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 14
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 14
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 14
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133
ARRIVAL OF GENERAL OFFICERS.
CHAPTER V.
The Battle of Bunker Hill. The Burning of Charlestown. The Retreat of the Americans.
ABOUT two o'clock in the afternoon intense anxiety prevailed at the intrenchments on Breed's Hill. The patriot band who raised them had witnessed the brilliant landing of the British veterans, and the return of the barges to Boston. They saw troops again filling the boats, and felt not without apprehen- sion that a battle was inevitable. They knew the contest would be an unequal one, - that of raw militia against the far-famed regulars, - and they grew impatient for the prom- ised reinforcements. But no signs appeared that additional troops were on the way to support them, and even the supply of refreshments that reached them was so scanty that it served only to tantalize their wants.1 It is not strange, therefore, the idea was entertained that they had been rashly, if not treach- erously, led into danger, and that they were to be left to their own resources for their defence. This idea, however, must have been dispelled, as characters who had long been identi- fied with the patriot cause, who were widely known and widely beloved, appeared on the field, and assured them that aid was at hand. Such, among others, were Generals Warren and Pomeroy, who took stations in the ranks as volunteers. The enthusiastic cheers with which they were greeted indi- cated how much their presence was valued. General Putnam
1 Some of the depositions state that barrels of beer arrived. Ms. petitions of 1775 state that teams were impressed to carry on provisions. Peter Brown, a private, June 25, 1775, wrote to his mother : "The danger we were in made us think there was treachery, and that we were brought here to be all slain. And I must and will venture to say there was treachery, oversight, or presumption, in the conduct of our officers."
Warren said that 2000 reinforcements would be down in twenty minutes - he came by them. Said he came to promote or encourage a good cause. - J. Pearce. -
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BUNKER HILL BATTLE.
also, who had the confidence of the whole army, again rode on, about this time, with the intention of remaining to share their labors and peril. He continued in Charlestown through the afternoon, giving orders to reinforcements as they arrived on the field, cheering and animating the men, and rendering valuable service.
The movements of the British, along the margin of Mystic River, indicated an intention of flanking the Americans, and of surrounding the redoubt.' To prevent this, Col. Prescott ordered the artillery, with two field-pieces, and Capt. Knowl- ton with the Connecticut troops, to leave the intrenchments, march down the hill, and oppose the enemy's right wing.1 Captain Knowlton took a position near the base of Bunker Hill, six hundred feet in the rear of the redoubt, behind a fence, one half of which was stone, with two rails of wood. He then made, a little distance in front of this, another paral- lel line of fence, and filled the space between them with the newly cut grass lying in the fields .? While Captain Knowl- ton's party was doing this, between two and three o'clock, Colonel John Stark, with his regiment, arrived at the Neck, which was then enfiladed by a galling fire from the enemy's ships and batteries. Captain Dearborn, who was by the side of the colonel, suggested to him the expediency of quickening his step across; but Stark replied, " One fresh man in action is worth ten fatigued ones," and marched steadily over.3 Gen- eral Putnam ordered part of these troops to labor on the works begun on Bunker Hill, while Colonel Stark, after an animated address to his men, led the remainder to the position Captain Knowlton had taken, and they aided in extending the line of the fence breastwork. Colonel Reed's regiment, about the same time, left its quarters at Charlestown Neck, marched
1 Chester's Letter, Prescott's. 2 Chester is minute on this point, and says this movement from the redoubt was made by order of " our officers in command." Grosvenor says, General Putnam ordered Knowlton to this position. Judge Winthrop, N. A. Review, July, 1818, saw Putnam here just previous to the first attack ; and Simeon Noyes, 1825, says he rode up to the company he was in, and said : "Draw off your troops here," pointing to the rail fence, " and man the rail fence, for the enemy 's flanking of us fast." 3 Dearborn.
135
THE AMERICAN DEFENCES.
over Bunker Hill, and took position near Colonel Stark, at the rail fence.1
The defences of the Americans, at three in the afternoon, were still in a rude, unfinished state. The redoubt on the spot where the monument stands was about eight rods square. Its strongest side, the front, facing the settled part of the town, was made with projecting angles, and protected the south side of the hill. The eastern 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 to a slough ; and a sally-port, between the south end of the breastwork and the redoubt, was protected by a blind. These works were raised about six feet from the level of the ground, and had platforms of wood, or steps made of earth, for the men to stand on when they should fire. The rail fence has been already described. Its south corner was about two hun- dred yards, on a diagonal line, in the rear of the north corner of the breastwork. This line was slightly protected ; a part of it, however - about one hundred yards - between the slough and the rail fence, was open to the approach_of infantry. It was the weakest part of the defences. On the right of the redoubt, along a cartway, a fence was made similar to the one on the left. The redoubt and breastwork constituted a good defence against cannon and musketry, but the fences were hardly more than the shadow of protection.2
These defences were lined nearly in the following manner. The original detachment, under Colonel Prescott, except the
1 Reuben Kemp ; Wilkinson's Memoirs, vol. 1., 845.
2 Page's and Bernier's Plans ; Committee of Safety Account ; Depositions ; Swett's History, pp. 20, 27; Dearborn's Account. Some who were in the battle state that the diagonal line between the breastwork and rail fence was entirely without protection, -others state that it was slightly protected. Page represents the same defence as at the rail fence ; Bernier has here three angular figures, which, though not explained on the plan, indicate defences. Chester's letter confirms the statement in the text, and the British plans.
In a report in Mass. Archives, Captain Aaron Brown is named as having "behaved very gallantly, -erected the platforms, and behaved with courage and good conduct in the whole affair."
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BUNKER HILL BATTLE.
Connecticut troops, were at the redoubt and breastwork. They were joined, just previous to the action, by portions of Massachusetts regiments, under Colonels Brewer, Nixon, Woodbridge, Little, and Major Moore, and one company of artillery - Callender's. General Warren took post in the re- doubt. Captain Gridley's artillery company, after discharg- ing a few ineffectual shot from a corner of the redoubt towards Copp's Hill,'moved to the exposed position between the breast- work and rail fence, where it was joined by the other artillery company, under Captain Callender. Perkins' company, of Little's regiment, and a few other troops, Captain Nutting's company - recalled from Charlestown after the British landed - and part of Warner's company, lined the cartway on the right of the redoubt. The Connecticut troops, under Captain Knowlton, the New Hampshire forces, under Colonels Stark and Reed, and a few Massachusetts troops, were at the rail fence. General Putnam was here when the action com- menced, and General Pomeroy, armed with a musket, served here as a volunteer. Three companies - Captain Wheeler's, of Doolittle's regiment, Captain Crosby's, of Reed's regiment, and a company from Woodbridge's regiment - were stationed in Main-street, at the base of Breed's Hill, and constituted the extreme right of the Americans. Though this statement may be in the main correct, yet, such is the lack of precision in the authorities, that accuracy cannot be arrived at.2 The
' Seven or eight shot, - one went through an old house, another through
a fence, and the rest stuck in the face of Copp's Hill. - Letter, July 5.
2 It is not possible to ascertain, from the known authorities, precisely the number of reinforcements that arrived on the field either before the action commenced, or in season to engage the enemy. Colonel Swett states, that previous to the action, Colonels Brewer, Nixon, Woodbridge, and Major Moore, " brought on their troops, each about 300 men ; " also, that " Colonel Little arrived with his troops," and that Callender's artillery and Ford's company, of Bridge's regiment, arrived. The accounts of Little's regiment will serve to show the want of precision on this point. It consisted, (Ms. returns,) June 15, of 456 men ; one company was in Gloucester, one in Ips- wich, one af Lechmere's Point, and some at West Cambridge. Three com- panies - Perkins', Wade's, and Warner's - probably marched on, under their colonel. They scattered, and part went to the redoubt, part to the cartway south of it, part to the breastwork, and some to the rail fence, (Ms. depositions.) One company, Lunt's, (Ms. depositions, and Swett, p. 46,)
137
GENERAL HOWE'S ADDRESS.
Massachusetts reinforcements, as they came on to the field, appear to have marched to the redoubt, and were directed to take the most advantageous positions. In doing this, parts of regiments, and even companies, that came on together, broke their ranks, divided, and subsequently fought in various parts of the field, in platoons or as individuals, rather than under regular commands.
Meantime, the main body of the British troops, formed in brilliant array at Moulton's Point, continued to wait quietly for the arrival of the reinforcements. It was nearly three o'clock when the barges returned. They landed at the Old Battery, and at Mardlin's ship-yard, near the entrance to the navy-yard, the 47th regiment, the 1st battalion of marines, and several companies of grenadiers and light-infantry.1 They, or the most of them, did not join the troops at Moul- ton's Point, but marched directly towards the redoubt. There had now landed above three thousand troops.2
General Howe, just previous to the action, addressed his army in the following manner : -
"Gentlemen, - I am very happy in having the honor of commanding so fine a body of men : I do not in the least doubt but that you will behave like Englishmen, and as becometh good soldiers.
" If the enemy will not come from their intrenchments, we must drive them out, at all events, otherwise the town of Bos- ton will be set on fire by them.
"I shall not desire one of you to go a step further than where I go myself at your head.
" Remember, gentlemen, we have no recourse to any re- sources if we lose Boston, but to go on board our ships, which will be very disagreeable to us all." 3
Before General Howe moved from his first position, he sent
did not arrive until near the close of the battle. Similar confusion exists in the accounts of other regiments.
1 Stedman's History ; Gage's Account ; Letter, June 25, 1775. 2 Gordon says " near 3000; " contemporary Mss. say 3300.
3 Clark's Narrative. Clark was a lieutenant in the marines. He says, after giving this address : "We then began to proceed to action, by march- ing with a quick step up the precipice that led to the provincial army."
138
BUNKER HILL BATTLE.
out strong flank guards, and directed his field-pieces to play on the American lines. The fire from Copp's Hill, from the ships, and from the batteries, now centred on the intrench- ments;1 while a furious cannonade and bombardment from Boston occupied the attention of the right wing of the Amer- ican army, at Roxbury .? The fire upon the lines was but feebly returned from Gridley's and Callender's field-pieces. Gridley's guns were soon disabled, and he drew them to the rear; while Callender, alleging that his cartridges were too large for his pieces, withdrew to Bunker Hill. Here he met General Putnam, who ordered him to return to the lines. Cal- lender did not obey the general, and was soon deserted by his men.3 About this time Capt. Ford's company, of Bridge's regiment, came on to the field, and, at the pressing request of General Putnam, drew the deserted pieces to the rail fence. Meantime Colonel Prescott detached Lieut .- col. Robinson and Major Woods, each with a party, to flank the enemy. Both behaved with courage and prudence. No details, however, are given of their service. Capt. Walker, with a few men, probably of one of these parties, met with the British near the navy-yard, and fired from the cover of buildings and fences. On being driven in, he passed with a few of 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, under a heavy fire, succeeded in regaining the redoubt.4
The general discharge of artillery was intended to cover the advance of the British columns. They moved forward in two divisions, - General Howe with the right wing, to penetrate the American line at the rail fence, and cut off a retreat from
1 Page's Plan ; Mass. Committee of Safety ; Swett's History. Fenno's Orderly Book says : "The fire of three ships, three batteries, several field- pieces, a battery on Copp's Hill, from six different directions, all centred on the intrenchments.
2 General Heath says, Memoirs, p. 20, " A furious cannonade and throw- ing of shells took place at the lines on Boston Neck against Roxbury, with intent to burn that town ; but although several shells fell among the houses, and some carcasses near them, the balls went through some." One man only was killed.
3 Account of Callender in the Boston Centinel, 1818 ; B. Pierce ; Israel Hunt. + Page's Plan ; James Varnum ; E. Bancroft.
139
ADVANCE OF THE BRITISH.
the redoubt, - General Pigot with the left wing, to storm the breastwork and redoubt.' The artillery, after playing a short time, ceased, and General Howe was told that twelve pound balls had been sent with which to load six-pounders, when
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he ordered the pieces to be charged with grape. In advancing, however, the artillery was soon impeded by the miry ground at the base of the hill, and took post near the brick-kilns,
1 Page; Bernier ; Gage. 12*
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140
BUNKER HILL BATTLE.
whence its balls produced but little effect.1 The troops moved forward slowly, for they were burdened with knapsacks full of provisions, obstructed by the tall grass and the fences, and heated by a burning sun ; but they felt unbounded confidence in their strength, regarded their antagonists with scorn, and expected an easy victory .? The Americans coolly waited their approach. Their officers ordered them to reserve their fire until the British were within ten or twelve rods, and then to wait until the word was given.3 "Powder was scarce, and must not be wasted," they said; "Fire low ;" "Aim at the waistbands;" "Wait until you see the white of their eyes ;" " Aim at the handsome coats ;" "Pick off the commanders."4
General Pigot's division consisted of the 5th, 3Sth, 43d, · 47th, 52d regiments, and the marines, under Major Pitcairn. The 38th first took a position behind a stone wall, and being joined by the 5th, marched up the hill. The 47th and the marines moved from the battery where they landed directly towards the redoubt. The 43d and 52d advanced in front of the breastwork. The troops kept firing as they approached the lines.5 When Colonel Prescott saw the enemy in motion, he went round the works to encourage the men, and assured them that the red coats would never reach the redoubt if they would observe his directions.6 The advancing columns, how-
1 Bernier. The letter in the Conduct of the War says : "The wretched blunder of the over-sized balls sprung from the dotage of an officer of rank in that corps, who spends his whole time in dallying with the school-master's daughters."
2 Stedman, I., 128. " Let us take the bull by the horns," was the phrase of some great men among us, as we marched on. - Conduct of the War. A British account states of the fences : "These posts and rails were too strong for the columns to push down, and the march was so retarded by the getting over them, that the next morning they were found studded with bullets, not a hand's breadth from each other."
3 Mass. Committee of Safety Account. 4 These phrases occur frequently in the depositions, the same one being often ascribed to different officers. Philip Johnson states of Putnam : "I distinctly heard him say, ' Men, you are all marksmen-don't one of you fire until you see the white of their eyes.'"'
5 I follow mostly Page's plan : Gage's account is confused as to the move- ments of his regiments ; Bernier differs in some points from Page.
6 Judge Prescott's Memoir.
141
ATTACK ON THE REDOUBT.
ever, having got within gunshot, a few of the Americans could not resist the temptation to return their 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 seconded his exer- tions, and some1 ran round the top of the parapet and kicked up the guns. At length the British troops reached the pre- scribed 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 returned. The Americans, being pro- tected by their works, suffered but little; but their murder- ous balls literally strewed the ground with the dead and wounded of the enemy. General Pigot was obliged to order a retreat, when the exulting shout of victory rose from the American lines.2
General Howe, in the mean time, led the right wing against the rail fence. The light-infantry moved along the shore of Mystic River, to turn the extreme left of the American line, while the grenadiers advanced directly in front.3 The Ameri- cans first opened on them with their field-pieces (Callender's) with great effect, some of the discharges being directed by Putnam;4 and when the advancing troops deployed into line, a few, as at the redoubt, fired without waiting for the word, when Putnam hastened to the spot, and threatened to cut down the next man who disobeyed." This drew the enemy's fire, which they continued with the regularity of troops on parade ; but their balls passed over the heads of the Ameri- cans. At length the officers gave the word, when the fire
1 Brooks ; J. Pearce ; E. Bancroft.
2 The British account, in the Conduct of the War, says, " On the left Pigot was staggered, and actually retreated by orders : great pains have been taken to huddle up this matter."
3 Page's and Bernier's Plans. ' Hunt ; Wade; Swett. 5 R. Kemp ; Swett.
" Our officers ordered our men not to fire till the word was given. Lieuten- ant Dana tells me he was the first man that fired, and that he did it singly and with a view to draw the enemy's fire, and he obtained his end fully, without any damage to our party." - Chester's Letter.
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BUNKER HILL BATTLE.
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 !" "Let us have a shot at him !"- when two or three would fire at the same moment. They used the fence as a rest for their pieces, and the bullets were true to their message. The companies were cut up with terrible severity , and so great was the carnage, that the columns, a few moments before so proud and firm in their array, were dis- concerted, partly broke, and then retreated. Many of the Americans were in favor of pursuing them, and some, with exulting huzzas, jumped over the fence for this purpose, but were prevented by the prudence of their officers.1
And now moments of joy succeeded the long hours of toil, anxiety, and peril. The American volunteer saw the veterans of England fly before his fire, and felt a new confidence in himself. The result was obtained, too, with but little loss on his side.2 Colonel Prescott mingled freely among his troops, praised their good conduct, and congratulated them on their success. He felt confident that another attack would soon be made, and he renewed his caution to reserve the fire until he gave the command. He found his men in high spirits, and elated by the retreat. In their eyes the regulars were no longer invincible. General Putnam rode to Bunker Hill and to the rear of it, to urge on reinforcements. Some had arrived
1 Chester ; Dearborn ; Capt. Mann, of Reed's regiment, in his excellent account, (Ms.,) agrees with Chester : " During the engagement, a portion of the company twice passed the fence huzzaing, supposing, at the time, that we had driven the enemy."
A British letter, July 5, 1775, says : "Our light-infantry were served up in companies against the grass fence, without being able to penetrate ; - indeed, how could we penetrate? Most of our grenadiers and light-infantry, the moment of presenting themselves, lost three fourths, and many nine tenths of their men. Some had only eight and nine men a company left ; some only three, four, and five." Another British letter says : "It was found to be the strongest post that was ever occupied by any set of men."
2 Judge Prescott's Memoir : - " Colonel Prescott said they (the British) had commenced firing too soon, and generally fired over the heads of his troops ; and as they were partially covered by the works, but few were killed or wounded."
143
SECOND ATTACK - BURNING OF CHARLESTOWN.
at Charlestown Neck, but were deterred from crossing it by the severe fire that raked it. Portions of regiments had reached Bunker Hill, where they scattered. Colonel 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 action, but with- out much effect. It is doubtful- whether any considerable reinforcement reached the line of defence during the short interval that elapsed before a second attack was made by the British troops.1
General Howe in a short time rallied his troops, and imme- diately ordered another assault. They marched in the same order as before, and continued to fire as they approached the lines. But, in addition to the previous obstacles, they were obliged to step over the bodies of their fallen countrymen.2 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 the success of their manœuvre, ordered their men to withhold their fire until the enemy were within five or six rods of the works.2
Charlestown, in the mean time, had been set on fire ; - in the square by shells thrown from Copps Hill, and in the easterly part by a party of marines from the Somerset. As the build- ings were chiefly of wood, the conflagration spread with great
1 " In the interval between the first and second attack of the British on our lines, he (General Putnam) rode back to Bunker Hill, and in the rear of it, to urge on reinforcements."- " Found part of Gerrish's regiment there, with their coloncl." -- Daniel Putnam's Letter, Oct. 19, 1825, Ms., confirmed by Samuel Basset, 1818, and others. "The men that went to intrenching over night were in the warmest of the battle, 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 most terribly frightened, many of them, and did not march up with that true courage that their cause ought to have inspired them with." - Chester's Letter.
2 It was surprising to see how they would step over their dead bodies, as ' though they had been logs of wood. - Rivington's Gazette. 3 Swett's History ; Committee of Safety.
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