It was nearly three o'clock in the afternoon when the British army
formed for the advance. General Howe was expected to break and envelop
the American left wing, take the redoubt in the rear, and cut off
retreat to Bunker Hill and the mainland. The light infantry moved
closely along the Mystic. The grenadiers advanced upon the stone fence,
while the British left demonstrated toward the unprotected gap which was
between the fence and the short breastwork next the redoubt. General
Pigot with the extreme left wing moved directly upon the redoubt. The
British artillery had been supplied with twelve-pound shot for
six-pounder guns, and, thus disabled, were ordered to use only grape.
The guns were, therefore, advanced to the edge of an old brick-kiln, as
the spongy ground and heavy grass did not permit ready handling of guns
at the foot of the hill slope, or even just at its left. This secured a
more effective range of fire upon the skeleton defences of the American
centre, and an eligible position for a direct fire upon the exposed
portion of the American front, and both breastwork and redoubt.
The advance of the British army was like a solemn pageant in its steady
headway, and like a parade for inspection in its completeness. This
army, bearing knapsacks and full campaign equipment, moved forward as
if, by the force of its closely knit columns, it must sweep every
barrier away. But, right in the way was a calm, intense love of liberty.
It was represented by men of the same blood and of equal daring.
A strong contrast marked the opposing Englishmen that summer afternoon.
The plain men handled plain firelocks. Oxhorns held their powder, and
their pockets held their bullets. Coatless, under the broiling sun,
unincumbered, unadorned by plume or service medal, pale and wan after
their night of toil and their day of hunger, thirst, and waiting, this
live obstruction calmly faced the advancing splendor.
A few hasty shots, quickly restrained, drew an innocent fire from the
British front rank. The pale, stern men behind the slight defence,
obedient to a strong will, answer not to the quick volley, and nothing
to the audible commands of the advancing columns,--waiting, still.
No painter can make the scene more clear than the recital of sober
deposition, and the record left by survivors of either side. History has
no contradictions to confuse the realities of that momentous tragedy.
The British left wing is near the redoubt. It has only to mount a fresh
earthbank, hardly six feet high, and its clods and sands can almost be
counted,--it is so near, so easy--sure.
Short, crisp, and earnest, low-toned, but felt as an electric pulse, are
the words of Prescott. Warren, by his side, repeats. The words fly
through the impatient lines. The eager fingers give back from the
waiting trigger. "Steady, men." "Wait until you see the white of the
eye." "Not a shot sooner." "Aim at the handsome coats." "Aim at the
waistbands." "Pick off the commanders." "Wait for the word, every
man,--_steady_."
Those plain men, so patient, can already count the buttons, can read the
emblems on the breastplate, can recognize the officers and men whom they
had seen parade on Boston Common. Features grow more distinct. The
silence is awful. The men seem dead--waiting for one word. On the
British right the light infantry gain equal advance just as the left
wing almost touched the redoubt. Moving over more level ground, they
quickly made the greater distance, and passed the line of those who
marched directly up the hill. The grenadiers moved firmly upon the
centre, with equal confidence, and space lessens to that which the
spirit of the impending word defines. That word waits behind the centre
and left wing, as it lingers at breastwork and redoubt. Sharp, clear,
and deadly in tone and essence, it rings forth,--_Fire_!