THE ENTRENCHING TOOLS.

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Prescott.' 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 intervals discharged their guns, the Glasgow, one account states, continued to fire all the morning. The only return made to this terrific cannonade was a few ineffectual shot from a cannon in a corner of the redoubt. 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 awaiting 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 exposing 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."

4

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 consequence of this insult that General Gage determined to attack the redoubt.

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." 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 the tools fell into the hands of the enemy.

In the mean time General Gage had completed his preparations 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

1 Heath's Memoirs, p. 19. This is the only instance of a collision of General 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 carried 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!

THE LANDING AT CHARLESTOWN.

131

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 distinguished 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 cannon 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." 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.'

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 confusion. 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. General Ward reserved his own regiment, Patterson's, Gardner's, and part of Bridge's regiments, to be prepared for any attack on Cambridge, but ordered the remainder of the Massachusetts forces to Charlestown. General Putnam ordered on the remainder of the Connecticut troops. 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.

2

3

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 description 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.

ARRIVAL OF GENERAL OFFICERS.

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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 apprehension 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 promised 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.' It is not strange, therefore, the idea was entertained that they had been rashly, if not treacherously, 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 identified 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 indicated 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 minuteshe came by them. Said he came to promote or encourage a good cause. — J. Pearce.