972. BUNKER HILL, Battle of.—
Bunker's
Hill, or rather Breed's Hill, whereon the
action was, is a peninsula joined to the mainland
by a neck of land almost level with the
water, a few paces wide, and about one or two
hundred toises long. On one side of this neck
lay a vessel of war, and on the other several
gunboats. The body of our army was on the
mainland; and only a detachment had been
sent into the peninsula. When the enemy determined
to make the attack, they sent the vessel
of war and gunboats to take the position,
before mentioned, to cut off all reinforcements,
which they effectually did. Not so much as a
company could venture to the relief of the men
engaged, who therefore fought through the
whole action, and at length were obliged to retire
across the neck through the cross fire of
the vessels before mentioned. Single persons
passed along the neck during the engagement,
particularly General Putnam.—
To M. Soules. Washington ed. ix, 293.
Ford ed., iv, 301.
(P.
1786)
