USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Concord > History of the siege of Boston, and of the battles of Lexington, Concord, and Bunker Hill. Also an account of the Bunker Hill Monument. With illustrative documents > Part 13
USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > History of the siege of Boston, and of the battles of Lexington, Concord, and Bunker Hill. Also an account of the Bunker Hill Monument. With illustrative documents > Part 13
USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Lexington > History of the siege of Boston, and of the battles of Lexington, Concord, and Bunker Hill. Also an account of the Bunker Hill Monument. With illustrative documents > Part 13
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40
4 The order was explicit as to Bunker Hill, and the committee of safety account says, " by some mistake," Breed's Hill was marked out for the intrenchment. In Gray's letter, July 12, 1775, it is stated, " that the engi- neer and two generals went on to the hill at night, and reconnoitred the ground ; that one general and the engineer were of opinion we ought not to intrench on Charlestown Hill (Breed's Hill) till we had thrown up some works on the north and south ends of Bunker Hill, to cover our men in their retreat, if that should happen ; but on the pressing importunity of the other general officer, it was consented to begin as was done." That the best posi-
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124
BUNKER HILL BATTLE.
At the same time it was determined that works should be erected on Bunker Hill. When the detachment reached Breed's Hill, the packs were thrown off, the guns were stacked, Colonel Gridley marked out the plan of a fortifica- tion, tools were distributed, and about twelve o'clock the men began to work. Colonel Prescott immediately detached Cap- tain Maxwell, of his own regiment, and a party, with orders to patrol the shore in the lower part of the town, near the old ferry, and watch the motions of the enemy during the night.' General Putnam, after the men were at labor, returned to Cambridge.2
Anxious to the patriot laborers were the watches of that star-light night. The shore in Boston, opposite to them, was belted by a chain of sentinels, while nearer still, British men- of-war were moored in the waters around them and com- nianded the peninsula. The Falcon was off Moulton's Point ; the Lively lay opposite the present navy yard; the Somerset was at the ferry ; the Glasgow was near Cragie's Bridge; and the Cerberus, and several floating batteries, were within gunshot. This proximity to an enemy required great caution ; and a thousand men, accustomed to handling the spade, worked with great diligence and silence on the intrench- ments ; 3 while the cry of " All's well," heard at intervals
tion was Breed's Hill, Judge Prescott says, was "Colonel Gridley's opinion, and the other field officers who were consulted, - they thought it came with- in his (Prescott's) orders. There was not then the distinction between Bun- ker Hill and Breed's that has since been made." Colonel Swett remarks there could be no mistake, and that the account meant to say, delicately, the order to fortify Bunker Hill was not complied with.
It has been doubted whether General Putnam was on the ground during the night. Gray's letter does not give the names of the two generals, it is true, but in Stiles' Diary, June 20, in Major Jackson's Diary, June 16, (Swett's notes, p. 21,) and in the newspapers of the day, Putnam is named as going on at night. The testimony of some of the soldiers is positive. Thus Judge Grosvenor, in letters dated April 18, 1818, and March 29, 1825, says that he was present when ground was broken. Judge Prescott states, that though he did not march with the troops, he might be present at the consultation.
' William Taylor's Letter ; J. Pearce ; Depositions. 2 Swett, p. 21.
3 Martin says, about a thousand were at work, and that " the men dug in the trenches one hour, and then mounted guard and were relieved."
125
CANNONADE OF THE WORKS.
through the night by the patrols, gave the assurance that they were not discovered.' Colonel Prescott, apprehensive of an attack before the works were in such a condition as to cover the men, went down twice to the margin of the river with Major Brooks to reconnoitre, and was delighted to hear the watch on board the ships drowsily repeat the usual cry.2 The last time, a little before daylight, finding everything quiet, he recalled the party under Maxwell to the hill.3
The intrenchments, by the well-directed labor of the night, were raised about six feet high, and were first seen at early dawn, on the seventeenth of June, by the sailors on board the men-of-war. The captain of the Lively, without waiting for orders, put a spring on her cable and opened a fire on the American works :4 and the sound of the guns, breaking the calmness of a fine summer's morning, alarmed the British camp, and summoned the population of Boston and vicinity to gaze upon the novel spectacle. Admiral Graves almost immediately ordered the firing to cease ; 5 but, in a short time. it was renewed, by authority, from a battery of six guns and howitzers, from Copp's Hill, in Boston, and from the shipping.6 The Americans, protected by their works, were not at first injured by the balls, and they kept steadily at labor, strength- ening the intrenchments, and making inside of them platforms of wood and earth, to stand upon when they should be called upon to fire.7
1 Brooks; Pearce; Josiah Cleaveland was one of the Connecticut men detached to the shore, and states that he heard the British sentinels at inter- vals all night. 2 Judge Prescott's Memoir. 3 Brooks ; Taylor ; Pearce.
"Colonel Prescott was often heard to say, after the battle, that his great anxiety that night was to have a screen raised, however slight, for his men before they were attacked, which he expected would be early in the morning, as he knew it would be difficult, if not quite impossible, to make raw troops, however full of patriotism, to stand in an open field against artillery and well- armed and well-disciplined soldiers. He therefore strenuously urged on the work, and every subaltern and private labored with spade and pickaxe, with- out intermission, through the night, and until they resumed their muskets near the middle of the next day. Never were men in worse condition for action, - exhausted by watching, fatigue, and hunger, -and never did old soldiers behave better." - Judge Prescott's Memoir.
4 Fenno's Ms. Orderly Book. 5 British Letter, June 25. 6 Ibid, with Gage's official account. 7 Ms. Petitions, 1775; Israel Hunt.
126
BUNKER HILL BATTLE.
Early in the day, a private1 was killed by a cannon ball, when some of the men left. the hill. To inspire confidence, Colonel Prescott mounted the parapet and walked leisurely around it, inspecting the works, giving directions to the offi- cers, and encouraging the men by approbation, or amusing them with humor. One of his captains, understanding his motive, followed his example while superintending the labors of his company. This had the intended effect. The men became indifferent to the cannonade, or received the balls with repeated cheers. The tall, commanding .form of Prescott was observed by General Gage, as he was reconnoitring the Americans through his glass, who inquired of Councillor Willard, near him, "Who the person was who appeared to command ?" Willard recognized his brother-in-law. "Will he fight?" again inquired Gage. "Yes, sir; he is an old soldier, and will fight as long as a drop of blood remains in his veins !" " The works must be carried," was the reply.2
As the day advanced the heat became oppressive. Many of the men, inexperienced in war, had neglected to comply with the order respecting provisions,3 while no refreshments had arrived. Hence there was much suffering from want of food and drink, as well as from heat and fatigue; and this
1 Asa Pollard, of Billerica, of Stickney's company, Bridge's regiment. A subaltern informed Col. Prescott, and asked what should be done. "Bury him," he was told. " What !" said the astonished officer, " without prayers ?" A chaplain insisted on performing service over the first victim, and gathered many soldiers about him. Prescott ordered them to disperse. The chaplain again collected his audience, when the deceased was ordered to be buried. - Swett's History.
2 Brooks ; Israel Hunt ; Prescott's Memoir. The British Annual Regis- ter, 1775, says, " the Americans bore this severe fire with wonderful firmness, and seemed to go on with their business as if no enemy had been near." The following are the vessels that took part in the cannonade during the day. The position, of the Cerberus is not stated.
Somerset, 68 guns, 520 men. Captain Edward Le Cras. Cerberus, 36 4 Chads. Glasgow, 24 130 66 William Maltby.
Lively, 20 130 66
66 Thomas Bishop. Falcon,
66 Linzee. 7
Symmetry, 20
3 Brooks' Statement.
127
SUFFERING OF THE TROOPS.
produced discontent and murmurs. The officers urged Col. Prescott to send a request to. General Ward for them to be relieved by other troops. The colonel promptly told them, in reply, that he never would consent to their being relieved. " The enemy," he said, " would not dare to attack them; and if they did, would be defeated: the men who had raised the works were the best able to defend them : already they had learned to despise the fire of the enemy : they had the merit of the labor, and should have the honor of the victory." 1
Soon after this, the enemy were observed to be in motion in Boston. General Gage had called a council of war early in the morning. As it was clear that the Americans were gain- ing strength every hour, it was the unanimous opinion that it was necessary to change the plan of operations that had been agreed upon, and drive them from their newly erected works, though different views prevailed as to the manner in which it should be attempted. Generals Clinton and Grant, and a majority of the council, were in favor of embarking a force at the common, in Boston, and under the protection of their batteries, landing in the rear of the Americans, at Charles- town Neck, to cut off their retreat. General Gage opposed this plan as unmilitary and hazardous. It would place his troops between two armies, -one strongly fortified, and the other superior in numbers, -and thus expose it to destruc- tion.2 It was decided to make the attack in front, and orders were immediately issued for the troops to parade. It was the consequent preparation, -dragoons galloping from their places of encampment, and the rattling of artillery carriages, -that was observed at the American lines. Colonel Prescott, about
I Brooks' Statement ; Swett's History ; Prescott's Memoir. 2 British Account, 1775 ; Ms. Letter ; Swett's History.
A royalist in Boston at this time used to relate, that knowing the British officers were in consultation at the Province House, on the morning of this day, he called there to learn their intentions. Immediately after the arrange- ments had been made for the attack, he met in the front yard an officer by the name of Ruggles, who warmly inveighed against the decision of the other officers. "It would cost many lives to attack in front ; but the English officers would not believe the Americans would fight." Ruggles advised the attack to be made in the rear, and thus cut off a retreat and prevent a rein- forcement. - Ms. letter.
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128
BUNKER HILL BATTLE.
nine o'clock, called a council of war. The officers represented that the men, worn down by the labors of the night, in want even of necessary refreshments, were dissatisfied, and in no condition for action, and again urged that they should be relieved, or, at least, that Colonel Prescott should send for reinforcements and provisions. The colonel, though decided against the proposition to relieve them, agreed to send a special messenger to General Ward for additional troops and supplies. The officers were satisfied, and Major John Brooks, afterwards Governor Brooks, was despatched for this purpose to head quarters, where he arrived about ten o'clock.1
General Ward, early in the morning, had been urged by General Putnam? to send reinforcements to Colonel Prescott, but was so doubtful of its expediency that he ordered only one third of Stark's regiment to march to Charlestown;3 and after receiving the message by Major Brooks, he refused to weaken further the main army at Cambridge, until the enemy had more definitely revealed his intentions. He judged that General Gage would make his principal attack at Cambridge, to destroy the stores.4 The committee of safety, then in ses- sion, was consulted. One of its most active members, Richard Devens, strongly urged that aid should be sent, and his opin- ion partially prevailed. With its advice, General Ward, about eleven o'clock, ordered the whole of the regiments of Colonels Stark and Read, of New Hampshire, to reinforce Colonel
' Governor Brooks' Statement. Judge Prescott's Memoir refers only to one consultation of Colonel Prescott with his officers ; Governor Brooks states that there were two councils of war, the last at nine o'clock. Martin's relation, though confused, confirms the statement that Prescott was reluctant to send for reinforcements ; and Brown's letter agrees with Prescott's Me- moir as to the discontent of the men.
Judge Prescott states that the colonel despatched two men, in the course of the forenoon, to head quarters -the last Major Brooks. "For greater expedition," Col. Swett says, " he was directed to take one of the artillery horses ; but the order was vehemently opposed by Capt. Gridley, who feared for the safety of his pieces. Prescott then directed him to proceed on foot."
2 Grosvenor, Daniel Putnam, and others, state that General Putnam repaired to the heights early in the morning, but returned to Cambridge to urge on provisions and reinforcements. - See Swett's History, p. 24.
3 Stark's Letter. 4 Analectic Magazine, 1818. Gov. Brooks.
129
THE ENTRENCHING TOOLS.
Prescott.1 Orders, also, were issued for the recall of the companies stationed at Chelsea.2
During the forenoon a flood tide enabled the British to bring three or four floating batteries to play on the intrenchments, when the fire became more severe. The men-of-war at inter- vals discharged their guns, - the Glasgow, one account states, continued to fire all the morning.3 The only return made to this terrific cannonade was a few ineffectual shot from a can- non in a corner of the redoubt.4 About eleven o'clock the men had mostly ceased labor on the works; the intrenching tools had been piled in the rear, and all were anxiously await- ing the arrival of refreshments and reinforcements. No works, however, had been commenced on Bunker Hill, regarded as of great importance in case of a retreat. General Putnam who was on his way to the heights when Major Brooks was going to Cambridge, rode on horseback to the redoubt, "and told Colonel Prescott" -as General Heath first relates the circumstance - " that the intrenching tools must be sent off,
1 Stark; Brooks; Dearborn. 2 Swett.
On this day the Provincial Congress, convened at Watertown, held sessions morning and afternoon. The committee of safety, in session at Cambridge, issued an order to the selectmen of the towns to send all the town stocks of powder instantly to Watertown. The committee of supplies, by David Cheever, on this day, sent a letter to the committee of safety, stating, That exclusive of thirty-six half barrels of powder received from the governor and council of Connecticut, there were only in the magazine twenty-seven half barrels, and that no more could be drafted from the towns without expos- ing them more than they would consent to.
The committee of safety, on this day, asked, also, for " four of the best riding horses," to bring quick intelligence to head quarters. The committee of supplies replied, that they had no horses at present, but what were unfit for use, or were wanted for the expresses of that committee. " We have received," says the letter, " but ten out of the twenty-eight horses ordered by Congress to be delivered us, and are informed that those left behind are some of the best. Pray take them, if to be found, unless detained by the generals. We have sent to procure four, which shall be sent as soon as possible."
3 Fenno's Orderly Book ; British Letter. ' Winslow ; J. Pearce ; Clarke. The latter, in his pamphlet, states that cannon were fired, "to the infinite terror and danger of the inhabitants " of Boston, and that it was in conse- quence of this insult that General Gage determined to attack the redoubt.
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BUNKER HILL BATTLE.
or they would be lost : the colonel replied, that if he sent any of the men away with the tools, not one of them would return : to this the general answered, they shall every man return. A large party was then sent off with the tools, and not one of. them returned : in this instance the colonel was the best judge of human nature."1 A large part of the tools were carried no further than Bunker Hill, where, by General Putnam's order, the men began to throw up a breastwork. Most of them fell into the hands of the enemy,
In the mean time General Gage had completed his prepara- tions to attack the intrenchments. He ordered the ten oldest companies of grenadiers and light-infantry, (exclusive of two regiments, the 35th and 49th, just arrived,) and the 5th and 38th regiments, to parade at half-past eleven o'clock, with ammunition, blankets, and provisions, and march by files to the Long Wharf. The 52d and 43d regiments, with the. remaining companies of grenadiers and light-infantry, received similar orders to parade and march to the North Battery. At the same time the 47th regiment and 1st battalion of marines were directed to proceed to the battery after the former should embark, and there await orders. The remainder of the troops were directed to hold themselves in readiness to march at a moment's warning. The strictest attention to discipline was enjoined. Whoever should quit the ranks, or engage in plun-
' Heath's Memoirs, p. 19. This is the only instance of a collision of Gen- eral Putnam with Colonel Prescott that appears in the authorities. The depositions often contain stories of the intrenching tools, and much has been written about them in connection with General Putnam. Joseph Pearce, in 1818, stated, " Putnam, before we saw the British on the water, came and said the tools ought to be carried off. Came on a horse. I expected to see him knocked off." E. Bancroft, in a Ms, letter, December 7, 1824, says : After ten o'clock General Putnam " rode up to us at the fort, and says, ' My lads, these tools must be carried back,' and turned and rode away. An order was never obeyed with more readiness. From every part of the line within hearing volunteers ran, and some picked up one, some two shovels, mattocks, &c., and hurried over the hill." Heath is too severe on the party who car- ried the tools to Bunker Hill. Some of them fought well at the rail fence, and some state that they went back to the redoubt. It is probable that this incident is the origin of the impression of some of the soldiers, who stated, over forty years after, that Putnam rode off the field with pick-axes, spades, tents or tent-poles, on his horse !
131
THE LANDING AT CHARLESTOWN.
der, was threatened with execution without mercy.' This force was put under the command of General Howe, who had under him Brigadier-general Pigot, and some of the most dis- tinguished officers in Boston. He was ordered to drive the Americans from their works.2
About twelve o'clock the several regiments marched through the streets of Boston to their places of embarkation, and two ships of war moved up Charles River to join the others in firing on the works. Suddenly the redoubled roar of the can- non announced that the crisis was at hand. The Falcon and the Lively swept the low grounds in front of Breed's Hill, to dislodge any parties of troops that might be posted there to oppose a landing ; the Somerset and two floating batteries at the ferry, and the battery on Copps Hill, poured shot upon the American works; the Glasgow frigate, and the Symmetry transport, moored further up Charles River, raked the Neck.3 The troops embarked at the Long Wharf and at the North Battery ; and when a blue flag was displayed as a signal, the fleet, with field-pieces in the leading barges, moved towards Charlestown. The sun was shining in meridian splendor ; and the scarlet uniforms, the glistening armor, the brazen artillery, the regular movement of the boats, the flashes of fire, and the belchings of smoke, formed a spectacle brilliant and imposing. The army landed in good order at Moulton's Point, about one o'clock, without the slightest molestation, and immediately formed in three lines. General Howe, after
1 This account is taken from Adjutant Waller's (British) Orderly Book. A British letter, June 25, states that the troops embarked "at the Long Wharf, and at the North Battery." ? Stedman's History, vol. I., p. 126. I prefer the authority of the orderly book, and of contemporaries, in relation to the embarkation, to others.
3 Joseph Pearce stated : "It was the heaviest cannonade previous to the landing." A Boston letter, June 25, says : "The landing was covered by a heavy fire from the Lively and another man-of-war stationed off the North Battery, a large sloop and two floating batteries at Charlestown Ferry, the battery from Copps Hill, a transport mounting twenty guns, lying a little higher up, and the Glasgow man-of-war." . A British letter, June 23, states : " At the landing several attempted to run away, and five actually took to their heels to join the Americans, but were presently brought back, and two of them were hung up in terrorem to the rest."
132
BUNKER HILL BATTLE. .
reconnoitring the American works, applied to General Gage for a reinforcement ; and, while waiting for it to arrive, many of his troops quietly dined. It proved to many a brave man his last meal.
When the intelligence of the landing of the British troops reached Cambridge, there was suddenly great noise and con- fusion. The bells were rung, the drums beat to arms, and adjutants rode hurriedly from point to point, with orders for troops to march and oppose the enemy.1 General Ward reserved his own regiment, Patterson's, Gardner's, and part of Bridge's regiments, to be prepared for any attack on Cam- bridge, but ordered the remainder of the Massachusetts forces to Charlestown.2 General Putnam ordered on the remainder of the Connecticut troops.3 Colonel Gardner's regiment was directed to march to Patterson's station, opposite Prospect Hill. A large part of these forces, owing to various causes, failed to reach the lines.
1 Chester's letter, July 22, 1775, gives a life-like picture of what fell under his own observation, when the news arrived of the landing. "Just after dinner, on Saturday, 17th ult., I was walking out from my lodgings quite calm and composed, and all at once the drums beat to arms, and bells rang, and a great noise in Cambridge. Captain Putnam came by on full gallop. ' What is the matter ?' says I. 'Have you not heard ?' ' No.' ' Why, the regulars are landing at Charlestown,' says he, 'and father says you must all meet, and march immediately to Bunker Hill to oppose the enemy.' I waited not, but ran and got my arms and ammunition, and hasted to my company, (who were in the church for barracks,) and found them nearly ready to march. We soon marched, with our frocks and trousers on over our other clothes, (for our company is in uniform wholly blue, turned up with red,) for we were loth to expose ourselves by our dress ; and down we marched." I had from Jesse Smith, of Nixon's regiment, a similar descrip- tion of the sudden alarm at Cambridge. Simeon Noyes, 1825, states, " The bell was ringing ; our adjutant, Stephen Jenkens, rode up and hallooed, 'Turn out ! turn out! the enemy 's all landed at Charlestown !' " 2 Swett. 3 Chester.
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