XXVII.

CHAP think myself equal to the command I am honored with." Refusing any pay, he continued, "I will keep an 1775. exact account of my expenses. Those, I doubt not, they will discharge, and that is all I desire." Congress resolved "to maintain and assist, and adhere to him with their lives and fortunes in the defence of American liberty."

CHAPTER XXVIII.

THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION

Battle of Bunker Hill.-Death of Warren.-Washington on his way to join the Army.-Generals Charles Lee and Schuyler.-State of Affairs in New York. Sir William Johnson.-The Condition of the Army.-Nathaniel Greene.-Morgan and his Riflemen.-Wants of the Army.Difficulties on Lake Champlain.-Expedition against Canada.-Richard Montgomery.-Allen's rash Adventure.-Montreal captured.-Arnold's toilsome March to Quebec.-That Place besieged.-Failure to storm the Town.-Death of Montgomery.-Arnold in his Icy-Fortress.

CHAP.

May

25.

FOR two months the armies in and around Boston had watched each other. General Gage, in the mean time, XXVIII had received large reinforcements. These were led by three commanders of reputation: Generals Howe, Bur- 1775. goyne, and Henry Clinton. We may judge of the surprise of these generals to find the king's regulars "hemmed in by what they termed a rustic rout, with calico frocks and fowling-pieces." "What! "What!" exclaimed Burgoyne, "ten thousand peasants keep five thousand king's troops shut up! Well, let us get in, and we'll soon find elbowroom." This vain boast was followed by no decided movement. Gage merely sent forth a proclamation, declared the province under martial law, and offered pardon to all the rebels who should return to their allegiance, except Samuel Adams and John Hancock. These "rebels" were placed beyond the pale of the king's mercy.

The patriot soldiers, numbering about fifteen thousand, had come from their various towns, in independent companies, under their own leaders; their friends in their

CHAP. respective towns supplied them with provisions. The XXVIII. Massachusetts troops were under General Ward; John 1775. Stark led the New Hampshire volunteers; Putnam commanded those from Connecticut, and Nathaniel Greene the regiment from Rhode Island. The artillery, consisting of nine pieces, was under the control of the venerable Colonel Gridley. The great majority of the soldiers were clad in their homespun working clothes; some had rifles and some had fowling-pieces. The British greatly exasperated them by taunts and acts expressive of contempt. Opposed to the motley group of patriot soldiers, was a welldisciplined army of ten thousand men, under experienced commanders.

June.

16.

It was rumored that Gage intended to seize and fortify Bunker's Hill and Dorchester Heights-the one lying north and the other south of the town. In order to prevent this, some of the patriots proposed that they should take possession of the hill themselves. The more cautious were opposed to the enterprise, as extremely hazardous; it might provoke a general action, and they were deficient in ammunition and guns. But the fearless Putnam felt confident, with proper intrenchments, the patriots could not fail of success. "The Americans," said he, "are never afraid of their heads, they only think of their legs; shelter them, and they will fight forever." It was reported that the enemy intended to seize Bunker Hill on the night of the eighteenth of June, and therefore not a moment was to be lost. On the evening of Friday the sixteenth, a company of about twelve hundred men, with their arms, and provisions for twenty-four hours, assembled on the common at Cambridge. Very few of them knew where they were going, but all knew that it was into danger. Prayer was offered by President Langdon, of Harvard College. About nine o'clock they commenced their march, under the command of Colonel William Prescott, a veteran of the French war; one in whom the

BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL.

329

XXVIII.

soldiers had implicit confidence. Charlestown Neck was CHAP strongly guarded, but they passed over it in safety, and were soon on the ground. Bunker Hill was designated in 1775. the orders, but Breed's Hill, as it had a better command of the harbor, was fortified instead. The ground was speedily marked out, and about midnight the men commenced their labors. Early daylight revealed to the astonished eyes of the British sailors in the harbor the strong redoubt that had sprung up so suddenly on the hill-top, and the Americans still busy at their work. Without waiting for orders, the sloop-of-war Lively opened her guns upon them; a floating battery and other ships did. the same. The firing roused the people of Boston. Gage, through his spy-glass, noticed Prescott, who was on the parapet inspecting the works. Who is that officer in command," he asked; "will he fight?" "He is an old soldier, and will fight to the last drop of his blood,” replied one who knew Prescott well. "The works must be carried," remarked Gage. An hour later the plan of attack was decided upon by a council of war.

66

From the heights the Americans saw and heard the bustle of preparation. Repeated messages were sent to General Ward for the promised reinforcements. Putnam hurried to Cambridge to urge the demand in person. Ward hesitated lest he should weaken the main division. It was eleven o'clock before Stark and Reed, with their regiments, were ordered to the relief of Prescott, and the wearied soldiers, who had been laboring all night at the redoubt.

About noon, twenty-eight barges filled with soldiers, under the command of Generals Howe and Pigott, left Boston. The ships kept up an incessant cannonade to cover their landing. General Howe discovered that the works were stronger than he anticipated, and he sent to General Gage for reinforcements; his men, while waiting, were regaled with refreshments and "grog." Meantime

XXVIII.

CHAP. the Americans strengthened their works, and formed a rustic breastwork; to do this, they pulled up a post-and1775. rail fence, placed it behind a stone fence, and filled the space between with new-mown grass. This extended down the side of the hill north of the redoubt to a swamp.

Now they were cheered by the sight of Stark, who appeared with five hundred men. As he marched leisurely along, some one suggested a rapid movement. The veteran replied, "One fresh man in action is worth ten tired ones;" and he moved quietly on. A part of his force halted with Putnam at Bunker Hill, and a part joined Knowlton behind the fence breastwork. About two o'clock, Dr. Warren, who had recently been appointed major-general, but had not received his commission, arrived. He came, as did Pomeroy, to serve in the ranks. When Putnam pointed him to the redoubt, and said, "There you will be under cover," "Don't think," replied Warren, "that I seek a place of safety-where will the attack be the hottest ?" Still pointing to the same spot Putnam answered: "That is the enemy's object; if that can be maintained the day is ours." When Warren entered the redoubt, the soldiers received him with hearty cheers. Prescott offered him the command, which he gracefully declined, saying: "I shall be happy to learn from a soldier of your experience."

The day was clear and bright: the British, in their brilliant uniforms, presented a fine appearance. Thousands watched every movement from the house-tops in Boston and from the neighboring hills. Fathers, husbands, sons, and brothers were to meet the enemy, for the first time, in a regular battle. The expedition had commenced with prayer on Cambridge green, and now minister McClintock, of New Hampshire, was passing among the men praying and exhorting them to stand firm.

About half-past two o'clock, the British, confident of an easy victory, advanced; one division, under General