ced 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 FRANCISC