USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > Walks & talks about historic Boston > Part 15
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
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
At this time General Gage issued a most insulting proc- lamation, declaring martial law, branding all citizens in arms, and their abettors as rebels, and parricides of the Constitution, and offering pardon to all who should return to their allegiance, excepting Samuel Adams and John Hancock, who were reserved for condign punishment as traitors. Mrs. John Adams, then in Boston, writing to her husband, says: "All the records of time cannot produce a- blacker page. Satan, when driven from the regions of bliss. did not exhibit more malice." The newly arrived Generals soon saw the perils of the town, and they resolved to sally out from Boston and fortify Dorchester Heights on the 18th of June, and Bunker Hill a little later. The Committee of Safety learned of the intention of the British Commanders and decided to fortify Bunker Hill before their enemies could come out. General Ward and Dr. Warren, who were very judicious, doubted the expediency of maintaining so extended a post, scantily furnished with ordnance and ammunition. General Putnam made light of the danger. He was confident of the bravery of the militia if entrenched. He was seconded by General Pomeroy, a leader of like stamp. These ideas were sanctioned by one whose opinions in such matters carried great weight, Col- onel William Prescott of Pepperell, who commanded a regiment of "Minute Men." He was at this time about fifty years of age, tall and commanding in his appearance, and retaining the port of a soldier. He was in full uniform. blue coat with facings, lapped up at the skirts. He wore a
1
Battle of Bunker Hill.
191
Wl'alks and Talks About Historic Boston.
top wig and three-cornered hat. On June 16th, General Ward issued an order for the regiments of Colonels Frye, Bridges and Prescott, Gridley's Company of Artillery, and a fatigue party of Connecticut troops under Captain Thomas Knowlton of Putnam's regiment, to parade in the camp at Cambridge at six o'clock in the evening with en- trenching tools. Col. William Prescott was placed in command and he was ordered to proceed to fortify Bunker's Hill oni the Charlestown Peninsula. At 9 o'clock in the evening. after a prayer by Dr. Langdon, the President of Harvard College, a large portion of these regiments accompanied by General Putnam marched over Charlestown Neck and along the road to Bunker Hill, the whole force numbering thirteen hundred men. A Council of war was held in the gloom and it was decided to fortify Breed's Hill, it being a more effective point, as it was nearer Boston. In the star- light a thousand men began the work with pick and spade. Gridley was the engineer who planned the redoubt. The men worked in great silence until dawn and were not dis- covered by the sentinels on board the British men-of-war. almost directly below them, whose voices shouting hourly. "All's well" were distinctly heard. Three British men-of- war, the "Lively." "Glasgow" and "Somerset,' with float- ing batteries, rode in fancied security, while a battery was being built on the heights just above them. At daybreak the Americans had completed a formidable redoubt, six feet above the earth. There was great consternation on board the "Lively" when the sentinels saw and reported what had been done, and the Captain at once opened fire upon the works and the other vessels opened broadsides. while the Americans within the works. unharmed by the shots worked bravely on. It was a beautiful summer morning and the cannonade at this early hour woke the British troops and the citizens from their slumbers, and the roofs and steeples and hills of the town were covered with people gazing at the strange sight. General Gage deter- mined that the Americans must be immediately dislodged. and the newly arrived Generals prepared to land troops on Charlestown Neck in rear of the Americans and thus cut off their retreat. General Gage decided to attack them in front. A little past noon 2400 troops comprising infantry. grenadiers and artillery with twelve pieces of artillery crossed the Charles River in boats, landing in Charlestown
192
Walks and Talks About Historic Boston.
at the head of the present Chelsea bridge. Meantime the British opened a very heavy fire from their men-of-war and from Copp's Hill. Upon landing in Charlestown, Howe reconnoitered the American position, ordered his men to dinner, and sent to General Gage for more troops. The men in the redoubt who had toiled all the forenoon, laid down the spade for the accoutrements of war. They had labored for more than twelve hours, and built a redoubt eight rods square. There were two embankments, one on the right and one on the left, the latter extending almost to the Mystic River. Colonel Prescott, at first believed that the British would attack him. When he found that the British were making every preparation to do so, he sent to General Ward for reinforcements. General Ward, who feared an attack on Cambridge, responded rather tardily to the call, but finally sent the New Hampshire regi- ments of Generals Reed and Stark and some small field pieces. Dr. Joseph Warren, who had just received a con- mission as Major General, brought news to Colonel Pres- cott that reinforcements were on their way. Lossing in his History of the United States gives the following ac- count of the battle: "When Howe was about to move at three o'clock in the afternoon, the Americans were pre- pared for the contest. Prescott with Warren and the con- structors of the redoubt were within the works, excepting the Connecticut troops, who, with the New Hampshire forces were at a rail fence and breastworks on the west of the redoubt. The artillery companies were between the breastworks and a rail fence on the eastern side and three companies were stationed in Charlestown at the foot of Breed's Hill. Just as the fight was to begin reinforcements arrived for Howe, and landed at what is now the entrance to the Navy Yard. They consisted of a regiment. some companies of light infantry and grenadiers, and a marine battalion led by Major Pitcairn of Lexington fame. The entire British force now confronting the Americans, num- bered more than three thousand. At half past three o'clock General Howe's great guns moved towards the redoubt and opened fire upon the works. They were followed by troops in two columns, commanded by Generals Howe and Pigot, the infantry and grenadiers assailing the outworks. At the same time the guns on the ships and Copp's Hill hurled cannon shot in abundance at the little earthwork.
193
Walks and Talks About Historic Boston.
In the midst of the roaring thunder the Americans re- mained silent. Their leader, Colonel Prescott, had ordered them not to fire until they could see the whites of the eyes of the approaching foe. This silence was a riddle to the
.
$7.17
Statue of Col. William Prescott.
English but it was soon solved. When they were within the prescribed distance, up rose the concealed host, fifteen hundred strong, at the word, "Fire!" and poured such a tremendous and destructive storm of bullets upon the climbers of the green slope, that whole platoons and even companies were prostrated as a scythe would have mown
194
Walks and Talks About Historic Boston.
down the long grass through which they were wading. Flags fell to the ground like the tall lilies of a mown meadow and the shattered army was horror struck for the moment. The bugles sounded and they fell back to the shore when a shout of triumph went up from the crest of
General Joseph Warren.
Bunker Hill. Howe rallied his men and repeated the at- tack with a similar result. The British were annoyed by shots from houses in Charlestown, and Howe ordered shells to be fired from Copp's Hill into Charlestown, set- ting fire to the town, and two hundred buildings and churches went up in flames.
195
Walks and Talks About Historic Boston.
General Clinton, from Copps Hill had witnessed the sec- ond recoil of the British troops, and hastened across the river. Placing himself at the head of some broken bat- talions, he shared in the perils and success of the third attack for Howe had rallied the troops and was again pressing against the Americans. They marched at the "double quick" and with fixed bayonets. Again from that Aaming centre went out dreadful volleys, but the powder of the Americans was now almost exhausted and their fire be- came more feeble.
The British pushed over the ramparts and after a hand- to-hand struggle in the redoubt with bayonets and clubbed guns, the Americans were driven out. They fied across Charlestown Neck, where reinforcements had been arrested by a heavy, unceasing fire from the British war vessels. The retreat was covered by the prolonged firing of the troops of Stark, Reed and Knowlton at the outworks. Gen- eral Warren was the last man to leave the redoubt, and was shot down by a bullet that pierced his brain. The British loss in this fight, in killed, wounded and prisoners was 1054. Among the officers mortally wounded was Major Pitcairn, who was taken to Boston to a house on Prince Street, where he died. The house is still standing. His remains were buried under the altar in Christ Church.
The American loss in killed, wounded and missing was 450. The battle lasted about two hours. The Americans retreated across the peninsula running the gauntlet of can- non balls from the British vessels, and encamped that night on Prospect Hill, Somerville. The British reposed on their arms on the field of battle until the next morning, when they passed over to Boston never again to appear on the mainland of Massachusetts.
Walks and Talks About Historic Boston.
This was the home of General Joseph Warren at the time of his death. The property belonged to Joshua Green. Dr. Warren hired the house of Mrs. Green in 1770. Mrs. War- ren died in this house in 1773. He gave up the practice of his profession about this time, devoted his whole time and attention to legislative matters in Massachusetts preceding
Home of General Joseph Warren on Hanover St.
the Revolution. This house was taken down in 1835, and the American House was built on its site, and within a few months this old landmark of nearly a century has been de- molished.
"The Sword of Bunker hill" William Dickling Prescott The Well-Known American historian
was a grandson of Colonel William Prescott, who com- manded the American Forces at the Battle of Bunker Hill. He lived on Beacon Street the later years of his life and he inherited the spirit of liberty which animated his grand- father, the Hero of Bunker Hill. When Charles Sumner returned from abroad, whither he went to recuperate after the murderous asault made upon him in the United States Senate by Preston S. Brooks of South Carolina, the State of Massachusetts and City of Boston gave him a public reception and there was a parade in his honor. As the procession passed through Beacon Street, the residents for the most part showed their pro-slavery sympathies, by closing their blinds or drawing their curtains. But there were two conspicuous exceptions. The houses of Appleton and of Wm. H. Prescott showed life and light and welcome to Charles Sumner, the standard bearer of freedom.
William H. Prescott married the grandaughter of Cap- tain Linzee, "who was a native of New England and lived in the neighborhood of Boston from the close of the Rev- olutionary War to the time of his death." Mr. George S. Hillard gives a very interesting history of two crossed swords which hang over a door in the halls of the Massa- chusetts Historical Society. "One of them was worn at the battle of Bunker Hill by Colonel William Prescott, and the other by Captain John Linzee, of the Sloop-of-war Fal- con, which at the same battle was engaged on the English side, cannonading the American redoubt from the Waters of Charles River."
Thus the two swords, which had been worn by the sol- dier and sailor on opposite sides on that memorable day, came by inheritance and transmission into the possession of the historian, and were for many years conspicuous ob- jects in his study, rarely failing to attract the attention of
197
198
Walks and Talks About Historic Boston.
the many strangers who came to see him. Mr. Thackeray, whose vigilant eye did not fail to notice them when he visited Mr. Prescott in 1852, thus happily alludes to them in the opening of his novel, "The Virginians," published six years later. "On the library wall of one of the most famous writers of America, there hang two crossed swords which his relatives wore in the great war of Independ- ence. The one sword was gallantly drawn in the Service of the King, the other was the weapon of a brave and honored Republican soldier. The possessor of the harm- less trophy has earned for himself a name alike honored in his ancestor's country and in his own, where genius like his has always a peaceful welcome." Mr. Prescott, who died on the 28th day of January, 1859, by his will made the following disposition of the swords: "The sword which belonged to my grandfather, Colonel William Prescott, worn by him in the battle of Bunker Hill, I give to the Massachusetts Historical Society, as a curiosity suitable to be preserved among their collections; and the sword which belonged to my wife's grandfather, Captain Linzee of the British Royal Navy, who commanded one of the enemy's ships lying off Charlestown during the same battle, I give to my wife."
But as Mrs. Prescott and the other heirs of Captain Linzee desired that the swords should not be separated, they were both sent to the Historical Society by the Ex- ecutor of Mr. Prescott's will. Resoltuions were at once unanimously adopted by the Society, gratefully accepting the swords, and directing them to be arranged in a con- spicuous place in their halls, crossing each other, as they had been crossed in Mr. Prescott's library, and with suit- able inscriptions, setting forth their history and the cir- cumstances of their reception. A tablet of black walnut was therefore prepared, to which they now stand attached crossed through a carved wreath of oak leaves, while over them are two shields, leaning against each other, and bear- ing respectively the Prescott and the Linzee arms
Some Famous Places of Resort for Whigs and Cories of Revolutionary Days
The Taverns of the 17th and 18th centuries were very different from the places called "Taverns" today, where drunkenness so often prevails. That the Puritans tolerated them is evidence that they were not places of a disorderly character. In many respects they were like the modern club. Business men met in them, to talk over their affairs and their enterprises, and "mine host" was often an old and valued friend of many of his guests.
In the days preceding the Revolution and for many sub- sequent years the
Green Dragon Tavern
was by far the most popular of all Boston resorts. The site was first mentioned in 1635 in its grant to James Jonson, who came in that year to Boston. He seems to have been a man of considerable importance, for he was elected a deacon in the church, and in 1656 he was Captain of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company. The Green Dragon Tavern stood in a little lane, back of Union Street. a short distance north of Hanover Street. Thomas Hawkins built an inn on the ground in 1662. Lieutenant Governor Stoughton owned the property at one time, and bequeathed it to his daughter. When Union Street was widened it took in the land immediately in the rear, so that the site is now on Union Street. The building repre- sented in the cut was of brick, and was erected in 1690.
In those good old Colony times, the prices of meals and of liquors was regulated by law. For instance, no innkeep- er could charge more than sixpence for a meal, or more than a penny for a quart of beer. It was in this Tavern that those leading patriots, Dr. Joseph Warren, James Otis, Paul Revere, John Adams and John Hancock, met almost daily, to confer over plans to free the Colonies from Great Britain, and it is believed that in one of the rooms was hatched the idea of the Boston Tea Party. In 1743 this
199
The Green Dragon Tavern
201
Walks and Talks About Historic Boston.
property was deeded for a little less than £500 to the mem- bers of St. Andrew's Lodge of Free Masons, who still hold the property. It is said they once refused an offer of $200,000 for it. In 1740 a balloon was sent up from this Tavern. While the Green Dragon was the most famous cf Boston Taverns, it was not the oldest.
COLES TAVERN
was established in 1634. on Washington Street, a little north of the corner of School Street, near where Child's Restaurant is located. The pamphlet of the State Street Trust Company tells of several Public Houses on State Street, which, at one time or another have offered their good cheer to strangers and townsmen. "As early as 1712, the 'Crown Coffee House' on Long Wharf was a favorite resort for visiting seamen, merchant princes, and the young bloods of Boston. It was in the days of the 'buccaneers,' and many exciting tales were told, as the guests sipped their beer and wine."
THE ADMIRAL VERNON TAVERN
was named in honor of the famous seadog of the English navy. Lawrence Washington, who served on the staff of the Admiral, named his estate in Virginia "Mount Vernon." This Tavern stood on the corner of State Street and Merchants Row. "Over it was the wooden figure of the English Ad- miral, sextant in hand, in the uniform of his rank, quite ap- propriate as a sign for a tavern, when we learn that from the hero of 'Porto Bello' comes the term 'grog' which seafaring men have given to strong drink." Shem Drowne, the North End carver, was the artist who made the wooden image. He was noted in his day for the ships' figure heads he turned out, and it is said that Copley, the great portrait painter, watched him as he carved the figure of Admiral Vernon."
Long Wharf, in Revolutionary days was the great land- ing place of the town. Here the Royal Governors disem- barked, and escorted by the local military bodies, marched in great pomp and state to the Town House. In 1768, the first British soldiers sent here to overawe Americans landed at this wharf. In 1778 the French Allies, under comm. ad of Count Rochambeau, were received with delight by the American patriots. The notorious Colonel Dalyrymple and his men embarked at Long Wharf for Charlestown, on that eventful morning, June 17, 1775. to take part in the
202
Walks and Talks About Historic Boston.
battle of Bunker Hill, from which many never returned. During the Civil War, thousands of brave boys in blue marched down State Street, amid cheers and waving flags on their way to the seat of war. The old street has wit- nessed many strange and stirring scenes, closely woven into the life of the nation.
On the corner of State and Kilby Streets, there stood in the days of the Revolution, a well-known public house, the resort of the patriots, and known as the
BUNCH OF GRAPES TAVERN.
Its sign was a gilded, carved bunch of grapes. It opened its doors for business in 1712, and became the favorite rallying place for the Whigs, and so continued during all the Revolutionary struggle. In this Tavern was celebrated the victory of Colonel Ethan Allen at Ticonderoga, by 100 of the solid men of Boston. At every toast rockets were discharged in the street, cannon roared, and fifes and drums played patriotic airs." At nine o'clock two barrels of grog were rolled into the street and furnished free drinks for the multitude outside. "Despite this liberality, contemporary accounts relate that before ten o'clock every one had gone quietly home, and there was no disorder." "When the news of the Declaration of Independence reached Boston, the patriots built a large bonfire in front of the tavern. The Lion and the Unicorn, and other em- blems of royalty, that decorated the Old State House were torn from their resting places and burned." There is no doubt but that it was a most famous Tavern in its day. Captain Frances Goelet, an Englishman traveling in Amer- ica in 1770, records in his Diary "that the Bunch of Grapes Tavern was noted as the best punch house in Boston, and was resorted to by most of the gentlemen, merchants and masters of vessels." After the Evacuation of Boston, Washington spent ten days in the town, and during this time, he, and his officers were entertained at this Tavern at an elegant dinner, as a part of the official ceremonies of the occasion. In March, 1786, a group of Continental Army Officers gathered here, and under the inspiration of General Rufus Putnam, organized the "Ohio Company" which settled Ohio, beginning at Marietta. On the other side of State Street and near the corner of Exchange Street was the
203
Walks and Talks About Historic Boston.
"BRITISH COFFEE HOUSE,"
the principal resort of Tories and British officers, during the occupation of the town by the "King's Troops.' The first play ever acted in Boston was given at this Coffee House, and such was the struggle to gain admittance that quite a riot ensued, and several of the participants were ar- rested and spent that night in jail. It was in this resort that the brilliant orator and ardent patriot, James Otis, was assaulted and received injuries which shattered his intellect. A friend of Otis, passing by, saw the struggle, and threw himself between Otis and Robinson and doubt- less saved the life of Otis. It ended the public career of Otis, for he never recovered from the wounds. On the site of the Merchants Bank Building was
THE ROYAL EXCHANGE.
another famous resort of British officers and their sympa- thizers. An altercation took place in this house, resulting in a duel on Boston Common, and the death of one of the parties. Governor Phipps and Chief Justice Sewall once had a famous dinner in this Tavern.
CORN COURT.
Enters Faneuil Hall Square on the southerly side. In Colonial days it was known as the Corn Market. In 1733. Madame Brazier, a niece of Lieutenant-Governor Spencer Phipps, kept an inn there, known as Brazier's Inn. She made a famous noon-day punch which was greatly enjoyed by many Bostonians of those days. When John Hancock was made Governor this Inn was renamed "The Hancock Tavern." While not so ancient as many other Boston tav- erns, it was nevertheless rich in historical associations. "In this tavern lodged Talleyrand, during his stay in Boston. He was at this time an exile from France. When Napoleon came into power he returned to his native country and be- came one of Napoleon's chief ministers." In 1796 the ex- iled French priest, John Cheverus, lodged here. He became pastor of the Church of the Holy Cross on Franklin Street, and later was the first Roman Catholic Bishop of Boston. In 1797, Louis Phillipe, afterwards King of France, was a guest at this house. The old sign, bearing a portrait of John Hancock, swung for over a hundred years over its doorway, and now quietly reposes in a corner of a room of the Bostonian Society.
- -
George Washington
Dow Washington Compelled the British To Evacuate Boston
Although Washington took command of the American army in July 1775, it was not until the early part of 1776 that he was fully prepared for an aggressive movement. He found the army undisciplined, being for the most part raw militia. He expected to find 18,000 to 20,000 men un- der arms, and there were less than fourteen thousand. There was a shortage of ammunition, only nine cartridges to a man. He at once despatched letters to Rhode Island, the Jerseys, Ticonderoga and elsewhere for immediate sup- plies of powder and lead. The American army was in this critical condition for a fortnight. The camp was rejoiced when General Knox arrived from Ticonderoga with a long train of sledges drawn by oxen, bringing more than fifty cannon, mortars and howitzers, besides supplies of lead and flint. Further ammunition was received from the Royal Arsenal at New York and other quarters. and -ein- forcements of ten regiments of militia.
"In the latter part of February, 1776 Washington had every- thing in readiness for his great strategical move, to take pos- session of Dorchester Heights and fortify them. He planned that if the enemy detached a large force to drive him from the Heights, an attack would be made forthwith on the other side of Boston by General Putnam. He had four thousand picked men in readiness in two divisions under Generals Sullivan and Greene. At a concerted signal from Roxbury. they were to embark in boats near the mouth of the Charles river, cross un- der fire of three floating batteries, land in two places in Bos- ton, secure the strong posts, force the gates, and work on the Neck and let in the Roxbury troops.
General Howe felt secure in his position in Boston. He wrote to Lord Dartmouth, "We are not in the least appre- hensive of an attack upon this place from the rebels by sur- prise, or otherwise." The loyalists in Boston felt unbounded confidence in the ultimate triumph of Great Britain. Mean-
205
206
Walks and Talks About Historic Boston.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.