Young folks' history of the United States . British. The Ameri-cans withheld their fire till the last moment; and three-fourths of the advancing soldiers fell, and the restfaltered. Twice the British advanced, and twice theywere driven backwards; while very few of the Ameri-cans were hurt. Then a third attack was made uponthe main fort. The British officers were seen threaten-ing the soldiers, and even striking and pricking them,to make them advance; but they were very passed round the ranks, telling his men, that,if the British were once more driven back, they couldnot rally
Young folks' history of the United States . British. The Ameri-cans withheld their fire till the last moment; and three-fourths of the advancing soldiers fell, and the restfaltered. Twice the British advanced, and twice theywere driven backwards; while very few of the Ameri-cans were hurt. Then a third attack was made uponthe main fort. The British officers were seen threaten-ing the soldiers, and even striking and pricking them,to make them advance; but they were very passed round the ranks, telling his men, that,if the British were once more driven back, they couldnot rally again ; and his men shouted, We are ready f86 YOUNG FOLKS UNITED STATES. for the red-coats again.* But Putnam knew that theupowder was ahnost gone, and told them to reserve thehlire till the British were within twenty yards. Once morethey awaited the assailants, who now advanced withfixed bayonets, without firing, and under the protectionof batteries of artillery. Most of the Americans hadbut one round of ammunition left, and few had more. DEATH OF GENERAL WARREN. Death of General Warren. than three. Scarcely any had bayonets. Their lastshots were soon fired ; and there was nothing for tliembut to retreat as they best could. They fell backslowly, one by one, losing far more men in the retreatthan in the battle. Among their losses was the braveGeneral Warren, eminent as a physician and as apatriot. He was president of the Provincial Congress* CONCORD, LEXINGTON, AND BUNKER HILL. 187 and was there only as a volunteer, not in command. Howes es-The British general, Howe, on hearing of his death, ^J^rren°said that it was equal to the loss of five hundred mento the Americans. CHAPTER XIX. WASHINGTON TAKES COMMAND. Effect of I- I ^HE battle of Bunker Hill was of the greatest the battle I ° of Bunker -?- importance to the colonies. First, it settled the Hill question that there was to be a war, which many peoplehad not before believed. Secondly, it showed thatinexperienced American s
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