s in the rear
of the intrenchment, where there was no cannon to bear upon them, he led
them up the hill right in front, where the American artillery was placed
full in their faces. This was a most disastrous step. The troops were
formed in two lines, with the light infantry on the right wing, led by
Howe, and the grenadiers on the left, led by Pigott. In their front
were a few small field-pieces and howitzers, which began to fire at
intervals, during which the troops halted. In advancing the left wing
was fired on from some houses in Charlestown, and in the conflict which
ensued that town was set on fire and was soon burnt to the ground. The
whole detachment now moved up the hill, and the Americans, secure behind
their entrenchments reserved their fire till the British troops were
almost close to the muzzle of their guns. They then opened a terrible
discharge of cannon and musketry, and their volleys were so rapid and
skilfully directed that the British troops recoiled, and many fled
to the boats which had conveyed them, over the river. At this moment
General Clinton crossed Charles River with a number of resolute
officers, and having succeeded in rallying the fugitives he made them
re-ascend the hill, and join in a general charge made on the Americans,
with fixed bayonets. This time they succeeded. The provincials were
driven from their works, and they ran for their lives down the hill
in their rear. The troops took possession of Bunker's Hill, but it was
purchased at a great cost: 1050, including eighty-nine commissioned
officers, being either killed or wounded, while the Americans scarcely
suffered a third part of that loss.

{GEORGE III. 1775-1776}

GENERAL WASHINGTON.

General Washington was great-grandson to John Washington, a gentleman of
respectable family, who had emigrated from England about the middle
of the preceding century, and had settled at Potomac, in Westmoreland
county, in the colony of Virginia. At this place the general was born,
and after receiving a plain education, he learned something of the
business of land-surveying, and was in the eighteenth year of his age
appointed surveyor of the western part of the territory of Virginia, by
Lord Fairfax, the proprietor of that country. After this, however,
he embraced the profession of arms, and distinguished himself in the
Canadian war, and especially on the day of Braddock's defeat, when,
at the head of the provincial militia, he covered the re