The FReeper Foxhole Remembers The Battle of Bunker Hill - Jan. 28th, 2003

http://www.charlestownonline.net/bunkerhillbattle.htm ^

[SAMWolf]

I just watched it again last weekend, and it's making it's TV debut.

[SAMWolf]

Thanks again for the link to G.I. Memories

[SAMWolf]

Sorry, manna. My screwup again.

[SAMWolf]

Sorry to say I've never been there, grew up in the Midwest andlive in the West now.

[md2576]

How do I remove myself from "The FReeper Foxhole Remembers" subscription?

[SAMWolf]

I'll take you off, Thanks

[RonF]

When I was a kid growing up southwest of Boston, we took a field trip to Boston and did the Freedom Trail, which includes the Bunker Hill monument. Then, last year, I was out in Boston on a business trip and scheduled a day for myself to wander around town. I climbed the monument (good thing I've been working out!), and also visited the U.S.S. Constitution. Then I bought a friend of mine who makes wooden ship models a piece of wood that was removed from the U.S.S. Constitution during a refit. He's building a model of her and I thought he'd like to incorporate an actual piece of her in the model.

[SAMWolf]

Did you know what a gorget was then?

[SAMWolf]

There's a lot of History I missed out on by never visiting the East, execpt for New York City and some of New Jersy

[manna]

The "Hey!" was a midwest way of saying "Hi!" No apology necessary.

[Hemingway's Ghost]

The CT militia abandoned the lines once their enlistments were up. Thanks, boys!

[SAMWolf]

I understand both sides had that problem during the War Between the States. The Militia was also considered unreliable during the Revoultion.

[SAMWolf]

How soon I forget. I've been on the West Coast too long.

[exmarine]

Wasn't really the battle of Kettle Hill?

[SAMWolf]

Actually it was Breed's Hill.

[exmarine]

Right you are- I think I confused it up with San Juan Hill (Kettle Hill) in 1898! In both cases, the legend names the wrong hill. Hahaha. Thanks.

[SAMWolf]

You're right, it was San Juan Hill that included the Kettle Hill Battle.

[facedown]

You might find this kind of interesting; nothing like first hand accounts.

August 25 , 1775 Letter from William Prescott to John Adams

Camp at Cambridge August 25. 1775

Sir

I have recd. a Line from my Brother which informs me of your desire of a particular Account of the Action at Charlestown, it is not in my Power at present to give so minute an Account as I should choose being ordered to decamp and march to another Station.

On the 16 June in the Evening I recd. Orders to march to Breeds Hill in Charlestown with a party of about one thousand Men consisting of 3 hundred of my own Regiment, Coll. Bridge and Lieut Breckett with a Detachment of theirs, and two hundred Connecticut Forces commanded by Capt. Nolten. We arrived at the Spot, the Lines were drawn by the Enginier and we began the Intrenchmant about 12, o Clock and plying the Work with all possible Expodition till Just before sun rising, when the Enemy began a very heavy Canonading and Bombardment, in the Interin the Enginier forsook me, having thrown up a small Redout, found it necessary to draw a Line about 20 Rods in length from the Fort Northerly, under a very Warm Fire from the Enemys Artilary, About this Time the above Field Officers being indisposed could render me but Little Service, and the most of the Men under their Command deserted the Party. The Enemy continuing an incessant Fire with their Artilary. About 2, o Clock in the afternoon on the seventeenth the Enemy began to land a northeasterly Point from the Fort, and I ordered the Train with 2 field Pieces to go and oppose them and the Connecticut Forces to support them but the Train marched a different Course & I believe those sent to their support followd, I suppose to Bunkers Hill, another party of the Enemy landed and fired the Town, There was a party of Hampshire in conjunction with some other Forces Lined a Fence at the distance of three score Rods of the Fort partly to the North, about an Hour after the Enemy landed they began to march to the Attack in three Columns. I commanded my Lieut Coll. Robinson & Majr. Woods Each with a detachment to flank the Enemy, who I have reason to think behaved with prudence and Courage.

I was now left with perhaps 150 Men in the Fort, the Enemy advanced and fired very hotly on the Fort and meating with a Warm Reception there was a very smart firing

p2

on both sides. after a considerable Time finding our Amunition was almost spent I commanded a sessation till the Enemy advanced within 30 yards when we gave them such a hot fire, that they were obliged to retire nearly 150 yards before they could Rally and come again to the Attack. Our Amunition being nearly exausted could keep up only a scattering Fire. The Enemy being numerous surrounded out little Fort began to mount our Lines and enter the Fort with their Bayonets, we was obliged to retreat through them while they kept up as hot a fire as it was possible for them to make. We having very few Bayonets could make no resistance. We kept the fort about one hour and twenty Minutes after the Attack with small Arms. This is nearly the State of Facts tho' imperfect & too general which if any ways satisfactory to you will afford pleasure to your most obedient humble Servt.,

William Prescott

To the honble John Adams Esqr.

[SAMWolf]

Thanks facedown, hard to believe how much the language has changed isn't it? Interesting first hand account.