s. Early in April, a British
council of war, in which Clinton, Burgoyne, and Percy took part,
unanimously advised the immediate occupation of Dorchester, as both
indispensable to the protection of the shipping, and as assurance of
access to the country for indispensable supplies.

General Howe already appreciated the mistake of General Gage, in his
expedition to Concord, but still cherished such hope of an accommodation
of the issue with the Colonies that he postponed action until a
peaceable occupation of Dorchester Heights became impossible, and the
growing earthworks of the besiegers already commanded Boston Neck.

General Gage had also advised, and wisely, the occupation of Charlestown
Heights, as both necessary and feasible, without risk to Boston itself.
He went so far as to announce that, in case of overt acts of hostility
to such occupation, by the citizens of Charlestown, he would burn the
town.

It was clearly sound military policy for the British to occupy both
Dorchester and Charlestown Heights, at the first attempt of the
Americans to invest the city.

As early as the middle of May, the Massachusetts Committee of Safety, as
well as the council, had resolved "to occupy Bunker Hill as soon as
artillery and powder could be adequately furnished for the purpose," and
a committee was appointed to examine and report respecting the merits of
Dorchester Heights, as a strategic restraint upon the garrison of
Boston.

On the fifteenth of June, upon reliable information that the British had
definitely resolved to seize both Heights, and had designated the
eighteenth of June for the occupation of Charlestown, the same Committee
of Safety voted "to take immediate possession of Bunker Bill."

Mr. Bancroft states that "the decision was so sudden that no fit
preparation could be made," Under the existing conditions, it was indeed
a desperate daring, expressive of grand faith and self-devotion, worthy
of the cause in peril, and only limited in its immediate and assured
triumph by the simple lack of powder.

Prescott, who was eager to lead the enterprise and was entrusted with
its execution, and Putman, who gave it his most ardent support, were
most urgent that the council should act promptly; while Warren, who long
hesitated to concur, did at last concur, and gave his life as the test
of his devotion. General Ward realized fully that the hesitation of the
British to emerge from Boston and attack the Americans was an