ued their work, which they completed about noon, when a considerable body of infantry was landed at the foot of Bunker's Hill, under the command of General Howe and General Pigot. The first was to attack the provincial lines, the second the redoubt. The British troops ascended the hill with the greatest inntrepidiy: but on their approach to the entrenchments of the enemy, they were received with a fire that poured down a full half hour upon them like a torrent.— The execution it did was terrible, insomuch that some of the oldest officers declared it was the hottest service they had ever seen; General Howe, whose fortitude was remarkable on this trying occasion, stood for a few moments almost alone, the greatest part of his officers and soldiers being either killed or wounded. Meanwhile, General Pigot was engaged with the provincials on the left, where he met so warm a reception, that his troops were thrown into disorder; but Gen. Clinton coming up with a reinforcement, they quickly rallied, and attacked the works with such fury, that the Americans were driven beyond the neck that leads to Charlestown. The British troops having been annoyed by the fire of the enemy from the houses of this town, they set it on fire, and consumed it to ashes.

In this engagement, the carnage was greater in proportion to the number of troops, than in any other during the war. The loss of the British army amounted, in killed and wounded, to upwards of a thousand, including eighty-nine officers; but the Americans, according to their own account, lost only five hundred men. This disparity of numbers may be accounted for by the provincials having fought behind entrenchments, which sheltered them from the cannon of the enemy, and where their marksmen could take aim with precision.

The British troops justly claimed this dearbought victory. On the American side, the loss most regretted was General Warren.* This gentleman was a physician, and had

* A Monument has been raised at Charlestown, to perpetuate the fame of those Americans who bled at Bunker's HillIt is twenty-eight feet high, of which a Tuscan column forms eighteen feet, and its square brick pedestal ten feet. On the top of the column is a gilt urn, inscribed "I. W. aged 35," entwined in Masonic emblems. The inscription on the south side of the pedestal is as follows:

Erected, A. D. 1794,

By King Solomon's Lodge of Free Masons;
Constituted in Charlestown, 1783,
In memory of

Major-General JOSEPH WARREN,
And his Associates,

Who were slain on this memorable spot,
June 17th, 1775.

"None but they who set a just value on the blessings of Liberty, are worthy to enjoy her. In vain we toiled; in vain we fought; we bled in vain; if you, our offspring, want valour to repel the assaults of her invaders."

Charlestown settled, 1628-Burnt, 1775-Rebuilt 1776.

rendered himself conspicuous by his eloquence; he had been one of the most active members of the Continental Congress in the preceding year, and was at this time Presi dent of the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts. He commanded the lines of Bunker's Hill on that memorable day, and took his station in the redoubt facing Gen. Pigot. While in the act of pointing to, and reminding his men of the motto, "An Appeal to Heaven," inscribed on their colours planted on the entrenchments, he received a mortal wound, and his death hastened the defeat of the American army.

Warren was extolled by his countrymen as the Hamden of the day; and the following encomium of him was published at Philadelphia:

"He is not dead; so excellent a citizen, so worthy a man, can never die. His memory will be everlastingly present, everlastingly dear to all men of principle-to all lovers of their country. In the short period of thirty-five years of life, he displayed the abilities of a statesinan, the qualifications of a senator, the soul of a hero! All you that are interested in the cause for which he bled, approach his bleeding remains, wash his honourable wounds with your tears, and from

the contemplation of his lifeless body, hasten to your homes, and there teach your children to detest the deeds of tyranny; lay before them the horrid scene you have beheld; let their hair stand on end; let their eyes sparkle with fire; let resentment kindle every feature, let their lips vent threats and indignation; then-then-put arms into their hands, send them to battle, and let your last injunction be, to return victorious, or to die like Warren."

Such were the means employed to animate the Americans in their contest with the parent state; and indeed a more illustrious example of patriotism than Warren, could not have been held up to them for imitation.He had sacrificed his ease and the endearing ties of social tranquillity; he had, in short, devoted himself to the cause of his country, and fell respected even by his enemies.

"Let laurels, drench'd in pure Parnassian dews,
Reward his mem'ry, dear to every muse,
Who with a courage of unshaken root,
In honour's field advancing his firm foot,
Plants it upon the line that justice draws,
Resolv'd to die, or triumph in her cause;"

COWPER

After the battle of Bunker's Hill, the provincials erected fortifications on a height opposite Charlestown; their activity and boldness astonished the British officers, who had

considered them as a contemptible enemy. The garrison of Boston were soon reduced to extreme distress, for want of provisions, and their necessities obliged them to attempt to carry off the remaining cattle from the islands before the town, which produced frequent skirmishes; but the provincials being better acquainted with the navigation of the bay, not only prevented them from obtaining supplies from those islands, but destroyed or carried off whatever could be of any use.Meanwhile to remedy the distress both of the garrison and shipping, armed vessels were sent out, that made prizes indiscriminately, of all the coasting vessels laden with necessaries, that came in their way.

During these transactions at Boston, Congress continued to act with all the vigour which its constituents had expected. They resolved on the establishment of an army, and a large paper currency, for its support; and they nominated a General to the supreme command of the provincial forces.

Washington, who was a delegate from Virginia, was by their unanimous vote appointed to that important post, and his subsequent conduct shewed him every way worthy of their confidence. They also voted him as ample a salary as was in their power to