June 17 dawned fair and bright, and the intrenchments were at once discovered by the British. A lively cannonade was opened upon them by the ships in the harbor, but without effect. At noon, three thousand veterans were ordered forward to rout out the "peasants," and by three o'clock in the afternoon had crossed the river and were ready to storm the intrenchments. Commanded by General Howe and General Pigot, they advanced steadily up the hill, only to be met by so terrific a fire that they gave way and retreated in disorder. WARREN'S ADDRESS TO THE AMERICAN SOLDIERS [June 17, 1775] Stand! the ground's your own, my braves! Will ye give it up to slaves? Will ye look for greener graves? Hope ye mercy still? What's the mercy despots feel? Hear it in that battle-peal! Read it on yon bristling steel! Ask it,--ye who will. Fear ye foes who kill for hire? Will ye to your homes retire? Look behind you! they're a-fire! And, before you, see Who have done it!--From the vale On they come!--And will ye quail?-- Leaden rain and iron hail Let their welcome be! In the God of battles trust! Die we may,--and die we must; But, oh, where can dust to dust Be consigned so well, As where Heaven its dews shall shed On the martyred patriot's bed, And the rocks shall raise their head, Of his deeds to tell! JOHN PIERPONT. A pause followed, during which Charlestown was set on fire by shells from the fleet and was soon in a roaring blaze. Then a second time the British advanced to the assault; again the Americans held their fire, and again, at thirty yards, poured into the Redcoats so deadly a volley that they were forced to retreat. THE BALLAD OF BUNKER HILL We lay in the Trenches we'd dug in the Ground While _Phoebus_ blazed down from his glory-lined Car, And then from the lips of our Leader renown'd, These lessons we learn'd in the _Science of War_. "Let the Foeman draw nigh, Till the white of his Eye Is in range with your Rifles, and then, Lads, let fly! And shew to _Columbia_, to _Britain_, and _Fame_, How _Justice_ smiles aweful, when _Freemen_ take _aim_!" The Regulars from Town to the Foot of the Hill Came in Barges and Rowboats, some great and some small, But they potter'd and dawdl'd, and twaddled, until We fear'd there would be no _Attack_ after all! Two men in red Coats Talk'd to one in long Boots, And all of them _pinted_ and _gestur'd_ like _Coots_, And we said,--as the Boys do upon _Training-Day_-- "If they waste all their _Time_ so, the _Sham-fight_ won't pay."