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Page 42
"The action soon became general, and very heavy from right to left In
the course of ten or fifteen minutes, the enemy gave way at all points,
and retreated in great disorder; leaving a large number of dead and
wounded on the field.
"The firing ceased for a short time, until the enemy again formed,
advanced, and recommenced a spirited fire from his whole line. Several
attempts were again made to turn our left; but the troops, having thrown
up a slight stone-wall on the bank of the river, and laying down behind
it, gave such a deadly fire, as cut down almost every man of the party
opposed to them; while the fire from the redoubt and rail-fence was so
well directed and so fatal, especially to the British officers, that
the whole army was compelled a second time to retreat with
precipitation and great confusion. At this time, the ground occupied by
the enemy was covered with his dead and wounded. Only a few small
detached parties again advanced, which kept up a distant, ineffectual,
scattering fire, until a strong reinforcement arrived from Boston, which
advanced on the southern declivity of the hill, In the rear of
Charlestown. When this column arrived opposite that angle of the redoubt
which faced Charlestown, it wheeled by platoons to the right, and
advanced directly upon the redoubt without firing a gun. By this time,
our ammunition was exhausted. A few men only had a charge left.
"The advancing column made an attempt to carry the redoubt by assault,
but at the first onset every man that mounted the parapet was cut down,
by the troops within, who had formed on the opposite side, not being
prepared with bayonets to meet the charge.
"The column wavered for a moment, but soon formed again; when a forward
movement was made with such spirit and intrepidity as to render the
feeble efforts of a handful of men, without the means of defence,
unavailing; and they fled through an open space, in the rear of the
redoubt, which had been left for a gateway. At this moment, the rear of
the British column advanced round the angle of the redoubt, and threw in
a galling flank-fire upon our troops, as they rushed from it, which
killed and wounded a greater number than had fallen before during the
action. The whole of our line immediately after gave away, and retreated
with rapidity and disorder towards Bunker's Hill; carrying off as many
of the wounded as possible, so that only thirty-six or seven fell into
the hands of the enemy, among whom were Lt. Col. Parker and two or three
other officers, who fell in or near the redoubt.
"The whole of the troops now descended the north-western declivity of
Bunker's Hill, and recrossed the neck. Those of the New Hampshire line
retired towards Winter Hill, and the others on to Prospect Hill.
"Some slight works were thrown up in the course of the evening,--strong
advance pickets were posted on the roads leading to Charlestown, and the
troops, anticipating an attack, rested on their arms.
"It is a most extraordinary fact that the British did not make a single
charge during the battle, which, if attempted, would have been decisive,
and fatal to the Americans, as they did not carry into the field fifty
bayonets. In my company there was not one.
"Soon after the commencement of the action, a detachment from the
British forces in Boston was landed in Charlestown, and within a few
moments the whole town appeared in a blaze. A dense column of smoke rose
to a great height, and there being a gentle breeze from the southwest,
it hung like a thunder-cloud over the contending armies. A very few
houses escaped the dreadful conflagration of this devoted town."
EXPLOITS OF PETER FRANCISCO.
"I say, men, the story of Bunker Hill is old enough, and the events of
that day have caused enough dispute already. We know that we taught the
red-coats a good, round lesson, and we shouldn't fight about
particulars. Now, young men, I'll tell you a story about a real hero,"
said Pitts.
"Who was he?" enquired Hand.
"His name was Peter Francisco, and he was a trooper in our army,"
replied Pitts. "Now, I'll tell you what he did.
"While the British troops were spreading havoc and desolation all around
them, by their plundering and burnings in Virginia, in 1781, Peter
Francisco had been reconnoitring, and whilst stopping at the house of a
Mr. Wand, in Amelia county, nine of Tarleton's cavalry coming up with
three negroes, told him he was a prisoner. Seeing himself overpowered by
numbers, he made no resistance; and believing him to be very peaceable
they all went into the house, leaving the paymaster and Francisco
together. He demanded his watch, money, &c., which being delivered to
him, in order to secure his plunder, he put his sword under his arm,
with the hilt behind him. While in the act of putting a silver buckle
into his pocket, Francisco, finding so favourable an opportunity to
recover his liberty, stepped one pace in his rear, drew the sword with
force under his arm and instantly gave him a blow across the skull. His
enemy was brave, and though severely wounded, drew a pistol, and, in the
same moment that he pulled the trigger, Francisco cut his hand nearly
off. The bullet grazed his side. Ben Wand (the man of the house) very
ungenerously brought out a musket, and gave it to one of the British
soldiers, and told him to make use of that. He mounted the only horse
they could get, and presented it at his breast. It missed fire.
Francisco rushed on the muzzle of the gun. A short struggle ensued, in
which the British soldier was disarmed and wounded. Tarleton's troop of
four hundred men were in sight. All was hurry and confusion, which
Francisco increased by repeatedly hallooing, as loud as he could, 'Come
on, my brave boys! now's your time! we will soon despatch these few, and
then attack the main body!' The wounded man flew to the troop; the
others were panic-struck, and fled. Francisco seized Wand, and would
have despatched him, but the poor wretch begged for his life; he was not
only an object of contempt, but pity. The eight horses that were left
behind, he gave him to conceal. Discovering Tarleton had despatched ten
more in pursuit of him, Francisco then made off, and evaded their
vigilance. They stopped to refresh themselves, and he, like an old fox,
doubled, and fell on their rear. He went the next day to Wand for his
horses; Wand demanded two for his trouble and generous intentions.
Finding his situation dangerous, and surrounded by enemies where he
ought to have found friends, Francisco went off with his six horses. He
intended to have avenged himself on Wand at a future day, but Providence
ordained he should not be his executioner, for he broke his neck by a
fall from of the very horses."
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