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The break of day on the 17th of June, 1775, presented a scene, which for daring and firmness could never be surpassed - 1000 unexperienced militia, in the attire of their various avocations, without discipline, almost without artillery and bayonets, scantily supplied with ammunition, and wholly destitute of provisions, defying the power of the formidable British fleet and army, determined to maintain the liberty of their soil, or moisten that soil with their blood.

The break of day on the 17th of June, 1775, presented a scene, which for daring and firmness could never be surpassed - 1000 unexperienced militia, in the attire of their various avocations, without discipline, almost without artillery and bayonets, scantily supplied with ammunition, and wholly destitute of provisions, defying the power of the formidable British fleet and army, determined to maintain the liberty of their soil, or moisten that soil with their blood.

Without aid, however, from the main body of the army, it seemed impossible to maintain their position - the men having been without sleep, toiling through the night, and destitute of the necessary food required by nature, had become nearly exhausted. Representations were repeatedly made, through the morning, to Head Quarters, of the necessity of reinforcements and supplies. Major Brooks, the late revered Governor of Massachusetts, who commanded a battalion of minute-men at Concord, set out for Cambridge about 9 o'clock, on foot, it being impossible to procure a horse, soliciting succor; but as there were two other points exposed to the British, Roxbury and Cambridge, then the Head Quarters, at which place all the little stores of the army were collected and the loss of which would be incalculable at that moment, great fears were entertained lest they should march over the neck to Roxbury, and attack the camp there, or pass over the bay in boats, there being at that time no artificial avenue to connect Boston with the adjacent country, attack the Head Quarters, and destroy the stores; it was therefore deemed impossible to afford any reinforcement to Charlestown Heights, till the movements of the British rendered evidence of their intention certain.

Without aid, however, from the main body of the army, it seemed impossible to maintain their position - the men having been without sleep, toiling through the night, and destitute of the necessary food required by nature, had become nearly exhausted. Representations were repeatedly made, through the morning, to Headquarters, of the necessity of reinforcements and supplies. Major Brooks, the late revered Governor of Massachusetts, who commanded a battalion of minute-men at Concord, set out for Cambridge about 9 o'clock, on foot, it being impossible to procure a horse, soliciting succor; but as there were two other points exposed to the British, Roxbury and Cambridge, then the Headquarters, at which place all the little stores of the army were collected and the loss of which would be incalculable at that moment, great fears were entertained lest they should march over the neck to Roxbury, and attack the camp there, or pass over the bay in boats, there being at that time no artificial avenue to connect Boston with the adjacent country, attack the Headquarters, and destroy the stores; it was therefore deemed impossible to afford any reinforcement to Charlestown Heights, till the movements of the British rendered evidence of their intention certain.

The fire from the Glasgow frigate and two floating batteries in Charles River, were wholly directed with a view to prevent any communication across the isthmus that connects Charlestown with the main land, which kept up a continued shower o; missiles, and rendered the communication truly dangerous to those who should attempt it. When the intention of the British to attack the heights of Charlestown became apparent, the remainder of Putnam's regiment, Col. Gardner's regiment, both of which, as to numbers were very imperfect, and some New Hampshire militia, marched, notwithstanding the heavy fire across the neck, for Charlestown Heights, where they arrived much fatigued, just after the British had moved to the first attack.

The fire from the Glasgow frigate and two floating batteries in Charles River, were wholly directed with a view to prevent any communication across the isthmus that connects Charlestown with the main land, which kept up a continued shower o; missiles, and rendered the communication truly dangerous to those who should attempt it. When the intention of the British to attack the heights of Charlestown became apparent, the remainder of Putnam's regiment, Col. Gardner's regiment, both of which, as to numbers were very imperfect, and some New Hampshire militia, marched, notwithstanding the heavy fire across the neck, for Charlestown Heights, where they arrived much fatigued, just after the British had moved to the first attack.

The British commenced crossing troops from Boston about 12 o'clock, and landed at Morton's Point, south east from Breed's Hill. At 2 o'clock, from the best accounts that can be obtained, they landed between 3 and 4000 men, under the immediate command of Gen. Howe, and formed, in apparently invincible order, at the base of the hill.

The British commenced crossing troops from Boston about 12 o'clock, and landed at Morton's Point, south east from Breed's Hill. At 2 o'clock, from the best accounts that can be obtained, they landed between 3 and 4000 men, under the immediate command of Gen. Howe, and formed, in apparently invincible order, at the base of the hill.

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The position of the Americans at this time was a redoubt on the summit of the height of about eight rods square, and a breastwork extending on the left of it, about seventy feet down the eastern declivity of the hill. This redoubt and breastwork was commanded by Prescott in person, who had superintended its construction, and who occupied it with the Massachusetts militia of his detatchment, and a part of Little's regiment, which had arrived about one o'clock. They were dreadfully deficient in equipment and ammunition, had been toiling incessantly for many hours, and it is said by some accounts, even then were destitute of provisions. - A little to the eastward of the redoubt, and northerly to the rear of it, was a rail fence, extending almost to Mystick river; to this fence another had been added during the night and forenoon, and some newly mown grass thrown against them, to afford something like a cover to the troops. - At this fence the 120 Connecticut militia were posted.

The position of the Americans at this time was a redoubt on the summit of the height of about eight rods square, and a breastwork extending on the left of it, about seventy feet down the eastern declivity of the hill. This redoubt and breastwork was commanded by Prescott in person, who had superintended its construction, and who occupied it with the Massachusetts militia of his detachment, and a part of Little's regiment, which had arrived about one o'clock. They were dreadfully deficient in equipment and ammunition, had been toiling incessantly for many hours, and it is said by some accounts, even then were destitute of provisions. - A little to the eastward of the redoubt, and northerly to the rear of it, was a rail fence, extending almost to Mystick river; to this fence another had been added during the night and forenoon, and some newly mown grass thrown against them, to afford something like a cover to the troops. - At this fence the 120 Connecticut militia were posted.

The movements of the British made it evident their intention was to march a strong column along the margin of the Mystick, and turn the redoubt on the north, while another column attacked it in front; accordingly, to prevent this design, a large force became necessary at the breastwork and rail fence. The whole of the reinforcements that arrived, amounting in all to about 800 or 1000 men, were ordered by General Putnam, who had been extremely active throughout the night and morning and who had accompanied the expedition to this point.

The movements of the British made it evident their intention was to march a strong column along the margin of the Mystick, and turn the redoubt on the north, while another column attacked it in front; accordingly, to prevent this design, a large force became necessary at the breastwork and rail fence. The whole of the reinforcements that arrived, amounting in all to about 800 or 1000 men, were ordered by General Putnam, who had been extremely active throughout the night and morning and who had accompanied the expedition to this point.

After a short time the British officers had succeeded in rallying their men, and again advanced in the same order as before, to the attack. Thinking to divert the attention of the Americans, the town of Charlestown, consisting of 600 wooden buildings, was now set on fire by the British - the roar of the flames, the crashing of falling timbers, the awful appearance of desolation presented, the dreadful shrieks of the dying and the wounded in the last attack, added to the knowledge of the formidable force advancing against them, combined to form a scene apparently too much for men bred in the quiet retirement of domestic life to sustain - but the stillness of death reigned within the American works - and nought could be seen but the deadly presented weapon, ready to hurl fresh destruction on the assailants. The fire of the Americans was again reserved till the British came still nearer than before, when the same unerring aim was taken, and the British shrunk, terrified, from before its fatal effects, flying, completely routed, a second time to the banks of the river, and leaving, as before, the field strewed with their wounded and their dead.

After a short time the British officers had succeeded in rallying their men, and again advanced in the same order as before, to the attack. Thinking to divert the attention of the Americans, the town of Charlestown, consisting of 600 wooden buildings, was now set on fire by the British - the roar of the flames, the crashing of falling timbers, the awful appearance of desolation presented, the dreadful shrieks of the dying and the wounded in the last attack, added to the knowledge of the formidable force advancing against them, combined to form a scene apparently too much for men bred in the quiet retirement of domestic life to sustain - but the stillness of death reigned within the American works - and nought could be seen but the deadly presented weapon, ready to hurl fresh destruction on the assailants. The fire of the Americans was again reserved till the British came still nearer than before, when the same unerring aim was taken, and the British shrunk, terrified, from before its fatal effects, flying, completely routed, a second time to the banks of the river, and leaving, as before, the field strewed with their wounded and their dead.

Again the ships and batteries renewed their fire, and kept a continual shower of balls on the works. Notwithstanding every exertion, the British officers found it impossible to rally the men for a third attack; one third of their comrades had fallen; and finally it was not till a reinforcement of more than 1000 fresh troops, with a strong park of artillery, had joined them from Boston, that they could be be induced to form anew.

Again the ships and batteries renewed their fire, and kept a continual shower of balls on the works. Notwithstanding every exertion, the British officers found it impossible to rally the men for a third attack; one third of their comrades had fallen; and finally it was not till a reinforcement of more than 1000 fresh troops, with a strong park of artillery, had joined them from Boston, that they could be induced to form anew.

In the mean time every effort was made on the part of the Americans to resist a third attack; Gen. Putnam rode, notwithstanding the heavy fire of the ships and batteries, several times across the neck, to induce the militia to advance, but it was only a few of the resolute and brave who would encounter the storm. The British receiving reinforcements from their formidable main body - the town of Charlestown presenting one wide scene of destruction - the probability the Americans must shortly retreat - the shower of balls pouring over the Beck - presented obstacles too appalling for raw troops to sustain, and embodied too much danger to allow them-to encounter. Yet, notwithstanding all this, the Americans on. the heights were elated with their success, and waited with coolness and determination the now formidable advance of the enemy.

In the mean time every effort was made on the part of the Americans to resist a third attack; Gen. Putnam rode, notwithstanding the heavy fire of the ships and batteries, several times across the neck, to induce the militia to advance, but it was only a few of the resolute and brave who would encounter the storm. The British receiving reinforcements from their formidable main body - the town of Charlestown presenting one wide scene of destruction - the probability the Americans must shortly retreat - the shower of balls pouring over the Beck - presented obstacles too appalling for raw troops to sustain, and embodied too much danger to allow them-to encounter. Yet, notwithstanding all this, the Americans on. the heights were elated with their success, and waited with coolness and determination the now formidable advance of the enemy.

Once more the British, aided by their reinforcements,, advanced to the attack, but with great skill and caution - their artillery was planted on the eastern declivity of the hill, between the rail fence and the breast work, where it was directed along the line of the Americans, stationed at the latter place, and against the gate way on the northeastern corner of the redoubt - at the same time they attacked the redoubt on the south eastern and south western sides, and entered it with fixed bayonets. The slaughter on their advancing was great; but the Americans, not having bayonets to meet them on equal terms, and their powder being exhausted, now slowly retreated, opposing and extricating themselves from the British with the butts of their pieces.

Once more the British, aided by their reinforcements, advanced to the attack, but with great skill and caution - their artillery was planted on the eastern declivity of the hill, between the rail fence and the breast work, where it was directed along the line of the Americans, stationed at the latter place, and against the gate way on the northeastern corner of the redoubt - at the same time they attacked the redoubt on the south eastern and south western sides, and entered it with fixed bayonets. The slaughter on their advancing was great; but the Americans, not having bayonets to meet them on equal terms, and their powder being exhausted, now slowly retreated, opposing and extricating themselves from the British with the butts of their pieces.

The column that advanced against the rail fence was received in the most dauntless manner. The Americans fought with spirit and heroism that could not be surpassed, and had their ammunition held out, would have secured to themselves a third time the palm of victory: as it was, they effectually prevented the enemy from accomplishing his purpose, which was to turn their flank and cut the whole of the Americans off; but having become perfectly exhausted, this body of the Americans also slowly retired-, retreating in much better order than could possibly have been expected from undisciplined troops, and those in the redoubt having extricated themselves from a host of bayonets by which they had been surrounded.

The column that advanced against the rail fence was received in the most dauntless manner. The Americans fought with spirit and heroism that could not be surpassed, and had their ammunition held out, would have secured to themselves a third time the palm of victory: as it was, they effectually prevented the enemy from accomplishing his purpose, which was to turn their flank and cut the whole of the Americans off; but having become perfectly exhausted, this body of the Americans also slowly retired-, retreating in much better order than could possibly have been expected from undisciplined troops, and those in the redoubt having extricated themselves from a host of bayonets by which they had been surrounded.

"The first man who fell in the Battle of Bunker Hill was killed by a cannon ball, which struck his head. He was so near me that my clothes were besmeared with his blood and brains which 1 wiped off in some degree, with a handful of fresh earth. The sight was so shocking to many of the men, that they left their posts and ran to view him. I ordered them back, but in vain. I then ordered him to be buried instantly. A subaltern officer expressed surprise that I should allow him to be buried without having prayers said; I replied, this is the first man that has been killed, and the only one that will be buried to-day. I put him out of sight that the men may be kept in their places. God only knows who, or how many of us, will fall before it is over. To your post, my good fellow, and let each man do his duty."

"The first man who fell in the Battle of Bunker Hill was killed by a cannon ball, which struck his head. He was so near me that my clothes were besmeared with his blood and brains which 1 wiped off in some degree, with a handful of fresh earth. The sight was so shocking to many of the men, that they left their posts and ran to view him. I ordered them back, but in vain. I then ordered him to be buried instantly. A subaltern officer expressed surprise that I should allow him to be buried without having prayers said; I replied, this is the first man that has been killed, and the only one that will be buried to-day. I put him out of sight that the men may be kept in their places. God only knows who, or how many of us, will fall before it is over. To your post, my good fellow, and let each man do his duty."

The name of the patriot who thus fell is supposed to have been Pollard, a young man belonging to Billerica. He was struck by a cannon ball, thrown from the line-of-battle ship Somerset.

The name of the patriot who thus fell is supposed to have been Pollard, a young man belonging to Billerica. He was struck by a cannonball, thrown from the line-of-battle ship Somerset.

==Peter Salem==

==Peter Salem==