The Yankee Tea-party; Or, Boston in 1773Watson, Henry C. (Henry Clay)
History
The Yankee Tea-party; Or, Boston in 1773
Watson, Henry C. (Henry Clay)
United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783 -- Anecdotes
"A detachment of the army was ordered to advance early in the evening
of that day, and commence the erection of a strong work on the heights
in the rear of Charlestown, at that time called Breed's Hill, but from
its proximity to Bunker Hill, the battle has taken its name from the
latter eminence, which overlooks it.
"The work was commenced and carried on under the direction of such
engineers as we were able to procure at that time. It was a square
redoubt, the curtains of which were about sixty or seventy feet in
extent, with an entrenchment, or breast-work, extending fifty or sixty
feet from the northern angle, towards Mystic river.
"In the course of the night, the ramparts had been raised to the height
of six or seven feet, with a small ditch at their base, but it was yet
in a rude and very imperfect state. Being in full view from the northern
heights of Boston, it was discovered by the enemy, as soon as daylight
appeared; and a determination was immediately formed by General Gage,
for dislodging our troops from this new and alarming position.
Arrangements were promptly made for effecting this important object. The
movements of the British troops, indicating an attack, were soon
discovered; in consequence of which orders were immediately issued for
the march of a considerable part of our army to reinforce the detachment
at the redoubts on Breed's Hill; but such was the imperfect state of
discipline, the want of knowledge in military science, and the
deficiency of the materials of war, that the movement of the troops was
extremely irregular and devoid of every thing like concert--each
regiment advancing according to the opinions, feelings, or caprice, of
its commander.
"Colonel Stark's regiment was quartered in Medford, distant about four
miles from the point of anticipated attack. It then consisted of
thirteen companies, and was probably the largest regiment in the army.
About ten o'clock in the morning, he received orders to march. The
regiment being destitute of ammunition, it was formed in front of a
house occupied as an arsenal, where each man received a gill-cup full of
powder, fifteen balls, and one flint.
"The several captains were then ordered to march their companies to
their respective quarters, and make up their powder and ball into
cartridges, with the greatest possible despatch. As there were scarcely
two muskets in a company of equal calibre, it was necessary to reduce
the size of the balls for many of them; and as but a small proportion of
the men had cartridge-boxes, the remainder made use of powder-horns and
ball-pouches.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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