steps, he shouted at the entrance, "Come forth instantly, or I will sacrifice the whole garri- son !" The astonished commander, in his night-dress, came to the door to discover the source of this strange summons. Confronted by the massive form of the colonial leader with drawn sword, he stood trembling and speechless. "Deliver me the fort instantly," said Allen. "By whose authority ? " inquired the British officer. "In the name of the great Jehovah and the Continental Congress."
Captain de la Place was inclined to make further parley ; but Allen interrupted him with a threatening flourish of his sword, and a demand for the instant surrender of the fort. This was immediately done, and orders were given that his men should parade without arms. A bloodless victory had been won in the name of the Continental Congress several hours before that body had held its opening session.
Colonel Warner with the rear-guard did not reach the fort until after its surrender. Without delay he hastened with one hundred men to Crown Point. This fortress was held by a small garrison of twelve men and a single officer, and yielded at once.
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THE CAPTURE OF TICONDEROGA.
1775.]
The fall of Ticonderoga was an important conquest, the credit of which must fall to Connecticut.1 The money to defray the expenses of the expedition was furnished from her treasury. The plan of the campaign was suggested by her citizens. Both Allen and Warner were natives of Litch- field County ; and among the bravest of the band of Green- Mountain Boys whom they led, were many from the same beautiful hill-country. Lieutenant Crampton, who entered the fort by the side of Allen, was a native of Litchfield, and resided there most of his life. At least one-half of the band of eighty-three men who " poised their firelocks," and fol- lowed their intrepid leader in this memorable assault, were natives or inhabitants of Woodbury. In 1775 Connecticut sent a thousand men to garrison Ticonderoga and Crown Point. Of this number one hundred and fifty were from Woodbury ; and Colonel Hinman, having command of these important forts, was from the same town.
1 BANCROFT says of the taking of Ticonderoga, " The great deed which, in the mean time, was achieved in the North, was planned in Connecticut, and executed at her cost. Parsons of that colony, on his way to Hartford, crossing Arnold, who was bound for Massachu- setts, obtained of him an account of the state of Ticonderoga, and the great num- ber of its brass cannon. At Hartford, on the 27th of April, Parsons, taking as his advisers Samuel Wyllys and Silas Deane, with the assistance of three others, pro- jected the capture of the fort; and, with- out formally consulting the Assembly or the governor and council, they, on their own receipts, obtained money from the public treasury, and on the 28th sent forward Noah Phelps and Bernard Ro- mans. The next day Captain Edward Mott of Preston, chairman of the Con- necticut committee, followed with five associates. Ethan Allen was encour-
aged by an express messenger to raise men chiefly in the New-Hampshire grants. On the morning of the 1st of May, the party, which had grown to the number of sixteen, left Salisbury. At Pittsfield, in Massachusetts, the Connec- ticut party were joined by John Brown, the young lawyer of that village, by Colonel James Easton, and by volun- teers from Berkshire. At Bennington they found Ethan Allen, who sent the alarm through the hills and valleys of Vermont; and on Sunday, the 7th of May, about one hundred Green-Moun- tain boys, and near fifty soldiers from Massachusetts, under the command of Easton, rallied at Castleton. Just then arrived Arnold with only one attend- ant. He brought a commission from the Massachusetts Committee of Safety, which was disregarded; and the men unanimously elected Ethan Allen their chief."
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HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
[1775.
CHAPTER XXXI. 1775.
THE BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL.
INTHE news of the battle of Lexington spread like wildfire. As soon as the intelligence reached Governor Trumbull,1 he sent a messenger to Israel Putnam, directing him to come at once to Lebanon. It was early morning, and Putnam was working in the field when this word came to him. Giving hurried directions to his ser- vants, he hastened home, and, mounting his horse, rode away at full speed. After a brief interview with the governor, he immediately started for Concord, with the assurance that troops would at once be JONATHAN TRUMBULL. sent after him. This veteran of sixty years kept his saddle for eighteen hours, riding all night, and arriving at Concord at sunrise the next morning. The Connecticut militia were rapidly recruited, and the little parties that first hurried for- ward were soon joined by larger and better equipped com- panies. Putnam was stationed at Cambridge, and in a short time the ranks of his regiment were more than full.
The General Assembly took active measures, and ordered that one-fourth of the militia should " be forthwith enlisted,
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THE BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL.
1775.]
equipped, accoutred, and assembled for the safety and de- fence of the colony." Six regiments were thus raised ; and David Wooster, Joseph Spencer, and Israel Putnam were appointed as general officers.
By the first of June, ten thousand veteran troops, the flower of the British army, held the harbor and city of Boston. Day after day re-enforcements poured into the colonial camp at Cambridge. In outward appearance they presented a motley appearance in their homespun dress and equipments : but a large proportion of these men were not raw recruits ; they had performed valiant service in the French wars, and understood the serious nature of the business they had taken in hand. About fifteen thousand men soon gathered at Cam- bridge. Of this number, three thousand were from Connecti- cut. On the 27th of May, General Putnam,2 in charge of a skirmishing party on Hog ISRAEL PUTNAM. Island, was attacked by a large body of British marines, who crossed over from Boston. They were supported by two vessels-of-war and some smaller boats. Putnam had but two diminutive pieces of ordnance ; but he was an excellent gunner, and handled his ordnance in a very effective manner. The firing con- tinued after dark; and one of the vessels ran aground, and was abandoned by her crew. Putnam the next morn- ing gave orders to board her; and, after taking what they could find of value, she was burned. The Ameri- cans did not lose a single man in this skirmish, but the enemy reported the loss of nearly a hundred killed and wounded.
This successful action increased the desire of the troops at Cambridge to meet the enemy. The veteran general, Ward,
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HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
[1775.
who held the chief command, did not favor a forward move- ment. Putnam, Prescott, and other officers, were of a differ- ent mind. A plan suggested by Putnam was finally adopted. The battle of Bunker Hill followed on the 17th of June. Some days previous to this, Putnam had marched a company of troops from Cambridge to Charlestown, in order to gain a better knowledge of the neighborhood, and select the best place for throwing up intrenchments. Having returned to the camp, arrangements were at length completed ; and on the 16th of June, Colonel William Prescott was ordered to proceed to Charlestown in the evening, with a detachment of about a thousand men,3 and take possession of Breed's Hill. The name of this gifted and brave officer has most frequently appeared in history as the central and prominent figure in this important engagement. There is no need of disparaging the part he acted ; but the impar- tial testimony of many facts gives the first place in com- mand and leadership on that memorable day, to Israel Putnam. A narrative of the battle of Bunker Hill that does not give prominence to the part he acted in it, fails to recognize the moving and guiding spirit in its eventful scenes.4
After reaching the heights above the then thriving village of Charlestown, Prescott and Putnam held a consultation with Colonel Gridley, a veteran military engineer ; and orders were given to fortify Breed's Hill, a little below Bunker Hill, and nearer the harbor. While the breastworks were being thrown up, an officer in command of some Connecticut and other troops, was sent down to watch the movements of the enemy. Putnam remained upon the hill, aiding and directing in the building of the redoubt ; while Prescott, with one of his aids, was seeking to learn if the British were aware of their movements. The droning cry of the sentries upon the ships, " All's well," assured them that the enemy were sleeping in ignorance of the position the Americans had taken.
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THE BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL.
1775.]
With the breaking of the morning, the British officers opened their eyes in astonishment, as, by the aid of their field-glasses, they saw the outlines of the breastworks that had been thrown up during the night. A battery of heavy guns was mounted on Copp's Hill, and at once opened fire. This cannonade was the signal that ushered in the hostilities of the eventful day.
The heat was oppressive ; and the men, suffering from their exhausting all-night labors in the trenches, begged for some- thing to eat and drink, and expressed their anxiety that fresh troops should be sent to relieve them. Putnam was already on the way to Cambridge, to urge the sending of re-enforcements ; and Prescott did all he could to encourage the brave men about him, and allay their fears. General Ward was firm in his conviction that the main body of the British army would march on Cambridge, and for this reason hesitated to send additional troops to Charlestown. But for his hesitancy and failure to give the aid he might have done, the colonial army might not only have defeated the British, but have held the heights of Bunker Hill after the battle.
It was noon before the British troops embarked from the wharf at Boston. Both Putnam and Prescott were busy in directing the movements of their men, and preparing for the attack of the enemy. The gallant Captain Knowlton, with a company of Connecticut men, had taken what proved to be an important position, and, following the orders of Putnam, had thrown up a rude breastwork of grass and fence-rails.5 The Connecticut troops at Cambridge were eager to march, and sent a request to General Ward, asking the privilege of following their beloved leader. This was not granted, and others had to act the heroic part in which they earnestly desired to engage.
As yet no works had been erected upon Bunker Hill. Putnam felt that it was absolutely necessary to fortify this spot, and, in spite of the remonstrance of Prescott, sent a
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HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
[1775.
body of men to throw up a redoubt. Again he started for Cambridge, to hurry up the promised re-enforcements. Having received the cheering word that the New-Hampshire troops, under Colonel Stark, were on the way from Medford, he hastened back to meet them. Sending a part of the force to assist in throwing up the intrenchment on Bunker Hill, he ordered Stark, with the rest of his men, to join Captain Knowlton. By this time General Ward was satisfied that the main attack of the British was to be made upon the heights of Charlestown ; but he still kept some of the best regiments in Cambridge, and it was too late for those that were sent forward to give the aid they might have done at an earlier hour.
The battle was commenced late in the afternoon by the British artillery, who opened a heavy fire upon the works on Breed's Hill. Prescott was in command at this point, and ordered his men to lie behind the earthworks, and not expose themselves. Putnam, mounted upon his white horse, was in every part of the field, now directing the still unfinished work on Bunker Hill, giving orders to Stark and Knowlton at the rail-fence, and again, in stormful passion, arresting an officer who showed signs of cowardice. The British columns had formed, and were ready to march up the hill. Under cover of a furious cannonade, directed at the redoubt, they moved forward. Putnam was at this moment looking after the works on Bunker Hill : ordering the drums to beat to arms, he hastened to join Prescott at the redoubt below. Riding along the line, he gave strict commands that not a gun should be fired until the order was distinctly given. " Powder," he said to the men, " is scarce. Don't fire until you can see the whites of their eyes. Fire low. Aim at the handsome coats - pick off their commanders."
There was no experienced gunner in the line ; and Putnam dismounted, and assisted in getting the few pieces of artillery in position. He sighted the guns himself; and, while the
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THE BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL.
1775.]
ammunition lasted, they did fatal execution. When the British columns were about eight rods from the American lines, the order was given to fire. The front rank was swept away, and nearly every officer on the advance line was killed by the terrible volley. Every shot had told. The blaze of muskets from the redoubt and rail-fence poured another deadly fire into the now staggering and dismayed columns. The veteran troops, with true English courage, rallied again and again. After General Pigot on the left had ordered a retreat, General Howe still stubbornly held his ground. At length he was forced to retire, and a shout of victory ex- pressed the joy of the Americans. Many of them wished to pursue the British, and were only restrained by their offi- cers. Re-enforcements from Cambridge had reached the neck of land leading to the heights where the battle was raging : this point was swept by the enemy's artillery, and the men did not dare to proceed. In vain did Putnam ride back and forth to assure them that there was little danger: only a portion had courage to follow him.
While the British were re-forming their broken ranks, Put- nam hastened to Bunker Hill to secure the assistance of some troops still there : they proved skulkers, and neither threats nor commands availed to make them do their duty. General Howe, having re-organized his troops, again marched up the hill. They were permitted to come within six rods of the American line before the order was given to fire. As before, the aim of these veteran marksmen was deadly, and sent the columns reeling backwards. After a thousand men, the flower of the British army, had fallen, they slowly retreated towards the shore. General Clinton, who had been watching the battle from Copp's Hill, crossed over to the place where the British troops were trying to make a last rally ; and a new plan of attack was ordered, and the columns again moved forward.
Putnam saw that he must have re-enforcements and a fresh
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HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
[1775.
supply of ammunition if he held his position. It was at this moment that three companies from Connecticut, in com- mand of Captains Chester, Clark, and Coit, crossed the Neck, and advanced up the hill. With them was Major Durkee of stamp-act fame. Unfortunately, some of the colonial troops sent forward from Cambridge were demoral- ized by the sight and sound of the battle, and refused to do their duty. Worst of all, the brave men within the redoubt had only a few charges of powder left. When these were expended, they still attempted to hold their ground; but it was impossible. With sad heart Prescott sounded the re- treat. The brave, noble-hearted, and gifted Warren, who, notwithstanding his rank as general, had gone into the battle as a volunteer, was reluctant to forsake the field. While slowly retreating, he was struck in the head by a bullet, and - fell lifeless.
As the Americans fell back, Putnam called to them to rally, and make another stand against the enemy on Bunker Hill ; but their ammunition was spent, and the brave men could only retreat. The Connecticut troops, that had just arrived on the ground, were eager for service ; and Putnam ordered them to cover the retreat as far as possible. With steady aim they fired volley after volley into the British ranks. The enemy, having gained possession of the redoubt, were now pressing forward in pursuit. A murderous fire com- pletely routed the right wing of the American lines : the left wing still remained firm, but was soon forced to retire. All that could be done was to conduct the retreat as successfully as possible. While the army was hastening from the heights which they had held with such stubborn courage, the re-en- forcements from Cambridge, for which Putnam had pleaded so earnestly, came in sight : it was too late to save the field from falling into the hands of the enemy. Nevertheless, the battle of Bunker Hill was a victory for the Americans. Twice they had driven back a force three times as great as
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