THE RETREAT
I believe of a verity that we on Breed's hill might have driven back the
Britishers once more, even though our store of ammunition was so small,
had it not been for the enemy's artillery which, as I have already said,
swept the interior of the breastwork from end to end, forcing us into
the redoubt.
Grimly we awaited the oncoming of those lines of red coats. I believe
our people fired with truer aim than at any other time during the
action, for each knew only too well how necessary it was that every
bullet should count.
As they advanced, and the word for us to fire had been given, among the
first that fell was one of their colonels, and then two of their majors,
after which Hiram set up a shout of triumph, claiming that he had
wounded General Howe himself. Even amid the smoke of the battle I could
see that the British leader was moving painfully, yet I must confess
bravely, in order to remain at the head of his men.
The breeze from the westward, which had come up just in time to blow
from our eyes the smoke of the burning buildings in the town, still
continued, and the battle field was more clearly in view than ever
before.
During mayhap ten minutes we of the American army did quite as great
execution as during the previous assault, cutting great gaps in their
lines, and bringing down officer after officer in rapid succession.
Then it was that we could see the beginning of the end. Glancing quickly
around to the right and left as I rammed home my last charge, I could
see this man and that standing idle, and it was the idleness of
impotence and despair, for they had come to the end of their ammunition.
There was no longer anything to be done save await that final assault,
with the poor hope of beating back troops armed with bayonets, by the
use of clubbed muskets.
Nearer and nearer came the red lines, swarming like hornets over the
breastworks, and we all powerless to prevent them!
Could we have had at that moment but half the powder and balls with
which we began this battle on Breed's hill, there would never have been
a red-coated soldier show his head above our line of works and lived to
tell of it.
It seemed to me as if all the space between the fortification and the
foot of the hill was covered with lobster backs swarming upon us, and I
know that if perchance they were twenty musket-charges left among us, it
was what might be called, in such desperate straights, rare good
fortune.
Then the enemy clambered up over the parapet, while we met them with a
volley of stones, throwing the missiles with as good aim as we had
discharged our muskets, and while one might have counted thirty, held
them in check.
I have often wondered since, if we had had at our hand as many stones as
could have been used, what would have been the result? But even that
poor method of warfare was denied us, for the supply we had gathered was
speedily expended, and, what was worse, the fact that we had ceased to
shoot bullets showed the Britishers plainly the plight into which we had
fallen.
The first officer who appeared above the parapet was that same Major
Pitcairn who had led the troops at Lexington when our people were
slaughtered there, and although I was no longer assailed by the fever of
battle, and could not well look upon the death of a human as being a
reason for rejoicing, yet I shouted aloud in glee when a negro soldier
among us shot that dastard through the head.
My cry of triumph was speedily swallowed up by the shouts of the lobster
backs as they leaped into the redoubt from all sides, coming at us
fearlessly with their bayonets, knowing full well we could not make
reply save with the butts of our muskets, and these we used, so
desperate had our people become, until a score of the king's men had
fallen before such crude weapons.
Again and again as we thus fought hand to hand, we Americans retreating
backwards step by step, striving to keep the red-coated enemy from
spitting us like larks on a toasting fork, I saw the muskets of our
people shattered, the butt breaking from the barrel with the force of a
blow upon the head of an enemy.
"Are we ordered to retreat?" I shouted wildly in Hiram's ear as we
fought side by side, Archie and Silas just behind us.
"Some one has said that Colonel Prescott gave the order; but whether he
did or not there is no longer any chance to make resistance," Hiram
replied as he crushed the head of a Britisher much the same as you
would shatter an egg. "We'll not turn tail and run as the lobster backs
did; but go out of here like men, if so be we may."
It was no longer a battle. There were no armies contending; but it had
become a fight of the rabble, where each man was striving to defend
himself or deal death as best he might, and at such close quarters that
those of the Britishers nearest us had no opportunity to reload their
weapons. Therefore, save for the fact of having bayonets, they were in
little better condition than were we.
We who called ourselves part of the American army were much like a
handful of rats surrounded by a pack of dogs, save that there was in our
hearts the satisfaction of knowing we had twice bested these same
soldiers who were fighting for money alone, and would have beaten them
back the third time but for the misfortune of not having the wherewithal
to deal out death as we had done before.
How we succeeded in getting out of the redoubt I cannot well say. In a
street brawl where forty or fifty men are engaged, those in the thickest
of the fight have no idea of what may be going on around them, and so it
was with me. We Minute Boys remained in a solid body so far as was
possible, aiding each other whenever the opportunity came to ward off a
blow from a comrade's head, or striking down with musket or stone a
Britisher who was about to thrust his bayonet into a companion's heart.
I only know distinctly that when what was left of our company succeeded
in fighting their way backward out of the redoubt, Colonel Prescott and
Doctor Warren were yet facing the Britishers as if it was their purpose
to be the last to leave this poor fortification, and immediately we were
come into the open where the lobster backs could use their bayonets to
greater advantage, it was a case of depending upon our legs entirely,
for the red-coats strove mercilessly to cut us to pieces.
Our people were doing their best to gain Bunker hill, where were four or
five hundred men of the American army striving bravely to cover our
retreat by pouring a heavy fire into the red-coated ranks, and save for
this aid we had never lived to gain Charlestown Neck.
After we had turned to run, and I did not do so until Hiram Griffin
demanded fiercely that I must in order to save my life, I heard some one
shout that Doctor Warren had been killed, and during two or three
minutes, mayhap, even while I was putting forth my best efforts at
running, did it seem as if it mattered little whether I escaped or not
since that friend of the Cause, he who was ever the kindly gentleman and
true son of the colony, had been killed even when the battle was at an
end.
It was to my mind more like being murdered than having been killed in
fair fight, and I shouted to those around me that we should turn about
and avenge his death, when Hiram seized me by the shirt collar, forcing
me on in front of him as he swore that unless I put forth my best
efforts he would strangle me.
I was not the only one fleeing toward Charlestown Neck pursued by the
lobster backs, who was much the same as crazy. We were mad with
disappointment, frenzied by the thought that all this had come about
because we lacked the means of finishing the battle as it had been
begun.
And now right here let me set down what we afterward learned was the
cost in blood of this engagement at Breed's hill. Our officers reported
that one hundred and fifteen had been killed or were missing; three
hundred and five wounded, and thirty taken prisoners, making in all a
total of four hundred and fifty who had either given up their lives, or
were suffering from wounds. The most serious of our losses, as it seemed
to me, was the death of Doctor Warren. Colonel Gridley was wounded; but
had been carried by our people from the field.
General Gage reported to the British Government that two hundred and
twenty-six of his men had been killed; eight hundred and twenty-eight
wounded, making in all ten hundred and fifty-four as against our four
hundred and fifty. Among the British were killed eighty-nine officers.
About four hundred buildings in Charlestown were burned by the British,
and the estimated money loss was six hundred thousand dollars.
I have put this in here lest I forget to make mention of the fact, that
in what the Britishers set down as a victory they lost twice and a half
as many men as we, and all that had been gained by this outpouring of
blood were the hastily constructed works which we had thrown up on
Breed's hill.
And now to continue my feeble attempt at telling what part we Minute
Boys of Boston took in that terrible retreat.
I believe of a verity that had it not been for Hiram Griffin some, if
not all, of us would have fallen into the hands of the lobster backs,
for it is true that we were sadly confused--frightened if you choose to
put it in such words, and had so far lost mastery of ourselves that but
for his holding us up sharply to the work we would have come to grief.
As I said, the men who had come to Bunker hill did good work in covering
our retreat until they themselves became panic-stricken, heeding not the
entreaties nor the threats of Israel Putnam, as he strove in vain to
hold them steady that we who were without ammunition might have some
small show of escaping with our lives.
Then it was that when all of General Putnam's attempts were shown to be
vain, these men of ours who should have held their own on Bunker hill,
joined in the retreat, and we set off, a rabble rather than the remnants
of an army, in the perilous attempt to pass across Charlestown Neck,
which was swept with shot from the ship _Glasgow_ and the small craft
which had been anchored by the British in position to cover that narrow
passage in order to prevent reinforcements being sent to us who were
struggling on Breed's hill.
Panic-stricken as we were, the only thought in our minds was that the
enemy would pursue us even as far as Cambridge, in order to make an end
of the so-called rebellion at once, and while fleeing at my best speed,
dodging now and then a British cannon ball, I feverishly hoped they
would come after us with all their force, for there, where we could find
ammunition, it might be possible for us to pay back some part of the
debt of revenge which we owed.
Of that terrible retreat it is, perhaps, not necessary I should set
down more than that after we had succeeded in crossing the Neck, leaving
behind us many a poor fellow weltering in his blood, we continued on at
a speed which, in view of our fatigue, would not have been possible save
because of the seeming certainty that death must overtake him who played
the laggard.
Not until we were come to the encampment at Cambridge and were lying at
full length upon the ground as do dogs after a furious race, did I
realize all of the exhaustion which had been brought about by the night
of perilous toil and the day of suspense and desperate fighting,
together with the mad flight which called for the last remaining ounce
of strength in our bodies.
I no longer gave heed to my comrades; it was as if the Minute Boys of
Boston had never an existence--almost as if the Cause was forgotten,
while I lay prone upon the ground so weary that it was an exertion to
breathe. Hunger and thirst had no place in my mind, nor did I realize
anything distinctly, save the utter physical collapse, until another day
had come, when Hiram aroused me to a sense of life and responsibility.
"What has happened?" I cried stupidly, staggering to my feet when he had
shaken me into consciousness, and he replied grimly, like one who has a
deep sore in his heart and strives to hide it by showing anger:
"Much has happened as you will understand when slumber has been driven
from your eyelids. Now is not the time for you to remain idle, after
having had eight hours of sleep. Where are your Minute Boys?"
"Here, if I mistake not," I answered, not yet fully realizing all that
had taken place since we marched out from Cambridge under the leadership
of Colonel Prescott.
"I have been astir since sunrise, and find but seven, counting you and I
as two. It seems certain many of the lads have given up their lives; but
I have learned from what seems good evidence that Silas Brownrigg was
taken prisoner by the lobster backs."
"How do you know that?" I cried, my voice sounding shrill because of the
fear which came upon me concerning the other lads.
"I have talked with those who saw him far in the rear before we were
come to Charlestown Neck, and there is one here who claims that he saw a
grenadier seize the lad just before we were arrived within range of the
_Glasgow's_ fire."
"What of Archie and Harvey?" I cried, instantly full of apprehension.
"Over yonder, not twenty paces away," and Hiram pointed across the field
where were two hundred or more men fallen into the same sleep of
exhaustion from which I had just awakened.
"Let's go to them," I said suiting the action to the words, and a few
moments later the two lads, with slumber yet hanging heavily on their
eyelids, were sitting bolt upright listening to me as I repeated Hiram's
words.
"It will be a ticklish job to make our way into Boston town now while
the enemy is so keenly on the alert," Archie said, as if there was no
question in his mind but that we would set off without delay to do
whatsoever we might to help our unfortunate comrade.
"Do you so much as fancy we might get into the town? Or, having
smuggled our way through the lines, that we could remain there an hour
without being detected?" I cried, amazed because my comrade had
seemingly suggested such a perilous adventure.
"It matters little whether we can succeed or not, the attempt must be
made," Archie said promptly, and I understood there was in his mind the
thought that now had come the time when he might be able to show his
willingness to aid a comrade, even as we had shown ours in his behalf.
I looked at Hiram, believing he would cry out against any such desperate
hazard; but he remained silent as if agreeing with all Archie had said.
"Since the battle it stands to reason that the Britishers will keep a
sharper watch then ever before," I said, determined at the outset to
show all the dangers which were in the way of such an attempt as Archie
had suggested. "Even though we succeeded in getting into the town, what
could we accomplish, except it was possible to move about the streets
freely? You know full well that within an hour after we show ourselves,
some of the young Tories will spy us out, and there is no need for me to
say what would happen then."
"I am willing to agree the chances are much against us," Archie replied,
"and yet there is a possibility that by some lucky accident we could
come across Silas. I realize what it is to be held prisoner by the
lobster backs, and yet that which I suffered must be as nothing compared
with his situation, for more than one of the Britishers know he fought
desperately well. Perhaps the lad lies wounded, lacking attention,
lacking nursing. Are we to stay here in safety?"
"I'm not saying aught against our doing all that is possible," was my
hot retort; "but it is beyond reason to suppose we might help him even
in the slightest degree."
"So most like you said when I was in prison, and yet by a singular
combination of lucky accidents I was set free."
I understood full well that it would be useless for me to attempt
further to combat the resolution which my comrade had already formed,
and yet I could not bring myself to see in the two cases any likeness
one to the other. The dullest among us knew in what frame of mind the
Britishers must be after having been so nearly whipped by the "rag-tag"
of the colonies, and it was almost certain that the prisoners captured
during the battle, or the retreat, would be guarded so closely as to
prevent any such slight aid as we might be able to give.
What Harvey thought of the matter I could not guess. As we discussed it
I fancied now he took sides with me, and again that he believed Archie
to be in the right. As to Hiram, it was evident that any mad scheme
which might be proposed would meet with his favorable attention.
If I could have seen the least ray of hope in such an enterprise, none
would have been more eager than I; but to my mind there was not one
chance in an hundred that we could even succeed in getting into the
town, yet a word from Harvey caused me to become as eager as either
Archie or Hiram to set about the apparently hopeless attempt.
"If there are but seven of our Minute Boys here in the encampment, it is
the duty of those who have come out from the battle unscathed to learn
the fate of the others. Who can say that the lobster backs may not have
more than Silas in their clutches?"
It was much the same as if Harvey had said that I, as captain of the
Minute Boys, was in duty bound to learn the fate of those who were
absent, regardless of how much danger might be attached to such an
effort, and from that instant I was ready, even showed eagerness, to
undertake anything whatsoever which they should propose so long as it
had reference to the missing members of our company.
It so chanced that my father passed near at about this time, and I ran
to have speech with him, explaining what my comrades would have me do,
and why there was apparent reason for our making every effort to enter
Boston town.
"It is not to be thought of," he cried sharply, before I was come to an
end of the story. "There is no hope of your being able to aid the lad,
if so be he is a prisoner; you would only be venturing your heads into
the lion's mouth to no purpose."
"But we did succeed in rescuing Archie when it seemed impossible
anything could be done," I insisted, ready to argue now that he had shut
down upon the plan so decidedly.
"The situation was far different then. A battle had not been fought; the
Britishers were not smarting under a sense of defeat, although most like
they will speak of the action at Breed's hill as a victory, and now that
we of the American army have shown ourselves able to cope with trained
soldiers, every precaution will be taken against our spying upon their
movements. It is a mad scheme, and the sooner you put it out of your
mind the better."
But for the fact that Harvey had much the same as reminded me of my duty
as captain of the Minute Boys, I would have allowed that my father's
opinion settled the matter definitely; but as it was I believed duty
demanded that I go as had been suggested, regardless of every danger.
None of my comrades asked any questions when I returned from the
interview with my father. They had evidently read from the expression on
his face, and the tone in which he spoke, although it had been
impossible to hear the words, that he set his face against any movement
of the kind, and I fancied the three were waiting to hear whether I
counted to crawl back from the enterprise, therefore it was I said
promptly:
"The attempt shall be made, and because of having been chosen captain of
the company it is my duty to go, and go alone."
"Why alone?" Harvey asked.
"Because there is no reason why the lives of four Minute Boys be
sacrificed. If there is any show of coming upon the lad, I may be able
to aid him single-handed, and for all of us to venture into town would
be increasing the chances of detection."
"You could not have released me single-handed," Archie cried, "however
might have been your inclination, and therefore it is I shall go whether
you are willing or not."
The other two were quite as decided in their intention to take part in
the venture, and, realizing how useless it would be to make any effort
at bringing about a change of opinion, I agreed that we would all go,
even though believing that we were not warranted in so doing.
Once this matter had been settled Hiram seemed to consider himself the
leader of our party, regardless of the fact that I had been chosen
captain of the company, and straightway began to lay plans, thus
showing, to my mind at least, that he had decided, even before awakening
me, on some such scheme.
Had the matter been left to my decision, I would have held that our
efforts at gaining the town must be made by water, either from Mystic
river or Willis creek; but Hiram said in a tone which admitted of no
argument:
"We'll go down the Cambridge to Muddy river in a skiff, and from there
strike into Dorchester where we shall find a small body of our own
troops."
"And also, where we'll be bottled up in great shape, for even you cannot
believe there will be any chance of our getting past the British
fortifications on Boston Neck," I said, believing I had found such a
defect in his plan that he would not attempt to carry it out.
"I'm at a loss to see how we are bottled up any worse in Dorchester,
than here, and because our people haven't been making many attempts to
get into the town from that direction, I believe our best chance of
success lies there. It is not absolutely necessary we attempt to go over
the Neck; but it should be possible, on a dark night, to slip across in
a boat from nearabout Nook's hill to some part of the town south of
Windmill point."
"And what then?" I asked with no slight show of impatience, for it
seemed as if there was mighty little of common sense in this plan of his
by which we were to risk our necks.
"That's as far as we can get by laying out the work in advance. All the
rest must come about through accident."
"But once in the town," I insisted, "how is it going to be possible for
us to learn where the prisoner is confined, since we do not dare show
ourselves in broad day?"
"There are yet people in Boston town who love the Cause?" Hiram said as
if asking a question, and I contented myself with nodding, for it seemed
much as if he would put me off with empty words.
"Aye," I replied, "most like hundreds of them."
"And you lads who have lived there should be able to find a hiding-place
without going among those who might be suspected of harboring a rebel."
"I could go to twenty such places, and yet not be able to say how we
would be able to provide ourselves with food while keeping under cover."
"Well then," and it seemed as if Hiram was losing his patience, "I
cannot lay out for you in so many words a plan of work when so much
depends upon accident; but if you will do whatsoever you may toward
getting into the town, I believe there is a possibility of at least
finding where Silas is imprisoned, and if so be we are not able to lend
him any aid, I'm of the mind we can get out again no matter how alert
the lobster backs may be."
"When would you set off?" I asked, speaking more sharply than was
necessary.
"Within an hour," was the prompt reply.
"Does that please you, lads?" I asked, turning to Archie and Harvey, and
they said "Yes," so emphatically that I could not put further obstacles
in the way, save at the expense of setting myself down as being
faint-hearted, or unwilling to venture into danger for the purpose of
striving to release Silas.
It was then agreed among us that we should make such preparations as
were possible, each lad getting ready for the work in hand as seemed to
him best, and were to meet on the Common within the hour.
My preparations consisted chiefly in getting all in the shape of food
possible. I did not believe we could make our way into Boston armed with
muskets, therefore borrowed from an old sailor a pistol with a plentiful
supply of ammunition, and bargained with a New Hampshire recruit for a
knife which hung in a sheath attached to a belt, like that which is worn
by seamen. Then I went to the rendezvous, being the first to arrive, and
Hiram came up within a few moments.
He had prepared himself for this hazardous venture by procuring such an
amount of rations as might serve one person two or three days. As for
weapons, he had none, and when I asked him whether he did not believe it
wise to make some provision for meeting an enemy suddenly, he replied
that when he came upon a lobster back unawares it would be at such time
and in such place as would shut off all chance of using firearms.
"My own two hands will be enough, so far as I am concerned. If we
stumble upon a single lobster back other weapons will not be needed. In
the event of meeting a squad, it would be folly to make any show of
resistance."
I was rapidly losing my good opinion of Hiram's judgment. The first
cause being his proposition to embark upon such a wild-goose chase, and
the second, his intention to set off without providing himself with any
means of defense.
Silas brought with him his musket, and more of powder and ball than he
could comfortably carry during a long march, while Archie had only a
knife, which was better adapted for the cutting of food than defending
his life.
Thus it was that we had with us a musket, a pistol and two knives,
together with as much in the way of provisions as would serve the four
of us two days.
"We are well outfitted," I said, intending to speak in a tone of irony.
"And now let's set off without delay, for the less time we have in which
to consider the chances against success, the better will be my courage."
Hiram gave no heed to my disagreeable tone, but at once led the way
toward the river, and then it was we came to understand he had made
other arrangements for the journey than those of simply supplying
himself with provisions.
He brought us to where a skiff was hauled up on the shore, and from
appearances one would have said she had but lately been put in that
position, for two pair of oars laid ready at hand, while in the
stern-sheets were three or four blankets.
Hiram launched her, motioning for us to take our places, and when Archie
asked at what hour he had thus made preparations for the voyage, he
replied laughingly:
"A great deal may be done in a few minutes, and it so happened that more
than half of my work in getting possession of this skiff, had been done
before I awakened Luke Wright."
"But at that time you did not know if we would set out in the hope of
aiding Silas," I cried, whereupon he added in a business-like tone:
"True for you; but I was mighty certain that I should go, even though
none other agreed to bear me company."
"And you were also decided that your plan should be carried out," Harvey
said with a laugh.
"Aye, because if you lads had agreed upon getting into the town by the
same route as you have been doing, I should have set off by myself."
It vexed me not a little that Hiram had gone through the form of
consulting us when he was already determined on what he would do and how
it should be done; but no good could come from my giving words to such
thoughts, and I held my peace.
Hiram and Harvey worked the oars. I made myself as comfortable as
possible in the stern-sheets, while Archie perforce remained in the bow
of the craft in order that he might, as Griffin expressed it, "trim
ship."
We went rapidly down past the two breastworks known as "number one" and
"number two" without having been hailed by those on shore, and indeed
there was no good reason why our people should interfere with any who
were so far up the river.
Near to nightfall, however, when we were come to that three-gun battery
which stood just above where Fort Brookline was afterward built, the
sentinel made peremptory demand that we come on shore and give an
account of ourselves.
"This is work for you to do, since you are the captain," Hiram said to
me, and I retorted:
"I may be the captain of the Minute Boys, but I am surely not the leader
of this expedition. If there is any question raised here against our
continuing the voyage, you are the one who must answer it."
"That can be done in short order," Hiram replied laughingly as, swinging
the bow of the boat around until it was stuck fast in the mud, he leaped
ashore with the bearing of one who sets about some trifling task.
There was almost a hope in my mind that we might be prevented from going
further on our hazardous venture, but when in less than ten minutes
Hiram returned, looking as if he had never known a care in his life, I
understood that either by making a clean breast of the matter, or by
inventing some plausible reason for our leaving Cambridge, he had
satisfied the officer in command of the battery.
It was long past midnight when we were arrived at the mouth of the
river, and since there was no good reason why we should strive to come
to an end of our journey a few hours sooner or later, we hauled the
skiff ashore where grew a thicket of bushes, such as would conceal us
from view of any who might pass either by land or water.
After the skiff was pulled up within the screen of foliage, Hiram spread
out two of the blankets to protect us from the damp earth, and the
others he proposed we should use as a covering of what he was pleased to
call a "field bed."
Then we sat ourselves down to partake of food for the first time since
leaving the encampment, and I noted with no little anxiety that if we
continued to have such appetites during the next four and twenty hours,
our store of food would be sadly diminished.
Despite my forebodings as to the outcome of this hazard, I fell asleep
shortly after stretching myself out at full length between Archie and
Harvey, nor did I awaken until Hiram shook me into consciousness, saying
that the sun would rise in half an hour, and we should be well on our
journey before the heat of the day had grown too great.