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 32
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 32
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 32
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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
It was not so, however, with the Americans. They were at all times inadequately supplied with materials of war, and at some periods were alarmingly weak in point of numbers. Washington had difficulties that seemed insurmountable. He was even obliged to disband one army and to enlist another, in the face of his veteran enemy. But he went triumphantly through them all. He drew his lines each month closer about Boston. He proposed each month, after his works permitted it, an assault on the British army. It was judged inexpedi- ent, for want of the necessary means, and of that steady dis- cipline that can only be relied on in veterans. But such was the spirit of the army, that it engaged in daring enterprise on the land and in the harbor. When an adequate supply of
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THE SIEGE OF BOSTON.
powder and of other military stores was received, Washing- ton occupied a position that compelled the British general to hazard a battle or to evacuate the town. Such, then, became his critical position, that he willingly entered into an informal understanding, by which, to secure his unmolested departure, he agreed not to injure the town. These considerations were as mortifying to the British as they were gratifying to the colonists. The abandonment of Boston, under such circum- stances, was regarded in England as a flight, and in America as a victory.1
The patriots now felt their strength. They saw what four only of the colonies had done, and they could calculate what thirteen colonies might do. They felt that the same power of endurance, exerted in a righteous cause, would insure its ultimate triumph. Every scene of carnage and of desolation roused the spirit of the country, and weakened attachment to Great Britain. Every trial of their strength gave firmness to their resistance and elevation to their demands. When the siege of Boston commenced, the colonies were hesitating on the great measure of war, were separated by local interests, were jealous of each others' plans, and appeared on the field, each with its independent army under its local colors :
' It may be interesting to state, that all the British generals lived to see America triumphant.
General Gage, on his return to England, held conferences with the minis- ters on American affairs, but appears to have lived mostly in private life. He died in April, 1787.
General Howe, after serving at the south with doubtful reputation, re- turned to England after the campaign of 1777, and went through the ordeal of a severe inquiry. He died in 1814.
General Clinton succeeded General Howe in the command of the British army, and served till 1782, when he was superseded by General Carleton. He died December 22, 1795.
General Burgoyne returned to Boston as a prisoner of war. 'After his return to England, he joined the opposition, and advocated in Parliament a discontinuance of the war. He died August 4, 1792.
Lord Percy was much praised for his generosity and chivalry. His regi- ment suffered severely at the battle of Bunker Hill. He was kind to the officers and soldiers who were wounded, and to the widows of those who fell. " He is daily doing something great and commendable," wrote a grateful officer.
335
CONCLUDING REMARKS.
when the siege of Boston ended, the colonies had drawn the sword and nearly cast away the scabbard ; they had softened their jealousy of each other ; they had united in a political association ; and the union flag of the thirteen stripes waved over a continental army. When the siege of Boston com- menced, the general object and the general desire were for a work of restoration, for a return to the halcyon days of a constitutional connection with the mother country : when the siege of Boston ended, a majority of the patriots had irrevoca- bly decided, that the only just and solid foundation for secu- rity and liberty was the creation of AN INDEPENDENT AMERICAN EMPIRE.
1
VIEW OF BUNKER HILL MONUMENT.
باء الداخلي .
HISTORY
OF THE
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT.
Ir seems appropriate that a narrative of the early events of the war of the American Revolution should be accompanied with a history and description of the monument that gratitude and patriotism have raised to commemorate them. The account must, necessarily, be brief.1
It was contemplated early to erect a monument to the mem- ory of General Warren. He presided over the Massachusetts grand lodge of Freemasons from its organization until his death. This lodge, after the evacuation of Boston, applied to the Massachusetts Council for permission to take up his remains, and bury them with the usual solemnities of the order. A committee of the Council reported (April 4, 1776) in favor of this petition, provided the design was carried out in such a manner that the government of the colony might have an opportunity to erect a monument to his memory. Though there was a procession, and an oration was delivered by Perez Morton, in honor of General Warren, no measures were taken to build a monument. The time of war, and the period immediately after it, were unfavorable for such a work.
The anniversary of the battle of Bunker Hill, for several years, passed unnoticed. The earliest general parade on this day was one in 1786. It was, however, a celebration of the opening of Charles River Bridge. The toasts, songs, and
1 The narrative in the text has been prepared from information derived from gentlemen who kindly communicated facts, from the records of associations, annual reports, letters, and newspapers. The documents in relation to the Bunker Hill Monument are voluminous.
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338
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT.
speeches, which the occasion elicited, contain many allusions to the battle. The contrast presented in the celebration of one of the triumphs of peace, - the completion of the greatest enterprise of the kind undertaken in America, - with the ter- rific scene of war of eleven years previous, furnished themes of gratifying and patriotic remark.
The credit is due to the Charlestown Artillery of having been the first to celebrate the battle of Bunker Hill. Its cus- tom of parading on its anniversary has been kept up to the present time. In 1794 it celebrated the day with much parade. A portion of the military of Boston joined it; and, at its re- quest, Dr. Bartlett delivered an oration in the meeting-house. There was also a procession. The whole proceedings gave great satisfaction.
King Solomon's Lodge was established in Charlestown in 1783; and the honor belongs to it of having first placed a monument on Breed's Hill. It appointed (November 11, 1794) a committee to erect such an one as would do honor to the lodge, and authorized it to draw on the treasurer to defray the expense. This work was promptly done, -the land being given for this purpose by Hon. James Russell. It was ded- icated in the afternoon of the 2d of December. A procession was formed at Warren Hall, consisting of the members of the lodge, the municipal authorities of Charlestown, the ministers and military officers, the children of the public schools, and the citizens, which, accompanied by a band of music, "walked in solemn silence" to the hill. There a circle was formed round the pillar, and the master of the lodge, John Soley, Esq., delivered a neat and eloquent address. Minute-guns were then fired by a detachment of the Artillery, and the American flag was displayed at half-mast. The procession then returned to Warren Hall, where Dr. Josiah Bartlett delivered a eulogy on General Warren, and the ceremony was concluded by the following toast : "May the fragrance of a good report, like a sprig of cassia, bloom over the grave of every departed brother." The services throughout were impressive. The monument, and the dedication of it, reflect great credit on King Solomon's Lodge.
This monument, which stood a few rods west of the present
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339
THE FIRST MONUMENT.
monument, and on the spot where Warren fell, was a Tuscan pillar, built of wood, eighteen feet high, raised on a brick pedestal eight feet square, and rising ten feet from the ground. The pillar terminated in a gilt urn, bearing the inscription J. W., aged 35, - entwined with masonic emblems. The south side of the pedestal contained the following inscription :
Erected, A. D. MDCCXCIV. By King Solomon's Lodge of Freemasons, Constituted in Charlestown, 1783, In Memory of Major-general Joseph Warren, And his Associates, Who were slain on this memorable spot, June 17, 1775.
None but they who set a just value on the blessings of liberty are worthy to enjoy her.
In vain we toiled ; in vain we fought ; we bled in vain ; if you, our off- spring, want valor to repel the assaults of her invaders.
Charlestown settled, 1628. Burnt, 1775. Rebuilt, 1776.
The enclosed land given by the Hon. James Russell.
This monument cost about one thousand dollars. It was kept in repair by the lodge until 1825, when, with the land, it was presented to the Bunker Hill Monument Association.
The next celebration of this anniversary was by the Charles- town Artillery. At its request, William Austin, of Charles- town, delivered (June 17, 1801) an oration at the new meet- ing-house, which was published. On this occasion there was a procession, and, after the oration, a dinner at Warren Hall. The journals of the day contain full details of the proceed- ings. This celebration gave great gratification to those who participated in it, and reflected much credit on the company.
From the year 1801 to the year 1825, there appears to have been no general celebration of the day. The Charlestown Artillery continued its annual parade and salutes. Some years it was joined by a portion of the military of Boston, when the proceedings became sufficiently important to attract notice in the Boston journals. Occasionally there were din- ners given, with the usual accompaniment of toasts and
340
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT.
speeches. But no oration, during this period, appears to have been delivered.
Meantime the American revolution won more and more the admiration of the world. Public attention had been particu- larly called to its grand opening scene, the battle of Bunker Hill, and many regretted that no enduring memorial liad been raised " to testify public gratitude, or do honor to national sen- timent." 1 Among them was WILLIAM TUDOR, - an amiable man, an accomplished scholar, and a patriotic citizen. He desired to see on the battle-ground "the noblest column in the world ;" 2 and he was so ardent and persevering in urging such a project, that it has been stated that he first conceived the idea of it.3 He watched this spot with great solicitude. Learning that a portion of it - about three acres - was to be sold, he conferred with several gentlemen as to the expediency of keeping it unoccupied. Dr. John C. Warren was one of them, who, with this object in view, purchased it, (November, 1822,) and held it until it was required by the Monument Association. Dr. Warren, thus energetic and early to promote this enter- prise, continued to labor indefatigably in its behalf. Meetings of gentlemen friendly to it were held at his house. A party, who felt a deep interest in it, assembled also at Colonel. Per- kins' at breakfast, - among them Hon. Daniel Webster, Pro- fessor George Ticknor, Dr. John C. Warren, Hon. William
1 The Massachusetts Legislature, February 1, 1818, instructed a committee to consider the expediency of building a monument of American marble to the memory of General Warren.
2 The quotation is taken from a letter (1822) strongly urging that a monu- ment should be built.
3 Address of Hon. Edward Everett, May 28, 1833. " The idea was first conceived by an amiable and accomplished fellow-citizen, now no more, (the late William Tudor,) when the half century was near expiring since the occurrence of the cvent. It was by him communicated to a circle of friends, and by them to the public." He served as the first secretary, but soon sailed for South America. The records of the association contained the following : " June 7, 1825. - William Tudor, Esq., was chosen to fill the vacancy in the board of directors, as an acknowledgment of his services in promoting the objects of the association, lie being at this time absent in South Amer-
. ica." He was the author of the Life of Otis, Letters on the Eastern States, Miscellanies, and Gebel Teir. He died at Rio Janeiro in 1830.
ORIGIN OF THE MONUMENT. 341
Sullivan, Hon. George Blake, and William Tudor, Esq. They then visited the battle-ground, and consulted in reference to building a monument. It was determined to commence the undertaking. Soon after, a circular, dated May 10, 1823, signed by Daniel Webster, William Tudor, and Theodore Lyman, Jr., invited the first meeting of a public nature of those friendly to it, to be held at the Merchants Exchange, Boston, on the following Tuesday.
The gentlemen who attended this meeting formed an asso- ciation to procure an act of incorporation authorizing them, as trustees, to collect and hold subscriptions for the purpose of erecting an enduring monument "to the memory of those statesmen and soldiers who led the way in the American Rev- olution." Each one subscribed the sum of five dollars, and signed an agreement to this effect.1 This meeting appointed H. A. S. Dearborn, William Tudor, and Theodore Lyman, Jr., to petition the legislature for an act of incorporation. Accord- ingly, an act was passed, - approved by the governor, June 7, 1823, - establishing the BUNKER HILL MONUMENT Asso- CIATION.
The Association held its first meeting June 13, 1S23, and, on the 17th, made its first choice of officers. John Brooks, the governor of the state, was elected the president, and a code of by-laws was adopted. Many new members were elected by the original associates.2 Little or no progress, however, was made this year in carrying forward the enterprise. At the
" The agreement was signed by the following persons : -
Daniel Webster, Jesse Putnam, Joseph Story,
Edward Everett, Samuel D. Harris, Samuel Swett,
Theodore Lyman, Jr., Stephen Gorham, Jr.,
William Tudor,
Thomas H. Perkins, H. A. S. Dearborn, Benjamin Gorham,
Franklin Dexter, William Sullivan,
George Ticknor,
Charles R. Codman, Warren Dutton, Isaac P. Davis,
Thomas Harris, Seth Knowles, Benjamin Welles,
John C. Warren, George Blake, Francis C. Gray.
.N. P. Russell, Richard Sullivan,
The names of all these persons, but two, appear in the act of incorpo- ration.
2 The Association elected 25 members, June 30, 1823 ; 65, August 21, 1824 ; and 103, September 8, 1824.
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342
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT.
next annual meeting, June 17, 1824, efficient measures were adopted. It was voted to have an annual celebration; and Hon. Daniel Webster was selected as the orator for 1825. A committee was appointed to gather memorials of the battle, and "to collect and arrange historically" all the documents relating to it. The directors were also instructed to prepare subscription papers. It was voted (September 3) that every person subscribing five dollars should belong to the Association, and be presented with an engraved diploma of his member- ship. The directors (September 20, 1824) issued a circular, from the pen of Hon. Edward Everett, - who, in preparing documents, and acting as secretary of the Association, labored most efficiently in its behalf, - which delineated the character of the battle and the object of the monument, and solicited the cooperation and interest of every member of the commu- nity. Another circular (October 1, 1824) was printed in sub- scription books, and sent to every town in Massachusetts. A third circular (January 19, 1825) repelled the charge that the directors desired to limit the subscriptions to Massachusetts. The other colonies, especially those of New England, had borne part in the great events designed to be commemorated, and its whole community were appealed to in behalf of the monument. The smallest sums were solicited, while the largest sums were not declined.
Circumstances proved favorable for the enterprise. It was a season of unusual prosperity, and the visit of LAFAYETTE, - his triumphal progress as the nation's guest, -made it a season of national enthusiasm. The directors invited him (August 21, 1824) to Bunker Hill. He accepted the invita- tion. On viewing the battle-ground, he expressed a lively interest in the proposed monument, and enrolled his name on a subscription list, - by special request of the directors, how- ever, with no sum set against it; and when Dr. Warren invited him to be present on the succeeding anniversary, he promptly acceded to the wishes of the Association. It was determined to celebrate the FIFTIETH JUBILEE with great splen- dor. The renown of the orator, the announcement (October 1, 1824) that the corner-stone would then be laid, and that Lafayette would take part in the ceremony, created high
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343
THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY.
expectations of this celebration. An enthusiasm was kindled in behalf of the monument. The newspapers announced, from time to time, the state of the subscriptions. Their amount soon became large.
The directors, in the spring of 1825, had secured the title to the land, had purchased the slope of Breed's Hill, - about fifteen acres, - and made other necessary preparations ; but had not matured the plan of the proposed monument. The first committee on the form consisted of Daniel Webster, Loammi Baldwin, George Ticknor, Gilbert Stewart, and Washington Allston. A premium of one hundred dollars was offered for the best design, when about fifty plans were pre- sented, either in drawings or models. There was much dis- cussion as to the most appropriate form to adopt. The debates in the board of directors were uncommonly able and learned; and, at length, at a special meeting, (May 19, 1825,) the choice was narrowed down to two forms, the column and the obelisk. A new committee (H. A. S. Dearborn, Edward Everett, Seth Knowles, S. D. Harris, T. H. Perkins) was appointed to procure designs of both, with estimates of the expense of each. This committee reported on the 7th of June. Hon. Daniel Webster presided at this meeting. There was then an animated discussion on the comparative merits of the two plans, which was prolonged to a late hour, when the question was decided. Sixteen of the directors voted. On a motion to adopt a column, five voted in the affirmative, and eleven in the negative. It was then voted to adopt the form of an obelisk, as being the most simple and imposing, the most congenial to our republican institutions, and the most appro- priate to the character of the event to be commemorated. The following gentlemen were then appointed a committee to report a design : Loammi Baldwin, George Ticknor, Jacob Bigelow, Samuel Swett, and Washington Allston.
It was at this stage of the enterprise that the directors pro- posed to lay the corner-stone of the monument, and ground was broken (June 7) for this purpose. As a mark of respect to the liberality and patriotism of King Solomon's Lodge, they invited the grand master of the Grand Lodge of Massachu- setts to perform the ceremony. They also invited General
34
BUNKER HILL MONUMENT.
Lafayette to accompany the president of the Association, Hon. Daniel Webster, and assist in it.
This celebration was unequalled in magnificence by any- thing of the kind that had been seen in New England. The morning proved propitious. The air was cool, the sky was clear, and timely showers the previous day had brightened the vesture of nature into its loveliest hue. Delighted thou- sands flocked into Boston to bear a part in the proceedings, or to witness the spectacle. At about ten o'clock a procession moved from the State House towards Bunker Hill. The mil- itary, in their fine uniforms, formed the van. About two · hundred veterans of the revolution, of whom forty were sur- vivors of the battle, rode in barouches next to the escort. These venerable men, the relics of a past generation, with emaciated frames, tottering limbs, and trembling voices, consti- tuted a touching spectacle. Some wore, as honorable decora- tions, their old fighting equipments, and some bore the scars of still more honorable wounds. Glistening eyes constituted their answer to the enthusiastic cheers of the grateful multitudes who lined their pathway and cheered their progress. To this patriot band succeeded the Bunker Hill Monument Association. Then the masonic fraternity, in their splendid regalia, thou- sands in number. Then LAFAYETTE, continually welcomed by tokens of love and gratitude, and the invited guests. Then a long array of societies, with their various badges and banners. It was a splendid procession, and of such length that the front nearly reached Charlestown Bridge ere the rear had left Boston Common. It proceeded to Breed's Hill, where the grand master of the Freemasons, the president of the Monu- ment Association, and General Lafayette, performed the cere- mony of laying the corner-stone, in the presence of a vast concourse of people.1 The procession then moved to a spa-
' The plate contained the following
INSCRIPTION.
" On the XVII. day of June, MDCCCxxV., at the request of the Bunker Hill Monument Association, the Most Worshipful John Abbot, Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts, did, in the presence of Gen. Lafayette, lay this Corner Stone of a Monument, to testify the gratitude of the present genera- tion to their Fathers, who, on the 17th June, 1775, here fought in the cause
345
THE CELEBRATION OF 1825.
cious amphitheatre on the northern declivity of the hill, where Hon. DANIEL WEBSTER delivered an address. It was at the close of a dedicatory passage on the monument that he uttered the words, "Let it rise till it meet the sun in its coming; let the earliest light of the morning gild it, and parting day linger and play on its summit." When the exercises here were con- cluded, a procession was escorted to Bunker Hill, where a tent covering 38,400 square feet had been erected. Twelve tables ran the entire length of it, which were set with four thousand plates. Here speeches, toasts, and songs, concluded the cere- monies. Such is but a faint outline of a scene which those who were so fortunate as to witness will not soon forget.
At a meeting of the directors (June 24) the committee on laying the corner-stone reported that a stone had been pre- pared to receive a box ; that one, containing a plate of silver with inscriptions, had been deposited on the 17th; and that stones, secured by iron clamps, had been placed over it. This corner-stone, however, was subsequently rejected. On the commencement of the work for the monument, the box was taken out, put into the hands of Dr. Warren for safe keeping, and placed in another stone, which now is in the north-eastern angle of the structure.
of their country, and of free institutions, the memorable battle of Bunker Hill, and with their blood vindicated for their posterity the privileges and hap- piness this land has since enjoyed. Officers of the Bunker Hill Monument Association. - President, Daniel Webster ; Vice-presidents, Thomas H. Per- kins, Joseph Story ; Secretary, Edward Everett ; Treasurer, Nathaniel P. Russell. [Here follows a list of twenty-five Directors.] Standing Committee for collecting Subscriptions, - Henry A. S. Dearborn, John C. Warren, Edward Everett, George Blake, and Samuel D. Harris. Committee on the form of the Monument, - Daniel Webster, L. Baldwin, G. Stuart, Wash- ington Allston, and G. Ticknor.
" President of the United States, John Quincy Adams. Governor of Mas- sachusetts, Levi Lincoln ; Governor of New Hampshire, David L. Morrell ; Governor of Connecticut, Oliver Wolcott ; Governor of Vermont, C. P. Van Ness ; Governor of Rhode Island, James Fenner ; Governor of Maine, Albion K. Parris. Alexander Parris, Architect."
The architect here named was at this time employed by the Association, and had presented a plan of a monument. As his design was not adopted, the name of Solomon Willard ought to be on the inscription, if by " Archi- tect" is to be understood the designer of the monument.
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BUNKER HILL MONUMENT.
The directors soon decided upon a plan. The committee appointed for this purpose reported one on the 1st of July. It was then discussed, and the consideration of it was post- poned until July 5th, when it was adopted. It was drawn by SOLOMON WILLARD. A building committee was not obtained, owing to the restrictions put upon it, until the 4th of October. It consisted of John C. Warren, Amos Lawrence, H. A. S. Dearborn, William Sullivan, and George Blake, -to all of whom great credit is due for well-directed and laborious effort. Dr. Warren was its chairman. This committee reported, October 4th, that Solomon Willard had been appointed the architect and superintendent of the monument. He had already rendered great service to the work. He had spent much time, and labor, and money, in exploring the country to ascertain the best place to procure the material ; and it was his judgment that secured the quarry at Quincy. He desired that his services might be gratuitous, but to this the directors would not consent. A moderate compensation, his expenses, was all that he would accept. His name, in addition, appears as a donor of one thousand dollars. His design, under his own superintendence, has been faithfully carried out. James S. Savage was appointed the builder.
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