feeling emotions which set description at defiance, were witnesses of the majestic and tremendous

scene.

The provincials permitted the English to approach unmolested within less than one hundred yards of their works, when they poured in upon them so deadly a fire of small arms that the British line was totally broken, and fell back with precipitation towards the landing place. By the very great exertions of their officers they were rallied, and brought up to the charge; but were again driven back in confusion by the heavy and incessant fire from the works. General Howe is said to have been left at one time almost alone, and it is certain that few officers about his person escaped unhurt.

The impression to be made by victory or defeat, in this early stage of the war, was deemed of the utmost consequence; and, therefore, extraordinary exertions were made once more to rally the English. With great difficulty, they were a third time led up to the works. The redoubt was now attacked on three sides at once, while some pieces of artillery, which had been brought to bear on the breastwork, raked it from end to end. At the same time, a cross fire from the ships and floating batteries lying on both sides the isthmus by which the peninsula is connected with the continent, not only annoyed the works on Breed's hill, but deterred any considerable re-enforcements from entering the peninsula. The ammunition of the Americans being nearly exhausted, they were no longer able to keep up the same in

cessant stream of fire, which had twice repulsed the assailants; and, on this third attempt, the redoubt, the walls of which the English mounted with ease, was carried at the point of the bayonet. Yet the Americans, many of whom were without bayonets, are said to have maintained the contest with clubbed muskets, until the redoubt was half filled with the king's troops.

The redoubt being lost, the breastwork, which had been defended with equal obstinacy, was necessarily abandoned; and the very hazardous operation was undertaken, of retreating in the face of a victorious enemy, over Charlestown Neck; where they were exposed to the same cross fire from the Glasgow man of war and two floating batteries, which had deterred the re-enforcements ordered to their aid, from coming to their assistance, and probably had also prevented their receiving proper supplies of ammunition.

The detachment employed on this enterprise, consisted of about three thousand men, composing the flower of the British army, and high encomiums were bestowed on the resolution they manifested. According to the returns of general Gage, their killed and wounded amounted to one thousand and fifty-four....an immense proportion of the number engaged in the action. Notwithstanding the danger of their retreat over Charlestown Neck, the loss of the Americans was stated at only four hundred and fifty men, including the killed, wounded, and missing. Among the former, was doctor Warren, a gentleman greatly

beloved and regretted, who fell just after the provincials began their retreat from the breastwork.

It

At the time, the colonial force on the peninsula was generally stated at fifteen hundred men. has been since supposed to have amounted to four thousand.

Although, in this battle, the Americans lost the ground, they claimed the victory. Many of the advantages of victory certainly resulted from it. Their confidence in themselves was greatly increased; and it was universally asked, how many more such triumphs the invaders of their country could afford?

The British army had been treated too roughly in the late action to attempt further offensive operations. They contented themselves with seizing and fortifying Bunker's hill, which secured to them the peninsula of Charlestown, in which, however, they remained as closely blockaded as in that of Boston.

The Americans were much elated by the intrepidity their raw troops had displayed, and the execution they had done in this engagement. Their opinion of the superiority of veterans over men untrained to the duties of a soldier, sustained no inconsiderable diminution; and they fondly cherished the belief, that courage and dexterity in the use of fire-arms would bestow advantages amply compensating the want of discipline. Unfortunately for the colonies this course of thinking was not confined to the soldiers. It seems to have extended to those who guided the public councils,

and to have contributed to the adoption of a system which, more than once, brought the cause for which they had taken up arms, to the brink of ruin. They did not distinguish sufficiently between the momentary efforts of a few brave men, brought together by a high sense of the injuries with which their country was threatened, and carried into action while under the influence of keen resentments; and that continued suffering, those steady persevering exertions, which must be necessary to bring so serious and so important a contest to a happy termination. Nor did they examine with sufficient accuracy, nor allow sufficient influence to several striking circumstances attending the battle which had been fought. It is not easy to read the accounts given of that action without being persuaded, that had the Americans on Breed's hili been supplied with ammunition, and been properly supported; had the reenforcements ordered to their assistance actually entered the peninsula, as soldiers in habits of obedience would have done, and there displayed the same heroic courage which was exhibited by their countrymen engaged in defence of the works; the assailants must have been defeated, and the flower of the British army have been cut to pieces. It ought also to have been remarked that, while the many were deterred by the magnitude of the danger from executing the orders they had received, only the few who were endowed with more than a usual portion of bravery, encountered that danger. But it is not by the few that great vic

tories are to be obtained, or a country to be saved.

Amidst these preparations for war, the voice of peace was yet heard. Allegiance to the king was still acknowledged, and a lingering hope remained that an accommodation was not impossible. Congress voted a petition to his majesty replete with professions of duty and attachment; and addressed a letter to the people of England, in which they were conjured, by the endearing appellations of friends, countrymen, and brethren, to prevent the dissolution of "that connexion, which the remembrance of former friendships, pride in the glorious achievements of common ancestors, and affection for the heirs of their virtues, had heretofore maintained." They uniformly disclaimed the idea of independence, and professed themselves to consider a union with England, on constitutional principles, as the greatest blessing which could be bestowed on them.

But Britain had determined to maintain, by force, the legislative supremacy of parliament; and America was not less determined, by force, to repel the claim.